Dun Blowed It!

I had a chance to do something I've never done before, ride 200 miles in one day. It hurts, no matter what, no matter who.

The Nine Mile 24 hour started out with a longer than I expected run to our bikes. Running is ok if you are anyone but me, running in cycling gear(shoes) while starting a 24 hour mtb race SUCKS! Around 250 (runners) started the race and I couldn't believe I got on my bike about mid-pack. We rode about half a mile on double track to find a bottle neck at the start of the single track. Next time I walk to my bike, hang out for 5 minutes and ride my own pace. Nothing like red-lining, then STOPPING to wait and then riding the single track as slow as possible. Soon it smoothed out and we were cruising. Dwayne dropped his chain and in a blink we were "out of sight", he said. All that did was allow me to lead him for at least ONE lap of this freak show. I went harder than I wanted to and felt I paid the price later on.

The miles clicked off relatively fast dispite the technical sections we encountered. The loop was a little over 14 miles, several of which were either gravel or cross country ski trails, kind of like double track with only one track. Anyone who says that this trail is not technical is smoking crack. There was a section from the 4 to the 5 mile marker that lacked a 20 foot section of the trail that didn't have either 5 turns or 15 rocks and roots. It wasn't that difficult mind you, just not that easy at 2am. There were a half dozen rock gardens that separated the men from the boys and more turns than Deal's Gap ever thought about. I did have to laugh when I came across the XXX-Danger signs. Tough sections and I guess if you were in a 14th hour daze, you could get hurt. We didn't prepare enough to have quick transitions and wasted time between laps. Next time we have bottles sitting out and stop less.

It rained on us in the late afternoon but the trail recovered well. I should have changed clothes after it rained and paid the price later with some saddle(butt) issues. The night laps were fun and I was getting back into it when I kind of hit a wall. I was cold so I decided to get into dry stuff and eat some real food. Once dry and clean, the tent looked real good. I climbed in for about an hour and a half and warmed back up. By the time I got going again the lights were no longer needed. I couldn't believe how well I was riding at this point in the race. Seeing the sun come up was a good boost. Knocked out a few more laps and started to think about the nine hour drive home and cleaning up our campsite/pit area. The voluteers at the check in table told me that I was seconds away from being lapped by the leader and so I called it. I should have checked for myself on the computers. He started lap 13 51 minutes ahead of me and I reduced that lead to 30 minutes by the end of that lap. His last lap was 1:53 and I had just finished a 1:25 lap with a short break. If I had ridden a 14th lap, 2nd place would have been a given. That would have forced a 15th lap by one or both of us, or a truce. All that's easy to say now that I'm recovered sitting in my cosy chair, I was in some pain and discomfort at the time. It was still stoooopid.

Still close to 200 miles, still 4th place. I was showered, had eaten and taken down our camp/pit by the time 3rd place came in. Indiana, here we come. Maybe this time, with less than a year since my last attempt, I'll remeber to not make the same mistakes.