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MTBMind.com » Recent Posts http://mtbmind.com/forums/ MTBMind.com » Recent Posts en-US Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:34:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://mtbmind.com/forums/search.php Raineman on "Landmine Marathon" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=72#post-284 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:37:30 +0000 Raineman 284@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Good luck on the SS. I'll be at Lake Placid with the UNH MTB club. Never been on the trails there before. I might race as an alumni at UNH's home meet weekend of 9/18. chrisg on "Landmine Marathon" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=72#post-283 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:31:54 +0000 chrisg 283@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ I think this is a root66 race right?  I did not get a NORBA license this year and do not want to spend $100 on an international pro license just to do one race.... although I guess it would allow me to do cross also... but I don't like cross at all so that takes care of that.  We are heading up to Bradbury to preride the course this weekend.  I'm not sure three 50+ mile races back-to-back-to-back are a good idea. <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> Good luck Steve. Katherine on "Landmine Marathon" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=72#post-282 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:18:49 +0000 Katherine 282@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Hi Steve!!! I admire your passion for mtb racing!!! That's the spirit <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> Well, we've been looking forward to racing the Landmine, which is an *awesome* race, BUT unfortunately we are unable to be there because it's my brother's wedding (urghhh!!!!). We had to miss out on the Hampshire 100 because of their jack & jill (bachelor/ette party), needless to say we'll be with you in spirit. <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> As Eric would say, ride it like you stole it~ Katherine gofunburnman on "Landmine Marathon" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=72#post-281 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:33:38 +0000 gofunburnman 281@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ No frame yet so I signed up for my first singlespeed race today. 50 miles on a rigid SS, this is going to be interesting. I saw Brian Sr. on the confirmed list. Just wondering if anyone else is planning on going. chrisg on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-280 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:32:59 +0000 chrisg 280@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Nice job Katherine!  Time for you to bump into expert and get more of those gels you thought were too sweet. <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> Katherine on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-279 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:28:17 +0000 Katherine 279@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Saw Steve after the race, when I was grabbing a piece of the most delicious watermelon. Poor guy!!! I sure hope you're all set with a new frame? As far as my race report, please thank my boss, Chris Gagnon for expecting me to do my part as an MTB'minder and post <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> I had waited all year for this one. Couldn't race it last year because of stitches on top of my foot, and the year prior I was unable to finish it due to an emergency bike shop drop off (mechanicals). So, this year I kept marking off the days until August 29th... I didn't remember much of the race course except for this somewhat rideable/hike a bike section with big boulderous like rocks followed by a grassy short climb. At the race start there was this new girl, "Bo"? She is good friends with Shannon B. Shannon warned us that Bo was fearless with downhilling and since I pre rode the course I imagined her flying through the fun and fast descents. The feeling was intimidation. All the Sport women went off with the Clydesdales and everyone else left to go. I was ready to go!!! It seemed like I had been waiting a lifetime to hear the "GO!!!". All I could hear was the countdown, I was deaf to everything and anything else. When I took off, all I knew was that I had to keep going until my second lap was over. It felt like 20 minutes into the race I was starving. I did what no one should ever do on a race day. I tried a new gel. They didn't have my favorite ones at the bike shop so I picked up what I thought was 2nd best. Wow, it was way too sweet but it was that or nothing. The first 4 miles or so of the course were my least favorite. It was pine needle terrain mostly (from what I recall), and just soft under my tires. I couldn't wait to get it over with. As we were approaching the "nice bathrooms" (paper plate tacked onto a tree read that with an arrow pointing ahead), Jen passed me. As much as I love Jen and because she is an mtb minder I couldn't let her pass me because she wasn't wearing the team jersey! okkkk, maybe NOT entirely true <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> I remember thinking, I have been waiting for this race ALL year and I am getting passed?? So I put the power to the pedal and got my lead back. Then, here comes Bo...I'm like nooooo!!!!! Please? Please don't bump me to 2nd place...please??? She spun out and did a 360 when she hit the really slick, muddy, swamp like rooty section. I was on her rear tire so I was very lucky I found an out before crashing into her. I yelled "are you alright" and heard a faint "yes" and so on I went my merry way. I never looked back out of paranoia someone was behind me. All I recall was passing racers and that was a damn good feeling. After the creek crossings I knew what was coming and it was my long anticipated sections of the course. The first few technical sections didn't seem to "flow" but I still loved it. There was a new cut out section for the race and it was all good. Despite predictions for 90'ish degree weather, there was a nice breeze in the air from time to time. I made sure to stay well hydrated. Passed quite a few racers with flats, others just cooling off. It was hot. I could feel my tan getting darker!!! One very technical section I came up on the rear tire of the racer in front of me, I was thinking "WHY are you so slow???" Come to find out there was a really bad crash that had one racer on his back and out of breath, the other had a bloody lip/mouth and looked like he was hurting too. Kelley was there, like always, a timely angel. I stopped and asked if there was anything I could do, although I didn't know what I could do. Kelley insisted we continue and that she'd take care of it somehow. I hope those racers are ok. Kept going, and kept daydreaming of some kind of nourishment. My first lap came before I realized it, and there was the Maz. Smiling, and holding out a slice of juicy, sweet, and fresh watermelon!!! Ahhh....I swear I saw golden rays from the heavens at that moment. <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> I took it, ate it, and kept going. Wow, it was just what I needed!!!! Thaaaaaank you Maz!!!! I know we all appreciated you standing there with watermelon slices for the racers. You're a sweetheart!!! One down, one lap to go. I passed a few expert women, much to my surprise. The water station volunteers were always right there and ready with refreshing cold water. My very last water station I yelled out for water. The cutie (boy scout volunteer who couldn't be older than 15) extended a cup out and said "no more water, just ice, but it's jusssst as refreshing?!" I said "sweet!!!". Wow, crunching on ice was yummy and refreshing indeed. I kept thinking, I wish I could have ice at the water stations...hmmm, I like it. My 2nd lap took longer than my first, and that was disappointing because I had a goal in mind, but at least I finished. It was great passing that finish line knowing that I possibly had 1st place. I seemed to doubt myself. Maybe there were a few other sport women I didn't notice, maybe, maybe. I was THRILLED when I heard I got 1st overall the sport females. It was a perfect day~ The race course was very well marked, water station volunteers did an awesome job handing out waters in a very timely manner, and the watermelon was by far the best I've eaten in the last few years!!! Thank you to everyone that made this race course soooooo much fun to race!!!! It is my favorite of all the EFTA races thanks to the climbs, the fast descents, the technical sections, and nice 9 mile laps. K~ davmaz on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-278 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:46:28 +0000 davmaz 278@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Latest on Mike; Hi Everyone This is Joan C. Mike's GF. I would like to update you on Mike's condition. Mike had a second-opinion de-bulking surgery August 10th in NYC. He had a number of critical post-surgical complications, and was not expected to survive. Mike pulled thru (are you surprised???) and has made it out of the hospital. Although Mike's surgery reduced the horrendous cranial pressure he was suffering, it also revealed that that his cancer is now a GBM IV and is very advanced. The remaining tumor has caused paralyis on his right side and near total aphasia. Amazingly, Mike remains strong and is now in a care facility near his home. I am sorry that I have not spoken to more of you individuallly, however Mike's ups and downs made it extremely stressful for me and his family. Also, as you can imagine, Michael has literally hundreds of racing buddies from over 30 years of active competition. I simply could not talk to everyone. If you would like to visit Mike or send him a card, please e-mail me at <a href="mailto:jkcousins1@gmail.com">jkcousins1@gmail.com</a>. Thanks, and keep the prayers coming! Mazz, please e-mail me, I don't have contact for all you guys.!!! Joan chrisg on "Bradbury Article in Portland Press Herald" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=71#post-277 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:10:51 +0000 chrisg 277@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/life/energy-boost_2010-09-05.html">http://www.pressherald.com/life/energy-boost_2010-09-05.html</a> NE Race Redux on "Windham World Cup Race Vid/Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=70#post-276 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:22:04 +0000 NE Race Redux 276@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Great racing over the weekend in the Catskills. Raced Cat 1 and shot vid. Check it out here:<div> </div><div><a href="http://neraceredux.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://neraceredux.blogspot.com/</a> </div> Raineman on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-275 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:51:10 +0000 Raineman 275@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Many regards to Mike. He has never let go of his strongest passions, working around obstacles and letting his genuine nature show. I hope his memories of racing and riding bring him pleasure during his hospice stay. gofunburnman on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-274 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:19:44 +0000 gofunburnman 274@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <blockquote><cite>C-H-P <a href="http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-273">ha detto</a>:</cite> A video is worth a thousand words.</blockquote> <blockquote></blockquote> <blockquote>Yeah, unfortunately in this case most of those words begin with "F". On the bright side I got to see the look on racers faces as they finished or went out for lap two to the heckling of Maz. </blockquote> <blockquote>Great MTBMind turnout by the way. Thanks to everyone for showing up. What did people think of the new trail?</blockquote> C-H-P on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-273 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:56:52 +0000 C-H-P 273@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ A video is worth a thousand words. chrisg on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-272 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:47:02 +0000 chrisg 272@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ yeah that does suck.  At least it didn't happen to you half way around the course! The start pace didn't seem to fast either, I think I am going to bump back down to expert. <img src="http://mtbmind.com/forums/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> davmaz on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-271 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:36:39 +0000 davmaz 271@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Found out Sunday from Sean Drew that Micheal is being transported to a Hospice. Sean will e-mail me to where Mike will be, of which I will in turn post. Let me say thanks to all the inquires and concerns I received about Mike, it warms my heart to know so many care so much. Thank You, Maz gofunburnman on "Treasure Valley Rally - Race Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=69#post-270 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:20:45 +0000 gofunburnman 270@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ In a single word - Fail. On the bright side I get to do a video race report because I have it all on tape. Enjoy. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVVIMvOo9Wc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVVIMvOo9Wc</a> gofunburnman on "TRV on Sunday" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=67#post-269 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:16:01 +0000 gofunburnman 269@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ The course is open for pre-riding tomorrow. <a href="http://www.efta.com/forum//viewtopic.php?t=448&start=0">http://www.efta.com/forum//viewtopic.php?t=448&start=0</a> I'm going at noon if anyone is interested. Otherwise, I'll see you on Sunday. chrisg on "TRV on Sunday" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=67#post-268 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:42:37 +0000 chrisg 268@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Me and the gf may be there if I am recovered enough by then.  My knee was a bit swollen (from Great Glen) still this past weekend at the 6-hour of VT race.  Weather looks perfect. C-H-P on "TRV on Sunday" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=67#post-267 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:23:14 +0000 C-H-P 267@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ I think there's at least seven of us heading over from the seacoast. chrisg on "Hampshire 100 Video" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=68#post-266 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:40:54 +0000 chrisg 266@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Here is a video courtesy of <a href="http://neraceredux.blogspot.com/">Steve Jurczak </a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywQXwdYJMY&feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywQXwdYJMY&feature=player_embedded</a> hoodracing on "TRV on Sunday" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=67#post-265 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:37:17 +0000 hoodracing 265@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ The lovely jennifer and myself will be attending. davmaz on "TRV on Sunday" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=67#post-264 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:37:15 +0000 davmaz 264@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ This is it the last EFTA (NECS) race of 2010. Who's going, Steve and crew Team Bum (love the name) promise a venue and course to remember. Maz will be there from Friday on thru Sunday. gofunburnman on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-263 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:42:21 +0000 gofunburnman 263@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Like Maz, I really don't know what to say other than I'm truly saddened to hear this. Keep fighting, Mike. gofunburnman on "Peak Races Pittsfiled VT 6hr MTB Race - Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=65#post-262 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:30:18 +0000 gofunburnman 262@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ - Al, other than my 4th lap I enjoyed every minute of it. - Chris, I'm glad I made it up. I'm already looking forward to next year. I stopped on my 6th lap and had some blackberries at the top. They were absolutely fantastic. I could have grazed on them for hours, but that downhill (and the pig at the finish line) were calling me. Katherine on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-261 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:52:32 +0000 Katherine 261@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ <blockquote><cite>Hi Maz~ Mike has been on my mind during each and every ride, his spirit reminds me to enjoy it. It would be nice to know how to get in touch with him. I'd like to be able to visit him before it's too late. Thank you. Katherine davmaz <a href="http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-255">ha detto</a>:</cite> I'm sorry to say I got some sad news about Mike while down here in NC; Sean Drew asked me to get word to you. Michael had surgery a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't go well. He's partially paralyzed, they weren't able to get all the tumor, and he may only have a few weeks left. He'd told Sean not too long ago that he wanted to be at Treasure Valley. Obviously, he won't be riding. But I'm going to see tomorrow, while I'm in Philly for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, if anyone at the LAF might be able to help with resources/transportation to get him to and from Treasure Valley. (That is, of course, if he's up for it and he has clearance.) But, as Sean described, he's getting closer to the end. If you want to get in touch with him, information, please let me know. I'll do my best to keep you abreast of the situation. >- Rica I just don't know what to say, Maz</blockquote> chrisg on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-260 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:58:04 +0000 chrisg 260@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ I have been thinking about Mike all summer and was wondering what was going on.  So sad and I hope he makes it to the race scene this weekend.  He is definitely an inspiration to a lot of people. chrisg on "24 Hours of Great Glen Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=64#post-259 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:52:55 +0000 chrisg 259@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Yeah Dan I felt amazing.  The hills felt like flats and the flats felt like descents.  Some of the hills that I dreaded in years passed seemed like bumps in the road this time around. chrisg on "Peak Races Pittsfiled VT 6hr MTB Race - Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=65#post-258 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:50:49 +0000 chrisg 258@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Amazing race and a shame not many other MTBMind'ers went.. maybe next year.  The course itself was what I imagined - very fast, big switchbacks, and huge banks on the decent.  Coming off my 24 hour win the weekend before I knew I wasn't going to pull off very fast laps since my knee was still swollen and a bit achy, but I have been promoting this race all year and wanted to show my support.  The LeMans start was fine.. a little run up the hill and I was surprisingly the first one to the bikes and first one on course.  Perhaps the $150 premium king of the hill cash prize was motivating me a bit to reach the top first but I felt pretty good.  I was riding fairly fast (so I thought) on the first lap and was being literally tailed by a guy who I have never met or seen before.  Ben Chase and everyone else were dropped half way up the climb.  I thought I had the king of the hill in the bag until the guy passed me and my knee started to prevent me from really putting down and kind of power.  He beat me to the top by about 10 seconds and I think we hit the top around the 30 min mark. He eventually dropped me on the decent which was crazy BMX track-like fun but I knew my pace would eventually catch him in the end.. hopefully.  I chatting with him on the way up and he told me that he has never ridden more than 2.5 hours this year, so I knew for sure he would not last.    I eventually caught him on lap 3 and now Ben Chase has caught up to me and we rode together for 2 laps.  I really wasn't riding very strong and was just cruising up and down the hill but managed to put down a small gap on my 4th lap while on the climb.  He would catch me on the decent and then finally passed me on the 5th lap.  Our first 4 lap times were all under an hour but then I slowed it down a bit for lap 5 and 6 when I stopped at the top of the climb to eat a gazillion blackberries!!  Oh my god they were so good... probably why they saw bears at night.   I could care less about Ben at this point and was stopped for a good 3 or 4 minutes, went to the bathroom, then went down onto lap 6.  Apparently I was only 6 minutes behind him on the start of lap 6 but I really didn't want to chase him down.  This was a fun race for me although it would have been sweet to win both the king of the hill and overall to come away with $525.00!  I knew Ben would do 7 laps because we were talking about it on lap 4.  I told him it would come down to lap 7 but little did he know I backed off on lap 5 and 6.  Anyway it was a great race and glad I went.  The pig roast after was great and everyone was super friendly.  We definitely have to get ore people up for next year and really make it a race on Aug 20th, 2011.   Nice job to Steve and Karen - so glad you guys both came! Oh and a big thanks to Emile Smith's wife for feeding me bottles each lap and a few Red Bulls! Here are a few pics Jason took of the race: <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/maziemccauley/Peak6HourMTBRaceAugust21st2010?feat=directlink&fgl=true&pli=1#">http://picasaweb.google.com/maziemccauley/Peak6HourMTBRaceAugust21st2010?feat=directlink&fgl=true&pli=1#</a> Raineman on "Peak Races Pittsfiled VT 6hr MTB Race - Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=65#post-257 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:10:27 +0000 Raineman 257@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Great write up Steve. Hope you enjoyed it. Al Raineman on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-256 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:04:10 +0000 Raineman 256@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Thanks for letting us know Maz. I thought of Mike many times over this weekend. He is a good soul who takes great pleasure in kicking our butts on a MTB. Mike, I hope you somehow make it to TVR and get to enjoy the MTB vibe in person! davmaz on "Micheal Patrick" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=66#post-255 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:27:55 +0000 davmaz 255@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ I'm sorry to say I got some sad news about Mike while down here in NC; Sean Drew asked me to get word to you. Michael had surgery a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't go well. He's partially paralyzed, they weren't able to get all the tumor, and he may only have a few weeks left. He'd told Sean not too long ago that he wanted to be at Treasure Valley. Obviously, he won't be riding. But I'm going to see tomorrow, while I'm in Philly for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, if anyone at the LAF might be able to help with resources/transportation to get him to and from Treasure Valley. (That is, of course, if he's up for it and he has clearance.) But, as Sean described, he's getting closer to the end. If you want to get in touch with him, information, please let me know. I'll do my best to keep you abreast of the situation. >- Rica I just don't know what to say, Maz gofunburnman on "Peak Races Pittsfiled VT 6hr MTB Race - Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=65#post-254 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:03:54 +0000 gofunburnman 254@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Big thanks to Jason, Andy and everybody else who put in work on the Green Mountain Trails network. The race was well organized and the course was awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys put together for next year. I drove up with Potter Friday afternoon. We picked up our race packets around 6 and then headed up Upper Michigan Rd to scout out a camping spot in the Green Mountain National Forest. The road got a little dicey near the end but the wagon made it scraping the bottom only once. About a ½ mile in we found a sweet little spot to set up camp for the night. We set up camp and headed back down to the General Store to grab some sandwiches for dinner. Afterwards dinner we met up with Rob Patton and head back up the hill. It was pretty cool Friday night which made for pretty good sleeping. Sat morning came and we headed back down to the General Store and met up with Chris for breakfast. Got over to Amee Farm with plenty of time to warm up and check out the first mile or so of the race course. A few of the guys that were volunteering spent the night riding the race course (their own version of the 6hr I guess) and reported over night there were 3 bears, a moose and one an angry porcupine out on the course. The length and amount of climbing per lap seemed to be a debatable topic but we were told it was somewhere around 8 ½ miles and 1400 ft of climbing (Potter clocked it at 9 miles and 1200 feet per lap). Any which way you measure it, this course was great. You essentially climb for around 40 minutes, then descend for 20 (well, at least your first lap you do. Unless you’re Ben Chase who averaged sub 60 minute laps on way to being the only rider doing 7 laps on the day) with close to 90% of it single track and what seemed like 100 switchbacks. The race was a lemans start with maybe a 100 yd run before we get to our bikes. I wanted to be near the front as we were told at least one person crashes every year on the table top at the bottom of the first little descent. I was sitting maybe 6th place when we crossed the bridge and started climbing. I proceeded to go backwards for most of the first part of the climb giving up another 10 or so places as I kept telling myself this was a long race. For me the climb got broken up into 4 sections. The first part was everything before we got dumped out onto the cart road. This section was the part of the climb that was the most fun. It was a combination of switchback climbing and long gradual climbing with some flowy little down hill sections mixed in. The cart road, on the other hand was the least amount of fun. It was ¼ to ½ mile with an extended section at around 15% that got the steepest right at the end. In my head I was referring to this last little section as “The Wall” because that’s what it felt like. Lap 1 it was a piece of cake. By lap 3 I wasn’t sure if I’d be riding or pushing on lap 4. Lap 4 I swear they somehow made it twice as long, but I still rode it. In the end and a bit to my surprise I rode it all 6 laps. At the end of the cart road the course crosses itself. On lap one The marshal that was there was telling people it was a mile to the top. I’m sure he was well intentioned, but after what seemed like at least a mile of climbing, I was no where near the top. Anyway, this put us on Luvin It trail which (looking at their map) consists of 26 or so switchbacks before you come out into the berry patch for the last little bit to the top. By the 3rd lap all the switch backs had kind of blurred together so I broke this up into the part before and after the one really muddy section on the climb which seemed to be a bout half way. There was, of course, that one spot where you see the trees starting to open up and you thought you where at the top, only to be greeted by yet another switchback. That’s right, you know the one I’m talking about. Back to the race. I had stopped hemorrhaging spots by the time we hit the cart road and had settled into what I hoped was a reasonable pace. I make it up to the top and start working my way back down. The first section we hit Is called the Labyrinth. In extreme contrast to the rest of the course this is full of tight, twisty, rooty goodness. It was very similar to some of the stuff we get here. I felt at home in it and started to ride hard and managed to pass someone for the first time. We then get dumped onto Warman. This trail started out as a flowy, flatish section but quickly turns into a collection of fast, high bermed switchbacks that demand your attention. In fact the entire downhill demanded your attention. Somewhere along here I saw the Team Bliss boys a few levels down and started to give chase. I caught them somewhere on Stonewall Trail. This was by far my favorite section of the course. It starts out with a flattish to uphill section, then a quick little switch back climb before you hit the crazy fast downhill bench cut into the side of the mountain. This led to another bermed switch back and more bench cut, then another… well you get the idea. Stonewall emptied at the point where the course crossed itself. After that some of the downhills got extremely steep and switchbacks not so friendly. I finally got by the group in front of me and just killed it the rest of the lap. I came through the pit area, grab the keys from the cooler and quickly run to the car. Yeah, that’s right, somewhere near the top of the climb on lap 1 I realized I hadn’t lubed the undercarriage before embarking on this endeavor. After I got back the guy setting up shop next to our cooler and I agreed that would be the most beneficial minute and a half of my entire day. I grabbed a fresh water bottle and I was off. Of couse, by this time most if not all of the people I had passed on that downhill had gone by and I had more work to do. Sure enough I would see them one or two levels up as we started climbing again. With so many switchbacks (have I used this word enough?) it was pretty easy to keep tabs on the people in front of or behind you. Those kids must have climbed like mountain goats that lap because by the time I hit the cart road, they were no where in site. I make it up to the top and start killing the downhill again. In fact the first two laps I was more or less going all out on the downhill. Not out of any strategy or anything, just that it was that much fun. I think I managed to get back the spots I lost at the end of lap one. My one truly scary moment in the whole race was on that final descent. I caught that last hump the wrong way and had one of those half off the bike out of control moments that scares the hell out of you, but somehow managed to save it. Lap 3 was pretty uneventful. I started lapping a few slower riders and got passed by a guy on a single speed. We chatted a bit on the cart road before he took off. He thought we were somewhere around 12th overall at that point. Lap3 three I actually tried to dial it back a touch on the downhill in hopes of saving a little something for the ensuing uphill. Lap 4 was by far my hardest lap both mentally and physically. I think my feeding schedule got a bit ahead of itself and my stomach started doing summersaults on the climb. I also did the math and realized that I was going to be doing 6 laps. Which, although this was my goal going in, didn’t seem like such a good idea. I started thinking that I still have a twelve hour race to do this year and why to I subject myself to this. Surprisingly, the one thing that didn’t enter my mind was stopping, just how much this was going to suck. When I came through the pit area this time I drank some plain water, filled one of the spent water bottles with just water and used the bathroom. By the time I was back on the climb I was feeling a million times better and feeling very positive about the next couple of hours. Outside of passing a few lapped riders I was pretty much alone on lap 4, and lap 5 was more of the same. Lap 6, last lap, it’s go time.. NOT. I just put it in a small gear and spun my way up. I made a couple half hearted attempts to “pick it up” but the legs were having none of that. The downhill was a different story with no impending uphill to save anything for. I was killing it pretty good when I over cooked that loose hair pin turn and had both hamstrings cramp as I tried to keep from crashing. I was trying to stretch the hammies out on the subsequent downhill when I proceeded to burp about half the air out of my front tire on one of the last really tight corners(at least I left these shenanigans to the end of the race). A single speeder that had been right behind me the whole lap caught and went by me like I was standing still on the final descent. I caught up to him crossing the field spun it up the last little climb without cramping and finished my 6 laps in 6:53 good for 10th place overall. 　 dang on "24 Hours of Great Glen Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=64#post-253 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:02:49 +0000 dang 253@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Chris. you didn't stop at all!! I'd say this was your best 24hr performance by far. lap 24 and 27 were as fast as lap 7. also all your laps were very consistant. oh yeah 2nd place rider was good also and pushed y ou dang on "24 Hours of Great Glen Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=64#post-252 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:56:39 +0000 dang 252@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ of course they were (I did when I could also) sleeping they're not crazy. Chris good job. crazy but not as crazy as Derek. wow! you're a bit younger so... .   did you or second place stop for more than 15mins at night? davmaz on "24 hour superstars" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=63#post-251 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:35 +0000 davmaz 251@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Sorry but I missed Scott and Jenifer with Carlos and Jenifer2 team Ball and Chain(ring) doing 26 laps in the ever so tough Expert Man class. chrisg on "24 Hours of Great Glen Report" http://mtbmind.com/forums/topic.php?id=64#post-250 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:41:00 +0000 chrisg 250@http://mtbmind.com/forums/ Where to start this story... Well how about I spent literally 4 hours on my bike Friday afternoon while frantically trying to pack to leave by 3:30pm for the mountains.  What I thought was going to be a routine fork swap, tire mount, chain replacement, and seat post/saddle change turned out to be a full-time job. Let me start from the beginning....   I got some sweet new DT Swiss 1440 wheels and mounted Stans Crow 2.0 tires front and rear without an issue.  I also needed a new fork since my other one was a few years old and I think needs to be serviced so I called up Magura for a new Durin Race 100mm fork with remote lockout.  Removing my other fork would seem to be no problem for my mallet however the aluminum spacers for the stem were literally seized onto the forks steerer tube.  Holy hell this was not easy to remove. It was nearly 90 degrees outside and I was sweating my butt off trying to hammer that fork out... finally getting it down to the spacers and figuring out how to loosen the spacers enough to remove the fork! I put on the new fork, hooked up the remote lockout and quickly got myself some CARBON spacers... not sure if this make a difference.  1.5 hours into this I had to put on 2 new chains which take literally no less than 5 minutes with matching the length and such...     well for some reason the supplied SRAM power links did NOT connect with each other.  I tried different combination links from both chains and still a no go.  I finally went back to the links off the old chain and voila!!   2 hours into this project comes the fun part.   I wish I had pictures to share but didn't think of it.  All I wanted to do is put on a new seat post and seat and be done with it all.  The old seat post was a bit tough to slide out due to some friction so I wiped out the frame after removal and started to slide the new carbon post in.  I'm not sure if the Titec carbon posts are a little ticker than most posts because of the high gloss or what but the post got stuck with a LONG way to go until it reached my height.  I was twisting the seat trying to slide that post down further and used a little too much effort.... oops the seat clamp is now loosened from the post itself and would you look at that?  The darn thing came right off the post!  Now I have a carbon post stuck in my primary bike that I am determined to ride so I took to a metal object and started pounding the crap out of the post to get it seated into the frame.  This baby is NEVER coming out now and even though I splintered the carbon a bit, I got it low enough to match my height however had to epoxy the seat clamp back into the post hoping it would withstand 24 hours of riding.  Clint didn't think it would hold one lap... but it held the entire race!  Okay enough talk about the bike repair.  I got it fixed and we were headed up to the mountains to get there before dark so I can ride these tires that literally have no tread but are grippy as rock climbing shoes to see if they hold air.  We got up there and my rear tire was flat but that's because I didn't ride them yet and they weren't sealed..  Riding 20 minutes fixed this.  It's now race morning with the usual race prep and nerves.  There were a few names I know racing with me and know I would have a battle ahead based off last few years winning lap times.   I ate breakfast and then some lasagna around 11am to hold me over for quite a few hours into the race and then lived off my special concoction of race fuel including many many Hammer Endurolytes & Anti Fatigue caps (miracle pills right there!), powedered drink mix, Ensure Plus Choc Shakes, 1 liter of coke + 2 cans in for the last 3 laps, 2 bite sized snickers bars for the last 2 laps, 4 red bulls, oat meal, watermelon, eggs, bacon, chicken soup, chicken meatballs... and that may be it. This may be the first 24 hour race where I felt amazing the entire race minus the 2am lap.  Greg in second place was chasing me down since the moment I passed him on the first lap and never let go of me, holding within 10 min of me for pretty much the entire race.  I put a 25 min gap on him late at night but then I stopped for 15 min a few times to eat and use the potty.  From there the race was back on and literally was racing at speeds close to a short-distance xc race towards the last 4 laps of this race.  I was doing the math in my head while riding and had a feeling it would come down to 26 laps, but not 27.  My last 3 laps got progressively faster as my gf kept telling me Greg was doing 49-50 min laps and trying to catch me.  Does this guy know that I am not going to lose the lead now after having it for 23 hours??  I busted my butt around that course one last time running on pure adrenaline and made it in 49 minutes.  I surely must have looked like a psycho going around the course the last few laps but crossing the finish line first was well worth it. Perhaps me having a number 27 plate was ironic or foretelling my 27 lap future.. or maybe it had to do something with my birthday.  Here is a pic of me passing out on the ground after I came through... notice the accumulation of dirt on my legs from the past 24 hours.  <img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs147.ash2/40705_1460965618494_1664049570_1070882_1831433_n.jpg" /> Thanks to everyone who helped me out during the race including the racers I passed and the ones who passed me shouting out encouragement.  My support crew was great even though I caught them sleeping around 3am but everything worked out as planned.  <img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs388.snc4/45171_1460965978503_1664049570_1070889_2084729_n.jpg" /> Results: <a href="http://www.grannygear.com/realtime/public/gg_class.php?display_standings_flag=1&class=MZ">http://www.grannygear.com/realtime/public/gg_class.php?display_standings_flag=1&class=MZ</a>