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...
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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