Epic Racing around the World

Today’s stage used the basic course from the 2005 NORBA marathon that was held here…up the pass, over to the dirt, around the eastern loop, then back over around the peak and up and around/down to the Brian Head resort. Lots of climbing up to and above 11,000′, and plenty of windy dirt roads, brutal single track climbing, and a hairball return to the finish line via the SuperD downhill course.

Again…we’re not really sure how far it was or how much climbing the girls and boys did, but the results were the same as the day before: Jeremiah Bishop 1st in the pro men, Tinker Juarez 1st in the 40+Elite (and 6th in the pros!), and Pua Sawicki again dominated the women’s category.

I’ve been seeing this more and more in the marathon and stage race events - the pace is off the chart in every category. What previously was considered an unmaintainable pace for a marathon distance is now becoming the norm. Two hour XC speed is now being stretched into the 3-4 hour range…limits are being pushed, endurance tested, and reserves emptied as the sport grows and evolves. Mountain bike racing is difficult for only two hours and marathon distances are challenging in and of themselves. Make it a mountain bike stage race over marathon distances and above 3000 meters simply makes surviving an amazing accomplishment.

I’m looking forward to this type of racing to further gain traction in the US and North America as it challenges you as a rider from any angle that you look at it and forces you to dig to depths you didn’t know, mentally, emotionally, as well as physically…and shows you part of yourself, and the world, that likely wouldn’t be explored had you not jumped into such a wild and epic event.

These races aren’t the type where the boys have one course and the girls have another. Its mass start and everyone rides the same course. Same distance. Girl power, eh?

Pua Sawicki and Joshua Juarez enjoying the podium (Tinker was tied up with an interview.) Note - he’s already taking dad’s money.

Goofing off during the drive to Stage 2’s start. If you’re going to take your eyes off the road, keep your hands at 10 and 2 o’clock..except when holding the camera.

Tinker and Art preparing to lay waste to their fellow brothers of the 1960’s.

In all honesty, normally watching a race is something I can’t stomach myself to do. I’m sick, nervous, shaky, and can’t make eye contact with anyone. Here…I’m a bundle of energy! When watching the start each day, all that runs through my head is “its better you than me!”

Congrats to everyone that’s going after it this week. One more day to go.

The atmosphere and faces at the end of today’s stage said it all: TOUGH!

From the winners to the girls and guys battling it out just to complete the day all said and showed the same pain and strain of 55 miles and untold thousands of feet of climbing. I say 55 miles, but it could have been more and no one is sure of the amount of climbing…like many stage races, the course profiles are more of a suggestion than fact.

Blake placed himself into the top 10 for most of the stage, but then checked himself out of the top ten with a crash, missed turn, and a situation that sounds like he might have under budgeted his energy…easy to do when you’re not sure how long you’ll be racing for!

Tinker, back from his mechanical on Thursday, traded the leader’s jersey in the 40+Elite group with team mate Art O’Connor after Art flatted…and Tinker rode himself into the top 10 of the pro class!

A legend’s work is never done.

Art came back from his flat tire(s) to charge through traffic and despite the time spent repairing his mechanical and managed to compliment Tinker’s win by placing 2nd in the stage, and is holding 2nd overall. Since 40 is the new 30, and these guys are first and second overall in their category, I’m thinking of giving team manager Matt Ohran less and less slack about getting older.

Sue finished 3rd behind winner Pua, and Rachel rode strongly enough to consider going for a run afterward. Luckily, we talked her out of it.

Up next…day 3.

A long day for a short ride…today was a mass start prologue that only counted if you won ($500) or if you crashed and broke your handle bar (Tinker). Otherwise it was go until you blow…then sit up and ride in. So I guess the results, outside of the winner, either reflect riders who can go fast while going easy…or those that didn’t have the sense to sit up and rest.

Or maybe they’re all mountain bike racers and pin it no matter the who/what/when/where/or why?

That’s more likely the answer.

(photos are better when clicked and viewed full sized)

The pro men line up.

Art and Tinker in the 40+Elite group.

I told you, 40 is the new 30. This line up is telling with Art winning the stage and taking the leaders jersey by a comfortable margin over 2nd place.

Blake.

Sue.

I was sick and winded just from walking around at 10,000′. The real racing begins on Friday with a 90k point-to-point along the Virgin Rim Trail. I’ll be chasing with a helmet cam, so make sure to wear fresh shorts.

No one jumped the gun. That has to be a first!

A year or so ago I was the victim of an unfortunate accident…while in Puerto Rico and training with two time Olympian Todd Wells, I hit a dog. I’m fairly certain Wells arranged for the vicious terrier to send me to the tarmac in an attempt to solidify his 2008 bid for Beijing, but that’s neither here nor there…back to the story. Injured, I was unable to compete in one of the island’s premier UCI cross country events.

I couldn’t race, but against doctor’s orders I decided to follow the race with a helmet cam in a rare chance to give the world an inside glimpse into what its like to ride in the lead group of a fairly quick pack of pro racers. Wells, JHK, Craig, Broderick, just a few big hitters who call themselves ‘Mericans…and what was more surprising than the friendly trash talking that goes on up front was…how easy it was to ride there.

Easy?

Here’s the caveat: I didn’t have to endure the intense and painful lactic filled first few minutes of the race. Its that first kilometer or two that puts everyone into oxygen debt, fills the legs with lactic acid and strains the lungs. Skip that kick in the shins and what you have is a playful and semi-doclie pace. Its fast, yes…but it reminded me that its the start’s pace that can put a rider into deep, deep trouble. I remembered that experience for the 2008 edition…as well as where that dog lived.

In that same vein, Bart Gillespie and Matt Ohran suited up for a mountain bike ride last weekend…climbing up Little Cottonwood Canyon, and just ahead of the racers who were racing in the Tour of Utah.

The roadies were hitting the final climb, 4 hours and 100 miles into their day which pushed them over 4 major climbs, on their 4th day of racing. Pro roadies on 15 pound road bikes showed the strain and fatigue of the week…and were caught/passed by fresh mountain bikers only thirty minutes into their ride…but on knobbies and chit chatting.

Tom Danielson, a former Cannondale mtb racer, climbing along side Ohran and his Scalpel. And a scooter.

Tyler Hamilton of Rock Racing…climbing with Ohran…and a guy with big arms. And a head band.

Ahead of the road race, and the mountain bikers, was the local Utah world championship hill climb - won by straight-line specialist Mitchell Peterson. I don’t have any photos of the race other than this one…I’m leaning towards the 11×14 in a walnut walnut frame.

On Thursday begins yet another mountain bike stage race for the MonavieCannondale.com crew. We narrowly escaped the TransRockies and after living vicariously through a few of the competitors, I’ll say, hands-down, I’m happy to have missed out on hours of bike pushing, rain, mud, and freezing temperatures…in August.

Call me soft if you’d like, but the 24 Hour Worlds, as well run as they were, were cold and wet enough to last me through cyclocross season, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.

The American Mountain Bike Classic which starts off with a short prologue on Thursday, is followed by three 80-90 kilometer days, all above 10,000 feet. Ouch. We’ll be fielding an assorted group of twisted athletes:

Tinker Juarez, Sue Butler, Blake Harlan in the pro categories in addition to Salt Lake riders Art O’Connor and Xterra Terror Rachel Cieslewicz.

Ohran and myself will be running support…and I’ll serve as the world’s most geek’ed out cheerleader by riding with forward and rearward facing helmet cams once again.

Ya’ll be sure to come back and visit daily for footage you’re certain to not find anywhere else on the web.

David “Tinker” Juarez and Cowbell Challenge Inc., bring National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest to metro Charlotte

Charlotte, NC ‐ World and national mountain bike endurance champion, two‐time Olympian, and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer David “Tinker” Juarez partners with Cowbell Challenge Inc., in presenting the National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, NC, October 24‐26, 2008. The three‐day, family‐oriented mountain bike festival features the last race of USA Cycling’s 2008 National Ultra Endurance Calendar, as well as short track, time trials, and children’s races. The race venue is uniquely designed to take advantage of the early sunset, giving racers the opportunity to ride the trails at night. Proceeds from the festival benefit Davidson Recreation & Parks Youth Scholarship fund.

“I’ve been a professional cyclist for 35 years,” says Tinker. “I love this sport, especially endurance racing, and this chance to step off the trail and give back to sport is tremendous. We can’t wait to come to North Carolina for this world‐class endurance cycling event and festival.”

National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest kicks off on Friday night with short track races, sponsored by Niterider Lighting Systems. Kids can get in on the action with special Kids Kompetition races on Saturday morning, including a chance to try out the Strider balance bikes, designed specifically for one to five year old children. The featured event of the weekend, the Oktoberfest 8‐Hour Endurance Race, starts at noon on Saturday. Time trials and a special combination event known as “the Beast” round out the weekend on Sunday. Races conducted after sunset will require adequate front and rear lighting.
A drawing for a five‐night stay at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia will also be held on Sunday. “This is a true mountain bike festival with something for everyone with a bike and a little energy,” says Taylor Sullivan, president of Cowbell Challenge. “We’re designing an endurance course that will challenge the top pros and amateurs, and the whole weekend will be filled with chances to ride for fun and for prizes.” The 8‐hour endurance race boasts equal cash payout for men and women in the solo (Open) categories and prize packages from sponsors including MonaVieCannondale.com and ODI Grips. Other activities include Halloween costume contest for kids and adults, and bike demos by Cannondale and Specialized Bicycles.

National MTB Oktoberfest
Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, NC, is the site of a former dairy farm owned and operated by the Fisher family since the mid‐1800’s. Davidson, approximately 25 minutes from Charlotte‐Douglas International Airport, is a beautiful college town situated near Lake Norman for an idea combination of small town ambience, outdoor recreation, a flourishing Main Street of local businesses, and a unique sense of community.

Sponsors for National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest currently include Niterider Lighting Systems, Cannondale Bicycles, MonaVieCannondale.com, ODI Grips, Specialized Bicycles, iBert Safe‐T‐ Seats, Strider Running Bikes, Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia, Summit Coffee, Bicycle Sport and The Cyclepath. Registration for short‐track, combination, and time trial races begins at $10, and the 8‐hour endurance race begins at $50. There is no charge for children’s races, but they must be registered. For more information on registration, purchasing raffle tickets, new sponsors and activities, and the schedule of events, visit www.NationalMtbOktoberfest.org.

Cowbell Challenge, Inc., a 501C3 nonprofit corporation, is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and organizing endurance mountain biking events which raise funds in support of charitable causes that promote health, well‐being, and strong communities. Its signature event, the Cowbell Challenge 12‐Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Race finished its seventh year in 2008 with more than $16,000 raised in support of numerous local and national non‐profit organizations that support those facing catastrophic illness, families in crisis, maintaining natural spaces, and promoting cycling and fitness.

Contact: Connie Giordano
704‐957‐8450
connie@NationalMtbOktoberfest.org

Don M - you did not leave an email but you were the first person to post a correct response to the quiz. Please send me your email/contact information so we can get you a MonavieCannondale.com jersey shipped out. You’ll need to take a photo in your new jersey and submit to us, pronto!

What we have is:

#1 Bart’s plate

Bart’s a fast eater, or I’m slow with the camera. By the time I’d reached his plate, the burger was gone and the potatoes mutilated with ketchup. Bart is fueling well with carbs, protein, and roughage. What seemed to throw everyone off was the extra burrito item/sugar drink he planned to bring back to the mechanic…or eat later himself, I’m not sure. Note - if you want to have a body fat <3% like Bart, leave the baked potato’s butter in the dish, just like he did.

Tinker.

Tinker’s a light eater…and there’s not much going on with this plate in the way of veggies or greens, either. However, anyone who’s been in this sport for awhile knows Mr. Juarez likes his mayo. This was an easy give away. He looks finished and I’m surprised he’s “one of those guys” who puts ketchup ON his fries…makes for messy fingers, no?

Sue.

Another freebie. Between the hippie yogurt and the Portland River City Bicycles water bottle, you’d have to have A.D.D. to miss this one. Or be in a contact-induced sugar high from plate #4. She’d keeping it green by not using a disposable drinking container, but will have to either get a spoon for her yogurt, or try to use a fork to eat it. Ever tried that? Not easy…

Sugar Boy Mitchell

Believe it or not, I shot the photo of Mitchell’s plate before he had even taken a seat - the damage you seen done here was while the kid was standing in line waiting to check out. There’s no water here, no veggies except for the discarded and abandoned pickle, 4 King Sized movie theatre treats, one dead milk container, another on its way, and back up carton of chocolate milk to wash down the mentos, I can only assume.

How does chocolate milk taste with potatoes and beef?

Ohran.

Plate #5 brings a tear to my eye. It’s the dieter’s edition of a post-stage meal (except for all of that salad dressing). I do have to ask….What’s the dueling set of ketchup barrels for? I’m guessing there’s a 32oz of Fresca or Sprite in the cup, depending on who was looking when he filled it up.

Sager.

This clearly is the most happening plate on the table. I have chosen a locally formulated plastic dish of BBQ sauce, an assortment of veggie-like items to accent the veggie patty, and rather than water, I’ve kept my street cred strong with the Portland crew and ordered coffee, to accompany my meal. I later regretted not getting water. Or fries. Or pie.

Kudos to all that attempted, I didn’t post all the comments that came after the winner’s, and this challenge was difficult because of the lack of diversity on the ferry’s cafeteria menu.

Stay tuned for “Guess Who’s Gear Bag has Exploded” and “Match the Rider with the Hotel Room that obviously was wrecked by a passing Tornado”. Each winner will receive a new, unused, MonavieCannondale.com team jersey!

Riders and their food. Both are as unique as the other, but no two riders (or meals) are the same. Quantity, flavors, amounts, condiments, beverage choice. Match the rider with their meal for a special prize:

Plate #1

Plate #2

Plate #3

Plate #4

Plate #5

Plate #6

The riders from the BC Ferry:

Sue

Mitchell

Slo-Ohran

Bart

Sager

Tinker

First correct response linking the rider and their meal wins a MonavieCannondale.com jersey - leave your answers in the comments section, but don’t worry, comments don’t appear as public until they’re approved so no one will be able to cheat!

38 43 guesses so far…and still no one has it 100% correct.

Blake after his last morning lap.

Me and my dirt melting lighting system.

Apres’ lap Alders.

Mike Cotty and Matt Ohran starting their run in the solo division. On Thursday I’m catching up with Mike and his experience after finishing 2nd in the 25-29 Solo age group.

The day after the race, on Monday, we all went for a hike at Moraine Lake near Lake Louise…

I bumped into this solo competitor proudly showing off his backpack…

complete with Tinker autograph. Small world, eh?

Wow.

Words and photos do little justice to our experience in Canmore this past weekend.

I’ve always held 24 Hour solo competitors with a certain level of esteem..it was part admiration, part bewilderment, and part astonishment that a rider, a person, could and would push themselves to such limits…and this was based on the fuzzy warm and butterfly filled picture I saw at Moab in the Fall of ‘07.

This was not a sandy path on a mesa in the Utah desert.

Fast forward from then to last night, when I’m taking my 5th lap in the rain, wind storm, lighting, and fighting peanut butter mud, a lattice work of roots and rocks, poor visibility, and only sampling a tiny fraction of their fatigue as we pass rider after rider racing in the solo category - their identities easily recognized by both the steady and measured pace of their movement as well as a behind-the-seat number plate, much like our childhood bicycle license plates we used to all mount.

It was a muddy affair and one held on a course wedged between some of the most amazing views of the Canadian Rockies. Not that anyone had pause to soak in the scenery while on the bike…but, for us at least, in between laps we were able to admire what we previously were oblivious to.

The only dry laps were the first two - I, unwisely, led out the race, including the lemans run and following prologue loop into downtown Canmore before heading back up the hill to the nordic centre and the race course loop proper. From there…it rained. Often, frequently, and many time.

Tinker was on his way to likely another world title, but, as I can not even fathom, the solo riders were facing the challenging conditions without respite. Lap after lap of grit, mud, water and debris…flying, caking, adding a mask of earthen material to their already etched mask of pain. One of the particles fell ill of Tinker and caused a loss of vision in his right eye. On site medical attention was unable to render the eye usable and he unfortunately had to remove himself from the event in order to seek proper medical attention.

Each of the solo rider’s efforts pales and eclipses anything the team riders did, ours not the least included. We rode 27 laps of the 10 mile course, 4 more than the next fastest team…but I’ll say it again: That’s only seven laps each…and with 2+hours between each effort. I can not imagine doing that race solo. Matt Ohran, who competed in the 1999 event here in Canmore gave it a go in the solo category again in 2008. Conditions, physical effort, pace and old man time took the better of him and he also retired by night fall. These are tough cookies racing solo.

I was proud of my crew this weekend. Bart has almost a dozen 24 hour team experiences under his belt, but Bryan Alders and Blake Harlan are new to it and both guys exceeded any expectations we had. Amazing lap times, unbridled energy, and zero mechanicals was the name of the game for the entire event. Good on ya, boys.

I can’t walk without pain from the silly Lemans’ run…maybe during my down time on Monday we’ll find more photos, video, and stories of bear sightings.