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.