The 2010 Edition of the Fools Gold 50/100 mile mountain bike race is over and in the books. For a first endurance mtb event, this was as crazy as they come.
The crew included Fatty, Seiler, Zack, Depot Joe, Joe Collins, Greg(seilers bro-in law and general good dood) and myself. We headed down Fri with the usual hilarity of road tripping with your friends. Smack was talked, beef jerky was eaten and a good time was had.
We were deep in the Ga mtns. It took an hour plus some after we got off the interstate.
As we drove we saw the mtns shrouded in clouds and mist. Big red flag.
That night as we settled in a massive thunderstorm sat on top of the area and dumped several inches of rain on an already saturated race course.
Race day nerves were rampant as mud tires went on and last minute preparations were made. Knowing that the race started w a 10 mile climb, I was excited but as nervous as I've ever been.
We cheered for Ray Smith as the 100 milers took off first and then we hit the line. After a few motivational words from the 55nine crew, we bolted for the first turn. As we started climbing, a driving rain pounded us. This was what probably helped me the most as it kept temps down and continually cooled us saving my body from having to do the work.
My race plan was to "ride my own race", but it was good to hang w Mr Czerwonka for the first half. He came in extra handy when I couldn't shift into the little ring and he taught me how to soft pedal it into gear. Life saver.
We had no idea what was happening ahead of us but worked thru the climb without too much trouble. We passed SAG 1 and figured we were in good shape. When we hit the singletrack we saw what was in store for us. Deep, thick mud that's been described as a combination of peanut butter and baby poop. The mica in the red clay was destroying brake pads and bikes everywhere. We started to see people walking back to the SAG stops with all kinds of race ending maladies.
I know that I'll be rubbing red clay out of my eyes for a week at least.
This is where the advice Jeff Wine gave me came in handy. He was a huge help w pre-race strategies and just talking about how to survive a 50 mile mountainbike assault. Big thanks.
We stopped briefly at SAG 2 around the 20ish mile mark and grabbed food and more water. This was where the singletrack got techy and Joe went ahead while I fumbled with my meager skills. The climbing was difficult to impossible with no traction and riders ahead dabbing a foot when you could ride. The was a section in tall weeds and deep mud that I only cleared because of CX. It was just like riding sand, you had to get just enough gear and go soft on the bars.
Swerving and floating all over the place.
At SAG 3 people were sitting in droves waiting for rides out. Someone asked me if I wanted to finish. "Of course", I replied. I couldn't believe that people w working bikes were throwing in the towel.
The rest was just muddy mtn biking. Towards the end I rode w someone who turned out to be in my group. I asked him how last we were, thinking we were the very back of the pack. He informed me that we were in much better position than that counting the dnf's and I found some extra energy that I didn't expect and rode hard on the uphills to drop him. I crossed the line and high fived Fatty. There's nothing better than finishing a race like that and having your friends take your bike and helmet and congratulate you. I love endurance racing for this. Its all about "your finish". That's good because my finish was way behind the others.
Zack lost his brakes and finished like a maniac flying into 3rd place in the singlespeeds. He was absolutely moving.
Seiler had the best crash story. Having lost his brakes to the mud, he stopped himself by becoming a literal tree-hugger and letting the bike fly. A few scrapes and bruises but nothing as bad as it could easily have been. He and Fatty rode brakeless out of the race. Both feel like they need vindication so I have a feeling we'll be back there.
Joe Collins lost his brakes after being way off the front. Hopefully, having just finished leadville in the 9 hr range is solace enough.
Greg finished strong and used his experience having done many of these events to thrive and survive.
Depot Joe finished far ahead of me in the top 20% of the field. Strong work.
Ray was 19th overall after they cancelled the 100 miler. Did I mention that? Yeah they said the course was too dangerous so only one loop was done.
We celebrated with some Sweetwater 420's and headed back to the house to recombobulate ourselves.(I think its a word, and that's what counts).
Almost a dozen of us gathered for dinner at a local Mexican joint to try to extend that race day just a little longer. I'm flipping the switch to get ready for cross, but I have to say that I see a lot of this kind of thing in my future.
The atmosphere, the vibe, whatever you want to call it is addictive and for grownups with families and jobs who can't race crits every weekend this is a great way to race your bike and hang with your friends.
That night Seiler and I tried to play some music, but I quickly realized that I could barely make my hand work and couldn't remember anything to play. We bailed and opted for stupid movies.
Now I just need to get some tlc for the superfly and buy a bunch of whatever brake pads are on it! Somehow it survived 50 miles of mud and over 7k ft of climbing. Mr Fisher makes one badass carbon hardtail.
Thanks to the 55nine crew for an amazing event. Even with the ridicuous weather, that was a blast. Well run, well done, don't change a thing.....except the rain maybe.
I'll post some links and pix as they come. For now its recovery time. As my good dr friend says "big grins"
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