tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155840079160105172024-03-21T15:36:34.534-06:00Shawn Gregory's BlogSinglespeed mountain bike endurance racerShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-11672252765341077932014-04-18T12:59:00.002-06:002014-04-18T12:59:21.314-06:002014 Arizona Trail Race, 300 miles (AZT300)<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I’ve wanted to do the Arizona Trail 300 ( AZT300 )
race for a long time I didn’t fully commit to it until about 3 weeks prior to
the start date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the winter I
worked and skied on the weekends with some riding in between so I wasn’t sure
of my fitness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a mild winter down
low with the trails sporadically ridable so I was able to get some weekday
rides in when the trails were dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also made some desert trips for bigger rides throughout the winter so it wasn’t
like I was “off the couch”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, hiking
in ski boots for good powder isn’t exactly easy either and I think it benefited
me on the hike-a-bike sections. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
finally decided to throw my hat in the ring after feeling pretty good on a 9
hour White Rim 100 mile ride.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This plan apparently paid off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished in just over 2 ½ days (2:12:50) </span><a href="http://www.topofusion.com/azt/results.php"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.topofusion.com/azt/results.php</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race was 300 miles and 40,000 feet
of climbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the fastest single
speeder and finished 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bike and Gear:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
bike and equipment setup was minimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just the necessities that matched my race plan and emergency gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is where my experience from the
Colorado Trail Race paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used
about the same setup as I did in the Colorado Trail Race except I didn’t bring
a cooker this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plan was to ride
almost the entire time so I didn’t bring a sleeping bag, bivy or tent and
elected instead to carry a lightweight emergency blanket which saved
weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rode my singlespeed with 32x22
gearing which I felt worked out well although it resulted in a lot of
hike-a-bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tire choice was the
Schwalbe Nobby Nic with snakeskin and had no issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my research prior to the race there were
racers with a lot of tire issues and after seeing the trails first hand I can
see why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tons of jagged, sharp
rocks which are the perfect size to slash a sidewall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was prepared with needle, thread and Stans
but the tires performed great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Water: I had 200oz of water capacity (half on the bike and
the other half in my Osprey pack) which I filled completely at a majority of
the water stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never ran out and
never got water from questionable sources but I had tablets just in case (no
water filter however).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kentucky camp is
a critical spot to top off water even though it is not far after the previous
source.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Food:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where I
had my stops and calories planned but decided to get whatever sounded good at
each stop instead of a strict plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
could be the best food for me but if it doesn’t sound good and I don’t eat it
the food doesn’t do me any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
enough capacity for 7000 calories and I filled it up at both of my two food
stop which were Sonoita and Oracle (This included calories from energy drinks
that I poured into my Osprey hydration pack).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My plan was to graze and not eat big portions after my CTR
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sonoita store had
minimal choices but I think if I had stopped there on the way to the start and
took a closer look when I wasn’t rushed my stop during the race would have been
much faster and I would have got more desirable food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the Oracle market for my section
food stop which had a good supply and some pre made stuff.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Race plan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to
the race I looked at a variety of blogs and times for previous finishers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I typically like to ride through the night
with none or minimal rest so I modeled my timing and plan after other racers
that had that similar approach in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted to go lightweight so I didn’t carry any more than I really
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No luxuries! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I wanted to avoid towns as much as
possible since they have a way of sucking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No mail stops either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to
starting the race I resolved that I wasn’t going to stop at any of the few restaurants
available throughout the race when passing through towns and I stuck to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Race:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt good
the night before with no anxiety but I couldn’t wait to get started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up to the start you can second guess your
choices for gear and setup a thousand times but after the start all you can
think about is racing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a quick speech from Scott we rolled off immediately down
a rocky hill where racers who didn’t fully check out their gear setup in
advance would probably be stopping frequently to reevaluate their setup.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first section through Canelo pass was technical and had
a lot of hike-a-bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially for
anyone with a singlespeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was careful
not to go too hard at the beginning and just rolled at a nice steady pace that
I felt I could maintain for a long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt good through to Sonoita.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front bottom of my feet were hurting a
little from all the hike-a-bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
where I realized some hiking in my bike shoes instead of rigid ski boots would
have been good preparation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Sonoita I stopped at the gas station/store and picked up
enough food that I thought could get me through to Oracle.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a climb on a graded road the next section at Kentucky
Camp was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely want to
come back and check this out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had topped off all 200oz of my water in Sonoita but I chose to top it off again
at Kentucky Camp which was absolutely necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hindsight I might have just got 100oz or
less at Sonoita but I wasn’t sure of the situation at Kentucky Camp so I lugged
all that water up the hill with me just in case.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had my one and only crash after Kentucky Camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a technical downhill I flipped over the
bars but both myself and my bike were unscathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got dark on me somewhere between Kentucky
Camp and I-10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section was very
rocky and slower in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
daylight it might be a different story but I seemed to really slow down through
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After coming out of mountains I
was rewarded with a nice gradual downhill that offered the perfect break after
the previous section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The section after I-10 to Colossal Cave started out at an
easy grade then slowly got steeper but was pretty ridable and flowed well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where I saw one of two snakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I practically rode over the tail of a diamond
back but it didn’t even move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I elected
to pass up La Selvilla campground since I had enough water to get to the next
stop.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got on the pavement and pedaled to Saguaro National Park
where I topped off every water container I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was still dark and I knew the next section was going to be hot and I
wanted to make it up as much as possible in the dark to avoid the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a very sandy section of trail and a variety
of miscellaneous roads I made it to Redington Road and started the big climb
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The route eventually splits off onto
an extremely rocky 4-wheel driver trail that is difficult to ride up or down in
the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like there were some
ridable lines that would be more visible in the daylight but in the dark all I
could do was walk big sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After what seemed like an endless amount of rock obstacles
the old road became more ridable and the sun came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the route went back on singletrack which
was pretty nice but did have some hike-a-bike sections as it steadily
climbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed up the West Spring
water source without getting anything and that is where the climb got
nasty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed, carried and hoisted my
bike up the side of this mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was brutal getting the weight of my bike and gear up some of the rock ledges
and my only consolation was that my setup was lighter than some other racers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downhill on the other side was at least a
little ridable but there were definitely sections that I hiked down.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The route then crossed the Mount Lemmon Hwy where there was some
additional singletrack and hike-a-bike climbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highway is visible almost the entire time
on this section so watching road bikers easily motor up the paved road made the
climb that much more difficult.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually the trail emptied out onto a graded road that led
to the Mount Lemmon Hwy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting on
pavement and being able to pedal continuously was a nice change although my
gearing was a little hard for the climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve never seen so many road bikers as on this section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did actually pass one but the rest were
going by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the impression most
of them did not comprehend what I was out there doing and the majority didn’t
even say anything to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least one
knew about the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The climb seemed to
have not top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped at the Palisade
campground and topped off my water near Summerhaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After climbing from under 2700’ to over 8000’ we were
rewarded with the Oracle Ridge trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this section and the following section where it rejoins the AZ trail you bomb
down the hill at less than 2 miles an hour walking over boulders while
endlessly hitting your calves and shins on your pedals because there was not
enough room to down-hike with a gap between you and your bike. To top it off
there was a brutal wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was defiantly
my lowest point!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready to blaze
into Oracle and reprimand them for having their name on something so unpleasant
and how they could even call it a trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rocky downhill eventually appeared to have some recent trail
maintenance toward the bottom that made riding much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the recent trail improvements appeared
to be designed and constructed by anti-mountain bikers (Or just incompetent
people).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were square water bars
used in spots that obviously did not need drainage features but created
dangerous situations in corners and were not easily ridable uphill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that section I was thinking of
demanding my donation back from the Arizona Trail Association because I didn’t
want it to fund this type of poor trail construction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section emptied out into a parking lot
then crossed a paved road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where
I got a little confused and took the paved road into Oracle thinking it was Hwy
77 at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ended up being more
miles to get into Oracle then back to the same point than the actual Hwy 77.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The positive side was I made it to the Oracle
Market before it closed and I might not have if I’d gone the original way I
intended.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Oracle I stocked up on what I thought was enough food to
get me through to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the
road back to where I had exited the trail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun went down somewhere before I got to
Hwy 77.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next Antelope Peak section
had endless climbs and drops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail
seemed routed through the very bottom of every wash to the tip top of every
little peak which made for a lot of hike-a-bike.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After riding for about 40 hours straight I was starting to
get goofy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was running into rocks, not
steering straight and I felt it was really slowing me down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind was also playing tricks on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped to rest for the first time during
the race where I laid in a wash shivering for about an hour worried about
snakes and scorpions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I
really didn’t get any sleep I did feel much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up, checked my stuff for scorpions and
put on everything warm I had which wasn’t much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At Beehive I got some water to get me through to the next source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun came up between Beehive and Antelope
Peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started to heat up right at
dawn and I stripped off any warm layers I had on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the Freeman Cache I topped off all my
water containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long after I started
down the extremely fun singletrack on the boulders section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to be pedaling continuously again
after a night of frequent hike-a-biking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Ripseys section was awesome as well except for the sandy wash
section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ripsey ridgeline is definitely
something I would like to come back and do again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad to see it in the daylight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of the climb was ridable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot and the climbing seemed endless
but the views at the top were very rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The downhill was a blast and the remaining section to the Gila River was
very ridable.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I topped off my water around Kelvin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very hot and my feet were killing
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick soak in the river felt great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had ridden this upcoming last section
through to Picketpost before and I was feeling good except for my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see the light at the end of the tunnel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow when it seems like I’m close to
finishing I can muster up strength to power through when my legs should be
noodles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the Gila River I was riding
just about every climb I had on a previous ride and this climb is huge!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw 4 Gila monsters in a one mile stretch
on the climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I through dirt on
one in an effort to get it off the trail which was moderately effective and
eventually worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the next three I
just yelled at each of them to get off the trail and that was much more successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really windy which made the climbing
harder but it also cooled me down a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was HOT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really wanted to get through most of this section in the
light because I knew the ending was technical and would be slow in the
dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it to the top of the big Martinez
Canyon climb just as the sun went down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the top of the next climb I saw eyes looking down on me from the top
of the cliffs but I just kept pedaling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The remaining section went very slow in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My feet were really killing me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even coasting down hills really hurt if I had
to stand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started clipping out and
standing on my pedals moto style for the downhills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was difficult to figure out where I
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few landmarks that I was
looking for on the trail to orient myself but I completely missed one of them
and the other what much further along than I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was having some troubles steering in the
technical sections and felt like I was riding a little out of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to contain myself since it seemed
like the end was so near.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This last stretch seemed to be taking forever compared to
when I had ridden it before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I
rolled into the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready
to be done!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only people around were
a couple who were photographing the race, big Dave, Laura and a drunk cowboy
sleeping on a bench next to his horse and dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a great feeling completing the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a bit of rehashing the race with my new
friends I loaded up my stuff and headed to Phoenix for some food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I hit a Carl’s Jr and got a burger then
at the next exit there was an In-n-out where I stopped and got another burger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought Carl’s Jr was better but maybe that’s
because it was first…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After riding a
mountain bike for 2 ½ days then getting into a truck and driving I felt like I
was going 100 miles an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
looked down and I was doing 45 on the highway…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tough race! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
an adventure and a great way to see southern Arizona!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAWIcUiZBIhYCS7v6qsFtmjayROzSJqym74y62dTXATGonrzuLJ88sZq06wo-5A265wc3iBUcG1jFds5gF_1cVKCinlCDl6Fc7E11Ad5SNZGUjGdjVzBwmr71XeJUrysOs_ouk0VrmEhx/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAWIcUiZBIhYCS7v6qsFtmjayROzSJqym74y62dTXATGonrzuLJ88sZq06wo-5A265wc3iBUcG1jFds5gF_1cVKCinlCDl6Fc7E11Ad5SNZGUjGdjVzBwmr71XeJUrysOs_ouk0VrmEhx/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-Start.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Rv3VsiukLzvyHLYu2eBt7alcFdjgZCe1v14x0WPrMhuOtOQ38ElQRZS17Kvkm7FO_Poe7HPvnLnA7XC5OERBNLskGUspZKRLOIqmFVnoF1S0iqUfUzeaPcEpSiywSLOAoML0R7ehbgw9/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-BikeSetup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Rv3VsiukLzvyHLYu2eBt7alcFdjgZCe1v14x0WPrMhuOtOQ38ElQRZS17Kvkm7FO_Poe7HPvnLnA7XC5OERBNLskGUspZKRLOIqmFVnoF1S0iqUfUzeaPcEpSiywSLOAoML0R7ehbgw9/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-BikeSetup.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Setup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVs6QGGLgwGDKplBLQCkLbKEJ8coJpgFamVMFurqBOOngnYGvBSlmVXW9vdL1_tSTj3ga9rj25TQE_llRDd6WUVUe0N8jGn9AfvCky3DbAAQYD6ZOzWnVECsshkx_tlnFC0McUH0FICGo/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVs6QGGLgwGDKplBLQCkLbKEJ8coJpgFamVMFurqBOOngnYGvBSlmVXW9vdL1_tSTj3ga9rj25TQE_llRDd6WUVUe0N8jGn9AfvCky3DbAAQYD6ZOzWnVECsshkx_tlnFC0McUH0FICGo/s1600/AZT300-2014-SG-View.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View for the entire time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-85285762181111469342013-09-26T10:48:00.000-06:002013-09-26T10:48:10.668-06:00Dolores 100/50<span class="userContent">Dolores 100 & 50 Oct 5th info! The links for the GPS files, maps and detailed route descriptions for the Dolores 100 & 50 are now posted. There is also a breakdown for miles of singletrack, pavement, 4wd road... for both along with other new details on support. Check it out!!! Weather forecast is looking great so far and the aspens look to be changing as well! <a href="http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/dolores-100/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/dolores-100/</a></span>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-32372978179215250212012-11-01T15:58:00.000-06:002012-12-26T17:09:54.965-07:00La Ruta de Los Conquistadores 2012, Finished 4th overall on a singlespeed in the 40-49 geared category<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">La Ruta de Los Conquistadores 2012, Finished 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
overall on a singlespeed in the 40-49 geared category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://larutadelosconquistadores.com/ruta2011/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://larutadelosconquistadores.com/ruta2011/</span></a>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finished 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> on the first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was extremely hot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably the hottest weather I have ever
ridden in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a long muddy
section that was very muggy but some sections were ridable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mud was not deep, just extremely
slick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I typically have not used the
optional spikes bolted onto the front of my shoes but they would have been
really handy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large part of the climb
was on pavement and the temperature was much more tolerable at the higher elevations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the toughest day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had showers, food and the finish was
very festive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the day 1 stats
here <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/248054107" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://connect.garmin.com/activity/248054107</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Day 2 I finished 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>. There was a bunch of
climbing but a majority of it was on pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The downhill was pretty rocky and slick because of the constant
rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself wanting a little
uphill so I could get a break from standing on this section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visibility was minimal as well toward the
top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the initial drop off the
volcano the last section was a fast fun downhill on pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times I was spun out with my climbing
gearing on the descent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a flat
section toward the very end where I ended up getting passed by numerous geared
racers and that’s where I think I got bumped out of 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had great amenities again at the finish
which included some hard earned grub.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Day 3 was much shorter and very flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started out with rafting in the morning
which was a blast and totally worth doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got completely blown away on the flats with my gearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have put on a tiny rear cog geared
for flat to slightly descending pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This gearing would have been tougher on the railroad track section but
you can’t pass there anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also
racers who put in a huge effort on the beginning road sections and were blown
by the railroad track section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
holding traffic up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
significant waits to cross the rickety old bridges as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would have been nice to be ahead of that scenario.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the end could be sandy but
due to the downpour it was fast as well on race day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to ride straight onto the sandy
beach and drink some cervezas on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
In the end it looks like day 3 only possibly cost me one
spot (a podium spot) since I had such a lead from day 1 and 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy with the way the race went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have been handy to speak Spanish but
they were accommodating to English speaking racers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great experience and I met some super people! </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_16WvXiB4KUZT3uLasKTbvud7tOsN4vmac8STch-y4_S8EL88Hu98EwBYfLI5SxxIHor-qFtCMhnmEtzJTnx6uFeQ2WzRoUOCMIGIR8UkR8M7ZekByHypdItod0TmeY020fW730rGUPI/s1600/GOPR0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_16WvXiB4KUZT3uLasKTbvud7tOsN4vmac8STch-y4_S8EL88Hu98EwBYfLI5SxxIHor-qFtCMhnmEtzJTnx6uFeQ2WzRoUOCMIGIR8UkR8M7ZekByHypdItod0TmeY020fW730rGUPI/s320/GOPR0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prerace meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JyzyF6kNrbeyAm3N03iyBossvCQ4V3ODduhQampbQj8uH2CBc9lb1El411saqynUyc4ZVV9ZrVJR5MyomID2ru2vtRre5wJWKMcxtLW2LA2tdPKWDgOj6o2krGJw4rkP7LDFE6mGz0wR/s1600/GOPR0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JyzyF6kNrbeyAm3N03iyBossvCQ4V3ODduhQampbQj8uH2CBc9lb1El411saqynUyc4ZVV9ZrVJR5MyomID2ru2vtRre5wJWKMcxtLW2LA2tdPKWDgOj6o2krGJw4rkP7LDFE6mGz0wR/s320/GOPR0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the first climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCv8UBuo6u-mW1MY0IRRszyMecjNqGO-C6iqtvM8mPu0Fimq5MOz3P-JMC6w8WnZ53WWDLzCKeC9ILZO9RveAhPd53ch3YwM9V_8IqZzKlcPL5F3hN00SA0bM7GHl3IjcDlY2e8aMRmgK/s1600/GOPR0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCv8UBuo6u-mW1MY0IRRszyMecjNqGO-C6iqtvM8mPu0Fimq5MOz3P-JMC6w8WnZ53WWDLzCKeC9ILZO9RveAhPd53ch3YwM9V_8IqZzKlcPL5F3hN00SA0bM7GHl3IjcDlY2e8aMRmgK/s320/GOPR0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR7tQVw8W81pJeXmmNjuUxdHzY7xcMnubrJpCIQMTJ_FlRSql9HjLWbXeo21L49ROU6Kkwur4njyG7mfNuMjsD_DIN8RA6aPHBD3b9DmnQXIwx2g4lIv-9nAiS7l6C0TCN9nK3d_598UT/s1600/GOPR0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR7tQVw8W81pJeXmmNjuUxdHzY7xcMnubrJpCIQMTJ_FlRSql9HjLWbXeo21L49ROU6Kkwur4njyG7mfNuMjsD_DIN8RA6aPHBD3b9DmnQXIwx2g4lIv-9nAiS7l6C0TCN9nK3d_598UT/s320/GOPR0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 section</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp1gaO5cnwoWO5OZ4QRjB61lmUPH-HMs0m0GuKaH3HJWTLIx75mCk_zlCqh8_CoMo7hJivSPmG9NranSUMkG-46aneoUtxBw2sH5YneSQ2D1rQvktympZPmYkkkRQ2MsmjNzQawL0jn49/s1600/GOPR0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp1gaO5cnwoWO5OZ4QRjB61lmUPH-HMs0m0GuKaH3HJWTLIx75mCk_zlCqh8_CoMo7hJivSPmG9NranSUMkG-46aneoUtxBw2sH5YneSQ2D1rQvktympZPmYkkkRQ2MsmjNzQawL0jn49/s320/GOPR0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdCiZOev9dR37Z8IC97CSjH3VOOofx_fRjvdI0N9V8WbHJT4ABXcyWpl8TD8GE4wRik_vU6Px1VhhrFQNuTvfkUiMWH2ANjyNvHQ6UVujbUVS2aTxytPaV9XZeZiTBCkx5_6RSvm-XRV5/s1600/GOPR0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdCiZOev9dR37Z8IC97CSjH3VOOofx_fRjvdI0N9V8WbHJT4ABXcyWpl8TD8GE4wRik_vU6Px1VhhrFQNuTvfkUiMWH2ANjyNvHQ6UVujbUVS2aTxytPaV9XZeZiTBCkx5_6RSvm-XRV5/s320/GOPR0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish on day 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwshWE9PhYaAM2840xhHSe_H2lMgUjKL2wKpl8TT0porCfjS3ZsvAR0YTmkoFp0gYbYRuuLK-O1kFW5QIhgbSOKQrUAIn3isgP22hdSayUv3lm8C82g_LN-zK10E1_FUMVAtW44WWGEgN/s1600/GOPR0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwshWE9PhYaAM2840xhHSe_H2lMgUjKL2wKpl8TT0porCfjS3ZsvAR0YTmkoFp0gYbYRuuLK-O1kFW5QIhgbSOKQrUAIn3isgP22hdSayUv3lm8C82g_LN-zK10E1_FUMVAtW44WWGEgN/s320/GOPR0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff in the food line at the finish of day 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyypY7Ty-MYU_DtoqXY_QlTmv7JN6cysU2OYMQDIAS_KEFcgBHjuPBr7CKkC2YymA9a-gsODNSspetI-0FA0t6iWa5ZAu5TfO7KVVtmWzu4miJ04vU5etEnIxuWENI3d-bZ5trtd_O5byt/s1600/GOPR0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyypY7Ty-MYU_DtoqXY_QlTmv7JN6cysU2OYMQDIAS_KEFcgBHjuPBr7CKkC2YymA9a-gsODNSspetI-0FA0t6iWa5ZAu5TfO7KVVtmWzu4miJ04vU5etEnIxuWENI3d-bZ5trtd_O5byt/s320/GOPR0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish line venue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqKSKMQQrkI6W2EAdJb0QkBMjjlWx2uU_JhEVpj51legHbYp-QDoryu_sKYZ1gtbRF-IdAA-qkudkTmGQV8w30FqgrsZm9v1o0tnwea18n_6T-T7US7M7mg5bZzb7AwHD0A544f9jMDWU/s1600/GOPR0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqKSKMQQrkI6W2EAdJb0QkBMjjlWx2uU_JhEVpj51legHbYp-QDoryu_sKYZ1gtbRF-IdAA-qkudkTmGQV8w30FqgrsZm9v1o0tnwea18n_6T-T7US7M7mg5bZzb7AwHD0A544f9jMDWU/s320/GOPR0251.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff on a preride of day 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="548" src="http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/248054107" width="465"></iframe><br /></div>
Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-81096352335823532272012-09-22T15:53:00.000-06:002012-12-26T16:33:54.855-07:00Crested Butte 100, CB100, 1st singlespeeder, 13th overall.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crested Butte 100, CB100. Fastest singlespeed time and 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> fastest overall
with geared racers at 9:20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome race
on some of the best and most scenic singletrack anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tough race!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/cb-100/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/cb-100/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the stats at </span><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/226333204" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://connect.garmin.com/activity/226333204</span></a> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chilly start but I warmed up fast on the climbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aspen trees were changing and were
peaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery was epic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of fun, fast singletrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather was perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Great finish at the Brick Oven for beer, pizza and hinging
out with friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix23VOpetKrGJNV41z9bLh75gZhUwCIjYrdHf8prlF9JZ7jbyw67fcz_W03aDg2gikv2F2Xdn9rvah54yzlbMr-oY7jQeeyV6ZDckOCObgGlboHMB8OIMnS6A0a3PdZc0PtB4-RNoTiKG2/s1600/Deadmans2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix23VOpetKrGJNV41z9bLh75gZhUwCIjYrdHf8prlF9JZ7jbyw67fcz_W03aDg2gikv2F2Xdn9rvah54yzlbMr-oY7jQeeyV6ZDckOCObgGlboHMB8OIMnS6A0a3PdZc0PtB4-RNoTiKG2/s320/Deadmans2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="548" src="http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/226333204" width="465"></iframe><br /></div>
Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-19168414260115459162012-08-11T07:00:00.000-06:002012-08-25T17:08:03.251-06:00The 2012 Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Finished 3rd place in the singlespeed category<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 2012 Leadville 100 mountain bike race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finished 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> place in the singlespeed
category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 103 miles and 12,170' elevation gain in 9 hours. </span>This race was huge!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lifetime Fitness did an excellent job organizing
such a big event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course is an
in-n-out that is mostly dirt roads with a little bit of singletrack and some pavement
sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The route takes you through
some awesome Colorado scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see
why road bikers tend to like it, there is not a lot of technical riding ability
required but you defiantly need to be super strong just to finish the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some long big climbs on this course
with some steep and chunky hike-a-bike sections.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With around 2000 racers I was happy to have been assigned a spot
lining up in the first few rows at the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once the race started is seemed like almost everyone passed me while I
was completely spun out on the road section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we got to the first climb I start passing a ton of people
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very crowded and hard to
pass but I was happy everyone was still riding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About ten miles into the race things spread
out just enough to make the passing easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was doing a ton of passing on all the climbs and felt good at that
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about ¼ of the way through the
race we got on a flatter road section that was long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge groups of racers were passing me
drafting each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section was a giant
disadvantage for a singlespeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
into drafting in a race anyway, but even if I could have jumped into a group I
didn’t have the gearing for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that
road section I think I moved into 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> place for a while then dropped
to 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We dropped into twin lakes which was beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where Dan Durland was waiting with my
first resupply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a pretty cool
section of singletrack just before the pit stop that was nice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was the start of the big climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s long and grueling with some false
summits and steep rocky sections towards the top that most racers were hiking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There really wasn’t any breaks, just up up up.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to pass a significant amount
of racers on this climb. Towards the top the fastest geared riders passed us
coming back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the race route
is an in-n-out this section of the course had a particularly dangerous element
that you don’t have in looped routes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are racers bombing down the mountain and tired racers climbing up
the same road weaving and trying to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I only had to deal with the downhill traffic towards the top but a
majority of the racers behind me had constant traffic coming downhill which had
to make passing difficult since it meant moving into oncoming traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The downhill was a nice break but when I got back to the
road section we had a strong headwind and the geared racers were flying by me
again in large groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the
road section there is a mean climb that a lot of people were hiking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach started killing me on this
section which was about ¾ of the way through the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was defiantly suffering and about half way
up I got passed so I moved into 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried to keep up his pace but my stomach was really hurting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when we crested the top of the climb the
downhill I didn’t feel any better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the last bigger climb I was starting to feel a little
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we crested the top of that
climb I was able to ride harder and continued to feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbing back into Leadville I thought I saw
another singlespeeder behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt pretty
strong again and hammered the last five miles out without getting passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out there were four singlespeeders
within five minutes behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was great rolling into the finish line and getting my
belt buckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a sweet setup with
a beer garden and free food at the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a grand awards ceremony which was probably the biggest I have
ever been to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great to see all the other
racers get their awards and I was happy to be up on the podium myself as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good times!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="548" src="http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/211945947" width="465"></iframe><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDQcTDMtj5vEU-Ew5Uy7ncVtWKBmqCui3efIbnDFsawV9Uh3eihNPjL_DSTMH6gjvWXEfAHcYFsrUDhYVbBxS_Pw4GJhAgkZzMsxwF06_tX8f9ekAYrJ8-v6box-f85UVrz0B54I8K_EE/s1600/Leadville100awards2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDQcTDMtj5vEU-Ew5Uy7ncVtWKBmqCui3efIbnDFsawV9Uh3eihNPjL_DSTMH6gjvWXEfAHcYFsrUDhYVbBxS_Pw4GJhAgkZzMsxwF06_tX8f9ekAYrJ8-v6box-f85UVrz0B54I8K_EE/s320/Leadville100awards2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-85243988090649206042012-07-21T06:30:00.000-06:002012-08-25T15:46:27.781-06:00The Rico 100 mountain bike race. 1st place overall on a singlespeed.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 2012 Rico 100 mountain bike race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> place overall on a
singlespeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>96 miles and 14,000’
elevation gain in 12:07 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super
tough race based out of Rico Colorado!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Epic singletrack and some serious hike-a-bike above timberline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome views!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The racers rolled out of Rico early in the morning and
climbed up to the Colorado Trail where we got on some sweet singletrack that
took us over Blackhawk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rode it all
the way to the Grindstone trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grindstone is a ridable, but technically challenging, steep downhill into
the Bear Creek basin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the route took
us down the Bear Creek trail which is a bit rocky and technical but almost all
ridable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the bottom there was an aid
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took me about 8 hours to get to
the aid station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I was in first
there but they were not far back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the aid station another monster climb started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rode up the Taylor Mesa graded road then had
some serious hike-a-bike on the Calico trail with some amazing views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when the rain really started coming
down on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After riding/hiking on a
long section of Calico the route drops down West Fall Creek trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trail is usually a fun fast downhill but
the wet condition made it treacherous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just before getting to Dunton the route turned onto the Winter trail
which was a mucky mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally a
mostly ridable climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is was so greasy
it was hard to get traction and even ride much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the top of the Winter trail I got on a dirt road that was
mostly downhill to the highway then took that back down to Rico with the rain
dumping on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finish was at the Enterprise
bar and grill in Rico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A beer and burger
was waiting for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice job to the
other podium finishers: Doug Byerly 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> and Jeff Hemperley (SS) 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great race!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/rico-run/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://coloradoes.wordpress.com/swes-event-list/rico-run/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BcK_l9fMHsMcswX5CD_b6tfiZcSrQAAJ8EGzdOrhaxVVYqAXKq3S_O1_MweRb1gyV1hc0lRNtZCltN7BvxvW6VKD1S1ym17PeqJiJyouisN8k7oaBLg2GSNBGGR4IcG0u8j0fxiVty01/s1600/2012Rico100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BcK_l9fMHsMcswX5CD_b6tfiZcSrQAAJ8EGzdOrhaxVVYqAXKq3S_O1_MweRb1gyV1hc0lRNtZCltN7BvxvW6VKD1S1ym17PeqJiJyouisN8k7oaBLg2GSNBGGR4IcG0u8j0fxiVty01/s320/2012Rico100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rico 100 podium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="548" src="http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/201879477" width="465"></iframe><br /></div>
Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-22428433253122202882012-06-18T15:58:00.001-06:002012-06-19T15:09:00.148-06:00Epic 2012 Bailey Hundo race!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was another epic race at the 2012 Bailey Hundo with some
tough competition in the singlespeed category.
I beat my previous years’ time at 100 miles in 7:47. After starting back in fifth, then moving to
2<sup>nd</sup> with 1<sup>st</sup> in my sites for quite some time I ended up finished
4<sup>th</sup>. This year I chose to use
a front suspension fork which made the awesome singletrack exponentially more
enjoyable. I ran 32x19 gearing on a 29r
with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires front and rear. This course is awesome! Epic singletrack!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Results: <a href="http://my3.raceresult.com/details/results.php?lang=en&page=6&eventid=11591&contest=1&name=Result%20Lists%7CCategory%20Results&CertificateLink=1&format=view">http://my3.raceresult.com/details/results.php?lang=en&page=6&eventid=11591&contest=1&name=Result%20Lists|Category%20Results&CertificateLink=1&format=view</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bailey Hundo website: <a href="http://www.bailey100.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bailey100.com/ </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Race day started with a 4:45 alarm, quick breakfast, suiting
up then riding about 15 minutes to the race staging area in downtown Bailey
from the new riverside camping area by the finish line. Everyone lined up, talked a little about past
races and then with the sound of a shotgun blast we all took off immediately climbing
up pavement. The start has some pretty
good climbs with a few descents and overall is not too bad on the singlespeed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got on the Colorado Trail singletrack I thought I was
probably in 4<sup>th</sup> place after trying to keep track of all my competitors
during the road section. I felt good and
the singletrack was really fast and fun.
I caught up and passed 3<sup>rd</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> about 20 miles
into the race. Shortly after I got a glimpse
of Jeffrey Carter who was in 1<sup>st</sup>.
Last year I passed him which started a dueling match for the following
80 miles so this time I thought I would just hang back and keep him in my
sites. I was feeling really good at that
point and thought I could have passed him but I ended up stalking him for the
next 30 miles. On a few climbs he
started to pull away but I could still see glimpses of him by the time we got
to road section at about 60 miles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The road section is brutal on a singlespeed. When racers with gears passed me they were
flying and out of site in no time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the road section I must have slowed down, or everyone
around me sped up. At the start of the
Stony Pass climb Jeffrey was nowhere in sight and another singlepeeder Jason
Hilgers passed me toward the bottom of the climb which moved me to 3<sup>rd</sup>. My stomach started bothering me around the
bottom of the climb as well and progressively got worse as I climbed. I suspected that I might be slowing down a
bit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stony pass is kind of a weird climb. After two years riding it now I’m still not
sure of where the actual top of the official pass is. The first climb resembles more like what I’m
used to seeing where you obviously top out then start descending but that is
just a small portion of the climb. It’s
a little deceiving because there are no trees as a result of the fire but it
gives a feel like your above timberline and you definitely go over what feels
like a pass and not a false summit. But
after dropping I made a turn on another road where there was an aid station and
started another significant climb. When
looking ahead on this climb there is nothing but a big mountain in front of me. After climbing for quite a while I turned
right on another road and shortly after started descending again but it was not
an obvious pass I had gone over. At this
point it still looked like there was a mountain in front of me and another
climb started but it was a much easier grade.
At this point it’s like slowly having your teeth pulled. After climbing for a significant amount of
time the road topped out and there was an aid station there. Finally there was a big downhill and it felt
great.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could see the clouds moving in and was hoping to miss a
storm since it was less than 10 miles to the finish. It kept getting darker and darker and after
passing Wellington Lake with less than 5 miles left it started to
sprinkle. Then is started to dump rain. Then I was getting soaked by the dumping rain
and the water all over the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly Jody Elovitz showed up on a singlespeed and passed
me. I kept him in my sites but just
could catch him. I was soaked, cold and
riding as fast as I could suspecting Jody had just bumped me off the podium. I rolled into the finish about a minute
behind Jody to end up 4<sup>th</sup> place.
Great race!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I congratulated Jeffrey and Jody on their ride at the finish
and we swapped some race stories then I went and got a full dish of free food
and a beer. It’s a great setup at the
finish with a band right next to the scenic river adjacent to the designated
camping area.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great job on the win Jeffrey Carter 1<sup>st</sup>, Jason
Hilgers 2<sup>nd</sup>, Jody Elovitz 3<sup>rd</sup> and Andrew Carney 5<sup>th</sup>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsQQv8yWOwvrsw2Hv-aVIABXDkib6yZmHyBdgNIhEySK6iIz_Y6P6lkljx-qV_VN5NgpV0JJSEiNzl0lKxeR15EixMI5KxcvDvlZb_0a9UZ7i0d287JffQWEfSWnKoIqkhC-UoeQMP166/s1600/baileyhundo2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsQQv8yWOwvrsw2Hv-aVIABXDkib6yZmHyBdgNIhEySK6iIz_Y6P6lkljx-qV_VN5NgpV0JJSEiNzl0lKxeR15EixMI5KxcvDvlZb_0a9UZ7i0d287JffQWEfSWnKoIqkhC-UoeQMP166/s320/baileyhundo2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="548" src="http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/190759375" width="465"></iframe></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-80331155282327016692012-06-05T09:48:00.001-06:002012-06-05T09:48:32.858-06:00Nice Video on the Cortez and Dolores mountain bike scene<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/42872705" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-15808279967061010642012-05-15T09:53:00.002-06:002012-05-31T16:30:24.194-06:0012 Hours of Mesa Verde 2012 1st place overall solo finish on a singlespeed<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year at the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde in Cortez Colorado I
was able to get the overall solo win on my singlespeed. This is my
hometown trail which I helped build so I guess there is probably some advantage
but that didn’t seem to make the climbs any easier. I wasn’t the first to
get the overall. Dave Harris crushed it in 2009 beating the geared rider by
just a few minutes. <a href="http://www.12hoursofmesaverde.com/">www.12hoursofmesaverde.com</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a great course and race venue. Phil's World is a true mountain biker course with technical riding. It would be difficult for a mountain biker impersonator to make it on the podium here relying only on fitness although fitness is obviously a huge factor. The course is so much fun and has a ton of ups and downs without any huge sustained climbs. This is one of the reasons that fatigue sneaks up on you and then just kicks you in the teeth at some point during the race and you just need to power through it or your done. Most podium solo efforts end up with over 11,700' of elevation gain! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The event is
based at the fairgrounds in Cortez Colorado which is conveniently connected to the
Phil’s World mountain bike trail system. 100% of the proceeds go to local
non-profits that serve our youth. The entire race committee are unpaid volunteers. This year the race sold out in 36 hours last winter. There were over 800 racers that were either solo, duo or 3-4 person team members. There was 2000-3000 people at the event overall this year! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I rode a total of 8 laps (131 miles) and ran 32x19 gearing
on my 29r singlespeed with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires front and rear.
Setup worked great!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The race started with a short run to where a mess of bikes
were laying everywhere. From past mistakes I knew that bike placement was
important. I saw one guy just looking around confused unable to find his
bike after a huge effort in the run. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The course is almost entirely single track but the first lap
utilizes roads around the fairgrounds and some 4wd roads bypassing the typical singletrack
start in an effort to spread racers out. Once on the single track,
passing is difficult for the first half of the first lap. I made an
effort to get a good spot in line with a strong effort (for me) on the road
sections. For a solo attempt the congestion isn’t terrible and I think it
helps me not to go to hard initially. Half way through the lap the
congestion seemed to dissipate and passing was easier.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the second lap I was in second place and shortly after
caught up to Mike Scott and passed him to move into 1<sup>st</sup> place on the
stinking springs loop. I thought I’d established a decent lead on him
when I was in the rib cage section but he showed back up on my tail at the end
of the lap and passed me at the check in. I caught back up to him not far
into the 4<sup>th</sup> lap and stayed a short distance behind. When I
was comfortable that I could get by him again and go faster than the pace he
had been setting I made the pass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the fifth lap I had a teenager I had just passed give me
a cheer when I caught some pretty good air and whipped a pancake off a jump.
Not too often a 41 year old can impress a teenager. That was pretty cool!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had been going back and forth with the guy who eventually
ended up 2<sup>nd</sup> in the geared category. On the 6<sup>th</sup> lap
just after I passed him I flipped straight over the bars on a tricky rock drop
and hit my knee hard. It really hurt and I felt like throwing up.
After getting back on my bike my knee was in pain, my stomach was queasy and
for some reason my legs really cramped up. I just rode through it and
over the following ten minutes it gradually felt better until I was able to hammer
it again. I passed him back up and that was the last time I saw him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the 7<sup>th</sup> lap I passed the 1<sup>st</sup> place
geared solo Yuki Ikeda who was alongside the trail. He had put in a
phenomenal effort up to that point and then apparently never finished that lap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This same lap I was taking my typical route down the center
of the big rock drop after “Bead Tree” when something made my rear wheel fly
sideways. While I was inevitably going
down I somehow grabbed a large tree limb at the bottom of the drop just before
hitting the ground which prevented a potentially bad crash. I had a difficult
time actually getting back upright because of the precarious position I ended
up in but managed to do it and rode away luckily unscathed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really had to give myself a little talk at this point to
ride conservatively for the final 8<sup>th</sup> lap. I had ridden around
115 miles by that point and was starting to make some mistakes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the 8<sup>th</sup> lap I was pretty sure I could win the
race as long as I didn’t make a mistake and put in a strong effort. I
wasn’t sure how far back Mike was but I rode the lap like he was on my tail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was great to roll across the finish getting first place
in my hometown. Hat’s off the guys I was racing against. Nice job to everyone on the podium Jody
Elovitz, Mike Scott, Steve Reiter and Matt Turgeon! Strong effort and tough competition!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Congratulations to my Kokopelli Bike & Board teammates: Cat Morrison 1st singlespeed female with 7 laps <a href="http://www.girls4dirt.blogspot.com/">http://www.girls4dirt.blogspot.com/</a>, Jeff Fox & Terry Gorsuch 3rd in Duo singlespeed, Tr Larson 6th in singlespeed solo, Jeff Hemperley 10th in singlespeed solo, Paul Adams 14th in singlespeed solo, Jess Arie 20th in singlespeed solo.<br />
<br />
Nice press at <a href="http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20120515/SPORTS07/705159949/Bikers-endure-12-Hours-of-Mesa-Verde-race" target="_blank">http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20120515/SPORTS07/705159949/Bikers-endure-12-Hours-of-Mesa-Verde-race</a> and <a href="http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/view.php/12-hours-of-mesa-verde-2.html" target="_blank">http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/view.php/12-hours-of-mesa-verde-2.html</a> </div>
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My wife Dani (The race director) and everyone else who
generously volunteered their time did an excellent job on the race which
continues to be one of the best organized and fun events I have done!!! Good times!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5MjZfaKFaZR0w_AjAvW1UVoARHpTrv8vT90D8K5IxUPiOvXQR3WMK_DHTQwW3EkV3ujIbRPCk5gX9f67NUXo-AhU29ztVoeDWGfwTHX2SBasPCn6Zh3m-AGXcSBxgAE-91lNVbSu7Cp9/s1600/12hmv2012podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5MjZfaKFaZR0w_AjAvW1UVoARHpTrv8vT90D8K5IxUPiOvXQR3WMK_DHTQwW3EkV3ujIbRPCk5gX9f67NUXo-AhU29ztVoeDWGfwTHX2SBasPCn6Zh3m-AGXcSBxgAE-91lNVbSu7Cp9/s320/12hmv2012podium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The singlespeed podium: (left to right) Dani Gregory (Race director), Shawn Gregory 1st, Matt Turgeon 5th, Steve Reiter 4th, Mike Scott 3rd, Jody Elovitz 2nd. Thanks for the pic Simon Zmyslinski</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-YmcELQOwBVQ_2WxingC6pP1XoE_zjLmhQtdltq3CBWUkaqOyuovY6t8dwyzzzKc4EeZHQnf2PCWAa5rfMgWKoZDWLHUOQ2pzKs0SsWKwM-_3sFPbtecELaU6LTqxTr52dETuz3gfzjU/s1600/12hmv2012venue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-YmcELQOwBVQ_2WxingC6pP1XoE_zjLmhQtdltq3CBWUkaqOyuovY6t8dwyzzzKc4EeZHQnf2PCWAa5rfMgWKoZDWLHUOQ2pzKs0SsWKwM-_3sFPbtecELaU6LTqxTr52dETuz3gfzjU/s320/12hmv2012venue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the venue, Phil's World trail is in the background. Thanks Linda Robinson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2bWQcVoL5C05MfjP48hltHs9yGCJ4Kc0r7pA_oXP0Yqp2MMucZ9ez0cxKPYQr8b8AhEGTJZsS4ngswGVkZQBl1VhvquOVC6s7v3P7QRsccMPhAEQDPFMlD3p9Qt7r2-vKpKNfPb4gIj8/s1600/12H_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2bWQcVoL5C05MfjP48hltHs9yGCJ4Kc0r7pA_oXP0Yqp2MMucZ9ez0cxKPYQr8b8AhEGTJZsS4ngswGVkZQBl1VhvquOVC6s7v3P7QRsccMPhAEQDPFMlD3p9Qt7r2-vKpKNfPb4gIj8/s320/12H_1048.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great pic by Stacy Smith from Wildcat studios</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/42232644" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-11744192913190212192012-03-20T14:34:00.000-06:002012-03-20T14:34:02.618-06:002012 Sedona Big Friggin Loop Mountain Bike Race, Arizona<br />
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The 2012 Sedona Big Friggin loop was awesome. This was my third time doing this underground
race and it was one of the best courses yet!
<a href="http://rockyroad5050.wordpress.com/3-sedona-big-friggin-loop/">http://rockyroad5050.wordpress.com/3-sedona-big-friggin-loop/</a>
</div>
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<br />
As usual the ability to navigate the route is key. Having a gps with the route uploaded is a
must. There should be a special trophy for
any rider that was able to complete the course without navigation but I don’t
think that happened. The route had a
bunch of newly built singletrack that was spectacular,</div>
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<br />
They don’t typically track singlespeeds separately but I
think I had the fastest finishing SS time and 10<sup>th</sup> overall although
there were some people in front of me that didn’t complete the correct race
route.</div>
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<br />
The field was stacked with super-fast riders!</div>
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<br />
I ran a 32x19 but I would run a 32x20 for this exact course
next time. I have the same Schwalbe
Racing Ralphs front and rear that I used for the 24 hours in the old pueblo and
the Fat Tire 40 and they still have a lot of life left.</div>
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<br />
The race started out at the Bike-N-Bean in Oak Creek and immediately
entered sweet singletrack that contoured the hillside then climbed over the
crest into a knarly descent. A ranger
was on hand to collect the $3 fee to enter the Red Rock park. After spinning out a pavement the route took
us on a mean rocky climb that was rideable.
We crossed the main road in Sedona by the school and entered some new
singletrack that paralleled the road and it took us on some great new well-built
singletrack. The route twisted and
turned through washes and along canyons in the northwest end of Sedona. Great views!
About four hours into the ride we hit some classic trails on the north
side of Sedona and took the route all the way into town. We his some pavement then joined some
singletrack on the south east side of the town and grunted up the last
significant climb. After the saddle we
took a killer descent followed by some ups and down ending up at the
Bike-N-Bean for the finish. There a keg
and pizza was waiting for everyone. Fun post-race
party with plenty of bench racing! </div>
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<br />
Thanks Chad for organizing such a great event! I’ll be back next year! </div>
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<br /></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-10621433094615149162012-03-06T12:41:00.001-07:002012-03-06T20:36:44.036-07:003rd place in the singlespeed category at the 2012 Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race at McDowell Park in AZ<div class="MsoNormal">
Finished 3<sup>rd</sup> in the singlespeed category at the Swiss
American Bikes 2012 Fat Tire 40 held at McDowell Park in Arizona. <a href="http://swissamericanracing.com/fat-tire-40">http://swissamericanracing.com/fat-tire-40</a> Saturday there was a time trial on the sport
and tech loop to determine your starting position in the main race which was on
Sunday. This turned out to be key! The main race was approximately 40 miles and
the route was all the perimeter trails in the park plus some additional trails
on the competitive tracks. Route was: Sport>Tech>Long>Service
Road>Pemberton>Scenic Loop>Pemberton>Coachwhip>Dixie
Mine>Pemberton>Service Road>Long Loop>Sport Loop
backwards>Finish.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I chose to run 32x18 gearing. I may have preferred a 17 in hind sight but
with the 24 hours in the old pueblo effort two weeks ago that may have been too
much. I ran Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires
front and rear which hooked up great.</div>
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Friday in Dolores I loaded up the mountain bike and the
family into the truck during a cold and windy snow storm and Headed down to
Arizona. The weather was looking great
in AZ for the race. Maybe a little hot
for racing but after wearing snow boots while leaving that didn’t sound bad at
all. When we arrived in AZ the sun was
out and I went for a 30 minute spin just to see how the legs felt. I hadn’t ridden the mountain bike for the
last two weeks since the 24hitop race. I
did get some exercise during that time (one road bike ride, a hockey game, etc.)
but not much since it was snowy and I was trying to recover still.</div>
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Saturday I met up with Art Macfarland for a pre-ride going
backwards on the sport loop. It’s always
a little weird riding a primarily one direction trail backwards so I had to
check it out since it wasn’t normally allowed.
Around noon Nick Gould showed up.
He came down from snowy Colorado as well for the race. After he pre-rode the time trial course we
went out and picked up some power food before the race start. Taco’s!!! (Vitamin M…) </div>
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My time trial started at 3:02 and 12 minutes
into it I rode up to a helicopter on the trail evacuating an injured racer off
the course and I was diverted back to the start. Haven’t had that every happen during a race,
I guess the racer ended up okay. They
restarted the time trail an hour later and I ended up with the 11<sup>th</sup>
fastest time of the day out of all racers geared and singlespeed so I would end
up with a desirable position at the starting line the following day.</div>
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On Sunday everyone lined up at 8am in their prearranged
position based on the time trail finish.
There was a ton of racers. If you
were up front at the start things went smoothly but if you were back in the
pack there were definitely some bottlenecks which created traffic jams.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After the first mile I stayed in the same position through
the competitive loops but when we got to the Pemberton trail I was spun out on
the singlespeed and began getting passed by a few geared riders. I knew that Mike Melley was in front of me
but I didn’t know where Hunter was. They
both had a faster time in the time trial so it was possible he was in front of
me as well. I felt pretty good and didn’t
get passed by very many geared racers on the flatter Pemberton trail. When we got back on the Long loop I was able
to gain some of those spots back. When I
came back though the pit before doing the sport loop backwards I saw my wife
and daughter cheering me on which is always pretty cool. After crossing the finish line they had wet
towels, snacks, drinks and beer waiting.
I ended up about 5 minutes faster than my previous years time but that
wasn’t enough to get the win again. I
was about nine minutes behind Hunter and 6 minutes behind Mike. Nice job, you guys crushed it!</div>
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Great event the promoters really did an awesome job. This was my second year and it was noticeably
larger than the first. I think it will
just keep growing.<br />
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<br /></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-53343141214584841522012-02-22T15:19:00.000-07:002012-02-22T15:46:50.306-07:003rd place Singlespeed solo category at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo (24hitop), 2012, 280 miles<br />
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Finished 3rd in the Singlespeed solo category at the 2012,
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo. It took almost exactly 25 hours without
resting to get 280 miles (17 laps) and around 20,000 feet of elevation
gain. Ouch! I was hoping to repeat my win from 2011 but
the competition tough this year! At one
point in the morning 1<sup>st</sup> place through 5<sup>th</sup> place appeared
to be within a lap of each other. The
weather was relatively nice compared to last year which led to some record
breaking efforts. This is a great event held
just outside Tucson Arizona by Oracle. Around
3,500 participants this year in a variety of different categories.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.epicrides.com/">http://www.epicrides.com</a><br />
<a href="http://64.119.44.58/liveresults/results/index.html">Race results</a> </div>
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<br /></div>
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I ran 32x19 gearing which was the same as the last two years. For this course I chose to run Schwalbe
Racing Ralph tires (snakeskin version) on the front and rear with the “new and
improved” tread pattern. They stuck to
the trail like glue and performed flawlessly.
What I really noticed after the race was how well they wore during the
race compared to the previous version.
They have lots of miles left in them!</div>
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The race started out with the usual carnage that comes with
stuffing 700+ racers onto a small rough trail.
There was a multi bike pile up that I somehow avoided on the first
decent. Just a short distance after that
the two riders next to me had a collision, ran into my leg, and they both
crashed while somehow I stayed upright. </div>
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<br /></div>
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During the first few laps the top solo singlespeed riders
were all frequently within sight of each other.
I went back and forth with Mike Melley (Eventual race winner) several
times over the first couple laps and we discussed the possibility that we all may
be going to hard initially for a 24 hour effort and if that was a good idea. Obviously Mike thought it was because he suddenly
put down the hammer and in a few minutes I couldn’t even see him anymore. (A tactic??? LOL) There were two other guys who seemed to be
working together drafting off each other every time I saw them. Not sure how they ended up placing. I also went back and forth with Neil Becwar
(Eventual 2<sup>nd</sup> place finisher) throughout the night. After the race he admitted followed me a good
portion of a lap talking to me and sizing me up then snuck by when I pitted. I remembered it but must have never turned
around to see who was behind me.</div>
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In the middle of the night I had a Bobcat run directly in
front of me and stop up on some rocks on my right to check me out. Very cool!!!!
During the night I also had a guy taco his rim on a rock right in front
of me (He was okay). It sounded like a
gunshot! Also, somewhere out on the
trail someone shot off fireworks right over my head. That woke me up!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometime during the night a “Red Solo Cup” appeared on the
trail and was there until the end of the race.
For the rest of the race I couldn’t get that song by Toby Keith out of
my head and I really don’t like it. Just
an additional level of torture during the race!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I slowed during the early morning laps but when the sun came
out I consistently kept improving my lap times until I had a 1:18 time on the
last lap. The wind definitely kicked up
during the morning which kept it cool and required more effort. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It was great to have friends on the course giving me encouragement
throughout the race! I was very happy to
be done when I crossed the finish line at 1:00!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thanks to my wonderful wife and Daughter (who was
my biggest fan, super cool!!) for help during the race and teammate Tr Larson for
staying up all night helping in the pit!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mike Melley really crushed it and ended up with a record
setting 18 laps (He also set the last record at 17 laps), Neil Becwar ended up 2<sup>nd</sup> with 17
laps, I ended up 3<sup>rd</sup> with 17 laps, Eddie Urcadez finished 4<sup>th</sup>
with 16 laps and Simon Zmyslinski ended up on the podium with 16 laps. 16 laps would have won in some previous
years. Great job everyone!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWPhEDk5vyLToMdwAmnUC_B6hva4ZOB0v31reNHRHjCJp9EqhBP_Znr2Awd_A9KbhGvcNkeHDEhU1Plk_NxEGvxXvINFRHlAe1q2wnNg1WmWH8iO0qi_CApt1Sg_8qM5u8vkEA9D73wn1/s1600/24hop2012podium_John_Camoriano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWPhEDk5vyLToMdwAmnUC_B6hva4ZOB0v31reNHRHjCJp9EqhBP_Znr2Awd_A9KbhGvcNkeHDEhU1Plk_NxEGvxXvINFRHlAe1q2wnNg1WmWH8iO0qi_CApt1Sg_8qM5u8vkEA9D73wn1/s1600/24hop2012podium_John_Camoriano.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The podium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTni2I3eO47U-mFRS5B5jmWKcOmUspu0sLgCdFjuEytwl6-YRNXR4not2rrahzUgxBygDwsXGKIanozgByBORPJR71H8RPKucsQo2jiZ1DOs_GXZdM_ityZ6Ac_buKcJlOKnP1TWoeJ-Ri/s1600/24hop2012_Shawn_Bolduc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTni2I3eO47U-mFRS5B5jmWKcOmUspu0sLgCdFjuEytwl6-YRNXR4not2rrahzUgxBygDwsXGKIanozgByBORPJR71H8RPKucsQo2jiZ1DOs_GXZdM_ityZ6Ac_buKcJlOKnP1TWoeJ-Ri/s1600/24hop2012_Shawn_Bolduc.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple laps in the race, Photo by Shawn Bolduc</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw2kjEb3Fsv1qenPhVrcBcts8PlO-OlFGlaeJ7vppT8TM7zPVSzl3H311_ljxDksiZVL9aMuMZArmXqLycDaoCcSWWD5fP1oEO0ufQfkHzzKVBHlz-lY4d6xHEleTDTDvmZmTHO2YkO8j/s1600/24hop2012_Preracepit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw2kjEb3Fsv1qenPhVrcBcts8PlO-OlFGlaeJ7vppT8TM7zPVSzl3H311_ljxDksiZVL9aMuMZArmXqLycDaoCcSWWD5fP1oEO0ufQfkHzzKVBHlz-lY4d6xHEleTDTDvmZmTHO2YkO8j/s1600/24hop2012_Preracepit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pre-race setup, Jeff Hemperley's pit is to the right</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-33778673740742784902012-02-07T14:17:00.000-07:002012-03-20T14:35:41.114-06:00Arizona Black Canyon Trail mountain bike ride in one day, on a singlespeed<br />
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The Black Canyon Trail is one of my favorite Arizona desert
rides. Typically it’s done as an in-n-out,
a shuttle or a loop utilizing a nearby road.
The trail is well built and perfect for a singlespeed. The access is easy and trail access is
plentiful not far from I-17. If you have
driven this route before don’t think that you have already seen all the scenery
around there. It is spectacular along
the trail and the builders planned the route well to take advantage of the
canyons and vistas. More information is
available at <a href="http://www.bctaz.com/">http://www.bctaz.com/</a>. <br />
<br />
We chose to shuttle the entire route north to
south (hwy 69 to hwy 74) and mountain bike it in one day. Don’t let the word shuttle fool you. You will definitely end up lower than you
started but there is still a lot of climbing in between and you may want to
take a bike light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trail is well marked but there are a couple of sections
where the route crosses or gets on 4wd roads that could be confusing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My favorite sections were Antelope Creek and south of Black
Canyon City but the rest is all great riding as well. The section south of New River Road is not
that fun unless you just want to do the entire thing. There is some more singletrack north of
highway 69 and there are plans to eventually go all the way to Prescott but at
this time the best northern start is at 69.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeff Hemperley and I started at highway 69 and Old Sycamore
Road. There is a fire station there. We rode up Old Sycamore Road and caught the
trail on the north side of hwy 69. We
passed the singletrack the first time and had to backtrack. It wasn’t marked well there. When the Trail crosses Antelope Creek Road it
is a bit confusing. Just continue
straight across the road onto a 4wd road that veers to the right and look for
the trail just past that. Eventually you
cross the mesa and then descend on the Antelope creek section which is sweeeeeeet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a fair amount of ups and down as you are heading
south through the Bumble Bee area on this section of the trail. The trail is easy to navigate until north of
Black Canyon City where it gets on and off of 4wd roads. Just watch for the trail like a hawk so you
don’t miss it and end up in Black Canyon City.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You will cross the Agua Fria River wash multiple times. At certain times of the year there may be a
lot of water to ford or it may even be impassable. West of Black Canyon city there is a spur to
the left going to a trailhead but you want to go right. If you need to resupply this is the place to
the left. It is a relatively short ride
to a store in Black Canyon City. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next section that heads west away from Black Canyon City
then veering south is one of my favorites.
This also has the biggest climb on the route. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Follow the trail signs and you eventually get to the Agua
Fria River crossing. This can be kind of
confusing. On the other side of the sandy
crossing go left on the old road and watch for the trail on the right. Two trails climb out of the wash and then
join again at the top. Take either one
but I like the right better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After crossing the Table Mesa road you will start the last
significant climb. After that there are
still ups and downs but not as big.
There is a very cool section with gigantic saguaros with arms point in
all kinds of crazy directions. North of
the New River road there is a “Y” left is better, going right puts you on an
old 4wd road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last section before reaching the New River Road is fun
and is well marked but does require some navigating where it goes on and off of
4wd roads.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
The section south between New River Road and the Carefree
Hwy 74 is kind of flat and boring. If
you were going to cut anything off of this ride it would be that section. We ended up riding most of this section in
the dark and it made it harder to navigate the mess of old roads. Starting just a half hour sooner would have
avoided any night riding but it made it fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great trail and a great ride!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU-KDT_7q7BnRnF5B5dR8hiMddq7sZq-G9Rb47uDM1EpSieK6NTCQLo0_0ExsFHY_-M7rRgq0TOPF9Cl_DsHWPE2njB6AfIpv4dDU-agraizLvdV6cdHHgWyVItLA6icp4evkefgvguP3/s1600/20120207_174306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU-KDT_7q7BnRnF5B5dR8hiMddq7sZq-G9Rb47uDM1EpSieK6NTCQLo0_0ExsFHY_-M7rRgq0TOPF9Cl_DsHWPE2njB6AfIpv4dDU-agraizLvdV6cdHHgWyVItLA6icp4evkefgvguP3/s320/20120207_174306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-26206148285549450922011-08-09T13:30:00.007-06:002011-08-11T16:35:41.499-06:00Shawn Gregory’s 2011 Colorado Trail Race CTR on a singlespeed mountain bike 5d15h44m<div class="MsoNormal">The 2011 Colorado Trail Race CTR was the toughest bike race I have done. I finished in 5 days 15 hours and 44 minutes. I was honored and inspired to be riding to benefit The NEST. <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/nest">http://www.active.com/donate/nest</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would describe it like this: Epic, humbling, painful, tiring, beat-down, exciting, tough, wet, cold, long, adventurous, difficult, mentally-draining, fun, beautiful, a monumental-experience,…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The race started from a full parking lot just outside of Denver where my wife Dani dropped me off. Since there were over 75 racers they were released in waves. I lined up right next to Ethan Passant in the first wave which included racers wanting to finish in five days or under. The trail was immediately technical and the weather was hot and muggy. Everyone moved along at a steady pace that felt good. There was lots of steady climbing up to Bailey but it was mostly ridable and my gearing seemed to be working out well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In Bailey the gas station that was the typical resupply happened to be closed so racers flocked to a small coffee shop for fuel. They still had some inventory since I was toward the front of the pack but it was obvious there was not going to be enough Gatorade etc. for the rest of the racers. On the section around Bailey the racers with gears were making better time than me but I was able to keep them somewhat in my sites especially when we got to the Kenosha Pass climb. I start to make good time up Georgia Pass where I saw Jeff Kerkove at the top who had to pull out because of illness. Tough luck because he was a major contender.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Descending toward Breckenridge there was four of us riding together (one was Jerry Oliver) when we came up against a dilemma. There was a sign diverting trail users around a significant portion of the trail due to a logging operation. We all discussed our options and I think everyone was thinking of how Ethan was not given a “Finished” status due to missing a 3 mile section of the course in 2009 and this was much more significant than that. Some spectators camped close by informed us that everyone in front of us had gone on the trail and not taken the detour so we pressed forward on the trail. Not long after this it turned out that Stefan posted a sign for racers to take the detour which was a bummer since I was passed by a bunch of racers. Apparently there will be some time adjustment made but in addition to the time and mileage difference the effort was significant. Not to mention the mental aspect of having a good lead on a competitor then finding out they now have a significant lead on you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I passed through Breckenridge in the dark then climbed over the pass to Copper Mountain which was extremely rocky and primarily a hike-a-bike. The stars were amazing! There were false summits and once I got to the initial downhill it was still too rocky to ride so it had to be hiked. I stopped just outside of Copper Mountain early in the morning for just under two hours of sleep. I diverted into Copper and grabbed a coffee and some pastries then headed up and over the next big climb to Camp Hale.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Luckily the weather had been cooperating so far. I don’t like to mess around with lighting while exposed above timberline. I had Jerry in my sites on most of the pass. Toward the bottom Jerry lost his GPS. Huge bummer for him! The trail was marked well but all the diversions around wilderness areas required navigation. We ran into some people riding the trail who informed us that the leaders were not far in front of us which was encouraging.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When we hit the Holy Cross / Mount Massive Wilderness Detour which went through Leadville it started to rain pretty hard. In Leadville I went to the Market to stock up on supplies and ate an entire rotisserie chicken which was great. I would have rather stocked up in BV and not had to carry all the extra food but I wasn’t sure I could make it to BV before the store closed that night. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leaving Leadville the rain subsided and the trail was really nice. I could have used a harder gear on some of these portions to go faster. The geared guys were making some serious time on me here. At Twin Lakes it started to rain hard. After hours of riding in the dumping rain I came to a huge valley just before dark. It was beautiful, I had to stop and just take it all in. The clouds were below me but I could still see the lake down below. Descending, I went in and out of the clouds. It was spectacular! At the bottom of the descent the cheeriness was washed away by the torrential downpour that ensued all the way to BV. The dirt roads were so soggy it impeded my progress and seemed to take much more effort to plow through the muck. I was watching the time and it was going to be close to get to BV before everything was closed. Back by Twin Lakes Zach Guy mentioned eating Spaghetti in BV so that was all I could think about on the way there. As the clock ticked away my Spaghetti meal hopes slipped away. I rolled into BV with a guy from Montana just before 10pm and nothing appeared to be open. I spotted a Pizza place with the front door open but they were obviously cleaning up for the night. I went in anyway just to see if they had anything. It turned out they had a “mistake pizza” that had been sitting there for the evening and they gave it to us. Tasted great, thanks guys!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stopped at the 7-11 and grabbed a couple of supplies and took off out of town right behind Jarral Ryter. I rode through the night to north of the Princeton Hot springs and stayed right by Jarral. I set the timer on my watch but woke up late four hours later. I looked up just in time to see Andrew Carney ride by. I must have passed him during the night. I was pissed! How did I not hear my watch? It turns out the timer only goes off for about ten seconds then shuts off unlike an alarm. I quickly ate some grub loaded up and went to chase Andrew down; I estimated he was 30-40 minutes in front of me. I felt okay on the huge hike-a-bike section but my stomach was a little upset, like I had eaten too much. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the afternoon I finally saw Andrew and Steve Carney at the bottom of Fooses trail and went by them. This was a brutal climb. I was still feeling pretty good and happy with my progress. At the top of Fooses I hit the Monarch Crest trail. The views were spectacular. I stopped just before Marshall Pass and fixed some dinner. Afterwards I felt like I ate too much again but pressed on toward Sargents Mesa. It was dark and the weather was starting to look bad. There was lighting in the distance. The trail was really rough. It was obviously ridden by ATVs and motorcycles which kicked up rocks everywhere so it was technical and slow going with no good lines. Even the descent was brutal. Andrew went by me in an effort to get to a water source to bivvy for a bit. A storm was obviously coming and I decided to stop before I got drenched. As soon as my tarp was set up it started to rain. I slept for a couple of hours then packed up and headed to the small creek where Andrew was snoozing and fixed some food.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I then rode ahead. The trail was very rough and slow going. Mid-day Andrew and John Fulton passed me just before arriving at the “Trail Magic”. This was a super nice retired guy who spent the summer hanging out at this remote location providing free sodas, chips, cookies, etc. to Colorado Trail hikers and bikers. I drank a Coke ate some cookies and a bag of Cheetos then grabbed a Gatorade and hit the road with Steve who quickly pulled away with his gears.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Midday I started the La Garita Wilderness Detour which was a tone of miles. Shortly after starting this section it started to dump rain. The route dropped to a lower elevation but I was totally exposed on the dirt road and there was lighting in the distance. Unknowingly I passed Andrew and Steve who were hanging out in an abandon barn to get out of the rain. I kept riding. I probably rode four miles with one eye shut to avoid the pounding rain and hail. The rain subsided and Andrew and Steve rode by me up the climb over Los Pinos Pass. After dropping into a canyon on the road my Spot quit working for the second time. I continued riding in the dark up to Slumgullion pass where I slept for a couple of hours. I was freezing and woke up several times shivering. In the early morning I rode to Spring Creek pass and got back on the Colorado Trail. At dusk I ran into Jerry Oliver again who was bushwhacking to find the trail over Jarosa Mesa. I was happy to see he was still able to navigate without his GPS. I stopped and fixed some grub and Jerry surged ahead.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This section to Carson saddle was particularly brutal for me. The hike-a-bike started to take its toll on my feet. On one of the largest climbs up to Coney Summit (over 13,000’) I had to stop and tape my foot. Pushing and carrying the bike up the rocks was really becoming painful. After cresting the first climb I started to run out of water. I was sipping it sparingly and looking for water sources but there were not any. Andrew and Steve passed me just before Carson Saddle. I stopped several places to investigate possible water sources but there just were not any. I pressed on and finally found a stream. While I was getting water Cat Morrison road up. I knew Cat from the Kokopelli trail race and other endurance races. Super tough! I rode closely behind her for a majority of the way through the next section. I had no food left and between that and my aching feet I was moving slow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This section through to Stony Pass was the toughest for me. I kept cresting huge climbs hoping to see Stony pass only to see the trail descend way down into a valley then climb all the way back up another mountain on the opposite side. This was a mental blow each time. It must have happened five times. I was really getting drained and barely moving. My stomach was aching and my feet were killing me. I hadn't eaten anything for 14 hours. Finally I arrived at Stony Pass, on the opposite side of the pass of course! I climbed up over the pass and did the long descent down to Silverton. This was the start of the Weminuche Wilderness Detour.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In Silverton I went directly to the Market where I saw Cat. I drank a Coke, half a naked protein drink and ate a donut. It was amazing how much better I felt. Up till Silverton I felt I had all the wrong food so I stocked up on totally different fuel. I purchased Nutilla and spread it on tortillas, some gu shots, Cinnamon Bears, a premade sandwich and a breakfast sandwich. I then went to the Silverton Brewery and ordered a hamburger and fries as fast as they could get them. It showed up quick! I mowed it down and took off up Molas Pass.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was amazing how much better I felt. I was now thinking that I would press through the night without any sleep. At the top of Molas I got back on the Colorado Trail. Immediately I noticed a problem with my wrist. I have had issues in the past because I broke it. Now I couldn’t believe how bad it suddenly hurt. I could hardly hold onto the handlebars or squeeze the brakes. The only cause I could think of was squeezing the brake all the way down Stony Pass had irritated it but it didn’t seem to bother me in Silverton. I continued riding anyway. The sleep deprivation was causing me to see things like faces and shapes which for some reason didn’t seem to bother me. At about ¾ of the way up to Rolling pass I made the decision to stop and rest. I couldn’t hold onto the handlebar and the lack of sleep was causing me not to steer straight and I felt if I hit a rock wrong I would crash. I was frozen again shivering the whole time. I remember wondering how I could possibly be benefiting from it. I set my watch but didn’t hear my alarm so I ended up oversleeping by a couple of hours. I was bummed but my wrist did feel slightly better. I ate the breakfast sandwich which I think had been sitting on the shelf for some time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I continued over Rolling Pass in the early morning light. The descent was extremely painful but at least I could hold on now and see where I was going. My legs actually felt pretty good. My feet hurt so bad that I needed to ride as much as possible to make it through so I was powering up many of the hills and felt I was making good time. This was also my home turf and I knew the whole section well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was feeling good over Blackhawk but the hike-a-bike sections would suddenly slow me to a crawl and the downhill really hurt but I just slowed down and dealt with the pain. When I got to the Highline trail the foot pain from the hike-a-bike was excruciating. I was moving so slow. The only consolation was this was the last huge climb. Somewhere above timberline I realized my spot quit working. I messed with it three different times but nothing worked. Just after starting the drop down to La Plata canyon John Ross and Joey Ernst passed me. I knew from riding this section many times that anyone with gears was going to make some tracks on me plus I couldn’t go very fast with my wrist pain. I stopped at the top of Kennebec to call my wife Dani to let her know when I thought I may finish. I then descended as fast as my wrist could handle the pain.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just before Durango there is a climb that is the last “kick in the teeth” before the finish. I had to hike sections of it and my feet were killing me. I felt a blister bust open on the back of my foot so I stopped and put a patch on it but it obviously didn’t help so I stuffed a gauze pad between it and my sock and continued on. It was bleeding but I didn’t care at that point.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The last section I did in the dark. It seemed to be taking forever. I was thinking I somehow missed turns but finally I arrived at the end to a cheering crowd (My wife Dani, daughter Ava, Jeff Hemperley, Laura and some others waiting for racers. Cat was there, John and Joey had pulled in just in front of me as well. It felt great to be done and see my family again! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">WHAT AN ADVENTURE, AWESOME! Great job to everyone else in the race!<br />
<br />
Please donate to The NEST if you haven't yet at <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/nest">http://www.active.com/donate/nest</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The NEST provides a safe, child-friendly environment that eases the emotional trauma experienced by children during the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. <br />
This is a great organization!<br />
<br />
My bike performed great. I used Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires with snakeskin front and rear which were flawless. The gearing on my Trek 29r was 32x22 which overall I think was the best option.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="st"><i> </i></span>Big thanks to everyone who supported me! My wife Dani especially and all the friend and family who were cheering me on throughout the race. It was very motivating! Thanks to Kiviok Hight and Lynda Wallenfels for their great training, gear and strategy advice. Also, big thanks to Jimbo, Pete and Scott at Kokopelli Bike & Board in Cortez Colorado. You guys rock!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRMo6kcuKph-K77T861bkGYqpycuAkcgJCzwYK_0YPbeZe4kpRmSmdVr8dEi4PepL9mI68qC5gnvrWJAVuDFLg0wD99FKvGjw_5MQuEHevPKS1_TPU4A9b5Jh_DTyQ1Fw-HSxFWPlKAj0/s1600/ctr_2011_start_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRMo6kcuKph-K77T861bkGYqpycuAkcgJCzwYK_0YPbeZe4kpRmSmdVr8dEi4PepL9mI68qC5gnvrWJAVuDFLg0wD99FKvGjw_5MQuEHevPKS1_TPU4A9b5Jh_DTyQ1Fw-HSxFWPlKAj0/s320/ctr_2011_start_01.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start, ready to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54EqEKg3ECEovHpU8wYnQNirDjfAerZCmTPzLALyNd8nbtQ3RL_TpYWGpvHETT63e1dkDtBCrQCLGcGySvnGXQIIN5kZoMdgjr-y0ZEobTMzgRpDfGj8YMiNkAVsjOo5oPF3jXetCvXjf/s1600/ctr_2011_start_riding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54EqEKg3ECEovHpU8wYnQNirDjfAerZCmTPzLALyNd8nbtQ3RL_TpYWGpvHETT63e1dkDtBCrQCLGcGySvnGXQIIN5kZoMdgjr-y0ZEobTMzgRpDfGj8YMiNkAVsjOo5oPF3jXetCvXjf/s320/ctr_2011_start_riding.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pain begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC2RfpPHHYVZKqX1WMEjt4AbFF9DMsZ5hI3khIvz9MNsTZ3yF-7DvTVBTEwlZnDZ9Z9EMU2mVcyTMpSDFaI6PBy8oxMWc-Pbuo-yUYK1hBMJzaPhu9wihE2LsRnvKn2bbjapgDCUZTM3p/s1600/ctr_1011_copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC2RfpPHHYVZKqX1WMEjt4AbFF9DMsZ5hI3khIvz9MNsTZ3yF-7DvTVBTEwlZnDZ9Z9EMU2mVcyTMpSDFaI6PBy8oxMWc-Pbuo-yUYK1hBMJzaPhu9wihE2LsRnvKn2bbjapgDCUZTM3p/s320/ctr_1011_copper.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsDdPgrM8dbhVcsc033XEMtCBMxOTY7yV3eBKr0F1YwxZcYpqGleRxPkLPu6NO4CfleVOnJa6gMpktpqGdYZoJKssBd_fypZ347eem-rM0mBrc34C2Nf-qaglnxMmjXF6eeEy9x4zMChY/s1600/ctr_2011_searle_pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsDdPgrM8dbhVcsc033XEMtCBMxOTY7yV3eBKr0F1YwxZcYpqGleRxPkLPu6NO4CfleVOnJa6gMpktpqGdYZoJKssBd_fypZ347eem-rM0mBrc34C2Nf-qaglnxMmjXF6eeEy9x4zMChY/s320/ctr_2011_searle_pass.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searle Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuRw-U68drRoq9A5GtOZxQRmhhMflau6LGr55N4-PKU8XspXCrdSsaIatzrMZy-Y4M9k8kVHIzapiMa7Y-UXURdzj9ilzBgQkXt0mHpzisHBFAlZnUddXGu3jxCuUJXOwD7RcVZFm-vly/s1600/ctr_2011_BV_night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuRw-U68drRoq9A5GtOZxQRmhhMflau6LGr55N4-PKU8XspXCrdSsaIatzrMZy-Y4M9k8kVHIzapiMa7Y-UXURdzj9ilzBgQkXt0mHpzisHBFAlZnUddXGu3jxCuUJXOwD7RcVZFm-vly/s320/ctr_2011_BV_night.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night riding after BV</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrTZiHqvdypOm-kQkk8QqeOoN5DDgitGCSgd9GdA9Ig7kDlYVh6SCjoPQ2J5pHmWOszQcZY2sQ5Tf2wKBVX1i7vwB5FFYrRJYzeudVkcQWSI35JnWCxK8F3PJzvDjrPPLhuiWXrcP_paK/s1600/ctr_2011_fooses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrTZiHqvdypOm-kQkk8QqeOoN5DDgitGCSgd9GdA9Ig7kDlYVh6SCjoPQ2J5pHmWOszQcZY2sQ5Tf2wKBVX1i7vwB5FFYrRJYzeudVkcQWSI35JnWCxK8F3PJzvDjrPPLhuiWXrcP_paK/s320/ctr_2011_fooses.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Fooses, tough climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeAEsjAxFCtOj_N1tTKiii4T5SP3dPHmryRDc997re9NCxa3EkrX7BQLH3APJhGDyIvntB5GsCyj3fb95MUkOemA69tCE_q2d7GuBvwLfqwoGrWnSqI02c9pdeyhsFh4WAJ3CQWQNNP0D/s1600/ctr_2011_springcreekpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeAEsjAxFCtOj_N1tTKiii4T5SP3dPHmryRDc997re9NCxa3EkrX7BQLH3APJhGDyIvntB5GsCyj3fb95MUkOemA69tCE_q2d7GuBvwLfqwoGrWnSqI02c9pdeyhsFh4WAJ3CQWQNNP0D/s320/ctr_2011_springcreekpass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning on Sargents Mesa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTqC28ZMne5wsxxFPRiUtl9a3nklnTS3g7gQgLcZGHSiZzxXgkpbubuTC2KpxCN5rwPoFRpB1SC53Zpk9h3bQo9Zxxxkng3fO3fcXDACRCBt3KRs2PAh3sCTyexG4R7XracqSVh9X-het/s1600/ctr_2011_springcreekpass01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTqC28ZMne5wsxxFPRiUtl9a3nklnTS3g7gQgLcZGHSiZzxXgkpbubuTC2KpxCN5rwPoFRpB1SC53Zpk9h3bQo9Zxxxkng3fO3fcXDACRCBt3KRs2PAh3sCTyexG4R7XracqSVh9X-het/s320/ctr_2011_springcreekpass01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the big climb to over 13,000' after Spring Creek Pass. I though that was a lake but after the sun fully rose it was clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtKlQntuV4kTGdEzbDcipian84P6769dmDRv8u8cwZ0A326SP-JJASO5LqjakT4NWgc85yQ4Ep3pTlGxK-C-dS0b_txE0LlbyPU6FtwBhE6YVSN0smWcNRbbaFNQ2QzXiIblHfAN-Qf3F/s1600/ctr_finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtKlQntuV4kTGdEzbDcipian84P6769dmDRv8u8cwZ0A326SP-JJASO5LqjakT4NWgc85yQ4Ep3pTlGxK-C-dS0b_txE0LlbyPU6FtwBhE6YVSN0smWcNRbbaFNQ2QzXiIblHfAN-Qf3F/s320/ctr_finish.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finish, Glad to see my little girl!</td></tr>
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</div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-78173102166370968572011-08-07T13:50:00.000-06:002011-08-07T13:50:52.818-06:00Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYmpuHmcPHVAO3R0B_KAf7vRYRfGsAkG6vhbXVJeLh1wNIH63t2rUGwG_ZsGlunWrtXC1vlbFIarFIQiaz3LhS6wJgUXcYPgrvqp8pkLqMgNmOjni3TiSYvyDM-wbySG_XD2-sOqx6j9J/s1600/ctr_finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYmpuHmcPHVAO3R0B_KAf7vRYRfGsAkG6vhbXVJeLh1wNIH63t2rUGwG_ZsGlunWrtXC1vlbFIarFIQiaz3LhS6wJgUXcYPgrvqp8pkLqMgNmOjni3TiSYvyDM-wbySG_XD2-sOqx6j9J/s320/ctr_finish.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Finished at 10:24pm! Glad to be done. Toughest race I have aver done by far. Not sure where I ended up placing because it is not correct on the site right now. My spot quit working toward the end and they were also going to edit times for the additional miles I rode by not taking the bipass by Breck. I need some rest but I will make a detailed post about my race experience in the next couple of days. Thanks for all the support!Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-72152266848638856732011-08-05T07:25:00.000-06:002011-08-05T19:50:50.226-06:00Brutal climb<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AzYwAljQGInxFfybUWNP1j-0O_ebTq_TJ9yOzfRadA4FBEAIaPUDr6by7hEjrQ4MEJit83SEh4d6cAhyphenhyphenz7ahJqCo-ySCdqoTtUwbhv09qCCyt-X3LNN_8sDRze_iaLfPYiLqTTCg5S83/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAzLTAwMTkyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-750228"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AzYwAljQGInxFfybUWNP1j-0O_ebTq_TJ9yOzfRadA4FBEAIaPUDr6by7hEjrQ4MEJit83SEh4d6cAhyphenhyphenz7ahJqCo-ySCdqoTtUwbhv09qCCyt-X3LNN_8sDRze_iaLfPYiLqTTCg5S83/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAzLTAwMTkyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-750228" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554536266436962" /></a></p>Came from way down there. Lots of tough climbing! I'm tired but things are going good still.<br>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-9775307013441554082011-08-04T09:21:00.000-06:002011-08-05T19:52:56.319-06:00Up above the clouds<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionvFd1A4VxG00h6aruAZ0xtGuquHTrT1i5SjEHCJFFeIvUfqTDeO8RpP8wG2OHtRqU8soTqKB8XQztvfAk7-2jsWakALf694N30pq4kFh3RXct2dE4VFGelqQdK_H6QEw3ES3RzWbY935/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODA0LTAwMTkzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-776322"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionvFd1A4VxG00h6aruAZ0xtGuquHTrT1i5SjEHCJFFeIvUfqTDeO8RpP8wG2OHtRqU8soTqKB8XQztvfAk7-2jsWakALf694N30pq4kFh3RXct2dE4VFGelqQdK_H6QEw3ES3RzWbY935/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODA0LTAwMTkzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-776322" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637555075877120514" /></a></p>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-76447023459581553472011-08-03T03:00:00.002-06:002011-08-07T13:29:05.828-06:00RainRode in rain most of the afternoon and evening today. Cold! <br />
Showed up in BV at 10pm and managed to score an old pizza they had sitting around. Then headed back out in the rain.<br />
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-74682141058661215492011-08-03T02:54:00.000-06:002011-08-03T02:55:29.310-06:003am, Fully nocturnal<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-AKUF3P8EnvTIYG6oZFIm5ZLzB4wybGU-VzbXk9AazOsoSyc7Fe2RgyqIW6-Z5Bpxrd1UUbsPq7VQh2Px_vqySKnzoHA39pofPc-Ln8RSVAyXKWTw5C-3TB8cC1tpUtijrQxgeB28bZ/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAzLTAwMTkxLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-729311"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-AKUF3P8EnvTIYG6oZFIm5ZLzB4wybGU-VzbXk9AazOsoSyc7Fe2RgyqIW6-Z5Bpxrd1UUbsPq7VQh2Px_vqySKnzoHA39pofPc-Ln8RSVAyXKWTw5C-3TB8cC1tpUtijrQxgeB28bZ/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAzLTAwMTkxLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-729311" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636550711823403410" /></a></p>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-3000807219505518192011-08-02T09:40:00.001-06:002011-08-02T09:40:47.131-06:00Nice view!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQOBiIABXav0_KMw36tRGgmXCbBsVzRCL9TrdPB7NGENOVsINAFC2cu0nXEAWDfhS6xTSLtdPT24pDWlfkDU_Xw_5-HkfwahVNs2tbIKQ-4LqNrDOYM8vvfDuM-zC6BDg7wWK2jrTef0b/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAyLTAwMTg5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-747131"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQOBiIABXav0_KMw36tRGgmXCbBsVzRCL9TrdPB7NGENOVsINAFC2cu0nXEAWDfhS6xTSLtdPT24pDWlfkDU_Xw_5-HkfwahVNs2tbIKQ-4LqNrDOYM8vvfDuM-zC6BDg7wWK2jrTef0b/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAyLTAwMTg5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-747131" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636284070417268770" /></a></p>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-23912314028904232812011-08-02T07:52:00.002-06:002011-08-07T13:27:54.563-06:0025 hrs into the race<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGGx-miHgIJi31euZqcPyEfDQbHLZbmApQqtiKpRXTcnJB5uFcDcqYngDo2TN96u_0l7kIr-9U7HIBQ1RsehEwa3C-jU_Xh6YOBIxv9HFKAsmmPj51huUPYJvepsJ91c0gV_SC7ACeiXN/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAyLTAwMTg4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-749161"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636256161445798274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGGx-miHgIJi31euZqcPyEfDQbHLZbmApQqtiKpRXTcnJB5uFcDcqYngDo2TN96u_0l7kIr-9U7HIBQ1RsehEwa3C-jU_Xh6YOBIxv9HFKAsmmPj51huUPYJvepsJ91c0gV_SC7ACeiXN/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTEwODAyLTAwMTg4LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-749161" /></a></div>Feeling good. Slept for just over 1:30. Super tough hike-a-bike last night! Off to BV today. <br />
Yesterday there was a section of trail with a big climb that everyone upfront did but then they rerouted racers afterwards. I may have got passed there. Not sure but the race director said he was going to edit times for that at the end.<br />
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TShawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-77557366849626562122011-07-29T15:14:00.000-06:002011-07-29T15:14:06.668-06:00Colorado Trail Race CTR starts on August 1st, Watch online!<h1 class="style5">Racing the 470 mile CTR to raise awareness and funds for The NEST:</h1><div class="style4"><b>The Race starts August 1, 2011 at 6:30am!</b></div><div class="style4"><br />
Watch the race online at <a href="http://trackleaders.com/ctr" target="_blank" title="CTR Race Online">http://trackleaders.com/ctr</a> </div><div class="style4"><br />
<a href="http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0TDqS7W8bYxIEIqxXuJH9VvnJRGQNZySA" target="_blank" title="Shawn's CTR race progress">Click to watch Shawn's progress online</a></div><div class="style4"><br />
<span class="style41">I will update my</span> blog whenever I have phone reception and I'm not too tired to operate my cell.<br />
<br />
Donate to The NEST at <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/nest">http://www.active.com/donate/nest</a></div><br />
<div class="style4"><span class="style41">And yes, All these should work on your smartphone! </span></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-62722448192551564302011-07-26T10:58:00.002-06:002011-07-26T11:01:34.075-06:00Preparations for the 2011 Colorado Trail Race CTR<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Well, the training is complete for the 2011 Colorado Trail Race CTR. No benefits and only negatives from any hard riding efforts now. Nothing to do except hope that my training was enough to make it through the race and to fine-tune my setup. Thanks to Kiviok Hight and Lynda Wallenfels for the great preparation and training advice for the CTR!</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When it's nice out I want to take everything out of my packs and leave it at home and when it's dumping rain and hail out all I can think is "that would suck to be out in that" and it makes me want to pack a lot more.</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kiviok who has tons of experience in the multi day Adventure racing world (Primal Quest, etc.) has given me great advice on what to bring which is basically nothing except minimalist survival gear. After going over my setup with him several times he has successfully talked me into eliminating any kind of comfort. Apparently, if you’re not miserable you have to much stuff, your sleeping too much and you’re eating too much. I guess it takes a little time to convince myself that I really don't need things that seemed vital at the beginning.</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The bike itself is ready to go except for a fork rebuild which I'm waiting on a new fork stanchion. New Schwalbe Nobby Nic's are mounted. I switched out a bunch of the light weight components with heavier duty ones to handle the additional weight and punishment during the ride which added 2 pounds to my bike. I picked out the pack I thought would work the best. I tried a variety of different packs before settling on an Osprey Pack. Thanks Osprey!</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I'm still debating on the water filtration method (Steripen, Filtered water bottle, tablets). Probably will end up being tablets and maybe one of the other methods.</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now I'm figuring out the ride logistics and making sure I have all the right maps and instructions to navigate the route.</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I'm doing this race to help benefit The NEST which helps abused kids. Please check out <a href="http://www.bigloopmaps.com/theme_Racing_for_Charity_01.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.bigloopmaps.com/theme_Racing_for_Charity_01.html</span></a> for more information</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The clock is ticking. Can't wait to start! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fBcIgvdZgQpkOtiVV5_yOH4kZo7eKw5ZgXnB_QtHpJ_D-jOnYJB-CuHfXbiICrWZ8QswtGE3HTPOAU1LlzWWgvo6ZvgXWoQOeuyeIc80cNBLBOtNB7uJXCRSUyYj8jsOv4ohvXAXbx9U/s1600/ctr_training_shawn_gregory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fBcIgvdZgQpkOtiVV5_yOH4kZo7eKw5ZgXnB_QtHpJ_D-jOnYJB-CuHfXbiICrWZ8QswtGE3HTPOAU1LlzWWgvo6ZvgXWoQOeuyeIc80cNBLBOtNB7uJXCRSUyYj8jsOv4ohvXAXbx9U/s320/ctr_training_shawn_gregory.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-53010250201221514402011-07-26T10:57:00.004-06:002011-07-26T11:07:13.927-06:00Colorado Trail Race (CTR) race preporation press<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 6;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Got some nice press in the paper for the upcoming Colorado Trail Race CTR <a href="http://www.cortezjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=16226">http://www.cortezjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=16226</a>. It's nice to have the hometown behind you but it also comes with some additional pressure to finish. That's always a good motivator!</span></div>Shawn Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150498855236068929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-715584007916010517.post-55696477358737473282011-07-17T14:11:00.004-06:002011-07-17T17:57:16.686-06:005th Place singlespeed in the Breckenridge 100Just finished 5th place in the singlespeed category at the Breckenridge 100 (Breck 100) in Colorado. 100 miles and 13,000 feet of elevation gain. It was my first time doing this race and it was a great course. Lots of epic singletrack with some hike-a-bike through snowfields above timberline. Numerous people I talked to said this race was significantly tougher than the Leadville 100. Mostly because it was actually primarily on singletrack trails and not dirt roads. I ran a 32x20 on my 29r with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires and felt it worked well. I might have run a 19 if I hadn't been training so hard for the Colorado Trail Race right up to this race.<br />
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The course consisted of three loops that each started and returned at the race venue in Carter Park. Things started out poorly for me on the first climb. I tried to hang with the leaders but soon seemed to be getting passed by everyone while I was trying to keep my breakfast from coming back up. All these years of racing and I still haven’t figured out what works well for breakfast. I didn't feel very good at all and my legs felt heavy. I was in about 13th place in the singlespeed category at the top of the first climb. Once we got above timberline I started to feel better and passed some people back in the hike-a-bike section and crossing the snowfields. The decent was technical and cold but I continued passing people, mostly geared riders. I rode with Matt Turgeon most of lap. At Copper Mountain we hit a section of paved bike path and all the geared riders I just passed flew back by me. The next section was awesome singletrack and my gearing was perfect for it. I showed up back in Breckenridge, pitted, and started the 2nd loop in 11th place.<br />
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I was feeling much stronger and started passing more people on the second loop. I went by Steve Reiter who was fixing a flat, tough luck! The second loop is considered the toughest out of the three. The Climb up Little French Flume was tough; the Colorado Trail section was epic and super fun. Then you drop down to the golf course and it feels like your close to the venue but just to "kick you in the teeth while your down" the route sends you climbing again on a combination of singletrack and dirt roads. By the end of that lap I had moved up to 7th place and was feeling great. In the pit Dani lubed my chain and I loaded my rain jacket on the bike and stocked up on more food and bottles.<br />
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The rain started coming down on the climb up <span class="breckhighlight">Boreas Pass but the way the clouds were moving it seemed like it would pass so I didn't put on the rain jacket. I continued to pass geared riders up the hill and felt great but didn't see any other singlespeeders. After cresting the saddle on Boreas pass I started the decent on sweet singletrack toward Como. I hadn't seen another rider since before the pass. Finally, just before Como I passed a couple more geared riders and another singlespeeder. I had to stop and pit in Como to get some water bottles and the singlespeeder passed me back up. The huge audience of race fans in the thriving metropolis of Como consisted of my Mom and Dad who live right by there and the people at the aid station. Leaving Como there was a nasty headwind and even though the other singlespeeder was jumping on the tail of the geared riders I finally caught up and passed him. Then he jumped on my tail and was drafting me for several miles. Kind of irritating! I ended up dropping him and then passed more racers and another singlespeeder up the hill. After cresting the top of Boreas Pass again I didn't see anyone else all the way down back to the finish where I crossed the line in 5th place. Fun race!</span><br />
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<span class="breckhighlight">Mark Thompson (The Judge) hammered out the singlespeed win again this year but had much closer competition than in the past. Michael Scott finished second and there was a battle between Jeffrey Carter and Michael Melley all the way to the finish. Great race guys! </span><br />
<span class="breckHighlight"><a href="http://www.warriorscycling.com/results2011/2011Breck100.PDF">http://www.warriorscycling.com/results2011/2011Breck100.PDF</a> </span><span class="breckHighlight"></span><br />
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