Burn 24 Race Report

This past weekend was the Burn24. I'm not sure  which type of burn they were trying to imply with it's name. They could be referring to the insane heat and humidity down in N.C., or perhaps to the burn inducing, gnarly single track that the course was mostly comprised of, or maybe the constant, steady climbing. One thing's for sure-they got the name right. It burned, churned, and challenged for 24 straight hours.

Jason left Syracuse early Friday morning and grabbed me, then we stopped by Buffalo to pick up Ben's stuff on our way down. Since he's VIP he flew down, and it was our privilege to transport his gear (if you know me then you can probably smell the sarcasm stewing in that last line, but if you don't-then no sarcasm. For real, it was our privilege). I lost count but sometime about 13 hours later after driving though some zero visibility fog, hurricane like storms, and just one missed turn we arrived in Wilkesboro, N.C. at the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir; home of the Dark Mountain Trail network.

Scotto and his crew had already arrived and set up most of camp, although with the way Scott tackles a camp site it could also be referred to as a full on cycling fortress. We unloaded pretty quickly and afterwards it was nice to catch up with the guys at our first 24 of the season. We had a "team meeting," - some brews and an evening grub fest, exchanged all the usual one liners and called it a night.

Me being the early riser I am; I woke up at the crack of dawn as usual and pressed some coffee, had some breakfast, and took in what has become one of my favorite parts of camping at the races-watching the event come to life. Some day i'll set up a time lapse camera and capture the excitement as the sun rises and a quiet, almost dreamy tent town transforms into a hectic, festive, adrenaline filled small city in just a couple of hours.

Since it was a 3/4 mile lemans start and Trevor's the runner of the group he teed off and did very well, tagging off to Jason with just a few teams ahead of us. I spotted a guy in track shoes looking way too relaxed at the start line and figured he'd win the run-he did. Jason ripped off a great lap and then it was my turn. After myself the rotation continued onto Ben, then Trevor. I felt so bad for Ben because he was coming down with something aweful and this type of course was right up his alley, but he had to keep it pretty conservative since he was sick. Probably caught some sort of death virus on the plane ride down....

The course was very well designed as were the trails-about 6.5 miles and just under a thousand feet of climbing. It was a little damp and peanut buttery early on but nothing much to speak of. I have never ridden trails before with such crazy amounts of roots for such a distance. There were some sections of trail that were just pure root gardens. At night after the dew set in the roots (as well as our entire camp) became fully saturated and turned the course into more of a pinball game then a bike race so I thoroughly enjoyed it. The network was a mix of incredibly technical roots that went on for miles with a healthy dose of ripping flow mixed in, and plenty of climbing to bring on the burn. It ended with a jump littered downhill course that dropped riders onto a gravel track at the edge of the camp area, which fed into a churn and burn field section just before the finish line.

 There was a sweet rock garden just before the downhill section that was pretty intense although short. Picture a really hard core rock garden about six bike lengths long with a 90 degree turn into some uphill, off camber roots and you've got it. I think I gave the photographer a heart attack when I drifted through it. He said "oh sh*t" and jumped out of the way just before I hit it-I think he thought I had no clue the turn was there...lol. He was poised on the outside of the turn and was not expecting anyone to hit it like that, but I found that if you applied some gonzo (gave it way too much speed and just let the roots and rocks throw you) it propelled you right onto the trail after all was said and done.

All in all we finished 12th out of 133, 5th in our class. It was Trevor's first 24 and he handled it like a seasoned vet so mad props go out to him for showing up ready to roll with super consistent and confident lap times. People either get their butts kicked and cry about it, or they get their butts kicked and beg for more, and Trevor was definitely the latter of the two so I see some great 24's in his future. I was really happy with my riding because I was able to keep it just below threshold and have a blast, as opposed to last season when i'd have to about kill myself towards the end of the race just to finish. No cramps, no puking, just fun.

I doubt I can tell this story as funny as it was in person but i'll try. We're all just sitting there, the night laps underway when Trevor arrived back at camp adrenaline still pumping from his first night lap. He had just crushed the course and rolled into camp with some heat, weaving his way through and avoiding everything. When he finally slowed up he couldn't get his foot unclipped and wrecked all over the place, landing on a Colman grill full of freshly cooked steaks. Immediately Ben and I showed our concern and jumped out of our seats to rush over...and check on the steaks! Then we're both like "oh crap are you okay?" Luckily the steaks were un harmed and Trevor was too.

Since we had so much fun and the trails were such a blast to ride i'd consider it a succuss. The ear to ear grins we all dawned after each lap spoke for themselves. I love 24's because if you do them with the right group of guys it's always an event to remember-much like a party, but with a sufferfest thrown into the mix. You get to tackle the same course over and over again, and since i'm more competitive with myself then with anyone else this aspect of the race really appeals to me. With each lap I can evaluate my lines, gearing, plan of attack, nutrition, ect. and then go out each additional time with hopes of bettering my technique. I always learn more about myself and about racing in one 24 then I do in an entire season, and i'm sure that applies to most others as well.

Up next-a 90+ degree spin this aft. Can't believe that I brought both the heat and humidity back with me.

Oh yeah...sorry for the lack of photos. I'm bumming because I left my camera in Jason's car but I didn't want to wait to put this post up so i'll add some photos as I get them.

Farmall Hill Challenge #3 Race Report

The weather could not have been better to wrap up this year's spring Farmall Hill Challenge series. I was hoping for another adventure race like last week's mud fest, but with blue skies, a calm breeze, and plenty of sun I think everyone else there was pretty content with the conditions. Chelsea finished up school  for the year yesterday and was able to come so I was stoked about that. It's always more fun when she's there cheering me on. She snapped that sweet pic to the left too (and she pretends she can't take pictures).

That course is just silly fast when it's dry. There are some hills that turn into launch pads, and some descents that become blindingly fast. A couple of the steep climbs were a little peanut-buttery from last week, but thanks to my Specialized Fast Trak rear and The Captain front I was able to ride very aggressively, confident that the tires would be the last thing to hold me back. The captain is so predictable up front that it almost steers for you, and the Fast Trak is super quick, but has better traction then seems possible for such a low rolling resistance tire. Not to mention-they carve like parabolic skis. That combo is hands down my favorite ever for any conditions anywhere. I prefer Specialized Renegades for perfect weather and trail conditions, but when there's uncertainty in play the Captain/Fast Trak is my go to combo.

At the start I blew off the line like a homade bottle rocket and held the lead for almost two laps...lol. I felt like a Zebra being chased down by a Lion, haha. Eventually Andy August reeled me in and I spent the rest of the race chasing him, keeping him just barely in sight. He gaped me though while I was recovering from my start and I came close but just couldn't catch him. After seven grueling but wicked fun laps I pulled 2nd overall and 1st in my Category so i'm stoked. I can't wait to give it another go at the August series.

Up next-Burn baby burn!!! Headed to the Burn 24 with a couple of teams to represent Crankskins this weekend. The southern heat is going to be brutal, but from what i've heard and read both the course and venue is excellent. 24 hours are my favorite kind of racing so i'm really happy to be going! Not happy though about the spike in gas prices since we planned this race so long ago, but hey,  you only live once right? Almost packed, got a dinner planned with Chels tonight since i'm heading out of town, beautiful weather, can't wait!!!

Farmall Hill Challenge #2 Race Report

What a fun race! My knee was kind of sore at the start but I just rode it off. The weather was actually decent for the race, but with the past week of grey, rain filled days the mud made it's presence known from the get go. Farmall Hill mud is not drivetrain friendly! One hill was literally un-climable. Not a single racer cleaned it. I was actually more covered in mud tonight then after the Rambler this past Sunday.

 I managed to not make any major mistakes until my last lap, when I tagged a tree head on. The mud down this particular windy and steep decent was just too treacherous for the speed I carried into it. I think because it was my last lap I just got a little overzealous and carried way too much heat into it's last little twist. Note to self-don't be stupid! I'm happy with my finish too. Honestly I think that if a certain some one had been there I could have put up a good fight, I pulled first over all. :)

I quit my Garmin cold turkey tonight!!! I realized after this Sunday that while the Garmin has done amazing things for my training habits I am just not the right personality to have all that data in front of me while racing. From now on it's going to be out of site for races. It's such a great training tool and I can not imagine training without it, but the last thing I need while racing is something beeping at me telling me i'm trying too hard.

I had so much fun tonight just riding my bike. All the stresses in the world were swept away for a couple hours, and I remembered that's the reason I ride in the first place. It's such a great escape. It just feels so good, so incredibly euphoric. Not a care in the world. I just rode in the moment and gave it 110% without worrying about exceeding thresholds or maintaining a proper cadence, pace, ect. I hucked a few things too, and I think that even though catching some air is slower then keeping the wheels grounded; for me to have fun i've got to ride my own way. I'm really glad I got all this sorted out. Back to the basics, just ride!

Up next- the Highland Hex six hour. Last year's Highland Hex was my first ever solo endurance race and I managed to pull a 1st for my category. This year the competition has become fierce so i'm ready to really dig down and give it my best effort. The forecast as of now looks great-70's and sunny. Now that I flaunted that i'm sure it will be 40's and rainy lol. Last year it was so hot. Just brutal sun and heat. After the first couple laps it was 0 fitness and pure will power to even keep the pedals spinning. I fell more times then I even remember due to pure exhaustion.