Light and Change

In October 2009, I raced 24 hours of Moab for the first time. I did this race as a team of four. The race is approximately seventeen miles through red rock, sand, deep sand, dirt and triple x downhills. Racing as a team of four is done in relay style trading off as a rider comes in from completing her lap. 

Our team was part of several sub-teams in a very large camp. We were fortunate enough to have a cook, a bike mechanic, a charging station for our lights, and people assisting with keeping track of time, water bottles, and nutrition.

Because of the great support we had in our camp, and the fact I was doing the race as I relay, I did not have the expectation the race would be overly demanding—difficult yes, but nothing that would overly taxing.  I knew I had time between laps to eat, sleep, and prepare to go back out when my turn was up—at least 3 to 3 ½ hours; plenty of time.

The seventeen-mile lap is composed of triple X downhills, which can be dangerous. There is deep sand, which can be taxing, and of course because it is 24 hours you are riding in the dark. Now riding in the dark on a mountain trail can be fairly easy, but riding on red rock is difficult—or can be. There is no well-worn path you can see with your lights, so you have to be diligent in keeping your eyes open for the markings on the red, and hope you are lucky enough to be in a group when you hit the mesa.

What I discovered as I did the race is, I was unable to rest—sleep was difficult, and I got little if any sleep. At night it is freezing cold, between the 20s and 30s. Although it is October, you are in the desert, hence the cold evenings, and warm days. A lot of my time was spent in the kitchen and dining area, because that is where the heat was. We had tents and trailers to sleep in, but for some reason I could not sleep much. Despite having food prepared and cooked for us I struggled to get food down, and by the time I was preparing to go out on my final lap I was gagging and dry heaving when I tried to eat. My body did not understand why I was riding 17 miles, coming in, trying to eat, and then going back out again, and of course not sleeping.

By the time I was supposed to go out and do my final lap, our team was in second place.  But at this point I did not care. I was tired and fatigued. It was beginning to be the early morning hours, and I was exhausted. I no longer felt like racing, instead it became just a ride. A ride I needed to finish. I went out and began to pedal on. All I wanted to do was finish this lap.

At the first of the lap it was dark and difficult to see. At one point one of the pro riders from one of the sub-teams went by and let me know one of the teams I was racing, was going to come up and pass me. In a flat voice I said “I don’t care.” In my mind I was done, the race was over, and I just needed to find a way to somehow get to the end.

As I rode along it began to get a little bit lighter. The darkness was fading, and I was beginning to be able to see the trail and my surroundings without the use of my lights. Then little by little the sun started to peak through the rocks, and the trees. As I rode up onto the mesa. I saw the sun starting to rise in the horizon, and I began to see it’s direct light. It was so glorious, and beautiful.

And as I proceeded a little further the light began to touch me, and I felt the warmth of the light. As I felt that warmth, I had renewed energy. I started going a little bit more, and riding a little bit faster, and feeling a little bit stronger. As the sun kept rising, I kept getting stronger, and stronger, and going faster, and faster. I could feel the warmth of its rays.

After the mesa I had two big downhills with jumps, and rode through a very large sandpit. I rode as fast as I could through the downs, and actually flew face first in the sand pit. However, this did not discourage me, and I jumped up, and continued on to the trade off point (the finish line). I rode renewed. I hollered happily to my teammates. I had energy once again. I was ready to go. The sun had given me the energy I needed, and then some.

Just like my bike ride, at times, life can be difficult, and we end up trudging along. However, when we turn to Christ, he can change everything for us. Like the light on my bike ride, he is our light in life. He can take away the pain, carry the burdens, and change who we are. He can renew us. In Matthew 11:28-30 it says:

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Just like my bike ride it is not always going to be easy, and there will be falls, just as when I went face first into the sand pit. But he will be there to help you along, and give you what you need to go forward.

.

Moab - The bits and pieces

This is very long.  Sorry, but I don't know how you can condense 24 hours.

I am not sure what the attraction is to 24 Hours of Moab, but crazy enough every time I think of the race it puts a smile on my face. For some this is pure craziness, for others it gives them the same smile. Why? Perhaps it is the challenges of the trail or the team unity that emerges as you undertake riding for the next 24 hours. Maybe it is the pure challenge of putting your body through every type of extreme possible in the next 24 hours and conquering it. Whatever it is, it puts a smile on my face.

Pre-Race Days
For me 24 Hours of Moab began Thursday evening. I drove down with Ty and Amber in heavy, pouring rain. The whole way down we were tentative as to what type of weather we would be arriving in, but as we got closer to Moab, the clouds parted and the stars shone bright. This was the beginning to a great weekend.

Friday morning we woke up and began setting up camp. For any that have been at the Mad Dog camp, it is quite the set up. We have a tent for eating, a tent for our bike wrench, tables, chairs, generators and pretty much anything you can think of. Although it is an elaborate set up, with lots of hands it does not take long to set up.

Setting up camp.

After setting up, Amber and I went out on our pre-ride. I was excited for this ride; anxious to see the changes in the trail, and hopeful that my skills had improved enough the trail would not seem so hard. Funny thing about this trail, the rock drops and the triple xxx danger zones do not scare me. No, funny enough what scares me is the big sand hill berms and it showed on the pre-ride. I was so afraid of washing out that is exactly what I did. Oh well, better on the pre-ride and not the race. After the berms I cleared everything, rode strong and felt great. I had only one minor mishape I turned wrong in the sand and went down so fast I didn’t have time to thing. You would think lucky I was in the sand, but no I hit a rock and it took a big chunk of skin off my knee. When I got back Karl (the best ER doc around) cut the skin and helped me out. Funny thing, he reminded me that during the race he wouldn’t necessarily have time for minor injuries, only emergencies. No worries, because during a race I don’t even pay attention to minor injuries.

The hike a bike sand hill.

In the background one of the triple xxx's. If you click on the picture you can see a 4-wheeler trying to manuever it's way down.

Amber on the trail.

Pre-ride injuries.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the team, eating fabulous food prepared by Abby and getting to bed early so I would be rested for the next day.

The next morning I hung out, went to the racers’ meeting in my pjs, and prepared for the race to start. The start seems to always provide laughter as we watch the run begin. I really do not envy all of those people running in the dust. After the run we set up our chairs at the front of camp and prepare for the riders to come by—58 minutes later the first rider is in! From here on out it is cheering for team mates, other riders and general fun. Great for me as I was going 4th, so I had a little time to kill.

Teammate Leslie & me at the racer's meeting.

Watching racers ride in.

Keith on the megaphone.

Lap 1
My first lap came quick—my team mates were kicking it! While waiting in the event tent for Dorothy to come I discovered my cleat was loose on my shoe. I grabbed a racer who had just finished riding and he helped me tighten my cleat. He finished helping just in time. Whew! Thanks mister random rider.

I went out on the trail and felt great. I came to the first triple xxx and started down. Now so you know there is more than one way down most of the triple xxx’s; usually there is an easy way and one not as easy. When I started down there was a rider directly in front of me. I followed him thinking he would go down the easy way—the way I knew and was used to. I got a quarter of the way down when it dawned on me this was not the easy way! Immediately I proclaimed for all to hear “shit almighty, this is not the way I normally take!” I know once again I cursed, but really I don’t think my brain knows any differently when I am in such a situation. I guess my exclamation was an indicator to the rider behind me I was going to walk, because he attempted to pass. I let him know to wait and continued to roll on down. All of the sudden he did pass me, and came right in front of me, causing me to have to stop. He apologized; I went “oh well”, got off my bike and then back on. I continued on my way, cleared the next triple xxx and then my troubles began.

You see the cleat I had tightened up didn’t stay tight, it became loose. For those who don’t know what this means, it means trouble. It means coming unclipped from my pedal is very difficult, and there are no quick escapes if I need them. After this when I needed to dab I couldn’t, and when I tried to dab it usually ended up in a crash. I crashed on a rock drop, I crashed in a sticker bush, and I crashed on a turn. Each time I crashed I was stuck in my pedal and struggled to get out. Riders would pass by and offer to help, but I politely told them no and eventually forcibly would get out.

As I rode I kept praying I would not crash. I was getting tired and frustrated of being stuck. I finally arrived to the final triple xxx. I like this triple xxx, and enjoy bombing down. I dropped off the ledge and then I went down. And by down I do not mean down the hill, but instead I crashed, and I crashed hard. I am not sure how I went down, all I know was once again I was down and my shoe was still clipped in. I was mad. Once again I worked my shoe out of the pedal, picked up my bike and started to walk. I didn’t get too far when I realized my finger was throbbing and had instantly swelled up—I had broken my finger! Wonderful, not only could I not come unclipped, but now my finger was broken. I finished my lap in pain and a little fear—I really did not want to go down anymore. Across the sand I pedaled hard and at one point I almost wiped out, had you been right by me you would have heard me chanting “pedal, pedal, pedal”; this was to ensure I did not crash. I finished with my clock showing I was 4 minutes faster than last year- granny did not match my clock and had me 4 minutes slower. Either way a great time and it shows my health is getting stronger every day.

Broken finger.

When I arrived at camp I went and saw doc—I figured a broken finger was a slight emergency. He looked at it and confirmed it was broke. There wasn’t anything that could be done, other than ice, rest and elevation. I could do the ice and elevation, but rest would have to wait. I ate a wonderful dinner prepared by Abby and the other volunteers then went to bed and iced my hand. I only lasted a few hours before I couldn’t take the cold anymore. At this point I got ready for my next lap and went and sat in the warm tent.

Hanging out in the warm tent in between laps.

Lap 2
My night lap was not too bad. When you’re out on the course everything gets blurred. No longer can you see the path the other tires have gone, lines are not definite, and perception is slightly off. As I rode out the first rider I passed announced this was her very first night ride! Of course I was amazed, surprised and felt bad for this poor girl. What a way to be initiated into the night. As I rode off I let her know after this all night rides would seem easy.

This year my night ride went better. I was better able to distinguish where I wanted to go, but my perception was still off. The first triple xxx I got lost and had to wait for a rider to go by—funny thing it was a Mad Dog rider. I watched him go by and proceeded on my way. The next triple xxx I rode down, but discovered having a broken finger made it difficult to maneuver my bike. From here on out all difficult maneuvering was done by walking my bike—I didn’t need anymore broken bones.

I finished my night lap safe and feeling good. I really couldn’t compare to the year before, because last year I got a flat. This year no major problems and only minor ones Dave and Carl were able to fix.

After my lap I had some warm chicken noodle soup and then carted myself off to bed. I think this time is most key for getting your rest for the race. You try to sleep, but in reality you cannot get the sleep you need. Your body and mind are anticipating the lap or laps that are coming up. But what rest you do get provides your body with hopefully what you will need to complete the race.

Prior to Lap 3
Prior to my final lap there was discussion among teammates as to what we should do. Leslie had somehow miraculously cleaned Nose Dive only to have crashed on the little sand hill going to the mats and injuring her thumb. We knew if I went out strong we could get in 2 more laps, but did we want to. The discussion was whether we should or not. The team that was beating us there was no chance to catch. They were throwing down times as fast as the pros and had already lapped us. We were out here to have a good time, do our race and finish strong, so we reached a decision, we were done.

Now the big decision—should I go out or not. This was a lot for me to contemplate. No one on my team felt the need for me to go out. They were more concerned with my health and making sure I was okay. With no pressure whatsoever, I had to decide what I would do.

I went to the tent, got warm and tried to eat, while I thought about what I should do. Like last year my stomach did not want any food. However, this year I only dry heaved once versus many, many times. Since I couldn’t eat food I was not sure what to do. I was already calorie deficit and knew if I went out without eating I was setting myself up to bonk. As I sat I remembered my CarboRocket. I quickly went and filled my bottle and began to drink. Perfect, my stomach was no longer sick and I had gotten some calories into me. I decided to go out, however, this lap was not going to be a race lap it was going to be a leisure lap.

Lap 3
Dorothy pulled up and we had a great exchange. I let her know we were done with the race and I was going to drag out my next lap. I gave her, her coat and my sweat pants then casually walked to my bike. Yes, I was taking this leisure ride very seriously.

I rode at a steady pace and actually felt really quite good. It wasn’t long before I got hot and had to stop to get out of my vest and arm warmers. This was actually quite the task as I had to take everything out of my vest pockets and put them in my jersey pockets. Then I rolled up my vest, put it in my camel bak and began to ride once again.

About 2.5 miles into the race I began to get hungry. I expected this as I knew I had not had enough calories, so I had brought extra food. I pulled over and took a moment to get my food to eat and then continued on my way.

I rode up to the first triple xxx and began to walk—with my finger there was no more riding rough sections. I was in a lot of pain and anything that required gripping the handle bar was out of the question. I visited with a young rider who is 10 years old. This was his 5th lap of the day—he was doing a solo! Can you imagine riding that course at 10 years old??? I can barely imagine riding it now! We talked for a moment and then parted ways.

I rode and rode and got to meet many great riders. I was so impressed with their perseverance and stamina, so many solo riders going on and on all night long—wow! I don’t know how you do it, but my hat is off to you. At the end of the course I picked up the pace and came in strong. I felt good and was very hungry. For me this was a good sign, because last year beginning at 1 am and going into Monday afternoon I couldn’t get any solid food into my stomach. This time I was able to eat a half a sandwich, and did not feel sick.

Final
Our team ended up getting 2nd place, but for me that was not the most important thing. Instead the most important thing was we hit our goal. As a team we rode hard and had fun. I rode with a great bunch of ladies and made some great friends. Funny thing, we never got a team picture. We were so busy riding we forgot. Because of my finger we didn’t stay for podium, but hopefully we’ll hear from granny and get our medals and prizes soon.

I also have to thank all of the volunteers that helped at the race.  Had it not been for them I actually would have to put effort into other things besides racing.  But thanks to them all I had to do was eat, sleep and race.  It is nice to be so well taken care of.
Follow Up
Monday I went to the orthopedic doctor to follow up on my finger. Lucky for me I got in, when I initially called they couldn’t get me in until Thursday. After hanging up, and crying a bit, I called back to reaffirm there was no appointments available. There were not with a doctor, but I could see the PA. That worked for me and I went in. My finger is broken at the tip—this is known as a tuft fracture. But not only is it broken, it is comminuted—which means shattered. I currently have to wear a splint and cannot have it removed until after I see the doctor in 6 weeks. The bad news is apparently this type of break can hurt for up to 6 months. Oh well, I guess I can deal with that as long as I can ride my bike.



On My Way

Bags are packed, lists have been made and checked off and I am almost ready to go.  I have gone on several night rides, ridden my bike when time, weather and my health would allow.  Tomorrow I leave for Moab, with hopes that all my preperation has paid off.  Expecations?  Nothing other than to ride, have fun and on lap 1 come as close as I can to last years lap time--after that it really doesn't matter.  And if I don't come close, that's okay too, because I will be riding my bike, and it is always a great day when you ride your bike.

This year I am racing in the 35+ division with a great bunch of ladies - Lyna Saffell, Dorothy Gibson, and Leslie Knowlton.  I don't think I could be on a better team.  So wish us luck, and cross your fingers that all of us ride well, have fun and make it from start to finish.

One of our many night rides - Lyna, Me, Sally & Jen

Moab Part Duex

I thought I would be ready to write the next day after my blog, but I have been very sleepy all week long.  I think I need a full day of nothing but sleep.  Next year I am taking Monday off after the race so I can sleep all day long.

Lap 3
Lap 3 began for me shortly after I finished lap 2.  I went back to camp after my second lap and immediately ate a banana and a bagel.  I then tucked Mandy in for the night, visited with the others, and went to bed for a couple of hours.  Around 3 to 3:30 am I woke up to eat and get ready for my last and final lap.  I tried to eat the wonderful soup Abby had made for us, but I couldn't my body refused to take in any food.  I knew I needed food to do my next lap, but every time I swallowed I would gag.  For the next two hours while I waited for Jen to come in and for me to go out I sat in my chair feeling sickish.  Eventually I started to dry heave, now mind you there was food in my stomach, but I was doing my best to not let it come up.  I finally gave up on the eating idea, and decided whatever happened on my next lap would happen, and went down to the tent to wait for Jen to come in.

As I waited for Jen I visited with other racers to keep my mind off not feeling so good.  We shared stories and talked about how fun it would be to do the dawn ride.  This was the lap where the sun comes up.  I am not sure what time Jen came in, but we exchanged the baton, swiped our cards and I went to my bike.  I was crossing my fingers that as I rode I would feel better and the sickish feeling would leave.

This lap was much quieter than my first night lap.  People were now in their tents sleeping and if they were out by the campfires, they were quietly eating, drinking and visiting with other members of the camp.  You could see the toll of the long night beginning to take affect on not just the racers, but the spectators too.

As I rode I felt very sluggish.  My body was in a bit of a revolt and did not want to go.  I think it did not understand why I had been up riding my bike so much.  Mentally I was half and half up for it.  I wanted to ride, but the physical part made it so I did not want to ride hard, so I didn't.  Instead I rode with the goal in mind to complete the race.  I was also very determined to keep up in good spirits.  My laps prior I had talked and cheered everyone on as I rode by them, or as they rode by me.  This lap I did the same thing.  Funny thing, this lap others joined me in conversation.  On previous laps it was quick "good job", "having fun", or something like that.  This time people actually talked--at least those who were close to me.  I think they were feeling the fatigue and their goal also was to finish the lap. 

So I rode, but not very fast.  As I rode the sickish feeling I was having began to diminish.  This probably comes to as no surprise to those who have ridden with me.  Usually when I ride the sickish feeling diminishes--at least while I am riding.  With the sickish feeling leaving my legs picked up a little more speed, but I would say not a substantial amount.  Then it happened somwhere near the top of the first hill I noticed I could see the trail.  I could see the brush, the trees and some of the rocks.  It was still dusky, but light was beginning to show.  This was a good sign, because soon I would be able to see far down the trail.  As luck would have it by the time I reached the first triple xxx I could see the trail without any light.

Being able to see the trail was a good thing, but it did not take away my fatigue.  I was so tired that I was worried about riding the triple xxx's and making it down safely.  It took all of the energy I had to ride down those hills and keep my bike upright on the trail.  Now of course I could have walked the down hills, and I considered doing this, but I decided the only way I would walk them is if I crashed. 

I am amazed at how I ended up down some of the hills.  I would ride down take my line, and hope everything turned out okay, and lucky for me it did, and by lucky I do mean lucky.  There was one triple xxx I took and when I was done I was amazed I made it down all of the rocks without going over my handle bars.  They were huge, and I had not taken the best line.  Thank goodness I was too afraid, for once, to use my brakes and just let my bike roll.

I was very happy after I had finished the last triple xxx before prostitute bluff, and as I rode out towards prostitute something amazing happened, the sun came up.  I do not think I have been so happy to see the sun as I was at that moment.  I was so happy I wanted to cry tears of joy at seeing the sun.  It was as if a whole new day was about to begin, and for me it did.  At this point I began to pick up the pace in my riding and actually started riding fast again--I felt wonderful.

From this point forward the ride got better and my strength returned.  I rode and felt good.  I still was not riding as fast as I could which I am sure Tim could attest to as he rode by me on the final up hill climb.  He went by and it almost looked like I was standing still, but that's okay, because I was finally riding with strength, was passing people and was having a great time.  I was able to take the final two triple xxx's with confidence and speed.

When I hit the final down I let everything go and flew down the double track.  I rode past others, and skimmed through the sand.  I was having a blast.  And then it happened, I hit the final sand pit and for some reason this time I did not ride through, instead I ended up flying off my bike and face down in the dirt.  Thank goodness sand is soft.  The guy in front of me asked if I was okay, and I let him know I was doing great.  His reply "your being too cheerful, and I am grumpy".  Mine "the sun is out and it is a great day".  He laughed and we rode on.  As I rode past camp I hollered good morning to everyone, and then came into the tent to switch off with Dorothy.  Told everyone good morning and headed back to camp.  I was so happy, the sun was out and I had finished my last lap!  I had done it!

I went back to camp, to eat, and of course still could not get any food down.  Oh well, I was done and I knew eventually I would be able to eat again.  Our team took 2nd place.  The team that beat us, was dang fast.  They had lap times that beat several pro-women.  I believe they ended up being the first place women's team out of all of the women's teams.  What is so impressive about this is all of them range in age from 44 on up.  This gives me hope that I can get stronger and faster as I get older--at least I am sure going to try.

After the Race
I didn't stay for awards since I was so tired and still had to drive home, but Jen picked up our medals, and apparently we also got some type of cool sports drink too.  When I arrived home I was exhausted and my legs were so swollen I could barley bend them.  I tried to put both of my hands around my calf and the thumbs were 5 inches apart.  I should have measured them, but I was too tired to care. It took 3 days for the swelling to go completely down.  I also gained 7.5 pounds from the race.  Which I have almost lost--it seems my body loves to retain water.  It was not until Wednesday that I was finally hungry again, and boy was I hungry.  I ended up eating a Wendy's bacon cheeseburger and fries, boy did it taste good.

Would I do this race again, you bet.  I am hoping to go again next year, and this time I hope I can get in 4 laps instead of just 3.

24 Hours of Moab

Mad Dog #3/The Great Dames

There was a lot of anticipation for this race, for an entire week all I could think about was the race and how great it was going to be.  By the time Friday came I could hardly contain myself I was so excited.  We left early Friday to pre-ride the course and help set up some of the camp.  We had a fabulous camp set up.  Scott's wife Abby cooked fabulous meals for us, that kept us going for each lap.  We had a place to eat and stay warm in between laps, we had a tent to change in (my contribution) and a trailer to sleep/rest in when we were not racing (Dorothy's contribution).  Best of all we got to hang out with other Mad Dog team mates, and some from other teams that had joined us, and listen to their stories about their race laps. Oh, and get lots of good advice on how to ride the course.

Pre-Ride
Jen took me to pre-ride the course, thank goodness.  Thanks to her all I had to do was follow, she showed me the lines to take and I rode them.  If it hadn't been for her it probably would have taken a while to figure out what would be the right line.  The first of the course is single track on sand and then some climbing on rocks.  Nothing big just a lot of medium size rocks that look like a rock path going up a hill.  Sometimes you had to do little ups, but for the most part you just ride along somewhat bumpily.  Eventually you come to a part that takes you on huge sandy down hills.  This part scared me--sand and me have not had good experiences in the past, and I tend to crash a lot due to my lack of skills.  Jen felt pretty comfortable on this and was way ahead of me, so much so I never saw her go down.  Luckily there was a guy behind me coaching me how to take the berms.  He also kept telling me to stay off my brakes.  Easy for him to say, but I did not want to go too fast where I could not control my bike.  At the end of the berms is a downhill descent then a quick up a sand hill back on to some rocks.  As I was going down the hill the guy was telling me to go to my left, Jen told me to go to my right (she was waiting on the top of the sandhill), I ended up going in the center and flying over my handle bars into the soft sand.  I was pleasantly surprised, because it did not hurt.  I got back on my bike and off Jen and I went.

We continued on until we got to our first triple xxx--a triple xxx means dangerous, be careful.  Jen explained to me that all of the triple xxx's were best taken on the left.  We did this on the first triple xxx downhill, however when you go down sometimes you must immediately go up, and this was the case for this down.  As I went up I quickly began to shift down so I could keep up my momentum and get over the rocks.  As soon as I shifted my chain sucked right in between the chain ring and guard.  I pulled and manuvered the chain around, but could not get it out.  As luck would have it three guys came by and offered to help.  They were able to get the chain out, and then helped fix the shifting as best as they could--apparently when I endoed I bent my derailur hanger and it had to be fixed.  This meant my shifting was going to be off for the rest of the ride, and it was, my bike ghost shifted the rest of the course, but lucky for me it was nothing major and I was able to make it back to camp.

For the rest of the ride I made mental notes of where to ride and where to go.  There is one part of the course that is all smoothish rock at this part of the course I was worried about getting lost, but Jen told me to follow the white marks from the tires and I would be able to find my way.  I was just hoping there would be riders around I could follow and not have to worry about it.  The last part of the course is a wonderful fast double track that switches from hard ground, to sand.  It was here I got a lot of practice trying to float/surf on the sand.  It was also here I always had a blast.

After our pre-ride I had the team wrench, Brian, fix my bike--thank goodness for Brian, or I could have been stuck with yucky shifting all of the race.

The Start
The start of the race is a Lemans start.  I volunteered Jen for this--she is fast, a tri-athelte, and a dang good rider.  It only made sense for her to go first.  I hope she didn't mind too much.  The start of the race is hard to describe.  You see people running to you, you people dressed up, you see a huge cloud of dust and you see people eating dust.  It is an amazing start that should be experienced in person.

The start of the race with bikini/gladitor man out front.

Jen eating a lot of dust.

First Lap

I was the second leg of the race.  After Jen took off I went and got ready for my lap.  I quickly ate a sandwich, got dressed and then got a case of the nerves.  I know I probably shouldn't have been so nervous, but I was.  The first part of the course is sandy single track and I was worried how I would do.  There is a sand drop onto a mat, and a lot of people had endoed here taking the wrong line.  Thinking about this part of the course made me nervous.  Eventually it was time for me to meet Jen in the tent, so off I went.  Once I got to the tent my nerves calmed down some, and then I started to wait for her to come in.  Jen came in, handed off the baton, swiped her card, I swiped my card, and I was off.

The first part of the single track I hit into a rhythm not too fast, and not too slow.  Then I came to the sand drop.  I made it with out any problems!  This gave me the confidence I needed.  As I rode the trail my confidence in riding began to grow.  I was clearing the rock drops, making it up the hills and passing riders the entire time.  I felt good about how I was doing, and then the motorcycles showed up. 

For some reason a group of motorcycles decided they needed to ride all around while we were riding.  I don't know if they were there to be rude or out for fun, but it came across as rude.  They would ride and leave exhaust fumes in my face as they went by.  I coughed and choked and hoped they would disappear.  Then to make matters worse I was coming down a technical section and a rider went down and stopped right at the bottom where I needed to go.  I ended up yelling for him to move, but it was to late and I ended up off my bike having to walk.  I was so mad and wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but decided it was not worth it and instead told the camera man how mad I was.

The rest of the lap went well aside from the motorcycles being around up to mile 10.  I did not get lost on the rocks and I felt really good about clearing all of the rocks and down hills.  The best was the last where I just pounded the pedals and coasted through the sand.  It was so much fun I had to whoop and holler.

Lap 2

My second lap was a night ride.  This was the lap I was looking forward to.  I love riding in the dark and felt pretty confident that I would have a good lap.  A couple of hours before this lap I went out to eat some food to make sure I had enough fuel for my lap.  I was feeling a little sickish about eating, but as soon as I got the food in my body I felt good, and the sickish feeling went away.  I sat around and listened to all of the advice about how to spot the sand in the dark, and ride the trail, and then took off to the tent.  Once again Jen came in, passed the baton, swiped her card, I swiped my card and took off down the dark trail.  Riding in the dark was ominous there was no light other than the lights from our bikes, and since riders did not stay together there were many times I was riding by myself in the dark.

At 3.5 miles into my lap I heard a big blllrp and felt my tire quickly deflat.  I guess as I went over the rocks the tire rolled perfect and came unsealed.  Oh well I have changed a flat and know how to do this, so I took my rear tire off and went to work.  Well I discovered I did not have 2 tire levers, I only had one.  I got the tire off and put in the tube.  As I tried to pump it up a little bit I had some problems and realized the tube was all twisted up.  I took the tube out untwisted it and put it back in.  I then pumped it up just a little bit so I could put the tire back on the rim.  However, without a 2nd lever this was becoming almost impossible.  I tried and tried and turned down many offers of help.  Finally I gave up and asked the next rider if he had a tire lever.  As luck would have it he did and he helped me get the tire back on the rim.  It actually took both of us it was so hard.  I then used my cartridge to fill it up.  The first cartridge was not enough, so I grabbed the second cartridge, but for some reason as soon as I put it in the seal broke and I lost all of the air.  Luckily the guy that helped me had a pump, so he grabbed his pump so we could pump up the tire.  Guess what the pump had the wrong type of valve for my stem.  It was now time to see if someone else had a pump.  A few riders later someone else stopped and helped pump up my tire.  He then left and I was left to put my wheel on my bike.  Normallly this is no big deal, but for some reason I was really struggling.  I guess it was pretty obvious and another guy stopped and helped me get my wheel on and then we had to pump up the tire again, because it was not enough.  Finally I was able to get on my bike and ride.  All in all it took somewhere between 20 to 30 minutes to change the tire--way too long.

The ride in the dark was much different than I expected.  I could see well, but in Moab you need to not only see well, but far away to make sure you are going the right direction and taking the right line.  There were many parts of the trail I ended up walking when in the day I had ridden the same section without any problems.  I got lost 3 times on the trail.  Nothing major I just went a few feet in the wrong direction and realized there were no tires tracks the direction I was going.  I would then wait for a rider to come by so I could figure out what direction I was supposed to go.  I never had to wait more than 30 seconds before I knew what direction to go.  Thank goodness for other riders otherwise I would probably have been on the trail lost all night long.

The end of the course has a lot of sand.  This part I was a little nervous about.  I wasn't sure if I would see the sand, and I didn't want to brake accidently which would cause me to end up on the ground.  Luckily I followed Robin's advice and could tell most of the time where the sand was.  If it wasn't by feel, it was my the tire markings in the sand.  Seeing the tire marks let me know where I did not want to go.  I finished the lap clearing all of the sandy parts and having a great time.

I am tired for now and will continue the rest of the story tomorrow.

We Have Some Competition

I am off to Moab tomorrow to race in the Women's Veteren Division.  I can't believe all of the stuff I am taking.  I have a bag for my bike clothes, a bag for my hanging out clothes, sleeping bags, mattress, tent, food, water, lights, snacks, food, carbo rocket, and extra everything for the bike.  My car is stuffed to the hilt, and I am only going to be gone for 2 days--amazing.

We also have some competition in our dvision.  Until this week I thought I was going to have to compare my times to the sport women (which of course I probably will still do), but now we have some competition in our division.  This definitely ups my game--I can't wait.  There is only one thing I am not sure about....how do I know who I am racing against?