Breck Epic, Colorado 10th - 15th August 2014

Finishing Leadville100 I could happily have taken a few days off the bike and recovered both mentally and physically from riding hard for over 8 hours at altitude.  The race hadn’t exactly gone to plan and I wasn’t feeling much love for my bike as we drove round and signed in for Breck Epic starting in less than 24 hours time.

I first heard about Breck Epic a few years back through Dewet from Squirt Lube and since then its been on my bucket list of races that someday I’d love to do.  6 days, 240 miles and around 11000m climbing all at altitude in proper mountain bike territory appealed greatly, I seem to be attracted to races which are as much about challenging yourself as they are racing other competitors.  

When I heard it was round the corner from Leadville I couldn’t resist trying and thanks to Squirt becoming a sponsor in the event and as an ambassador for Squirt Lube things fell in place and I became one of 400 excited and nervous riders on that first race morning in Breckenridge, Colorado. 

Stage One

Pennsylvania Gulch

35miles   6000ft climbing

I rolled out of bed this morning not stiff just drained and to breathe in deep set me off coughing.  I didn’t feel ill though so just put it down to having to breathe much more yesterday racing at 12000ft.  The vibe at the start perked me up as did the coffee me, Dewet and John shared on the way up to Breckenridge.  As we started I felt ok as the car took us out of town.  However when he pulled off and the hammer went down I couldn’t increase my pace and had a swarm of riders overtake me and jump into the first single track.  For me that was the best thing in hindsight, I could relax a little on the flowing single track and keep up with the riders in front and slowly get my race legs back.  Towards the end I tucked in behind a young rider on the open forest and popped out to see Kate Aardel just in front.  I sprinted towards her thinking the finish was just round the corner and preceded to blow up as we turned up hill onto a gravel track and away from town.  We raced for around another 40 minutes from that point and I learnt the hard way that at this altitude you pay big time every time you go anaerobic though luckily recovered enough to enjoy the berms down to the finish line.  I came in 3^rd to 1^st place rider Kelly Boniface and Kate who took 2mins30 out of me on those last few painful miles! 

Stage Two

Colorado Trail

43 miles 7, 200ft climbing

Today we rode the Colorado Trail and was told at the briefing that

if there is one trail to ride in Colorado it’s this one so it had a lot to live up to and didn’t disappoint.  The race started fast again but my legs now knew they were racing a stage race and didn’t rebel as much as yesterday!  Plus the first climb was pretty loose and with the mass of riders there was a lot of recovery as we walked and climbed in a line for a while.  I felt good going into the first feed before the long climb of the day and catching up Kate and Marlee, (the local favorite who lost a load of time yesterday with a flat) on the road I went into the single track ascent 1^st.  I settled into a comfortable pace on a perfect gradient climb, single track with some roots and rocks to concentrate on but all ridable.  The ascent was amazing the other side, single track that went on forever, fast long straight sections, compacted switchbacks and views that you could sense rather than look up at and hope that some photographer would take care of those views!  I only had a couple of guys catch and pass me and could keep them insight most of the way down.  Kate didn’t catch me either so I felt confidant going into the next climb that I might win the stage.  On a good day you remember the fast flowing section and zipping through the trees and riding high on the berms and these were all the things I’ll remember from today.  I’m sure there was some brutal steep long climbs but they are a blur and I came into the finish on a real high and with a stage win.  I moved up to 2^nd on GC, only 6 seconds off wearing the leaders jersey that Kate moved into. 

That afternoon I moved locations.  We were staying down in the valley 15 mile away but Dewet was leaving for Europe and John was driving him back so I had planned either long warm up rides or 2 buses up to the start then hang around for the briefing and presentation each night.  Not ideal but I was happy enough just to have gotten to ride the race so wasn’t complaining when I was offered a bed in the apartment of organizers Laura and Karen right in town.  I couldn’t believe my luck, not only was it a beautiful apartment but both are such nice people and with all the male company I’ve had on these trips it was a real treat to relax with girls!! 

Stage three

Mt Guyot

37 miles 6700ft climbing

Today was the Queen Stage with an epic climb over French Pass.  It was the most scenic pass so far this week and you could see a trail of riders in front and a trail behind with massive views of Mount Guyot.  There were ridable sections but also a lot of walking so chance to look up a few times There were some locals at the top handing out bacon and beer and I did have a slice of bacon in my mouth for half the hairy high alpine descent.  I do have strange thoughts while I race and during that descent I wondered if I would choke to death on bacon if I crashed!  I had to hop off and run a few sections and lost a huge chunk of time to both Marlee and Kate on that down hill, I should have had the beer to be honest it might have relaxed me!  I also struggled down the next descent off French Pass with a rock garden I found very hard to negotiate!   Today was one of those days that seemed to go on forever and I had a hunger knock near the end that didn’t help my mood as one climb followed another.  To do the route again with fresh legs and a wheel to follow down and it would probably be a brilliant day out on the bike but today I wasn’t feeling it.  Still, no mechanical problems and somehow no crashes so all is good plus I discovered the best ‘made to order’ sandwiches post 4 hr epic effort: streaky bacon, gherkins and crisps.  Amazing. 

Stage 4

Aqueduct Loop

44 mile 6300ft climbing

This morning I had a much more chilled out warm up and had the best start all week in how I felt.  We were up and down a fair bit then hit Vomit Hill.  I can see why it was called that, early on in the day it was a very steep hike bike or slow cadence grovel.  Off that it wasn’t long before we hit the main climb of the day.   I was feeling good and riding a steady tempo but not fast enough to hold off Marlee on course for her 2^nd stage win.  I still had her in sight at the top but only saw her again on the final big climb, a steep one but with better legs I was actually enjoying the challenge of riding the whole of it.  In the briefing we were warned we would be passing the finish line a few times before finally finishing so at the top had another jel and that got me through the single track loops we did near the finish.  I finished a minute or so behind Marlee while Kate came in 3^rd.  The woman’s category is getting everyone excited as its that close and its great to be part of that.  The girls are so friendly we all know each other’s strengths by now and while we are battling it out on course we are always the first to congratulate each other after.

Stage 5

Wheeler Pass

30 miles 5131ft climb

The start today was in a different place and we set off in waves, the woman just after the men30.  Straight into single track we were overtaking men but soon we were on the open road then off that was soon into the hike bike section up Wheeler Pass up to over 12000ft.  The views were very impressive but with a drop to the right along a narrow trail I got a case of vertigo and struggled to ride it.  Finally at the top I’d lost sight of the first three girls.  The guys were up there at the top handing out whisky, bacon and skittles.  I had a few skittles but didn’t think the whisky would help me get down the other side!  I actually enjoyed the downhill after all the horror stories and at the bottom were finally clocked some miles in along a bike path with the help of another rider and Liz Sampey, currently 5^th on GC.  Off that we had a brutal steep climb followed by some rooty single track that was pretty slippy but was a good trail to concentrate on.  I was glad to get to the finish today in one piece, it wasn’t my favorite day by a long way but was an experience to get so high with the bike and I was happy with how I rode the descents.  I came in 4^th but held onto 2^nd on GC. 

Stage 6

The Gold Dust Trail

31 mile 3500ft climbing

The best of what was left to do can sum up today’s route.  At the briefing, today was described as a fun day out promising a party at the top of the pass with beer and even tequila was mentioned.  However I have come to discover the last day of any stage race is usually one of the hardest.  You often go into the day already thinking it’s over then the first fast hill hits you and you have to change thoughts and for one last time get into race mode.  I did, a little too early!  Already having a good start in a fast bunch up the tarmac road my adrenalin took over and I jumped on a wheel going way too fast for me to keep up for long.  We got away from the group and onto the single track well ahead of the next group and I was ready for a good decent, only we didn’t go down, we went up!  The single track had some steep kickers to it and gradually wound up and up and I gradually got slower and slower feeling a bit of an idiot for going off so fast.  Finally we emerged at the top, Marlee had made the group just ahead, I dangled off the back.  Someone next to me in true American style told me to go for it, ‘its what you’ve been training all year for’ he said (if only he knew he might have been a little more sympathetic).  I did make contact eventually near the top of the pass, briefly smiled at the ‘party’ going on up there led by Larry the commentator before head went down again as we hit the single track descent.  It was over too fast but did include a wide twisty flat section at the bottom in a deep gully that was lots of fun.  The fun stopped as we started to climb a gravel road again in a head wind.  By now I was really paying the price for my early effort and could only hold the wheels coming past for a few minutes before having to sit up and slow down again.  I could see Marlee sat in a group slowly moving away and aware she was only around 8 minutes back on GC I just had to keep going hard and hope the descent wasn’t too technical.  It wasn’t, in fact I found a wheel to follow and zipped down it better than I have all week enjoying every minute.  The last few miles of single track were twisty but fun in the forest and just as I was thinking how much fun I was having swooping along I wacked a tree with my bars and went down.  The only thing I hurt was my finger slightly but it did make me slow a bit and I came over the line safely and in 2^nd for the day and 2^nd on GC.

 

New friends 

All 5 of the top girls were in quickly and we all had a good laugh about how hard we had made the racing this week.  Of all the stage races I’ve done I’ve never raced with such a competitive deep individuals woman’s field in a stage race and though there were lots of times I wished I could have just backed off and enjoyed the ride I look back with a lot of satisfaction that I was able to dig that deep over the 6 days despite what I’ve been through this year.  Huge congratulations to Kate Aardel on her 2^nd stage race win, I would be happy and scared if I could descend half her pace, and to local rider Marlee Dixon who finished 3^rd overall and didn’t let the mechanical problems of day one get to her, and to Kelly Boniface in 4^th and Liz Sampey in 5^th and who both won ‘stage 7’.  I made it to 11.30 with a lot of dancing; apparently they were both still going strong at 1!  I was pleased not to have a hangover the next day though and enjoyed one last Colorado ride in Eagle thanks to Karen as she prepares for a big race in Costa Rico next week.    

More single track heaven in eagle

Thank you so much to the organizers, Mike puts on one of the best stage races out there.  They had an extra 100 riders this year but from an outside view everything ran like clockwork.  The racing and route was epic and is meant to be yet there is no time limit on the days so everyone has the chance to earn the famous belt buckle no matter how slowly.  Every rider also has their own drop bags that are taken to all the feed stops for spares, specific nutrition, bottles and extra layers.  The finish food also became a daily thing to look forward too, sandwiches made to order and each with its own name.  I took hugely to the bacon, gherkin and crisps but another favorite was bacon, gherkin, fluff (a marshmallow spread I must import to the UK), peanut butter and banana.  I think that was a ‘Smokey Jo’s.  The socializing round those sandwiches about the days riding was probably my highlight of the day.  Big thank you also to all the helpers, especially the big crew from Dead Goats a team I’d met at ST6 who worked hard all week, its always nice to hear personal support along the course.  Thank you also to Dewet and John from Squirt Lube for the whole experience (and the huge bar of chocolate and dried up brownies, heated up in the microwave together they were like a deluxe chocolate fondant, making my dull pasta and sauce dinners so much tastier!!), and to Team Asrin and Cyclefunatics of Durbanville for my duel suspension Specialized Epic, a hard tail wouldn’t have been anywhere near as fun on these trails.  

Leadville Trail 100 MTB

9th August 2014l

Leadville 100 is on the bucket list of many mountain bikers on this side of the pond.  It has a lottery entry and each year is over subscribed despite nearly 2000 starter.  The 100 mile course changes in elevation from 10,152ft up to 12,424ft in the Colorado Rockies, no mean feat for someone who lives by the sea!!   Through the MBC Rob Fawcett managed to secure one of those sought after spots for me and Cory Wallace, male winner at Mongolia Bike Challenge and so the trip was planned to incorporate Single Track 6 along the way too.  Plans changed slightly and I ended up recharging my batteries after ST6 on the very peaceful setting on the gorge just outside Victoria on Vancouver Island staying with Rob.  Leadville was in question due to the travelling there until I had help from both from Team Asrin and then Dewet from Squirt Lube offered a place at Breck Epic, the 6-day stage race round the corner from Leadville and one he has sponsored for a number of years.  With the thought of both an epic one day race plus a stage race it was much more appealing to travel and so after one ferry, 2 buses, a 2 hour flight following a 4 hour delay, another bus and a then a 2 hour drive Dewet, John; the US distributer of Squirt Lube and myself arrived at Leadville 8 hours after registration closed.  Not only did I get my race packet from the very friendly organizers my Epic also got a little love from the Specialized mechanics set up there for the race. 

We stayed out of town at friends of John’s so race morning saw the alarm set for 4 something AM to get there for the 6.30 start.  Even then there was no time for a warm up but luckily I had a gold number (13 in fact) so got in the front pen.  It would have been pretty hard to warm up anyway as it must have been around 5 degrees up there at around 10,000ft.  What the Americans do well is get very enthusiastic for events and Leadville 100 was no exception.  Cheering and the National Anthem plus the celebs called out including Mark Webber whom I would loved to have rode along side with were called out so it was impossible not to get carried away and I got goose bumps as the final countdown was read out. 

The goose bumps got a lot worse though as we set off on the fast road descent and it got colder and colder.  Legs went numb and hands froze so when we finally started climbing I was feeling like a block of ice and had that sick feeling come over me when the feeling came back to my hands.  I’m not sure if the altitude made it worse but I felt pretty faint and did contemplate stopping and sitting down.  However, finally blood started flowing and I felt better each mile.  I passed a few girls and then was told I was in 3^rd place. This got me too overexcited, suddenly I felt part of the race and so on the next descent went too fast and hit a rock putting a hole right in the tire.  I thought it might reseal so unsuccessfully bombed it then had the long job of putting a new tube in and pumping it up while streams of riders went past.  Once back riding I found myself in a traffic jam of riders even stopping a few times going down hill.  We eventually hit the long road section where I rode through groups past the 40-mile mark and onto the climb marking half way.  I was enjoying the ride a lot by now, the atmosphere at each feed station and spectator point was unbelievable with so many people cheering everyone on and passing riders always makes you feel good plus although my breathing was labored I felt a lot better than the first hour.  The climb became slow nearer the top with a narrow trail and in two-way traffic it was becoming very difficult and sketchy to pass people and certain sections we all ended up walking.  The top was around 12.000ft and looked pretty desolate.  I was glad the weather was holding up and it wasn’t cold coming back down. 

Enjoying the one piece of single track without traffic and then fighting the headwind back along the open road I’d then forgot how steep the descent had been down and around 70 mile I had the first signs that I was blowing.  I had only drunk one bottle and now in the 4^th hour I started feeling nauseous when I drunk or ate anything.  Before my long lay off this year I’ve never struggled with endurance or with running out of fuel but with 5 months off the bike I’m feeling my unfitness a lot and it’s not fun!  The steep climb up which I walked a lot zapped the last of my energy and the next 20 miles was a massive suffer feast.  As I got slower the climbs went on for longer though I had some consolidation in seeing others suffer as much as me as we all asked each other ‘how much further’!  I stopped at one aid station, drank water and ate some beef jerky which helped a little but I didn’t stand for long otherwise I might have got off and curled up on the floor! 

As we got nearer the end I worked out that the last few miles were a different way in and we didn’t have the long descent I’d frozen on many hours earlier to climb back up.  I glued myself to a wheel in front and finally after 8 hours 31 crossed the line 30 minutes inside the 9-hour ‘gold buckle’ cut off. I had pulled back up to 161st, 5^th place woman, 3rd 30-39yrs, at one point I thought I might have got back to 3^rd place but those last few hours put paids to that idea!!  Sally Bigham retained her victory and in the men’s race Todd Wells beat Christophe Sauser by a few seconds.  

With some time to lie on the grass I finally got an appetite back for some savory noodles and lots of crisps before packing up and heading round to Breckenridge to just catch the race briefing for the Breck Epic starting in just over 12 hours time!!

My claim to fame now is that final results showed Mark Webber was 2 places behind me, we had switched places a few times and I talked to him as I talked to everyone at that point but had no idea it was him!!  What a shame, I could have let him sit on my wheel those last few miles!!

Mark Webber with some people that did recognise him!

Singletrack6, Rockies Canada 26th-31st July

Having arrived in Canada over a week ago and done nothing but ridden amazing single track like I've never seen I was both pretty tired and excited about the stage race ahead.  We'd already seen so many sights and spent a brilliant week in Jasper and now it was time to get serious and do some racing!!  I was very nervous, unsure if my knee would hold up to 6 days of racing and pretty scared about some of the trails that lay ahead.  Technical riding isn't my strength which was one reason why this race appealed so much, always one for getting out of the comfort zone and trying out new adventures!!

Saturday 26^th July

Stage One

West Bragg Creek

40km

1800m elevation

It was an early start to get to the race venue and sign in and the nerves were really kicking in by the 9am roll out to some ACDC in the background.  Up the gravel track to start I was riding ok, not used to racing, fast starts got me breathing hard but I was well positioned with one girl just ahead and feeling ok.  Once we hit the single track I was wishing I was further back as I was constantly pulling over and letting fast riders past.  I tried to keep up through the trees and going a little too fast bashed one and landed hard on my shoulder.  I worried I’d done serious damage and after checking myself and bike over and letting another few dozen past I got going again with a different attitude to look after self and bike a little more!  Climbing up I was feeling pretty strong but kept slipping or getting stumped by the endless roots and scooting along I was loosing more places, catching up then getting stuck.  The climbs were so steep I’m not sure I’ve the strength in my legs yet to fully appreciate the 11 speed.  From the top we rode the Ace of Spades times descent.  As the race was more spread out I only stopped a few times to let people through and by the bottom I was able to catch back up and really enjoyed getting into that hard race zone on a final very rideable climb.  I got all competitive at the top and was determined to have no one catch back up for the final 5km.  The descent was fast and flowy,  rooty as usual but even I felt like I was going fast and finished without having to pull over.  I ended up 4^th woman, only a few minutes off the podium so was a bit annoyed I was so polite in letting everyone through. Tomorrow’s route is said to be ‘bluff hugging’  whatever that is and is a ‘rocky and rooty trail with short punchy climbs’.  Umm should be interesting!!

  

Our home for the trip

Stage Two

Nipika

38km

1100m elevation

We set of today in groups of 10, one minute apart as we were straight onto the single track.  Though I started well I lost my nerve after nearly going over the bars on a sudden drop half way down a steep descent.  I stayed upright but it knocked my confidence and I battled after that to ride the technical parts.  I always say in a race I have so much energy that is just mental energy and once that gets used up I start to lose confidence and momentum.  I stopped at the midway feed for some coke and that seemed to lift me up a lot plus the trails were more flowy the second half and gradually I caught and passed a lot of riders.  I came in 4^th woman and joined the rest of the finishers in the nearby lake, the perfect recovery. 

Stage Three

Radium

47km

1300m elevation

Last night we found a lovely campsite by a river with lots of sprinklers and grass, a relief from the heat that is following us.  I had been looking forward to getting to Radium to go to the Hot Springs but once here ice cream and freezing river were much more welcome!!  I had a great race today despite breakfast cereal sitting heavy from sleeping late.  I set off in batch B 5 minutes after the top 3 girls so was able to ride my own pace.  My energy seemed to last the whole way today, I had no dips and the course was perfect, lots of fast flowing single track, a good gravel road mid way to make up time then lots of punchy steep climbs and descents near the end where I still felt full of beans, helped by the fact I caught up Jodie so knew I was in 3^rd.  She took some holding onto as she is such a fast descender but eventually I got through on a climb.  Both the other girls had lost some time due to some malicious local sending riders the wrong way, Matt got lost 4 times and ended up with a 2 hour time penalty and it affected the lead men too.  Once I was at the point I had hesitated too but by then the problem was been sorted.  In the end they gave me 1st place for the stage and won a bar of soap for my efforts!  

 

Feeling a little short!

Stage Four

Golden

“Welcome to Canada”

30km 1400m elevation

The only thing that suited me on today’s ride was the 5km sprint up the first gravel road and even that in hindsight led to my for coming problems!!  Turning off that well up the group we were straight into the day’s timed descent.   I pulled over at the top and let Michel (Cyclocross champion) pass straight away and a string of men before starting to ride the loose steep trail.  Trouble was no sooner did I start riding did I get the sliding of back wheels behind as more guys flew down behind me.  I’d pull over again, off the line, unclip and let more past so I never got into a steady rhythm and starting again on the steep parts was impossible till in the end I got pretty annoyed with myself really for not having the skills to go faster and be able to ride anything that suddenly sprung up.  Finally at the bottom after a lot of walking and some humor from a rider shouting ‘welcome to Canada’ I was so far down the field and with already 10km of the 30km day over there was no way I was going to pull anything back plus we were straight into a single track climb so there was no pass room anyway.  With no race motivation left I struggled to ride things I would have flown straight over if I was still in amongst the riders I’d been around and at the end of the stage felt less like a mountain biker than ever before.  It took me twice as long to get down that endura section than the leading ladies and my knee wasn’t too happy about the running either! 

The finish line was next to a gorgeous fast flowing freezing cold river and the best part of the day was sitting on the rocks soaking our legs while chatting to other riders.  That night we got the luxury of an unwanted hotel bed, which was a relief, as the campsite we’d found was on stony ground, had no showers, just a muddy lake and was midge hell.  The hotel wasn’t the best, live music just below, no aircon with 27 degrees outside even at night, lights that didn’t work but had a bed and sheets, which was complete luxury!! 

Stage Five

Golden

60km

1400m elevation

Both Matt and me were pretty glad for the extra 10km added onto the stage and looking forward to the smooth trails that lay ahead.   It didn’t disappoint and it was ours and a lot of rider’s favorite stage.  I was riding a lot faster on the smooth trails and keeping up with the front two girls focusing only on the wheel in front and trusting their line completely.  My saddle over one bump tilted back slightly then on another bump really went back so I was riding with the tip really high in the air making it one uncomfortable ride.  I didn’t have the right Allen key for it and it was a long while before anyone passed that was willing to stop and lend me one.  Though it ruined the enjoyment of 15 km or so I was soon back going once I’d adjusted it and feeling good and a lot more comfortable!!  I got back into 3^rd place and went as hard as I could.  My breathing sounded terrible, I guess that’s the 5 months off feeling, my mind is stronger than my lungs but I was riding along nicely and trying to put enough time in the bag for the endure section at the end.  That was also a nice descent and I came in along the road in 3^rd place and very happy with the whole day quickly forgetting even the dodgy saddle episode and for once relaxing on a real bed for the afternoon even if it was baking hot!    

 

One of the many views I didn't see!

Stage Six

Revelstoke

47km 

1700m elevation

There was some confusion about start times today as we went into Pacific Time.  It felt odd to just change the clocks back from just driving a few hours, it would be like driving from the East to the Lakes and loosing an hour.  All it meant really was an even hotter roll out at 10.30 that was really 11.30 to our bodies!  Up the road out of town we were soon in the shade zipping through forest.  The single track was really flowing and smooth and I held my position well until it became more rooty and hard going later on.  I slipped back to 4^th but despite making a real meal of a newly felled rooted area I held that position (also finishing 4^th on GC) and made it down the endura section in 9^th place out of the woman, my best so far even though by then I hadn’t eaten much at all, the ‘short day’ a lot longer than we anticipated and was wobbling around more than normal!! 

That evening we had a real feast in true Canadian style, its been a short race week with only 17 hours of racing but now its over that post race tiredness crept up no doubt at all from all the concentration and nervous energy, I’m guessing of those 17 hours, 15 of them were on singletrack.  What a great week, nice people, challenging but highly satisfying race days and perfect blue-sky days. 

 

Start line for the last stage

Thankyou to the organisers for a brilliant week of a whole mixture of fun/terrifying trails and thanks so much to Jamie White, Jammer for been our director sportive/skills coach/camp experience extraordinaire even though you did increase my stress levels disappearing into the forest for the day and found us Canadian’s biggest mozzy populated camp site.  I guess I equaled that one by finding the worlds noisiest campsite pitch next to the main train line!!  Thanks also to Rob Fawcett without whom this adventure wouldn’t have happened, to Matt Page for fellow Brit companionship and to my sponsors Asrin, Cyclefunatic of Durbanville  and 32Gi. 

'Master of many trades' Jammer