Monday, August 15, 2011

Breck Epic Stage 2: Colorado Trail

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Today's course would take up into some of Breckenridge's finest singletrack riding on the Colorado Trail. After our "neutral" roll out of town, we climbed... and climbed some more including a up a service road known as "Heinous Hill." There wasn't much riding on that one. I had already seen this climb once before when I came up to Breckenridge to do some scouting and thought I was lost multiple times after how awful it was on that climb. While pushing up Heinous Hill, I saw the rider with the #3 race plate. He, like me, is in the unfortunate situation of being a Sport level racer under 30 years old. As a result, we get to race in the Open Mens' Division which is stacked with top racers like multiple La Ruta de los Conquistadores winner, a former U23 national champion and other pro racers. We are not out here to win this but to finish it.

Heinous Hill topped out and sent us racing down towards the Colorado Trail crossing multiple forks of the Swan River. I knew that from the bottom of descent I had about 2 miles to fuel up while riding on the road before hitting the Colorado Trail. We took a hard left turn and ripped a short section of the CT before hitting Aid Station 1. From Aid Station 1 it was a 5 mile climb up to the top of West Ridge with amazing views. My goal for this climb was to ride all of it, which I was able to do bouncing between my small and middle chainring. After topping out, we got to ride one of the best singletrack descents in town. After a series of fast switchbacks, we rolled out through a meadow at high speeds.

The fun ended when we hit the bottom of "Vomit Hill." This short grinding climb just sucked energy. We topped out and down the backside just to climb back over it on another section of the Colorado Trail.

After topping out on that section of the Colorado Trail, I was within 1 mile on aid station 2 and 10 miles of today's finish but with another grinder of a climb to go. I was getting a bit gassed and needed to fuel up at aid station 2 but miscalculated how much time I would have to eat my peanut butter and jelly sandwich before I would need both hands to navigate some singletrack. At the top of the final climb through the Gold Run woods, I was feeling gassed and ready for the finish. I knew that once I hit X10U8 It was all downhill and once I did, I let it rip to the finish line.

I felt good with today's pacing but I was having to hold myself back as I was hoping to go up a spot in the overall rankings after the racer (bib #3) flatted on the first descent. I kept having to remind myself about not overdueing myself in an effort to win, as I most certainly won't do so.

Breck Epic Stage 1: Pennsylvania Creek

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Breck Epic Stage 1: Pennsylvania Creek


Today was the opening stage of the 2011 Breck Epic, a six day mountain bike stage race in Breckenridge, Colorado. I was familiar with much of the course at it is used as part of the Firecracker 50, a 50 mile mountain bike race on July 4th.

We started with a police escort up Boreas Pass Road and dropped into a new (to me) trail known as Aspen Alley, which flows through one of the largest Aspen tree groves here in Breckenridge. Interspersed were old mine tailings and thinking I could ride down a section my rear slid out and I hit the deck. As you can see, I managed to do a number on my knee but it's feeling pretty good to go for five more days of adventure.

Once we hit Little French Gulch, a steep and rocky climb on a good day, the evidence of a storm several weeks ago was readily apparent. The trail had been washed out and massive shifts in the rocks and soil dramatically changed the ability to ride that climb.

 After some more singletrack climbing, we shot down and out onto French Gulch Road for the day's final climb- Sallie Barber Road. I told myself to put in a sustainable 30 minute effort and that would get me to the top. From the top of Sallie Barber, it is mostly a singletrack descent to the finish with some great local trails. I hit the last aid station and motored on at a pace that I felt was just right for me. I ripped the descent and crossed the finish line in 5:17 and change. In total, my computer calculated 37.5 miles of racing and 5,600 feet of climbing.

Other than the mishap less than four miles into the race, I had a strong ride and felt that my pace was pretty spot on for what I believe is sustainable for the next five days. I have no visions of course records but certainly a strong test of my physical and mental capacity over the week.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Breck Epic Packing

Every item has a specific purpose and has been thought about as I've packed up for Breck Epic, which starts tomorrow morning.



Aid station bags will have almost identical spare parts, including shoes, a tube, a tire, sunglasses, and clothing. Nutritional items (not pictured) will vary, with more food in the first aid station bag.

I've toiled between a saddle bag and backpack. It was not until I purchased the Ergon BX-2 pack that I've enjoyed riding/racing with a pack but due to the nature of the Breck Epic, I'm carrying a few extra items I wouldn't normally carry for a race like a rain jacket and a first aid kit so I've opted for the pack. At least today, I'm thinking when it gets to hiking up some of the passed and steep climbs I'd Thayer have a bit more weight on my back than have to be pushing stuff strapped to my bike.

Jerseys- not enough for a fresh one everyday, which means I'll be doing some laundry, but one is Boulder Cycle Sport's current year kit and then I have a slew of older jerseys as backup.
these are my more sport specific personal care items like chamois cream and SportLegs. I do have a tube of diaper rash cream as I had a few saddle sores earlier this season and it's worked well with healing. It also subs in for chamois cream well (just a very thick one).

These are my recovery tools. I've been using a foam roller since my knee surgery in 2003 left me with IT band issues and the TP Therapy Grid has taken rolling to a new level. It is much more firm than a standard foam roller and the pattern does affect how it works my muscles.