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05-13-09, 12:13 AM
I don't see much mountain biking stuff posted here so I thought I would add a little MTB culture. I posted the following on my blog, http://mtbmaven.vox.com
Saturday May 9th the Warrior Society (http://www.warriorssociety.org/) held the 3rd Traverse mountain bike race. The event is a 45 mile ride with about 8,500 feet of elevation gain. The course is similar to the Vision Quest (http://www.warriorssociety.org/events/vision_quest_general_info.html) I did earlier the year but a bit shorter with less elevation gain. Like the Vision Quest there are cut offs one must make or else your day is over.
http://a5.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c38755860e-500pi
Elevation Profile and Cut Off Times
Cut offs were at 4 Corners and Holy Jim intersections. Numbers represent Time of Day/Split Time - Segment Distance/Cumulative Distance for each split.
This was my first Traverse and wow did it kick my butt. This was also my first event riding for Team VeloSport/ShoAir (http://www.teamvelosport.com/). I have been dealing with escrow for the last month and have had very little time to train for this event. I was in much better condition for the Vision Quest, see my write up here (http://mtbmaven.vox.com/library/post/warrior-society-vision-quest-2009.html).
My buddy Krisztian participated in the Traverse last year and was beaten by the 100+ degree heat. His goal was to get revenge. One of his friends, Brian, also joined us for the race. Shortly after the start we began to separate. This being a race and not a social ride waiting for each other was not really expected. It was mano y mano.
http://a6.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831b76860d-500pi
All clean in my new race kit all ready to ride. Photo by Krisztian
http://a2.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e000201101822bd4a860f-500pi
Krisztian at the start line with about 150 other people ready to go. Photo by Krisztian
I could tell within the first 2 miles it was going to be a difficult day. Not too long after climbing out of the valley I began to feel like crap. A few times I felt like I needed to pull over and throw up. I shouldn't have had that half an energy bar before the start. I slowed way down to try and settle into groove. This worked to some degree but the rest of the day was survival riding for me. The initial climb out of the valley is a pretty steady grade. However once one hits the ridge of the mountain range, or the Main Divide, the trail is rolling with short downs, mainly up, and sometimes very steep ups. Luckily I left my ego at the car and had no problems walking these super steep sections. To me there is far less shame in walking during a difficult event like this than not finishing. Plus riding a trail that steep builds up way too much lactic acid and leads to cramping.
http://a0.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c3d388860e-500pi
Yours truly climbing the Main Divide Photo by genusmtbkr5
Riders climbing out of the valley on our way to the Main Divide. Photos by genusmtbkr5
http://a7.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831d17860d-500pi
http://a3.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e000201101822bee3860f-500pi
Somewhere on a flat section after reaching the Main Divide I saw a Hammer Nutrition pill tube on the trail and stopped to pick it up. I hope who ever lost this didn't need it too badly because it was a life saver for me. There were Endurolytes (capsules of powder electroyles) and ibuprofen in there. Not too long after picking up the pills I rode past another rider (Duke777, plate number 19) who started crapping pretty badly. I got a few yards ahead and turned back when I remembered I had the pills. We both sucked down a few Endurolytes and pain killers.
I go to 4 Corners about 10:30 (30 minutes before the cut off) and had a few minutes chill out and get some food. My potatoes were delicious. I will totally be making those things again in the future. Gave me good energy through out the day.
Side note: I cooked new potatoes sans skin and mashed them in a bowl. I added soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lightly sauteed spinach, Parmesan cheese, and salt. Potatoes have more potassium than bananas and a very high glycemic index, so it's basically rocket fuel. Spinach also has a lot of potassium in it. Next time I will add some lentils to add a bit of protein.
The ride too the summit wasn't too bad. The grades were a bit less plus the last cut off was down hill from there. My glasses because so caked with sweat by 4 Corners I rode without them to the summit. Which wasn't a big deal until we headed down. There were so many bugs it was getting dangerous riding without glasses. The nice folks at the check point after the summit gave me some gauze to clean my lenses. Life saver that gauze was.
Hitting Holy Jim was a great feeling. No more cut offs and I could relax a bit. Not that it was going to be easy but at least no more worrying I wasn't going to make it. More potatoes and I was off.
I had a pretty made mechanical on a descent after The Wall (an aptly names section of trail I had planned to walk from the get go). My chain got terrible wedged in between my cassette and wheel. I damaged some spokes getting it out and my wheel is way out of true now. Might need to get some spokes replaced it's so bad. Luckily I was able to fix it and keep riding.
The aid station at the top of West Horse Thief was like an oasis. Temps were pushing 90 and the sun was intense at elevation. I rolled in and was promptly handed a wedge of watermelon. The people working the station grabbed my bottle off my bike and had it filled in no time. It was like a NASCAR pit stop. I took their offer to sit in a chair in the shade for a few to cool down. Before I took off I took an offer to have someone dump water over my head and back. Ah good times!
I pushed pretty hard to the last aid station at the top of Trabuco knowing it was all downhill from there. I didn't bother to stop as I had water and wanted to enjoy the downhill. After a quick down of the seat I was off. The descent down Trabuco is always fun but beats the hell out me. The upper section is fast and fun but the lower section is just brutal. It's not really a trail but more a rocky hillside with a narrow ribbon with no vegetation. I think what happens is that parts on my bike get loosened on Trabuco and then finally fall apart on the dirt road out. Both this ride and VQ I had problems on the road out. This time my rear tire was leaking air. Luckily I had stuff to make repairs this time but really didn't want to put in a tube at that point. So I filled the tire with CO2 cartridge and rode it for as long as it would hold. And that was WAY longer that I should. By the time I filled it again the tire must have had like 5 PSI in it.
Just as I was finishing inflating the tire for the last time a person I know from the local riding scene, Abui, rode past me. I caught him a few minutes later where he asked if we wanted to ride past the finish line together. This was such a cool offer. So we rode through the finish area hands clasped over our heads in victory. Very cool moment.
http://a4.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c3c41c860e-500pi
I crossed the finish line with Doug. He is a biking animal even in his mid-60s. Photo by ericfoltz
I hung around the finish area for bit waiting for Krisztian to finish. Brian who started the race with us but pulled off at Silverado was there as well. Krisztian's wife Carolyn showed up with their super cute and always smiling 10 month old boy Max. We were all there to celebrate his finish. Good job doc!!! The Traverse didn't get you this year to got it. Carolyn brought us Sierra Nevada beer, chips, and guacamole. Man that tasted good!
http://a2.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831e02860d-500pi
Krisztian crossing the finishing line Photo by Carolyn
http://a7.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e00020110164845bf860c-500pi
Look at them sexy legs all covered in caked on dirt Photo by Carolyn
http://a4.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e00020110164852d4860c-500pi
Ah beer! Photo by Carolyn
Hard events like this make me question why I do this kind of stuff. But I know in a few weeks I will want to be out there doing it again. I don't have any big organized events plan until the fall. I want to do the second 12 Hours of Temecula solo again, maybe do one or two 24 hour event on a 2 or 3 person team as well.
Stats for the event:
Distance: 46.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 8,300 ft
Total Time: 7:44:14
Total Ride Time: 6:21:01
Average Moving Speed: 7.3 mph
Max Speed: 33.3 mph
Average Heart Rate: 154 bpm
Max Heart Rate: 184 bpm
Saturday May 9th the Warrior Society (http://www.warriorssociety.org/) held the 3rd Traverse mountain bike race. The event is a 45 mile ride with about 8,500 feet of elevation gain. The course is similar to the Vision Quest (http://www.warriorssociety.org/events/vision_quest_general_info.html) I did earlier the year but a bit shorter with less elevation gain. Like the Vision Quest there are cut offs one must make or else your day is over.
http://a5.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c38755860e-500pi
Elevation Profile and Cut Off Times
Cut offs were at 4 Corners and Holy Jim intersections. Numbers represent Time of Day/Split Time - Segment Distance/Cumulative Distance for each split.
This was my first Traverse and wow did it kick my butt. This was also my first event riding for Team VeloSport/ShoAir (http://www.teamvelosport.com/). I have been dealing with escrow for the last month and have had very little time to train for this event. I was in much better condition for the Vision Quest, see my write up here (http://mtbmaven.vox.com/library/post/warrior-society-vision-quest-2009.html).
My buddy Krisztian participated in the Traverse last year and was beaten by the 100+ degree heat. His goal was to get revenge. One of his friends, Brian, also joined us for the race. Shortly after the start we began to separate. This being a race and not a social ride waiting for each other was not really expected. It was mano y mano.
http://a6.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831b76860d-500pi
All clean in my new race kit all ready to ride. Photo by Krisztian
http://a2.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e000201101822bd4a860f-500pi
Krisztian at the start line with about 150 other people ready to go. Photo by Krisztian
I could tell within the first 2 miles it was going to be a difficult day. Not too long after climbing out of the valley I began to feel like crap. A few times I felt like I needed to pull over and throw up. I shouldn't have had that half an energy bar before the start. I slowed way down to try and settle into groove. This worked to some degree but the rest of the day was survival riding for me. The initial climb out of the valley is a pretty steady grade. However once one hits the ridge of the mountain range, or the Main Divide, the trail is rolling with short downs, mainly up, and sometimes very steep ups. Luckily I left my ego at the car and had no problems walking these super steep sections. To me there is far less shame in walking during a difficult event like this than not finishing. Plus riding a trail that steep builds up way too much lactic acid and leads to cramping.
http://a0.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c3d388860e-500pi
Yours truly climbing the Main Divide Photo by genusmtbkr5
Riders climbing out of the valley on our way to the Main Divide. Photos by genusmtbkr5
http://a7.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831d17860d-500pi
http://a3.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e000201101822bee3860f-500pi
Somewhere on a flat section after reaching the Main Divide I saw a Hammer Nutrition pill tube on the trail and stopped to pick it up. I hope who ever lost this didn't need it too badly because it was a life saver for me. There were Endurolytes (capsules of powder electroyles) and ibuprofen in there. Not too long after picking up the pills I rode past another rider (Duke777, plate number 19) who started crapping pretty badly. I got a few yards ahead and turned back when I remembered I had the pills. We both sucked down a few Endurolytes and pain killers.
I go to 4 Corners about 10:30 (30 minutes before the cut off) and had a few minutes chill out and get some food. My potatoes were delicious. I will totally be making those things again in the future. Gave me good energy through out the day.
Side note: I cooked new potatoes sans skin and mashed them in a bowl. I added soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lightly sauteed spinach, Parmesan cheese, and salt. Potatoes have more potassium than bananas and a very high glycemic index, so it's basically rocket fuel. Spinach also has a lot of potassium in it. Next time I will add some lentils to add a bit of protein.
The ride too the summit wasn't too bad. The grades were a bit less plus the last cut off was down hill from there. My glasses because so caked with sweat by 4 Corners I rode without them to the summit. Which wasn't a big deal until we headed down. There were so many bugs it was getting dangerous riding without glasses. The nice folks at the check point after the summit gave me some gauze to clean my lenses. Life saver that gauze was.
Hitting Holy Jim was a great feeling. No more cut offs and I could relax a bit. Not that it was going to be easy but at least no more worrying I wasn't going to make it. More potatoes and I was off.
I had a pretty made mechanical on a descent after The Wall (an aptly names section of trail I had planned to walk from the get go). My chain got terrible wedged in between my cassette and wheel. I damaged some spokes getting it out and my wheel is way out of true now. Might need to get some spokes replaced it's so bad. Luckily I was able to fix it and keep riding.
The aid station at the top of West Horse Thief was like an oasis. Temps were pushing 90 and the sun was intense at elevation. I rolled in and was promptly handed a wedge of watermelon. The people working the station grabbed my bottle off my bike and had it filled in no time. It was like a NASCAR pit stop. I took their offer to sit in a chair in the shade for a few to cool down. Before I took off I took an offer to have someone dump water over my head and back. Ah good times!
I pushed pretty hard to the last aid station at the top of Trabuco knowing it was all downhill from there. I didn't bother to stop as I had water and wanted to enjoy the downhill. After a quick down of the seat I was off. The descent down Trabuco is always fun but beats the hell out me. The upper section is fast and fun but the lower section is just brutal. It's not really a trail but more a rocky hillside with a narrow ribbon with no vegetation. I think what happens is that parts on my bike get loosened on Trabuco and then finally fall apart on the dirt road out. Both this ride and VQ I had problems on the road out. This time my rear tire was leaking air. Luckily I had stuff to make repairs this time but really didn't want to put in a tube at that point. So I filled the tire with CO2 cartridge and rode it for as long as it would hold. And that was WAY longer that I should. By the time I filled it again the tire must have had like 5 PSI in it.
Just as I was finishing inflating the tire for the last time a person I know from the local riding scene, Abui, rode past me. I caught him a few minutes later where he asked if we wanted to ride past the finish line together. This was such a cool offer. So we rode through the finish area hands clasped over our heads in victory. Very cool moment.
http://a4.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011017c3c41c860e-500pi
I crossed the finish line with Doug. He is a biking animal even in his mid-60s. Photo by ericfoltz
I hung around the finish area for bit waiting for Krisztian to finish. Brian who started the race with us but pulled off at Silverado was there as well. Krisztian's wife Carolyn showed up with their super cute and always smiling 10 month old boy Max. We were all there to celebrate his finish. Good job doc!!! The Traverse didn't get you this year to got it. Carolyn brought us Sierra Nevada beer, chips, and guacamole. Man that tasted good!
http://a2.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e0002011016831e02860d-500pi
Krisztian crossing the finishing line Photo by Carolyn
http://a7.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e00020110164845bf860c-500pi
Look at them sexy legs all covered in caked on dirt Photo by Carolyn
http://a4.vox.com/6a00fa968fff4e00020110164852d4860c-500pi
Ah beer! Photo by Carolyn
Hard events like this make me question why I do this kind of stuff. But I know in a few weeks I will want to be out there doing it again. I don't have any big organized events plan until the fall. I want to do the second 12 Hours of Temecula solo again, maybe do one or two 24 hour event on a 2 or 3 person team as well.
Stats for the event:
Distance: 46.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 8,300 ft
Total Time: 7:44:14
Total Ride Time: 6:21:01
Average Moving Speed: 7.3 mph
Max Speed: 33.3 mph
Average Heart Rate: 154 bpm
Max Heart Rate: 184 bpm