T.O.E. Cramps, Mechanicals & Podiums
Sunday marked the third annual Test of Endurance, a 50 mile mountain bike race in and around the hills of Blodget, Oregon; this race features about 7,500′ of climbing total, mostly on gravel roads, with connecting sections of singletrack. Race promoter, Mike Ripley has never had much cooperation from the weather, when I raced it in 2005 a wet suit and snorkel where more in order than a mountain bike, but yesterday’s weather was sunny and warm making for a fast race.
Vista Ridge had a strong contingent of riders, both Heather and James where present, hunting for more points to help move them up in the series totals, Jeff Brock was there and ready to break in his new Kona, Varner, looking to put himself to the test and myself. After the brief riders meeting everybody clipped in and like a thundering heard of buffalo, we were off.
The pace started out fairly fast as the field began jockeying for position before the first of the 6 climbs per lap, but I was able to move up into the top 1/4 of the field as we started heading up. Heather, James, Jeff and Varner were strung out behind me, it was at this point that I lost all contact with the rest of the team and wouldn’t see anyone again until the finish.
I continued to climb well, although it felt like I was loosing a lot of positions within the first few miles; somewhere during this time Heather had a flat that probably caused her 10-15 minutes overall and Varner would have the first of his two flats shortly afterwards.
As the race entered the first singletrack section, I was starting to get my groove on, really pushing the pace and picking off slower riders who just could seem to negotiate the tight trails with any speed, this really bolstered my confidence, but with 50 miles of racing I had to keep my wits about me and not start thinking to far ahead. Unlike a regular mountain bike race that’s only 20 or so miles long, during an endurance event, you have a lot of time to think, think about things like, “what am I doing here”, “Wow, my leg/lungs/whatever really hurts”, “what idiot talked me into this”, all of these thoughts seem to jumble around in your noggin throughout a race like this.
After Aide station 2 the field was completely strung out, which was a good thing because the course entered a section of tight “deer trail” singletrack and then a fast although rough downhill; it was here that something didn’t quite feel right with my bike. I slowed to let a few riders pass and hopped off to check things out, what I discovered was that my rear wheel was in the midst of its own negative thought process and was doing its best to self destruct, but since it was still attached to the bike I figured I would force it to behave and ride it until it exploded…..end of lap 1
Lap 2 started much the same as lap 1, with a long gravel road climb and some fantastic volunteers who offered me everything but a ride to the top, I was basically riding by myself at this point, no one ahead or behind, I put my head down and just started to grind it out, 25 miles to go.
Around mile 35 I felt my legs start to tighten, first my left hamstring, then my right, I think this was a cursed mile because James reported cramps around this time as well. With my legs seizing up, I could barely put any pressure on the pedals, I was just trying to survive, I had water, but no electrolytes, so I ate and drank what I could; Aide 2 was close and it became my sole focus, “get to Aide 2, eat a banana, find some electrolytes, go, go, go.”
Coming into Aide 2 I heard my name being called out, it was Varner, he had just finished his hour long walk through the woods after having another flat and no tube to fix it, he was waiting for a ride back to the finish. I got my banana and electrolytes and gave V my spare tube and as I was clipping back in Varner yells, “Hurry, up, you’re only an hour behind the leaders!!” this had me laughing for the next few miles, I was roughly 10 miles from the finish with another hour of racing to go and the leaders where done.
I put my head down and focused on the finish, turning the cranks over as best I could, worried about being caught, looking forward to ending my misery as quickly as possible, the miles slowly ticked by. I rolled across the line close to exhaustion, but happy to be done now I would cheer on the team. First was James, then Jeff, Varner had gotten a ride back down to the finish and we all waited for Heather who rolled in a short time later, now for the results.
VRV had an extremely successful day, Heather taking 1st in the Sport women’s field, James with 9th in the men’s Sport class and I took my first victory ever in the men’s Sport class; tremendous results for the team in what has got to be the toughest mountain bike race on the OBRA calendar. Terrific job team! Great results! Team Vista Ridge Velo is really starting to shape up into a strong overall contender, both on the road and the dirt.
Photo’s courtesy of Shane Young at Oregon Velo:
Heather
Paul
James
Jeff
Photo’s courtesy of Sue Hanna:
Varner
Paul
James
Jeff
Heather
Comments
4 Comments on T.O.E. Cramps, Mechanicals & Podiums
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Heather Westfall on
Mon, 16th Jun 2008 7:01 am
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jeff on
Tue, 17th Jun 2008 1:37 pm
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earl on
Tue, 17th Jun 2008 1:50 pm
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Jason on
Thu, 19th Jun 2008 8:39 am
Great report, Paul.
It was fun having more VRV teammates racing, great job guys!!
Awesome race everyone! So much suffering, so much fun. Someone teach me how to go fast on singletrack!!!
And to have Heather and Paul end up on the top step, at such a wicked race is amazing… Do that again and I’m going to start posting sandbagger callouts on the OBRA list (anonymously, of course). Just kididng 
holy smokes! nice work, y’all. that’s awesome.
freed and i are enjoying the ride out here. lots of beautiful scenery and a couple of good climbs so far. ramps seem alot steeper at 10,000 feet than they do at sea level . . . .
Paul & VR Gang – Super duper job on the TOE!
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