Hincapie Spring Training Series - La Bastide

Saturday's training called for a hard 3:00 training block  The weather was to be cold, rainy and miserable.  I didn't relish the thought of logging 3 hours on the trainer, so it seemed only logical to do the Hincapie Spring Training Series at La Bastide - North of Greenville, SC.  For the 40+ class it would be six laps of 8+ miles with a big climb at the start/finish (and every lap).  If I'm going to be cold and miserable, I may as well be racing...

It rained for the entire drive to La Bastide - a winery/Motel deal of some sort.  Very hilly.  After some creative parking I began to prep for the 11:00am race start.  It had stopped raining, although the skies were certainly not clearing, it was warming a little bit.  I opted for a few less layers than Southern Cross last weekend.

At race start they notified us that the race had been shortened to 5 laps and that the Masters 40+ and Masters 50+ would be combined, and that we were racing for one payout instead of paying both classes.  So this is road racing.  Not that it had any significant impact on my race.

The race started with a neutral roll out on roads that would stay wet under the chilly conditions, but it never rained for the duration of the race.  At an intersection at the bottom of a fast descent, the racing began in earnest.  Two-thirds of the triangle-shaped course was flat or rolling.  The remainder was a substantial climb or rapid descent.

The first lap was pretty hard as breaks and chases were being worked out at the front of the field.  I had one good friend, but no teammates in the race.  I know I can't get off the front so I decide to let the tactics play out, carefully watching to be sure the pack doesn't split in front of me.

The first time up the hill is hard.  I'm a climber, but I'm used to climbing at my own pace for the off road events and I excel at the really long climbs.  This was neither.  Fortunately the pack was large enough on this first ascent that the immediately following descent was long enough to stay in contact with the strung out group and the now, somewhat smaller, group rolled around to the climb again.

Apparently we didn't hit the hill hard enough first time.  We hammered it pretty hard for lap two.  I was in good position though, and knew I could recover most of the rest of the lap.  I was able to stay in contact once again.  While I was recovering near the rear of the pack, two riders rode off the front.  I had no answer for them.

The third time up the hill was painful.  I struggled mightily, as did many others.  When the first few riders crested the hill, they kept hammering.  I did all I could to limit my losses.  I was going to have to chase them back down.  Fortunately a few others caught me and we managed to paceline and catch back on.  It was all I could do just to catch the group, but in the shelter of the other riders I was able to start recovering again.  In the mayhem a few other riders had gone off the front.  I'm not sure if our little group of about 15 is the peloton, or the chase group.  Either way, my optimistic but resolute plan was to hang onto this group until the bitter end.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen the fourth time up the hill with this smaller group.  I hit the climb in the front of the pack with the plans of climbing it at my pace and see what everyone else did.  Although there was some concern on my part as several blew by at the base of the hill, my plan worked well as my steady pace saw me able to catch them all back in the steeper final part of the climb.

The last lap was pure energy conservation pace as nobody wanted to drive the front.  The final results would be decided this last time up the hill.  My legs felt OK, but lacked the snappiness I was going to need to stand and mash the pedals for the final 200 meters.  My only hope was that the others were in worse shape than me.  As it turns out, some were.  Some weren't. 

At the base of the climb I was encouraged when nobody took off immediately.  I knew they were feeling the effects of the earlier climbs as well.  My goal: stay on my buddy, Chris Sugar's' wheel.  He's a strong rider and a good finisher.  We pass a few other riders as they begin to drop off.  The final 200 meter "sprint" is the steepest part of the finishing climb.  Chris stands and pumps the pedals, I try, but to no avail.  Sitting and spinning is all I have left.  I do manage to hang on to be scored right behind him, so a good effort for sure.

Two of the riders ahead of me were in the 50+ class, so my top 10 finish is scored 8th in 40+.  It was a hard day.  But that's why I was there.

See you on the trails!

Southern Cross. Bonus Miles

   This was was my 2nd Southern Cross race.  The first one I did on a 29'er hardtail with some fast rolling Vee Rubber V12 tires.  I managed to pull off a 6th place finish in the 40+ class.  This year I raced a cyclocross bike and was really looking forward to a good result. 

The Good:
   Off season training was going well.  My power numbers looked good for the early season, and I managed to drop all the off-season weight to get to my new, slightly lower than last year, racing weight.  The bike was dialed in with AC Hurricane wheels and some fast rolling CX tires and I was ready to race.

The Bad:
   The weather.  Chance of rain/snow showers.  Starting temp was 34 degrees.  The forecast-ed high temp was 39 degrees.   And, just for fun, throw in a good dose of chilling wind.  I ended up wearing: 2 base layers, short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, Gore Wind Stopper jacket, wind breaker, compression socks, Iron Cross socks, leg warmers, skull cap, sunglasses, North Wave high top winter shoes, Gore winter gloves.

The Ugly:
   The race rolled off at 10:01am.  It was quite cold, but the sun was out, and it looked like we'd miss the rain/snow.  I got a reasonably good starting position.  The pace started a bit fast for me.  There are people fighting me for positions that I probably won't see again after the first big climb. The first run-up is perhaps rideable with MTB gearing and a grippy rear tire, which means I was "running" it.  Apparently run-ups are not my strong suit as I lost quite a few positions.
   Soon we leave the punchy climbs of the Winery and we are on to the gravel roads that make up 90% of the race. 95% for me - but more on that later.  I'm still getting passed every now and then and I make a point to try to remember the jerseys to see if I catch them again. A few miles in and the grade increases.  This is the first of 2 major climbs in the race, and it is the steepest.  I push the pace, but stay within my limits.  I'm passing more people than are passing me now.  There are still a lot of racers pushing hard.  I'm starting to feel over-dressed on this sunny, wind protected climb.
   At the top of the climb, mile 12.5, is the first aid station.  I blow by, as do most others around me.  At the top of this climb, the road is frosted, but lightly melted, too - making it squishy and slowing the pace.  A rider next to me turns and says, "It's 26 degrees."  I'm feeling better about my many clothing layers. 
   When we get to the first descent I really let it roll.  Staying off the brakes, working the corners, pedaling whenever I'm not spun out.  It's a tactic that reels in several riders who are more cautious descenders.  By the time we get to the paved road I've left all of the racers that were near me.  It's me and a racer on a MTB I catch to head down the open road to the next big climb.  I end up doing most of the work.
   Just before we reach the fire road, a pack of 5 or 6 riders, including the lead female racer, catch us - pointing out the importance of having a pace line for the fast sections.  But, again the grade increases.  This 2nd climb is long, but not as steep.  It's like it was designed for me.  I attack, and quickly open a large gap.  By the time I get to aid station #2 at mile 37.5 I've passed pretty much all of the folks that passed me early on.  I'm feeling pretty good.  I refill a water bottle and continue on.  This descent is broken up by a couple of short, steep climbs.  They hurt, but I make up time descending.
   And then the ugliest part.  I know that I'm on the last part of the descent and I am mentally prepared to time trial the 4 or 5 miles back to the winery.  I blow though an intersection.  It seemed odd there was no marshal or arrows.  Following race promoter's Eddie's instructions to "When in doubt, go straight" I continue descending.  But when I get to the "T" at the bottom of the descent, there is no marking, but it seems to guide me right, so I go right.  There are no markings.  It's obvious now that I missed a turn.  I am tasked with turning around and climbing back the road I just descended.  The worst part is knowing that I am now out of contention for a top placing.
   It was hard to stay motivated climbing back to the course, but when I got back on track and caught some other racers it was hammer time again.  I had forgotten how ridiculously hard that last climbs through the winery were.  Adding to the difficulty, the ground was soft and the grass was tall on the off road parts.  I end up off the bike hiking several short climbs.  But I worked hard and I finished.  Mission accomplished.  No mechanical issues.  My choice of clothing worked out well.  I was both cold and hot in sections.  I don't know that I would have done anything different.   ...Except watch for arrows a little closer.  The price of riding solo, head down, digging, I suppose.
    A few snow flakes fell as I was enjoying the post-race food.  A fitting end to a cold, blustery day.  My thanks to all who made this race possible, my admiration to all those who braved the cold to come out and race.

See you on the trails!
...or fire roads!

Perspective

It's really rather simple to be fast on a bike.  It's like the old anecdote about carving an elephant out of a block of granite - you just chisel away everything that doesn't look like an elephant. Only, in cycling, you just don't do anything that doesn't make you faster.  While this singular-minded focus will make you fast on the bike, it comes with a large price tag.  But the addictive nature of the sport combined with my excessive-compulsive nature keeps me fighting the battle of balance on a regular basis.  Just ask my wife.  Or better yet, don't ask my wife...

You see, I've been involved in performance driven sports most of my life.  Both professionally and as "hobbies". Hard work has always paid off, but you are only as good as your last result. I've been fortunate enough to excel in this arena.  It's a shame, really, in some respects.  Because it makes it hard for me to accept that my value does not come from what I've done, but who I am.

I was created in God's image.  He sent his son to die for me.  The greatest christmas gift of all.  I just had to believe that He died and rose again.  For me.  No matter how many races I win or lose, where I work, or what I've done.  He died for me.

And for you.

No matter what you've done or who you are.

This Christmas maybe take a minute to remember that the greatest gift of all is for you.

A free gift for you.

Merry Christmas!

See you on the trails

Shiner's Run Point to Point

The 2nd annual P2P race took place on some of my favorite trails: the IMBA Epic trails at Kerr Scott Dam.  It included Dark Mountain, OVT, Shiner's Run and Warrior Creek. With dry trails, warm sunshine and a better marked trail, my goal was to beat 3 hours for the 37 mile course.  There was no age groups for the expert class, so I would be taking on the best of the best.  

My class rolled off first.  This race being, pretty much just a kinda-long cross country race, I knew I'd have to go hard early.  So we hammered the switch back climbs up ovt that lead us to the Burn course on Dark Mountain.  I'd been riding my 26" FS bike here and I had forgotten how much a hard tail bounced around.  The loose leaves and my fast rolling tires made it a little treacherous.  I ended up trading places with another on a FS bike that would pass me on the descents, then I would re-pass on the climbs.  Eventually I would get away and roll down the final sweet dark mountain descent. 

Next was ovt and shinr's run, which really suited me and my hard tail much better.  There isn't much climbing, but it's fast, flowy, and bermed.  The hills that are there can be sprinted over.  It's really quite fun.  I could ride it all day.

Ovt ends at bandits roost campground where there is an aid station that I blow thru and head out on the open road for 3 miles of solo time trialling.  There are 2 riders up the road that I wasn't able to catch until the biggest climb of the day on the smooth, paved roads of warrior creek campground.  This was followed by a 40+ MPH descent (and an omigosh corner) that lead to a short section of trail that looked like it hadn't been ridden since this race last year. With a thick covering of leaves it was hard to discern what was trail.  I actually had a hard time getting enough grip to climb some of the short, steep hills.  By now the riders I passed on the big climb have nearly caught me again, but this section ends and it's on to old familiar warrior creek trail goodness.

It felt good to be able to go full gas again, and I hammer up some switch back climbs.  We are diverted through some campground roads, but then it's back to warrior creek business as usual.  There are mile markers set-up for each of the 12 mile loops and I'm counting them down as I'm pushing myself to try to catch other riders.  I can't help but smile as I descend the cork screw, and flew through the air on the various jumps and throw the bike into the banked corners.  I even clear the rock gardens with no issues.

After mile marker 11 goes by and I pop out of the single track, a volunteer directs me up a hill to the finish.  It's a long, hard, climb with no one to catch ahead of me.  Still, it only seemed right to finish strong.  I cross the ine at 2:50 with a bug or two in my teeth.

I would only be 7th on the day, but I put forth my best effort.  What ese could I do on such a beautiful day on such great trails in God's amazing creation?

Tomorrow it's off to try my hand at some cyclocross racing.  And my mtb?  It's going to make the transition to a rigid single speed.

See you on the trails!

6 Hours of Moore's Springs

Ok, so doing two 6 hour races in two days may not have been the best plan, but I'm a sucker for 2-fer weekend.  I'd never been to Moore's Springs before and I had heard great things about the trail system.  Plus, the race was a fund raiser for the trails.  I couldn't resist.

I packed enough supplies to be able to race up to 7 laps, but my plan was to run a couple of laps and see how I felt.  I knew I wouldn't be able hammer after yesterday's race, but I knew I could at least run endurance pace for a while.

By the 10:00am start time it was already starting to warm up nicely.  I wasn't terribly excited about the LeMans start, so I just walked to my bike.  I did do a cyclocross mount and still managed to get ahead of quite a few folks.  I was definitely feeling the effects of yesterday's race though.  Not knowing the trails, I decided to follow some other racers around for a while.  It's not going well.  I'm not smooth, and I'm struggling to ride some of the tight switch backs and rocky sections.

I decide to ride my own pace on lap #2 and things really pick up.  The legs feel better and riding the rocks and switch backs is much better.  By lap #3 I'm starting to get really dialed in on the descents.  They are super fast with just enough turns, rocks, trees and switchbacks thrown in to keep you on your toes.

By this time my new plan was to do 5 laps, but having completed lap #3 in under 3 hours I decided to draw the line at 6 laps.  The trail is super fun and the laps go by fast.  By the time I get to lap 6, I'm pretty well fatigued.  After climbing the last, long, straight climb it was a welcome sight to see the final, fast descent to the finish.

I finished at 5:12 while running 2nd in open men, however the 3rd place racer made the cut-off time to do a 7th lap.  Which he did, overtaking me for 2nd.  Still a nice, hard fought podium finish to cap off a great weekend of racing.

I have one more MTB race this year: The Shiner's Run Point to Point race on the trails at Kerr Scott Dam.  Hard to believer the 2012 season has come and gone so rapidly.  Up next: Cyclocross!

See you on the trails!   ...though it may be on a CX bike. 

6 Hour Grind on the Greenway

The Grind on the Greenway was the 3rd in a series of 3 races in the Turn and Burn Endurance series.  I had a good points lead in the 40+ category, so my plan was to play it conservatively.

The race start went well and I quickly slotted into 2nd place in my class.  A lot of people drilled it pretty hard from the start.  I held to my plan.  I found myself leading the 40+ class when the leader flatted.  I decided to focus on just riding my pace.

Near the end of lap 2, my front tire goes soft in the high speed double track section.  It was pretty sketchy for a while, but I hung on to ride back to the pits.  By then it was completely flat.  I had my spare bike already prepared, so a quick shout to pit support/son and I was on bike #2.

The switch from a 29'er hardtail to a 26" full suspension was pretty big.  I had been struggling with the front derailleur dropping the chain onto the small ring on the first bike.  It was nice not to have to worry about that.  The extra suspension was nice on bike #2, plus the knobbier tires were more forgiving in the sand.  However, the smaller wheels didn't rollover the bigger roots nearly as nice.

I had to work the bike more, which was probably good skills practice.  While it requires more work and concentration, it made the laps fly by.  At lap 6 I am still on my pace to do 8 laps, with about 10 minutes to spare.  At lap #7 it's clear that I can run 8 laps, but I may have enough of a lead that I don't have to.  I back up the pace just a little.  That way I have the energy to run lap #8 if I have to and if I see 2nd place catching me, then I KNOW I will have to run lap 8.

I cross the finish line at the end of lap 7 with 7 minutes to spare before the last lap cut off time.  My pit support says that 2nd place isn't going to make the cut-off time to do another lap.  So I wait patiently on the sideline ...just in case.

Finally, the final lap announcement is made.  Being first in my class to complete 7 laps, I take first place.  3 minutes later 2nd place rolls through.  A solid effort.

I got the check for the Turn and Burn series title in 40+.  Sweet.

A cool morning turned into a warm, sunny afternoon.  It felt good to race my bike, then relax with family and friends.  I am continually humbled by all the blessings I am able to enjoy.  It is truly by the grace of God.

See you on the trails!

Iron Cross X

   The forecast for Iron Cross X was for cold temps and plenty of rain.  Conditions I usually excel in.  I think I actually ride faster in the rain.  I wasn't too thrilled about the 42 degree part for the start of the race, though.  It was gonna be tough to dress appropriately. The more clothes you wear, the more rain you can soak up.

   However, I woke up (before my alarm - always a good sign), looked out my Carlisle, PA hotel window to find the parking lots were dry.  Perhaps the course wouldn't be a muddy mess - at least for the start.  I loaded up the car.  No rain.  Drove to Pine Grove Furnace State Park (well, the wife drove but I didn't wanna give the wrong impression by saying that I rode to the park).  No rain.  Registration, bike prep, warm-up, pre-race meeting.  No rain.

  So we started the race (with a bit of confusion as to where and which direction the start actually was) with very overcast skys.  I actually got a call up for series overall rankings but couldn't find the front of the field to take advantage.  Turns out it didn't matter much.

   It was a mass start, so 300 riders all roll off at the same time.  I wanted to make my way to the front because I didn't want to get trapped behind a lot of slower riders thru the "death spiral" and the other traditional CX parts at the start.  I never did see a death spiral.  We did a small loop through the state park - including a sandy beach, and then onto the road and fire roads.

  There were KOM/QOM awards atop the first climb.  It must have been a pretty big deal because the lead group drilled it from the start.  I was having a hard time keeping up.  The pace never let up.  I was feeling overdressed with a long sleeve jersey, gore outer shell and knee warmers but felt that it would pay off when the rains came.  I checked my heat rate and it verified the feeling that I was pegged trying to keep up.  I decide to pedal along at my own pace until the terrain and climate suit me better.

   I typically don't get real good starts in these longer races and therefore I usually spend the day passing other riders as I work my way toward the front.  Maybe not the best strategy, but it's motivational.  So I was feeling a bit disconcerted as riders were occasionally passing me on some of the climbs on the road.  I decide to ride with a pace line.  It goes well, but it feels slower because I'm doing less work to go the same speed.  On a sharp right corner a rider goes down hard on the wet pavement.  It's all I can do to avoid running over him.  The side knobs on CX tires don't bite into cold, wet asphalt.

   The last part of the climb to the KOM is gravel road and I notice I'm pulling away from those around me.  When we hit the first rocky descent it's game on - I'm in my element.   I've got 40c knobby tires and I'm not afraid to use them.  From here we go to wigwam (I think) - a ridiculously steep run up that requires shear determination to keep putting one foot in front of the other to keep making progress.  I'm too tired to go on, but I feel like if I stop I won't be able to start again.  So I keep plodding along and actually pick up a few spots through this (literal) climb.
  
   At the top is a power line climb, complete with loose, big rocks that aren't easily navigated by bike or by foot.  At the end of the power line is aid station 2, where my wife is waiting for me.  It is my one planned stop.  I decide to drop my jacket.  The rain hasn't come and all the hiking and climbing is making me pretty warm.
  
   A chilly descent followed.  It's a blast on these gravel roads.  They are usually pretty smooth, so if you are careful to avoid the rocks and potholes you can spend quite a bit of time at 40+ mph.  Of course descending means more climbing, but the climbs aren't super steep and the miles click off rapidly.  Just before aid station 3 (or maybe it was 4?) there is fresh gravel.  The bike sinks in and it's difficult to find the traction to pedal through.  It also makes descending quite hairy.  The bike would start bouncing and bucking over the rippled  gravel and it would want to take the bike in every direction but straight.  But this section is short and it was back onto fast, smooth gravel road.
  
   With the miles winding down we are directed on to some single track.  It was miles of fast, flowy single track.  The only thing slowing me down is the fear of flattig on the few rocks that are on the trail.  I never realized they had this many miles of smooth single track in all of PA.  We never seem to ride on them at Trans-Sylvania...
  
   The trail does get more gnarly at the end.  It becomes double track.  I think every tree that has ever fallen in Michaux Forest fell across this trail.  There is endless bunny hopping of downed trees.  My arms are actually getting tired from pulling up on the bars to clear the trees.  One of them I didn't clear and I end up over the bars. 
  
   Then I get to the last run-up.  Well it's actually rideable with the right gear and motivation.  I didn't have quite enough of one or the other and I hike the bottom, but I hop back on to ride the last half.  It's ridiculously steep and it's all I can do to keep telling my legs to keep the cranks turning over.  It's not real technical, but it makes up for that with severe steepness.  At the top is "Larry's Tavern" and he's open for business - handing out beer to all takers.  I pass and prepare to drill the last couple of road miles to the finish.
  
   I learned never to let up because I got out-sprinted to the finish by a rider who I had been towing along the last road section.  Oh well, I had a good finishing time somewhere around 4:15/4:20.  Good enough for 7th in 40+.  Garth Prosser and Gerry Pflug would take the top 2 spots in my class.

   It never did rain until the 6+ hour drive (ride) back to statesville.

   My congratulations to all the finishers on this cold day.  It was a great event and I look forward to racing Iron Cross XI in 2013.

Sees you on the trail!