I wasn't really feeling the extra "snap" indicative of being fresh and ready to hammer. In fact I was feeling a bit sluggish trying to keep up with the neutral roll out. But I thought this course would suit me, and, like I said - I was determined to finish.
I had decided to run my own pace up the early big climb and see where I stacked up. I dropped out of the lead group early, but pretty soon I was catching people that were getting dropped form the lead group. It wasn't long before I was in front of all the pro women so I felt my pace was pretty good.
I carried enough stuff to blow through aid station #1 at mile 18 at the top of the climb. Next came the super fast gravel road descent. After seeing a few cars on the course I decided to play it a little conservative so that I wouldn't end up a hood ornament on one of the local's pick-up trucks. About the time we turn off the descent I start to feel the rear tire going soft. Actually making the super sharp right hander onto the single track prooved to be problematic - I slid the front tire and went down.
It didn't take long to realize there was a problem. The rear went from a "squirmy" feeling to bouncing off the rim. Not good, but no "hiss" of air leaking so I keep my weight forward and try to reach Aid #2 at mile 27. Unsuccessful. The tire is quite flat now and I seriously considered just banging off the rim to the aid station. But, I was here to finish, so I stopped and gave it a shot of CO2. This got me to aid station #2. I picked up an extra CO2 cartridge hoping I wouldn't need it.
The 2nd biggest climb of the race followed a loop (Bull Mountain Loop) that would bring us back to the same aid station. It was primarily a fire road climb, but some pretty fast and fun descending on single track. I was looking forward to doing it again on Lap #2. When I reached aid #3 I had Anthony check the air in the rear tire: 15psi. So I had him fill it to 35psi in hopes it would be enough air to keep from faltting again.
Some more gravel and more sweet single track followed to aid #4. I stopped for my drop bag here. I refueled and prepared for the 23 miles back to aid #5 which is the same as #2 and #3 from the previous lap. The course was redesigned for 2012. We skip the biggest climb from early in the race but we did 3 shorter, steeper climbs. My rear tire has so much air in it now I'm getting pretty beat up on my hardtail, but it sure beats fixing a flat alongside the trail.
When I get to aid #5 I'm greeted by ambulances and paramedics. Apparently someone has crashed in between #5 and #6. I have no idea who it is, but I hope all turns out well. The climb up Bull Mountain goes well - there is one short section I hiked both times. And there is a Gator (John Deere type, not alligor) stuck beside the trail. It starts to rain on the descent. What was a slightly slick trail becomes a bit more challenging. About 2 miles from aid #6 someone warns me to slow down. I do, and pass by the injured rider and a cast of others who have stopped to lend a hand. About a mile later I meet paramedics carrying a stretcher up the trail. Again, I hope that all ends well for the injured rider.
By the time I get to aid #6 it is quite wet, but barely raining. Anthony checks my air again: 30psi. We deem it good to go to the finish. This would be my last planned stop.
The trail to aid #7 is very slick. I'm not used to riding the red mud they have here. Sometimes it's soft enough to get some bite and sometimes the tires slide right over it. Much of the single track is downhill and pretty flow-y. I tried to keep the pace high, but I keep sliding and seeing where others have slid off the trail. I play it a bit conservative, but no one is catching me and I keep catching racer's from the 50-mile class.
I bypass aid #7 as planned. By now the sun is out and the trails are a bit drier and easier to navigate. It's 10 miles to the finish from here and I've got a little more energy left than usual at the end of one these races because of all the soft pedaling on the slippery parts.
After a few more miles of single track we enter gravel road, then paved. Almost home. I thought. However it's like 5 or 6 miles of smooth, undulating, paved road back to the Winery and the finish. It's funny how I can pace myself up 10 miles of gravel road at the beginning of the race, but this smooth road is wearing me out. I pass about 10 more 50-milers on the open road before making the right turn into the Winery. The newly cut grass route is actually quite slick and a lot harder to roll on then the road I was just on. But it's a short section and pretty soon the Kenda arch looms ahead. I struggle up the final grassy climb and come in somewhere around 8:03.
I thank God for the successful race and hope that in some way my efforts can glorify Him.
My 2012 MTB season is quickly coming to an end. Of course, Pisgah MTB stage race is coming up and perhaps the Dark Mountain Point to Point race. After that - Cyclocross season.
See you on the trails!
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