"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tour of the Gila Report

I lied. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=536254&page=4) At least about the report thing. Still not sure if I have the will to race again.

It's long, but here it is. (http://www.breathhold.com/gila2009/gila.htm)

Great read, Ex--thanks!

"A quick word on Carter. Won the Master’s class at Gila the last two years running. Rode professionally for 7-11 and Motorola, mostly in smaller races like the Tour De France, the Giro, the Vuelta, the Worlds…that sort of thing." :lol:

"I used the 56 tooth front ring to hit 49 MPH several times." :eek:

Epic. Both race and the report. Great job my friend.

Great report. Awesome job Mr. Ex.

Why are you so fast?

Why are you so fast?

We are just slow.

thanks for the report. chapeau. :thumb:

one very small, nitpicky thing, iirc carter never rode for 7-11

Awesome report.

thanks for the report. chapeau. :thumb:

one very small, nitpicky thing, iirc carter never rode for 7-11

Well, the announcer at the race said so...that's what I get for believing talking heads.

OUTstanding reading on that race report Racer Ex. Man that was fun. Thanks.

On the other hand, how unfair is it that 50 year old guys like me are on a bicycle next to 50 year olds like you? In that F'd up context, EPO becomes fair and square. Now if I could actually afford it and I didn't mind jabbing giant needles in my ass and risking death from a massive heart attack and it wasn't uttelry antithetical to the very reasons I ride my bicycle, well then I'd have something.

Well, the announcer at the race said so...that's what I get for believing talking heads.

especially this one (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=23613). :innocent:

Why are you so fast?

I've saw fast at that race. It wasn't me.

I sympathize with your altitude problems. Above 1500m my engine fails. Scotty calls the bridge and starts ranting about having to pick up pieces, etc.

That said, congrats on an awesome race.

I've saw fast at that race. It wasn't me.

Anytime you want to boost your ego, come out on the Nyack Ride, dump me at the base of Hook Mtn, and crush those other mopes at the top. Just try not to get your cigar ashes on me.

I sympathize with your altitude problems. Above 1500m my engine fails. Scotty calls the bridge and starts ranting about having to pick up pieces, etc.

That said, congrats on an awesome race.

I don't sympathize with any of your problems, but ditto on the awesome race kudos.

awesome. just awesome. Thanks.

Great writeup, great race.

Keep on rockin' out X.

Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuzpeOZI6Fo

Nice ride Ex. Thanks for the great write up.

Thanks for putting the Gila into words for us. Congrats on suffering well and finishing with a top 10 against some serious competition. Guess this means we won't see you at the Horse Country TT this weekend?

Nice race and report. Sounds like a "fun" race to be in. ;)

Sounds like a "fun" race to be in. ;)

In what twisted Road Nazi sense do you mean this?

In what twisted Road Nazi sense do you mean this?

In a sense that I would love to do it. The suffering seems to know no boundaries in this race.

Epic. Nice report, Ex.

In a sense that I would love to do it. The suffering seems to know no boundaries in this race.

The Self Loathing in you is strong Scummer.

The Self Loathing in you is strong Scummer.

I embrace the Dark Side.

very nicely done, you're the bike racer I aspire to be.

reminds me of some coach's article I read where he said something to the effect of: "you have to be able to win on your average days"

well you weren't up to your average but you still put out. that makes you a real bike racer.

Great job; and thanks for the entertaining report.

Excellent report, sounds brutal.

I have never done anything at higher altitudes. Is cramping a common problem for people who are not acclimated?

I like it!

Suffering through proxy is my kind of stage racing. I feel like I was there, without all the work.

A really great story - thanks for shareing!

Terrific terrific read!!! Wonderful texture in your descriptions...better than tv...yup!!! One of my teammates finished as well (35th) and sent out reports after each stage...so, it was great to get another take on the race...assuming this goes down next year, it would be fun to read posts by several racers...hmmm Google search??

Nice report... I think I'd like to try it next year, in my own field of course... :p

Terrific terrific read!!! Wonderful texture in your descriptions...better than tv...yup!!! One of my teammates finished as well (35th) and sent out reports after each stage...

Frank was great company and a great source of advice.

Respect. Great read.

So you said you passed most of the cat 3 field... how far ahead of you did they start?

very nicely done, you're the bike racer I can never hope to be.

Fixed, for me.

So you said you passed most of the cat 3 field... how far ahead of you did they start?

I think I said it seemed like...They started 20 minutes ahead, actually only passed a bit less than half. Personally I was only 5 minutes faster than the 3 winner.

Amazing racing. You inspired me to start really attacking last year, and this just adds to it.

You have to race again though... ATT ;)
http://epguides.com/GreenHornet/cast.jpg

Awesome write up. It made me feel like I was there without the pain. Thanks.


This race is going to be at the top of my list for 2010. It fits me to a tee...except for the TT. I need to get my TT up to par.