Ryan's 12 hr Racing

I have managed to gorge myself on some fine events completing 6 races in the last 6 weeks. In this early season bike racing binge I found myself headed to the 12hr Creek to Peak race in Elanor, WV. This past weekend was a race that I had long awaited. I wanted to squeeze in a 12hr race last season but couldn’t make it to any in the neighboring states. Once I realized the Dub-V was going to play host to one, I knew I had to have some of it.

My preparation consisted of...well secret workouts that I just can’t release to the public, the purchasing of my not so secret weapon-a hot new GF Superfly, a marathon race, and few months of planning and practicing my nutrition strategy. I was a going to be a newbie to the 12hr scene, but from early this year I planned on being a competitor for this specific event. I periodized my training to go into the event with a 2 week taper, this would provide me with some much needed rest and allow for maximal performance during the race.

Post-Mountmud, I attempted to get my bike in order, but also worked longer hours so that I could take off on Friday before the race. Thus, I found myself doing a final tune-up on the racing rig Friday morning. During the tuning process I couldn’t get my rear brake to tighten up. The pads seemed to not be auto-adjusting as usual with my hydraulic system. I figured I would swing by the LBS (Wamsley’s) on my way out of town for some form of a quick fix. I am new to all this fancy stuff, crazy hydraulic disc brakes...last year I raced with old school v-brakes. Anyhoo, I prepped on by organizing my food and bottles. I pre-prepped my drink mix so the support crew, #1 Wifey, would just need to add water and shake. Other preps consisted of multiple pairs of glasses, shorts, socks, and jerseys. I had some spare parts in the mix: tubes, big airs, a tire, a derailleur, a derailleur tab, and some cables.

I strolled into the LBS around 3:30 Friday afternoon. After some conversing with the boys, I pulled out my pads to inspect’em for wear. Well, I had plenty so that wasn’t the issue. I pushed the pistons in, re-inserted the pads and pumped the lever to see if the pads would re-adjust, a procedure I performed twice in the garage without any luck. Presto, maybe I just needed to be in the presence of some fine wrenches; my system adjusted and I headed back up to the counter on my way out. While talking to Jeremy at the counter I continued to squeeze the lever. Crap, the brake was fading and eventually the lever was going to the handlebar again!! Of course, it couldn’t be that easy. I headed back to the stand and after some inspection found the problem. The system was leaking at the lever ever so slightly. After some more conversing with the boys, the wonderful fellow Jeremy offered up a spare off the bike he had commuted in on for the day. Jeremy was making the race possible - he was already allowing me to borrow his light system in case mine failed, and he now offered up his brake. Thanks Jeremy; you’re awesome!!! After some quick work around the shop and taking up two bike stands at a time I managed to finish the swap and head out of town ~5:30.

And then there was rain!!! About 15 mi out of Charleston the sky began falling and fell harder and harder and harder. By the time we cruised into the race venue I really didn’t want to get out of the car to register. After a quick dash over and around quickly forming puddles I finally found a familiar face. JR was pitching his tent in the barn to avoid the washout; good thinkin’ JR, much better than waking up in a puddle. I asked him about registration and after some conversing with the director Larry Perkins, I found out registration was going to take place in the morning. I thought I could get it done between 7-10 the night before the race, but no biggie - I could just knock it out in the A.M. I hopped back in the car and we headed out. On the way to the Wifey’s folks house we met several high water spots, thankfully nothing that wasn’t passable.

After some evening stretching I had a quick catch of the weather and news. It seemed that the eastern half of the state was under a flash flood watch...oh goody, more mud. I really had to play some mind games convincing myself that tomorrow was going to be muddy but it would still be fun, right?

I had my usual breakfast of coffee, oats, and toast with PB before heading back to the race venue. Registration was quick and painless; no long lines for this one. I guess the weather and distance had turned some folks off. I briefed the wifey on bottle prep, glasses cleaning, and how my food consumption would go down, found a good spot for her to pass off all the goodies, got in a quick spin and racers meeting, and the race was off.

Some folks went out pretty fast for the first lap. It was tough but I stayed in my desired HR range and let’em go. I figured they would slow down or blow up. The mud was prevalent but not impossible. I rode on and had some fun. At the end of my first lap I found out the leaders were about ten minutes out - a bit of a blow, but they must be carrying a pretty heavy pace. I ate a bite, picked up fresh bottles and quickly headed back out. I felt like I could carry my pace well into the day, a good start for a 12 hr event. The second lap was quite slippery. The trails were definitely get’en greasy. About like Mountwood, thus it still wasn’t a disaster. I managed to maintain my pace and was still having some fun. Back through the venue for some more bottles, gel, and clean glasses. For the next lap I planned to meet the wifey at the bike wash.

At the start of the third lap I was still feeling strong - not fresh, but I still felt like I could carry my pace for a while. I noticed the trails were actually starting to tack up a bit and I really got excited. The sun and wind were going to dry things out and I figured the remainder of the race was going to turn out just fine. Then the sun disappeared behind some big clouds, big dark clouds, hmmm...at least I won’t get a sunburn, right? Oh no, oh no, not this, not that, ahhh!!! Rain!!!! My nice tacky trails turned into streams! Water on mud, hmm, this sucks! Well, I kept going, nothing I could do about it. I just kept telling myself everyone has to deal with it, be patient. I rode less and walked more. My third lap was completely off pace by about 30 min and my HR was now below my target; whelp, no need to worry about blowing up. Chain suck was constant and traction was an afterthought. Then, I had nice surprise towards the end of my third lap. Josh had made it out from his folks to catch some action. He provided me with some much needed motivation and encouragement.

I rolled into the wash station and it was like a pit crew was waiting for me; Myra with food and clean gloves and glasses, Josh with waterhose in hand. Myra fed me while Josh sprayed off the Superfly, poor baby was look’en rough. After some quick lube action, I headed back out. I was still feeling pretty good and a little more motivated after some familiar faces. Thanks for the help Josh, nice work on the Superfly!!!

Fourth lap was much like the end of the third: ride, walk, ride, walk, ride, ride, walk, walk. I should cross-train more...After about 20 min on the trail the bike was again caked with mud, chain lube was pointless, and chain suck – well, chain suck made climbing impossible even when there was some form of traction. Some cussing and cursing took place and after an eternity I made it in from my fourth lap mentally blown. Wifey's parents stopped by to check out the action; it was great to have some support from the family, I really needed it. It was brought to my attention that the folks out in front of me decided to quit. Not sure if they blew up or just got fed up with the conditions. I am guessing a combo. Either way, one more lap in the slop would put me into first. Ok, “I can do it.” I picked up gel, bottles, and my light. I quickly sprayed off and the adventure continued, walk, ride, blah, blah, blah.

At the start of the fifth lap, I was actually able to ride some sections of trail that lacked the necessary traction in the previous lap. Things were looking up, the trails were going tack up a little. I was climbing, then POP! BOOM! CLANK! I stopped to find my derailleur all a dangle. SH**!!! I just couldn’t have a nice victory lap. Ok, Ok. I break my quick link, thread the chain out the derailleur, pocket both items and walk, trot, run, trot, walk...I just want to finish. I thought about the SS option, but here it can destroy a freehub, thus I went with the former--walk. I wanted to keep moving in case one of the other solo males made a move and decided to head back out. So I ran, trotted, ran, ran, ran. At least I was actually getting a workout now. I was actually passing people riding; I should have started running on my third lap. I had passed two solo males and a duo racer by the end of the lap, go figure.

I finally finished by running my bike into the barn throwing one leg over and coasting to the finish line. I was now a top the leader board. I did some quick math. Steve Hill had started racing at 3. When I finished he was on his fourth lap. If he got six he would move into first. He had been going at a ~2 hr a lap pace but was starting to slow. After some deliberation I figured it would be pretty impossible for him to get six. I thought about another lap; I had a spare derailleur in the car, but figured with the nasty conditions I was just asking to break something else. I turned in my card and called it.

I spent a solid 30 min at the bike wash, ate a pop-tart, a pb and j, this, that, and some other. Changed clothes and headed over to check things out. Steve had slowed considerably and was just making it in from his 4th lap. I was glad to see him head back out for a 5th, pushing him up into 2nd. All and all, I put in 5 laps in 10:20, about 50 mi, stark difference from the 40 mi in 3:47 at the Greenbrier Challenge. Steve Hill, with his late entry, knocked out 5 laps in about 11 hrs.

I was pretty happy with my result, no reason to not be. I wish the course would have been a little better, I really don’t feel like it was I good test of my endurance because I walked about as much as I rode. I will definitely do some more. I hear there is actually a 12 hr series down in Georgia. The move to Atlanta will provide me the opportunity to catch the series final in October. And next year, oh yeah, I will be taking place in the 4 race 12 hr series.