Wednesday, August 28, 2013


Back in August 2012 I read a post in the fat bike section of MTBR talking about a 150 mile gravel race in Lincoln, NE called “Gravel Worlds”. After some quick researching, I found it was organized by a group called the “Pirate Cycling League” (PCL). The name of the group I associate with here in VA is called “The Lawless Village”. Right away I knew I would fit in with this group.  When I discovered it had a fat bike specific category, I had all I needed to know. I added it to my 2013 race calendar.


Registration opened on April 1st 2013. The PCL has a unique way of accepting registrations. You mail in a postcard with your info on it. I already had my postcard designed, printed and ready to go out.  Done deal.

Here is what my postcard looked like...

My zero miles of experience riding on gravel roads did not concern me. The fact I had never biked continuously for 150 miles did not make me lose sleep either. I do races that will challenge me. I picked my 2013 races/rides to make sure I was prepared for Gravel Worlds (GW). I read there were lots of “hills” on the GW course. My rides leading up to GW needed hills and long seat times. Based on the below list I believe I covered both requirements…
  • Garrett County Gran Fondo - This was a road bike adventure. I choose to use a single speed. Over 125 miles I climbed 16,559ft climb (some at 22-24%).
  • Bakers Dozen – This involved 13hrs of XC MTB laps.
  • Adventure Racing – There were 3 disciplines and 12hrs of continuous racing.
  • Patapsco 100 – This race had 10,465ft of slippery and rocky technical climbing in 66 miles (mental focus).
  • Wilderness 101 – I climbed 10,463 feet over 101 miles. Yup, it had some long gravel climbs/decents.

Fast forward to the night before race day...
The forecast was calling for mid 90’s (hot) and 20-30mph wind (windy) race day.  I needed a solid race strategy that addressed both of these. The heat and wind were not to come into play until around mid-day. I have always rationed my speed early in long races with the idea of full on towards the end. I decided to ignore what has worked for me in the past. My plan was to go out of the gate as fast as I could and hope I get the majority of miles completed before the heat/wind came into play.


The Race Start…
Each item I choose for my costume felt seamless. The bike was loaded and ready for play. We all lined up in the dark for the 6am start. I’m always a bit nervous when starting a race with a huge group of a couple hundred of people. There are usually a few idiots who ride unpredictability while in close proximity to others. However, the start went off smooth. I quickly spotted a fellow fat biker ahead and pulled in behind him. I believed he was in the current 1st place spot. A short distance later I decided not so much. He was going too slow for me to continue following. Seeing his aero bars made me remember the wind that was coming. He quickly disappeared behind me.

The 1st turn came up really quick (3.1 miles into the race). We were warned the gravel here was deep. I respected that and navigated it with ease on the fat tires. As the riders thinned out the pace picked up. So did the dust. I started having trouble seeing the road contours ahead. The darkness did not help. I saw a couple people dancing about on their skinny tires and there were several spectacular saves. I heard much chatter about a really big hill coming up. When I figured out I had already gone over that hill, I was feeling very relaxed. I must have missed it. At this point I managed to get on the end of a pace line of about 8 people. We were hauling. Soon after I caught up with another fat biker. It was a female and her name is Traci. When I found out she was the first place fat biker, I adjusted my pace to remain at her speed.

Check Point 1 (mile 32/10min stopped - 14.7mph avg from start)
I rolled into CP1 at the same time as Tracy. My Garmin data tells me that was about 2hrs 10min into the race and a cool 73 degrees. Damn I was feeling strong. That was a very easy 30-ish miles. After a quick Powerball and beverage purchase, I was back out on the course. Traci pushed off before me and I quickly caught her. I was not letting her out of my sight. Her husband Lance was riding with her and the pace remained quick while we chatted. I quickly added up the details…these 2 were not your everyday racers. They had impressive previous race credentials and a well thought out solid race plan. He was the mule. His job was to carry all the “stuff” and block wind. Her job was to get down the road as fast as possible. It was crystal clear she was there to take home a winners jersey. I also found out there was going to be a separate award for men and women in the fat bike category. I was happy to cruise along at a comfortable pace. The last time I saw another fat biker was back around the starting line.   

OASIS #1 (mile 51/10min stopped - 15.2mph avg from last CP)
Once again I rolled into this stop with Traci/Lance. I had been riding for about 3hrs 25min and it was now 80 degrees. I was still feeling great. While I was dropping off some weight in the corn field, the duo hit the road. I refilled my water bladder and crammed down a tasty homemade muffin. Drafting along with some skinny tire friends, I caught them.



Check Point 2 (mile 85/10min stopped - 15.6mph avg from last OASIS)
Garmin data says it took me about 5hrs 45min and the temperature climbed to 95 degrees. I picked up my 2nd Powerball ticket and refueled. The duo was off before me. Again, I chased them down. The heat was becoming quite noticeable and I was starting to feel it. Tis section of the course was generally uphill. The pace was being set mostly by Traci with Lance suggesting she slow it down a bit. I had already made up my mind I was taking a long break at the next OASIS. This is the first time I started to feel less than sparky.

OASIS #2 (mile 96/25min stopped - 8.2mph avg from last CP)
It’s no longer a race against other racers. I was convinced there were no other fat bikers behind me. I was starting my race against the elements. I arrived here in about 7hrs 15min. The Garmin says it was 105 degrees. My body was starting to tell me it felt every bit of the sun and heat. I sat down in the shade and rested while I drank and ate. I told the duo I was no longer planning on matching their pace. I had yet to see any but, there were rumors of people starting to drop out. I knew I needed to back off a bit to survive the rest of the race. I also was told the next section of course will have me peddling directly into the 20-30mph winds.

Mechanical! (mile 102/15min stopped)
My rear tire started to go flat. I started looking for a shady spot to stop. There was nothing close. Since it was a slow leak, I decided to pump up the tire and sprint to the next shady spot. I managed to find some shade but I had to walk a bit. I figured it was worth the extra time to reach the shade vs fix the flat in the sun.  The Garmin data says it was 102 in the sun and only 89 in the shade. Good call I’d say. The duo were long gone. I knew if I let them out of sight I would likely never see them again. The head wind was very strong and there were no other racers to draft behind. I was all by myself.

 What the huh? (miles 105-114)
This is where I started to see bikes with no riders laying on the side of the road. After seeing a few I figured out the riders were laying in the corn to hide from the heat and sun. I pushed on knowing the next check point was very close and provided a fully loaded store with AC!
  
Check Point 3 (mile 114/30min stopped - 8.6mph avg from last OASIS)
The Garmin consistently registered 107 degrees leading up to this CP and was very excited to reach is at 9hrs 57min. I was greeted by my SAG driver and Lance. I was not really surprised when I found out he decided to call it quits as Tracy pushed on. I wondered how much he could take playing the mule role over the last 100+ miles. She looked just as strong when I first saw her as I did 100 miles later. I enjoyed a snack and beverages while sitting in the cool air conditioned building. That was VERY nice. It was here I learned a few of the fat bikers who were behind me quit the race. All I needed to do is finish the race…no rush. There was a guy and a girl who offered to ride out and let me draft them. I declined knowing I would not be able to maintain their pace. I headed back out on the course and they soon caught me. They slowed down and I grabbed their wheel. After a few miles I had to drop off. It was kind a kind gesture and I appreciated it. I later passed several racers waiting for rides to pick them up. They were dropping like flies.

 Mile 120-ish
This is the point where I began stopping and stretching every time I passed a spot where a tree provide shade on the road. It was lots of wind in my face and slow going. I could tell I was not taking in enough liquid. I have been forcing liquid in me most of the race and it was starting to make me feel bloated…not refreshed.

Mile 130-ish
It happened about 12 hours into the race. Leg cramps. I started to walk with the bike. I was focused on the short term goal of that OASIS I heard was close by (secret - not on the map).

OASIS (mile 135/60min stopped - 10.5avg from last CP)
Garmin says I reached this stop in 12hrs 30min. I could not get off the bike without cramping up. After standing there for a few minutes I managed to get off only to get dizzy. I bent over to puke and managed a single dry heave. I soon found my way to a chair. I spent the next 45 minutes in pain as the cramps came and went. I sucked down 4 bottles of water and half of a Gatorade. Thank you volunteers for being so kind. I hope I provided some entertainment. Two fellow racers were kind enough to give me electrolyte tabs/drops and I think it helped. Nothing I had seemed to be working. When the volunteers had finished packing up and were leaving, I told myself I had to move along. The cramps were good enough I could get on the bike and go. If the body fails, the mind needs to step up and get the task finished. Now was that time.

THE FINISH!
After going slow the last 15 miles, I reached the finish line. That put me in 1st place for the fat bike male category.  The total time to go 150 miles was 14hrs and 39min. By this point I felt super. My legs were back to normal and I was recharged due to the slow pace I had been keeping. The lady giving me my winner jersey wanted me to let her know when I was rested enough to have my picture taken. I told her let’s do it now. I feel great.






Stats
Fastest speed = 38.1
Average Speed = 10.1
Elevation Gain = 10,272
Average HR = 142
Max HR = 199
Max Temp = 109.4
290 postcards posted (registered)
203 starters / 112 finishers