Return to PA and Looking for Redemption

I had a bad race at the Wilderness 101 last year due to illness. I woke up not feeling well and never really got over it. I was looking for some redemption on my return trip this season.

Joe and I rode up to Coburn and arrived in plenty of time for a nice pre-ride to spin the tight legs and generally stretch out. Arriving early also meant we had our choice of camping spots. Having a hammock this is always a concern since there are only but so many trees available. We luckily ended up in the same exact spot as last year with a good view of the entire park, not too far away from the port-o-potties in case you had to go in the middle of the night, but far enough away to avoid the stench. The night was uneventful with an early bedtime as usual. The park was fairly quiet which is always nice. 

Before long, Chris was ringing the gong signifying it was time to wake up. The normal routine of trying to get down as much breakfast as possible and checking to make sure everything on your bike is perfect was underway. Soon, we were toeing the line and waiting for the rolling start. I couldn’t help but appreciate the calm of this start, exactly the opposite of the XC races that have composed most of my schedule so far this season.

The first climb is always a big sort out and this year was no different. The climb is on some nice, wide fire roads and lasts about 20 minutes. I got dropped from the lead group but was able to catch back on with the help of the small chase group on the fast decent that followed. The first 50 miles of this course is mainly gravel with some climbs, mostly on the shorter side. I got into a good group and we seemed to be making quick work of the fire roads. I found myself feeling great after the first 50 miles as the course suited me with mainly big ring climbing.

The second 50 is where the race really starts. I dropped at mile 40 last year so the rest of the course was all new to me. I completed much of the final 50 miles solo which made it just a touch more difficult. The tough climb out of Aid 3 was just too much and the small group I had been riding with split up. The second half of the course contained the vast majority of the singletrack. The rocks of PA start to show their teeth a bit with the accumulation of singletrack descents really starting to hurt. The rocky singletrack featured in this race is really nice, State College is lucky to have such awesome trails. I was glad to be rolling on my Industry Nine wheels, the 96 points of engagement really help to get through technical rock gardens. The final descent, known as Panther Run, at around mile 95 is brutal. My Scott Spark performed very well through these rocky descents by my hands were still killing me by this point in the race and it was hard to squeeze the brakes. After this descent comes the “Fisherman’s Path”, which is really more of a hiking path through a small boulder field. I was ready to get back on the bike and really push it to the finish after this hike-a-bike. 

Overall I’m pretty happy with my results. After a disappointment last weekend, I’m glad to have finally pulled it together. With the focus of my season thus far being on shorter, XC races, I wasn’t sure how my body would react to an effort lasting 8+ hours. A huge thanks to Michael Harlow and Endorphin Fitness for providing the plan that helped me during this race. I’m very glad I went back to seek some redemption on this course. 

It was a good time with great friends Joe, Jeff, and Tom. The entire team finished within the top 50, pretty impressive considering this was Tom’s first 100 miler. Joe had some mechanical issues but still managed to finish 16th, I was 23rd, and Jeff posted a huge improvement over last year with his 24th place finish. Tom just made the top 50 with a 48th place. Great job guys, now keep it up as the SM is only a few short weeks away.

Check out Jeff's race recap:
http://plassmido.blogspot.com/2013/07/2013-wilderness-101.html

Link to a cool video from DirtwireTV:

http://dirtwire.tv/2013/08/wilderness-101-the-documentary-2/

Photos courtesy of Bob Popovich and Jeff Plassman. 

2013 National Championship at Bear Creek Resort

The thought of going to The National Championship was thrown around in the late fall of last year during the CX National Championship.  It sounded like a cool idea, and maybe I could qualify and participate which sounded like an even better idea.  Problem was that I hadn’t completed a Cat 1 race since upgrading a few years ago, so there was work to do for sure.  Either way, this race (along with several qualifiers) made it to my race calendar for this season.  I was even able to coax Joe in to believing this was a good idea.

Over the last several months I have heard how technically difficult the course at Bear Creek was.  In fact, I bought my Scott Spark, my first full suspension mountain bike, with this race in mind.  The insane number of engadgement points of the Industry Nine wheels helped quite a bit as well.  I had planned to make a trip to pre-ride the course, it never worked out.  Joe and I got to the resort on Friday early enough to make a loop before dinner.  All the reports were correct, this course was very difficult.  Rock gardens connected by short climbs left few areas to recover.   The resort had all the amenities and turned out to be a perfect place to stay.   Bear Creek would be an awesome place to come and trail ride on, still uncertain how great the trails are to race on.

On race morning, Joe decided he wasn’t feeling it and would be sitting this one out.  Can’t say I didn’t envy his decision a bit as I knew the tough task that lay ahead.  The race started like all other XC races, fast.   My field was deep with 43 racers, far more then I’m used to.  With the top 15 getting called up to the line, the rest of us were left to fight for the back of the line.  This meant some hard efforts to pass the slower riders up the first climb so we were not hindered too much on the descents that lay ahead.  My goal was to take it easy on the first lap hoping I would be able to make it up on the final lap when the traffic on the trail would be less.  I found myself not able to hang with the faster riders on the last mile or so of the laps which contained the most technical rocks.  I would gain several places at the beginning of the lap that contained climbs and dryer rock gardens only to be passed right back on these technical rock features.  Something I need to work on for sure. 

The race did not go as planned for me.  I could feel myself getting weaker at the end of the second lap.  I feel I missed my nutrition as I needed more water and something to eat as I entered the third and final lap.  I paused at the top of the climb on the last lap to grab some extra water from the aid station, but it was too late.  I have never cramped during a race as I’m always particular about my nutrition.  I pulled off the trail nearing the end of my final lap for a minute to stretch as I got some cramps in my hamstring.  After some easy spinning, the cramps subsided and I was back to riding.  I went down near the end of the final lap pretty hard just to add further insult from the trail.  I was concerned I had broken my collar bone or shoulder after the fall; turned out to be just some scrapes and bruises luckily.  I was completely spent at the end of the race.  Dehydration set in and I was having trouble seeing straight.  Hardest XC race I have ever had, no doubt about it.

Even with a bad race, the experience of Nationals was worth the trip.  After the Cat 1 races, we had time to eat lunch and climb back into the woods to watch the pro women and men’s races.  The crowds were electrifying! 

Huge thanks to Eric Schofield (who rocked a 3^rd in his field!).  He helped both Joe and I with accommodations.  Also hope that Levi Thornton (from Fredricksburg) heals quickly.  I watched him crash right into a tree during the beginning of the first lap.  I stopped with him after seeing this till emergency personnel came, but it certainly changed my race into a less aggressive effort.

Industry Nine Visit

As soon as Jeff told me we were spending the night in Ashville on the way to Cohutta, I knew we had to work out a trip to Industry Nine.  We were pushed for time as we wanted to pre-ride the course a bit later in the day, but the stop was well worth it.  I expected to see a bunch of bling wheels all over the place (and was not disappointed), but I didn't expect to see the machine shop that makes these hubs possible. Also, the positive vibe that only comes from a group of cyclist was evident.  There is no doubt that all of the employees of I9 are hard core cyclist from the minute you enter the parking lot.

David was kind enough to show us around the facility.  The anodizing process is pretty cool to see, very complex in ways that you wouldn't even think about.  It is done in house as consinstancy is tough to achieve with anodizing.  All the components of a single wheel build are all anodized at the same time due to these inconsistancies.

Each little box along the wall represents another customers wheel build. 

Our gracious host David was kind enough to re-tention Joe's wheel before our tour of the facility.

The machine shop was very busy on the day of our visit, so no pics from that.  Huge thanks to I9 for inviting us into their shop for the morning and for sponsoring our team this season.  I also want to thank David for showing us around and recommending that killer place for breakfast!!

Dragon's Tale: The Singlespeed Perspective

David, Jeff and I headed up to the 2012 4th annual Dragon's Tale in New Castle, VA, put on by Chris Scott of Shenandoah Mountain Touring. The day started with a 4 a.m wake up call, followed by meeting David and Jeff at the Rockville park n' ride. After a couple of pit stops, we rolled into the parking lot about an hour or so  before the start. We got our packets and did the usual pre race necessities. David and Jeff both rode their 29ers with their "fancy" suspension parts and gears. I opted to kick it old school and ride a rigid singlespeed. I rode a 34x21 gear ratio, which felt pretty good considering all the climbing that we had in store. The race started at 10 a.m with a neutral roll out through downtown New Castle. Once we hit the gravel the race began and the big boys hit hard. The first part of the race is about 9 miles of fire road with deep creek crossing and slight elevation changes. The second or third creek crossing was very deep, so I decided to walk it, not wanting to be that guy to fall completely into the creek, trying to ride it. Sure enough, another rider comes flying by, then comes to an abrubt stop and takes alittle swim. Being on a single speed, I can only go but so fast on the flat stuff without blowing up due to my lack of big gear inches. Geared riders came whizzing by left and right, while was I stuck spinning away. Once the road started to go up and down more often, I caught many of those geared riders who blow by me. Toward the end of the fireroad I caught Mike Boyes (Athens Bicycle, masters rider and usually rocks a singlespeed but today was riding gears) who accidently forced me into a rutted gully, I didn't crash, so no harm no foul. After catching him again he graciously apologized and we chatted for a bit. Finally we got to the Grouse trail, the start of the singletrack and big time climbing. Mike made the start official with a "Woooooohhhh it's f!@#ing on baby!" When riding a singlespeed on the road or gravel you spin really fast but as soon as you hit anything that points up your cadence slows to a minimum. Once I hit the first significant steep grade, I got off a walked to give the legs a rest from the  slow grinding. I watched my geared friends go by spinning like mad in their granny gear. Mike came by me once more yelling as he rode away "Aint a g@# damn thing wrong with walking, aint a g@# damn thing wrong with it." I got back on and grinded it up to the top of the ridge walking the tight switchbacks and the steeper sections. Towards the top I was caught by local Sue Haywood (Stan's Notubes), who almost fell right on top of me, by slipping on the gnarly swichbacks. At the top she took off on her four stroke dirt bike, never to be seen again. I rolled down the deer trail which is a super fast descent where I passed fellow Richmonder, beer drinker and good guy, Metro Williams (Bikeman). At  the base of the descent I hit aid station 1. I got some fig newtons, topped off my bottles and started to feel my grove coming back(thanks to everyone at the aid stations you guys rocked!). I began my second assault on the Grouse trail,  this time riding much more, thanks to the pacing of  a rider from the Potomac Velo club (sorry I forgot your name). Towards the top I ran into another singlespeeder, who was none other than Montana Miller. Montana is a super strong rider and when I caught him I knew something was wrong. I finally reached the ridge and rolled with Montana for a little bit longer. The ridge was  rocky and steep at points. Often I would ride maybe 50 to 75% of a hill then walk the rest. After about 30 minutes of riding the ridge Montana asked where the bailout option was, at that point I think he blew up. I told him he could go down the turkey trail, take a right on the fire road and run into Aid Station 2 .Turns out Montana didn't ride far enough down to Aid 2 and ended up riding almost as much, as in the actually race. Feel bad for the dude felt like him getting slightly lost was almost my fault. Sorry Man! Hope to run into you again, next time you'll crush me. 

Anyways, the ridge was very exposed at spots and I could feel the sun beating down on me. Not to mention I was getting cramps in my thighs and calfs. It was even getting hard to walk at times due to the steepness of the trail and my cramps. In the car ride down David told me "After the power lines, it gets tougher with three soul crushing climbs." I finally made it to the powerlines, which was a pretty small feat in its self. I was thinking David is full of it, no way anything can be harder than what I just did. Well go figure David was right and soul crushing was a nice way of putting those last three climbs. After the hike-a-bikes from hell, I finally made it into Aid 2. At that point I was cooked and wanted out. I sat in the shade for a couple of minutes and started to get my head together again and decided to press on  Out of Aid 2 I  began the first of the last two major climbs of the day. I walked all of it but did out hike 3 people. The top of the Ferrier trail is pretty rocky, with a fast descent, that leads into a  couple of dried out creek crossings. Finally I reached Licking Branch trail witch is the last climb of the day. Again I walked all of it but did manage to once again out hike 2 other people, that's something to be proud of I guess? The descent down Licking Branch is awesome, straight and super fast. At the bottom of the descent you pop out onto the pavement for the last 3 miles or so to the finish. Up ahead of me I saw a guy spinning like crazy, which could only mean one thing, SINGLESPEEDER! I spun as fast I could to catch and pass him about a mile before the finish. While the race doesn't have a singlespeed category, I still wanted to beat him, it's a race right? Finally I make it back to the parking lot and ride under the finishing banner. I look over at the time and I'm surprised to see 5:30 on the clock, which completely blows away my expectations. David and Jeff come by and tell me, that a boy. I was the 4th singlespeeder out  of about 8, not too shabby. All and all I've never been in so much pain but I've never had that much fun either. Awesome people, trails and race. 

Congrats to Cheryl Sornson (Team CF) for the women's win and to Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) for absolutely destroying the men division in 3:36, are you kidding me!? You are so fast it's scary man! Also to my Teammates David (4:22) and Jeff (4:40) who rode super strong out there, way to go guys. Thanks to Chris Scott and his supporters  for putting on the race, Honey Stinger for keeping me alive out there and Industry Nine for making bulletproof wheels.  

Check out the video with me and Metro.  

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=264419600314823

BTS #26, West Creek

Well what a beautiful night for a night ride, with a large Design Physics crowd.

It started off a little shaky- in the parking lot before the ride I was showing David my new Industry Nine i30 wheels. He astutely noticed the front wheel was flat as flat can be. He asked if I needed help and I said “I’ll try it”. (He was having flashbacks of that flat I had last winter in the same parking lot, where he changed my tire in 25 degree weather and froze his fingers off. ) So I struggled to get the tire over the rim for about 5 minutes then sheepishly asked him for help, again. He very nicely changed the tire. I think I owe him some cookies at this point?

So the group started off. There were:

Myself (Sonya)
David Reid
Jeff Plassman
Todd Green
Jason Broussard
Thom Flynn
Shannon Bush
Joe Fish
Jim Fisher

The group eventually settled into a single-file pace line, going at a good clip. I was struggling on the hills to keep up but was staying with them ok. Then at about 2.5 laps into the ride, an attack happened, then someone’s wheel overlapped. Todd and I backed off (well ok, maybe he did, I don’t think I could have kept up anyway). We eventually caught up to Shannon and Jim. Todd pulled off to take a phone call I think, then Jim, Shannon and I got into a nice rhythm doing a revolving paceline. That was going fine and then at the 180 degree turn after the start of lap 3, my front wheel flatted again, luckily I didn’t crash as my bike felt like it had a mind of its own. Everyone offered to help me change it which was nice, but at this point I thought I’d call it a night and look for the culprit of the flats at home in the light. Shannon nicely rode next to me as I walked back to the car.

So on the drive home it started sprinkling, I wondered if my teammates were getting wet and getting bonus points…