Ok, I have been slacking so I am going to post a mural of memories to get this thing caught up.
Flint Hills Death ride in July was so perfect. 85 miles of gravel on a mountain bike is a test. But between My IT Band flaring up around mile 40 and LR's double leg cramps, I thought we would never make it across the finish line. We did end up making it, but getting old sure does suck. I am still waiting on my jersey.
Tall Oak Challenge (6 hour endurance race Solo 2 and 3 man teams) was a blast. It was fun to see " The Beast" in action every other hour pounding it out on the trail while I was kick'in back with Dr. J soaking up some carbs. LR and I were team Ibis. I was nominated for the Le Mans start, which I was ok with. I got into line with a good group that rode as well and poorly as I do. We stayed together for most the lap until the last 1/4 mile where I flatted. Since I was so close, I just stuck it out and limped in. Lap number 5, I felt strong and was flying because we had been battling against 2 other teams and I was determined to finish ahead them. I got a good lead going into the first half. I put all that I had into it, then as my mind was in a fog and I was climbing up a steep section I tried to shift up one too many times and forced my chain over the rear cassette wedging it between the hub flange and the largest cog. I could not get it out. I pulled and pulled and then gave way to realizing I was going to have to remove my chain. Unlucky for me the master link was the in the portion of the chain that was pinched behind the cog. Now my bike was upside down and I was getting desperate. I draped part of the chain on the cog, pulled like hell and put some muscle on the crank and bam, the chain came free. I got passed by one of the guys I had passed earlier. I rocked it hard and ended up catching him and passing him before hitting the grass field. He was done and just casually riding the last lap. Lucky for me. Now for my proudest moment... I saw in the distance another rider and focused on catching up. Once I got close I realized it was a girl on a single speed riding the 6 hour solo, but I showed no mercy and passed her and never looked back. We finished 6 laps as a duo and minus my mechanicals, I think we had a chance at 7, but we were content with our 6 laps. The Beast had bested us solo, something that was not easy to swallow, but I did:
1) Finish the race before him
2) And never got lapped by him
3) Beat a girl
Nothing else matters! That's my story and I am sticking to it:)
Mo Bike Fed Century was a tune up ride for the Berryman Epic. I figured if I could do a 100 on the rode, then 50 on the trail would be easy. Actually, I set out to just ride 65 but when Evenslower and I had to make the final choice between the 2, we took the 100 mile turn on the course. That was probably my biggest mistake of the year. About mile 50 something, my IT Band started flaring up again. It really began to hamper me and I really thought about calling for a SAG Wagon. Evenslower had some Advil and that really helped. Even though I struggled in the middle I finished strong. It left me with 7 days to try and rehab my injury. I iced, stretched and prayed every day.
Berryman Epic broke me physically and mentally. I am still recovering even a month afterwards. But what a good time. Good friends, beautiful weather and sweet single track. Notice I did not say fast and flowy. Sections of the trail were very wet and muddy which sucked the life out of me. 55 miles , 6000 feet of climbing and 8 hours 55 minutes later it was over. LR and I struggled on this one. My IT Band was hurting after about 15 miles in and it must have been contagious as my other knee began to hurt after about mile 20. LR was in serious pain and like at the Death Ride, I began to think we would not finish. I only had one goal going into the day and that was to beat my nemesis "Daisy". But on the gravel before hitting the highway, LR and I stopped to refuel and Daisy and Clink passed us. By the time we hit the Berryman camp site for the second time, Daisy was heading out. I grabbed some Halloween candy and some Perpetuem and headed out. LR was really beginning to struggle and I had to make a hard choice, hang back and finish with him or try and make up the time and catch Daisy. Sorry LR.
I knew I could not beat Daisy on the climbs, so I really let it out on the down hills. They do not call me Heavy D for nothing! I finally caught her, but I was tapped and then some, yet I pushed on. She would pass me on the climbs and I would pass her back on the descents. We yo-yo'd like that for quite a while. We stopped together at the last SAG. Then it was time to go. As I discovered, there was not much downhill left. During the last climb up to the gravel road, I knew I was in trouble. Fatigued and hurting I dismounted and walked the climb. I kept looking back to see if Daisy has started the climb. When I got about half way up, she turned the corner and began the climb. I told myself I would wait until she caught me, then rested, I would hop on and follow her to the finish. She blew by me and I never saw her again until the I made it to the beer truck....ha-ha. With 5 miles left she finished 20 minutes or more ahead of me.
She is a worthy adversary! Maybe next year!!!
LR did make the finish line and took the coveted Lanterne Rouge award, winning him his new nickname "LR".
I am still trying to get my knees right. I hope I can figure it out before I have to start seriously training for Hills of Hell.
There is nothing like heading back to Kansas to meet up with good friends and do a little pheasant hunting. Thanks to Dale, Kathy, Jason, Matt and Mitch for all the hospitality and good times!
