T Minus 1 Day

Yep ... in a little over 24 hours, I will be entering a place of beautiful suffering ... The Pisgah Stage Race.  I am looking forward to it, for when I exit, I will be a much stronger person.  The Forest is rich in waterfalls, wild, rugged trail, and vibrant views.  But to get to it and through it, one will have to take a journey of immeasurable proportions.

Last year the Pisgah Stage Race was not so kind to me.  I started off great, but fell to pieces during the last two stages.  It was not the course, but my body that failed.  Unbeknown to me at the time, I was carrying around one defective little gall bladder. 

Well, this year, I have no excuse.  I have trained for this week, so we will see what I have got.  Although the field is smaller this year (which is a shame since this is gonna be such a stellar event this year), my competition is against two very tough and talented ladies.  As I see it, right now I am solidly in third, with no way to go but up.

The weather is perfect and the course is ever so sweet, with the likes of Squirrel Gap, Laurel Mountain, Pilot Rock, and Black Mountain, to name a few.  Todd Branham has done a great job of recruiting volunteers, acquiring sponsors and I am looking forward to the food that will be provided by Poppies!

Indy ('09 Specialized Era) will get the call up for the Stage 1 Hill Climb, but it will be Stumpy ('08 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR) that will tackle the big stages. 

I will have Chamois Butt'r samples with me at the race, so come and get some.

No matter what the end results are, I will enter and exit the pain cave with a smile on my face ... well, perhaps a grimace. 

See you on the other side!

The Little Stuff Is Just As Important

I am hoping that this will make it onto Specialized's website under "What's New."

Dealer Grant Program and Elementary Physical Education

Tennessee endurance mountain bike racer Carey Lowery used her talent this year to raise money for two local elementary schools, one of which her 8 year old daughter attends.  Over Memorial Day weekend, Carey raced solo at the Burn 24 Hour Challenge in North Carolina.  Using this as a platform to raise money through pledges per lap, she was able to secure $5500 for the schools.

Prior to her race, Carey, along with several other local cyclists went to the schools and talked to the classes of City Park and Ingleside elementary schools about cycling, physical fitness, and nutrition.

Just last month she and The Outdoor Store, her local bike shop, presented a check to each school for $2750.  This money will be used by the PE departments to purchase much needed equipment.  In addition, with Specialized providing funding through its dealer grant program and through the generosity of several local businesses, Carey awarded prizes to the winners of her kids’ contest.  The top 3 boys and girls from each school who were closest to guessing the number of miles she rode in 24 hours were awarded bikes, helmets, and gloves.

When asked about how difficult it was racing for 24 hours non-stop, Carey’s reply was, “Knowing that I was racing for a cause and not just my own personal goals, it really was not hard at all.  I have done several 24 hour races, but this was the first one where I smiled on each and every one of the 27 laps (204 miles) I completed.”

Carey Lowery lives in Athens, Tennessee.  Unfortunately Tennessee was named the second most obese state for 2010 by Trust for America’s Health.  20.6 percent of the children in Tennessee are obese.  She hopes that she was able to reach out to the 500+ kids about the importance of exercising and eating right.

I feel that what happens locally, especially when it comes to children and childhood obesity is just as important, if not more, than Schlek's wedding or another roadie winning an international race.  Hopefully Specialized will see it this way as well.  They have an outstanding grant program that needs to be showcased.  I did not even know about it until I accidentally stumbled upon it earlier this year.

Our kids are our future.  If we Americans want to continue to podium on the international level, we all need to address this situation.

I hope to be able to continue to influence the children at City Park and Ingleside in the future.  I was recently asked to be on the city school's health and fitness committee, to which I happily said, "Hell, yea!"  We shall see what this one little grassroot's racer can do. 

Fundraiser Culmination

Today has honestly been the biggest accomplishment of my 2010 season.  No, I did not set any PR's nor did I beat any famous mountain bikers.  Today I was at Ingleside Elementary School presenting them with a check for $2775 and presenting the winners of the Kids' Contest with their prizes.  Last Thursday I did the same for my daughter's school, City Park.

Presenting the check to the President of the Ingleside PTO

 I gave a brief wrap-up of my race, The Burn 24 Hour MTB Challenge, to the student body.  The kids hooted and hollered when I told them I won and was 3rd O/A.  They laughed and giggled when I told them I had to get off the bike 4 times for potty breaks.  And their eyes got really big when I told them that the distance I covered was from my hometown of Athens to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Then, through the Specialized Dealer Grant program as well as the gracious donations from The Outdoor Store and several local banks, Pam and Bruce Blevins presented the winners with their prizes, which included bikes, helmets, and gloves.  In case you don't recall, the kids wrote down how many miles they thought I could race in 24 hours and the closest 3 boys/girls won.

Pam, Bruce, and I with the Ingleside winners

And with the City Park winners

Last week when we did the same for City Park, I was surprised when the principal presented me with this:

I could not have done this without your help.  Many thanks to all my cycling and non-cycling friends and acquaintances who made donations.

Sometimes it is just not about you and the bike, but rather who you can help and influence while riding your bike.

Pisgah Recon

Cresting the Black Mountain hike-a-bike

 

 

 

With last week's training schedule consisting of long days in the saddle, I opted to head for Pisgah to get my skilz on for the upcoming stage race.  I was able to get in a delicious, although crazy tough, 5 days of 4+ hours on the bike scouting the trails and gravel roads.  I chose Stumpy as my steed ... a bit more travel and a more relaxed position makes for an easier ride on this type of terrain.

Wednesday was a rough for me as I reminded just how tough The Forest is.  I had forgotten to put on my Pisgah legs ... still had my XC legs on.  Squirrel Gap was ... well, Squirrel Gap, only more eroded and overgrown.  The weed-wacking took its toll on my arms and legs; think of 100 lashings.  Unfortunately, this trail is set to be demolished .... ummm, reworked by people with big machines, and the race director is not allowed to touch it, as in clear the weeds.  So I guess the top-level pros will get to clear it for the rest of us.

Bridge connecting Buckhorn to Squirrel Gap

 I got to experience the long hike-a-bike section of the Black Mountain trail.  During last year's race, a course marshall was sitting on the rock in the above picture saying, "You are almost to the rideable part."  And yes, stupid me believed it.  Well, this year, you ain't gonna sucka me!  Some sections of this trail involve doing military presses with your bike to get up the trail.

The final descent off Black Mountain has also been reworked, but it should be in fantastically fast, fun shape come race day!

Wednesday night I hung out with the Asheville Janes'.  A super cool family, I was treated to a never-ending plate of Caribbean chicken and rice with peanut sauce, grilled squash, cantaloupe, and homemade Blue Ridge Parkway blueberry cobbler.  To top it off, I was stoked to sleep in Jubal's bunk bed with Transformer sheets.

I awoke Thursday ready to conquer Stage 4.  The start is straight up on Thrift Cove which then dumps you onto Black Mountain which goes straight up ... forever .... to get you to Turkey Pen.  When hike-a-biking is no fun anymore, I call it pushing.  Well, I pushed for a long time.  Turning onto Turkey Pen, I was immediately greeted with a wall of downed trees.  Pushing then turned to bushwacking.  As I was relishing the idea of being able to eventually get back on and ride, a huge tree not 50 yards to my right came crashing down, taking several in its path, like dominoes.  Sh!t!  What little adrenalin I had left got spent watching that cataclysmic show of natural force.  Thankfully the domino effect went away from me rather than towards.  I turned on the afterburners to get away from the top of this ridge where a lot of trees looked like they could go at any time. 

After 2 hours and 45 minutes, I made it to the Turkey Pen parking lot.  A sum total of 10 miles!  (Todd has since said that this WILL BE CLEAR come race day.)  After more trail, I eventually ended up on Squirrel Gap, although going opposite the previous day's direction.  This is where Pisgah demanded a sacrifice; since I was the only one out there, well the picture below clearly explains.

 

 

 

 

 

I was riding up and over a rather large rock when my front wheel got stuck in a perfect 26" size hole in between 2 rocks.  I desperately tried to fall uphill, but gravity won, and I tumbled down the hill about 10 feet before a rather large rock stopped me by bashing into my lower leg just below the knee.  Thankfully only a gash and a bone bruise to my tibial crest.  Squirrel Gap is no easy place for a rescue party to get to.  After assessing myself and my bike, I chose to walk a bit and gather my senses. (And that night, I ordered a SPOT.)  I now know how Danielle felt during a lot of her 2008 season!

Having the wind knocked out of my sails, I rode the remainder of my time a bit more cautiously.  I did not complete the stage as the rather large portion of pushing consumed a large chunk of time ... and my leg hurt like heck!  This stage is going to be the hardest as it is almost all single track. Thursday night Zeke and I demolished roast beef hoagies and steamed broccoli.

On Friday, Zeke and I rode a portion of Stage 3.  We started out of Kuykendall Campground and rode up FS 471 to Gloucester Gap.  My legs were feeling great and the climb was a delight to giv'r ... good roadbed and a steady grade.  From the 4-way we took a left and headed out to Hwy 215, rode it for a bit, and then hopped on Trail 129 (later we found out this has been taken out of the stage).  This trail was straight up and straight over Big Fork Ridge and then it leveled off along a beautiful creek and Courthouse Falls was an amazing work of natural art!  Even though this is not in the race, I am glad I persevered along the first mile of pushing.

We decided to skip Farlow Gap as we have both ridden/slid down that trail many times.  We then split up.  I rode more of the single track, including Daniel Ridge and Cove Creek and then slayed some demons on the gravel road climb up FS 475-B.  Last year, I fell completely apart on the gravel road sections.  This year, less a diseased gall bladder, I chewed up the fire roads and spit them up.  I can honestly say I loved the gravel this year ... brappp!

On Saturday, Perry joined in on the fun.  Zeke shuttled Perry and I to the Turkey Pen Gap parking lot.  From here we intended to ride the remainder of Stage 5.  It was drizzling when we started, but warm.  Vineyard Gap Trail was fun and had some flow.  The descent was steep and the waterbars slick, but rideable.  Some of steep ups I had to get off and push a little, but that was mostly due to the fatigue I was beginning to carry in my legs.  The 6, or was it 7, creek crossings were o.k., but there were some DEEP mudholes along Bradley Creek Trail.  I found out the hard way on one when I sunk up to my axles and about endo'd.  After another good gravel grinder up FS 5015, we hopped on to Laurel Mountain Trail.  All was good until we hit the steep hike-a-bike; the heavens let loose with rain (hmmm ... reminds me of last year, only 30 degrees warmer). 

At the intersection of Laurel Mountain and the Laurel Mountain connector, we turned left.  What I did not know or see was that the trail we should have turned left on to was an even sharper left.  So after about a half mile of pushing, it just did not feel right.  I looked at the map, but could not figure out where we had gone wrong.  (I still don't think the NG Map and the actual trails at that intersection jive.)  So we kept pushing on forward.  This was a pretty wicked trail, too.  Perry was beginning to doubt his wanting to race here.  Well, after about 45 minutes of pushing we ended up at a sign that said Pisgah Inn to the right.  WTF!  With us in a downpour and the temperature dropping, we were NOT going back. 

Warming the core at the Pisgah Inn Restaurant

 We rode to the Inn, went straight to the restaurant where we both ordered coffee, and then I attempted to call Zeke.  I was able to reach him the first time.  Zeke saved us from an 18 mile pavement descent in a cold downpour.  Pilot Rock will just have to wait until race day.

Sunday morning I expected to wake up feeling tired and with cobwebs in my head.  I awoke to feeling none of the past four days in my legs.  Had I been possessed by the Energizer Bunny?  It still could be a different story once I hit the trail, though.  I fueled up on coffee, fruit, and oatmeal.  Our intention today was to go as hard as we could.  We started out by climbing up FS 477 and once again my legs were sparkly.  After a quick descent we picked up Club Gap Trail, all of which was rideable.  From there we explored the portion of Black Mountain between Club Gap and Buckhorn.  Boy, was it overgrown!  Just when I thought my wounds from the previous days were healing ...  let's just say that having injured legs lashed by more undergrowth is not very pleasant.  The descent down to Buckhorn was a whoo! hoo! experience.  Unfortunately I will have to go in the opposite direction on Stage 4.  I finished up my ride time with another 5 mile gravel road climb;  I emptied the tank on this one. 

I came to Pisgah with two goals:  gain knowledge of the course and leave it all on the trail.  I accomplished both.  Pisgah also taught me a lesson or two.  Beauty can be treacherous.  Be self-sufficient and expect the unexpected.

Meet my new riding buddy!

For those who want the ultimate test of skills, fitness, and mental tenacity, come get your fill of Pisgah at The Pisgah Stage Race.  Todd has stated that the trails will be a lot clearer than when I rode them.  The course will be well-marked, the aid stations well-stocked, and lots of people out there cheering you on.  But take heed ... this race will make ORAMM look like child's play.  Be prepared to ride hard, get wet, and hike ... alot,  If you are both mentally and physically prepared, then you are going to have one helluva good time.

SERC Fontana Race Report

This past Sunday was the Southeastern Regional Championship XC finale in Fontana, NC.  I had a fairly intense week of training, including VO2 max intervals on Tuesday and riding the Cohutta Death Loop at race pace on Thursday.  Coach had a SS session on Sunday.  Since there was this race, I decided I could have a better work out if I was forced to go hard.  Coach called it "squeezing blood out of a stone."

I decided that I wanted to race for money and with more competition, so I entered the Women's Pro/Expert class.  No more large T-shirts and Entemann's mini-muffins, I was going for cash!  12 of us lined up at the start.  Wow!  That says a lot.  A few years back when I raced XC, we were lucky enough to have 5 or 6.

I chose a pretty easy gear for Solo, my Specialized 29'r SS.  Each 7.5 mile lap had about 1000 feet of climbing and some of those climbs were pretty steep.  When the gun went off, Anina and Kim took off like bottle rockets.  The start was a 0.3 mile 10% paved climb.  I tried to go with them, but my legs filled with lead and I had to back off.  I was still able to head into the single track in 3rd, with quite a gap on the rest of the field.  I was able to keep the Vantaggio ladies in sight for a while, but I had to back it off a bit about midway through the first lap, or I was going to blow up.  

The second lap hurt!  I swear the climbs, especially the gravel road in the middle, got longer and steeper.  I was able to hone in on my hike-a-bike skills in several spots.  I tried to make up some time on the descents.  The lines were there ... all I had to do was follow them and keep my fingers off my Magura's.  I don't think I was all that much slower on Solo on the descents as compared to my Era.

The third lap felt the easiest.  After racing for almost 80 minutes, I guess I had finally warmed up.  People on the trail kept telling me that Kim was just up ahead.  That encouraged me to enter deeper into the pain cave to see if I could possibly reel her in.  I just about got too crazy as on the final descent, I hit a jump faster than on the first two laps.  When I came down, my left foot came unclipped and I got all "squirrely."  I almost grabbed too much front brake!  After that wake-up call, I settled down for the remainder of the descent.  As I was climbing up the last bit of pavement to the finish, I saw Kim ... as she was rolling through the finish.  Arrggg!  If we only had to do 1 more lap ...

So I finished third and collected enough money to pay for my entry as well as the gas to get there.  And I do believe that the stone did bleed!  A perfect way to wrap up a good week of intensity.

I have really enjoyed racing my SS at Raccoon and Fontana.  Hmmm ... how can I work more of these XC events into my schedule next year?

A Day in the Life

I am back in the Pisgah Stage Race prep mode.  Coach had me do VO2 Max Intervals today.  I like this work out because it is one hell of a sufferfest, but it is over pretty quickly, and you feel like you really accomplished something.

Here is how they went:

#1:  This is not too bad.  Hmmm, maybe I am a bit stronger.  I feel like I could go all day at this wattage!
#2:  Can I take back what I previously stated?
#3:  Damn Coach for making me do those squats yesterday!
#4:  Ohhhhh......the burn!
#5:  I need a dog to start chasing me.  Come on, legs, don't leave me now!
#6:  Mama!

And now I get to go work for 10 hours, dodging pee and poop, smelling anal glands,  listening to incessant barking, and trying to be quicker than the dogs' clamping jaws.

I think I would rather do some more suffering at the hand's of my Coach.

ORAMM Race Report, part 2

I owned Curtis Creek this year.  Last year, my legs went on strike at aid station 2, but today was like riding without a chain.  I gobbled up plenty of carrots in those 9 miles.  I caught back up to Rich; I taunted him with the 6 hour thing, but his face told a different story.  That was the last I saw of him. 

I did have to slow it down a bit at the midway point, not because of my fitness, but because of the heat.  I started to get a headache and felt a slight chill, telltale signs that if you ignore, the next thing you know, you will be on the ground babbling incoherently.  I knew I was close to the top when the switchbacks got steeper and tighter.  I rolled in to aid station 3 and was immediately greeted by several smiling faces.  One filled my gel flask, one offered an ice cold coke and the other had my drop bag.  Was I in heaven?  The aid station volunteers were awesome!

The gravel descent down the other side of the Parkway was insanely sketchy.  I have never felt so out of control on a gravel road descent.  After a couple front wheel slide outs, I determined what little time I might be gaining by riding stupid was not worth the risk.  I slowed it down to a more life sustaining speed; it seemed like forever before I hit the bottom. 

The 4 mile climb back up to the Parkway was uneventful, except for the nagging headache that would not go away despite what I thought was an adequate fluid intake.  The volunteers at aid station 4 were masters of their game and had me off and pedaling up the Parkway to the infamous hike-a-bike.  I think I ingested too much gel and Rapidade at the last aid station because as I pushed my bike up to Heartbreak Ridge, I became nauseous.  This brought back not so fond memories of The Burn 24 Hour. 

As I began the looooooong descent down Heartbreak, my body was able to draw some blood from my legs and finish the digestion process.  The nausea soon passed.  I always forget just how long Heartbreak is.  I always start off "Whoo-hooing!" but that soon changes to "Oh my God, my head is going to fly off my neck!"
This section requires absolute focus which is hard to do when all your eyes see is a constant "dirt, sky, dirt, sky, dirt, sky ...".  There are a few kickers on this trail that allowed my body to realign itself and prepare for the final switchbacky descent that I initially rode up on the way to Star Gap.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my ride down and my Specialized Era rocked it!  (I would love to see what an Enduro would do on Heartbreak, however.)

I rolled on through aid station 5 and looked at my time:  5:17.  That sub-6 was not looking good, but I thought I still had a chance to equal last year's time.  Well, at least until I began the 4 mile climb up Miller Creek.  Did I just enter hell?  This was the most exposed road of the day.  It was now 1:30pm and probably 97+ degrees.  The heat was like a ton of bricks sitting on my chest.  It was here that I really had to dial the power down or suffer the consequences.  I passed through the parking lot, not looking forward to the steep-a$$ climb back to the top of Kitsuma.  I made it, albeit slower and a few more times off the bike.

The descent seemed like an eternity.  Very powdery after having 400+ riders come through and a lot of skid marks off the trail.  Once again, my Ergon GR2's comforted my hands on this bumpy terrain.  I popped out onto the pavement and immediately went into time trial mode.  This lasted about 30 seconds when my inner quads screamed at me and threatened to lock up.  I backed off and rode at a cramp-free speed.  No need to kill myself; there was a "jelly" in a white Cadillac Seville that tried to do that for me.  Speeding along, horn blaring, swerving around me at the last minute ... yeah, you are really cool, old man!

I crossed the finish line in 6:33, 1st place woman (and the oldest, I might add), and 31st overall.  The slower time I will blame on the heat, for I felt I was fitter than last year.  All said and done, I felt that I properly executed my race and nutrition plan for this one.  I consumed 170 ounces of fluids (Rapidade, water, and Coke) and I took in about 230 kcal/hour.  I don't think I could have gone any harder.

Kudos to Todd for once again putting on a stellar race.  Great course markings, wonderful volunteers, a nice creek to cool off in post-race, and good food. 

I might add that Zeke finished 5th in the 50+ category and would have possible been higher up on the podium were it not for the time spent helping the heat casualty up on Kitsuma.  Not only is he one fast old dude, but a trail angel.  Those in his class at Leadville had better watch out!