a couple more photos rkymthiWednesday, July 09, 2008
4th of July fun in Breckenridge
Got a get out of class card and decided to head up to the moutians for a long Independence Day weekend. As I'm driving out, I think about calling the Cowbell and see what he's up too. He's hitching a ride Roxz and HCH for the Firecracker 50. It was good seeing everyone and getting out for a race even if Cowbell and I sandbagged into the beginner catagory and rode the Sparkler, while the other two rode for more than five hours, you guys rock. Next time I will not be doing this on a rigid 29'er SS. Good times and a great weekend!
a couple more photos rkymthi
a couple more photos rkymthi
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Congrats on the medal Rox, that's awesome. Congrats to you to Larry, that's not a small bite to chew off.
Gracias, amigo.
Peeps, this race is not for the weak. It not only pushes you physically but mentally as well.
The race starts out as a neutral roll out, all happy and full of energy. They disguise it as a 4th of July parade. People by the thousands line Main St. We're slapping kids' hands as we cruise by feeling like rockstars. But that all comes to abrubt halt once the race starts and all the lung advantaged racers take flight. But I've done this before and knew the challenge that awaited - a 6 mile climb to the first hole shot up pavement and then onto gravel.
At 9500 feet 70 degrees feels like 90 and the heat bore down but I just looked out a few feet ahead of me and got into a rhythmn. Once at the top, I grabbed my camelbak at the first aid station and was off to single track heaven and hell. If you've not done this before, you're tricked into thinking you are at the top.Not by a long shot. There are still two more monster climbs. One on rutty double track and the other is a shale rock fall. Most people walk it, including yours truely. It's a bitch.
But what goes up, must come down and the downs are screamers... as in screaming for dear life cuz you can't find a line to save it and 500 Coloradians are right behind you so f'n figure it out and pronto! Another is a jeep gravel road the snakes for a couple miles and if not for the fact that it's a two-way road, flying down is much like a highway and you pray the whole way down that you don't hit a pothole.
The other ear to ear grinners are at the end. Once you come back up that two way road, the fun begins. Mental note for next year: do more tricep work at the gym. Holy Crap! Talk about rocky and steep. Oh and look out for the miners walking down the same trail that has no room outside of your line. Hello! Then after that there is this switchback section that makes you feel like that scene in the Empire Strikes Back when you're flying through the trees at mock 1. Then it's tight switchbacks down an open field in front of every spectator and God so you better look good. Then you fly through the finish and well, enjoy the flat part for 5 seconds cuz you gotta go do it all over again. And that my friends, is where the mental game starts. Stomach is telling you to go to hell, your arms are noodly and don't seem to be attached to your body. Up, up, up, pedal, pedal, pedal. It's all about rhythm and zen riding. Just you and your breath.
Once back at the top I filled up the camelback and took a few minutes to let my stomach settle. It didn't want to so I just labored on. Everything went fine until the last few switchbacks at the end where I struck a log with my pinky toe. I thought I broke it but I was so close to being done I didn't care. I sprinted to the finish. I managed 5:40, about 10 min. off my goal time. Damn, shouldn't have stopped to fill the camelback but oh well. Still made the podium and felt pretty good afterwards.
Props out to Cam Kirkpatrick who nailed a 3rd place podium spot in his age division. That man has no boundaries. Jay Chesterman put in a great time too. Larry decided to do the race last minute so he approached it in a more relaxed manner this year. Uh, that won't happen again, right Hot Pepper?!
Pretty cool to do the same race that a bunch of pros did and I'm happy to report, I beat 3 of them! Makes the fact that 25 of them beat me seem less harsh!
So, if you're into pain and suffering with a view, head out to Breckenridge for the FC50 next year. I'll be there!
So how come only the chick with the beer has a medal? Kind of makes you think!
nice work Rox! and way to enjoy the beer afterwards. I'll be with you there in 2009!!
All in your honor, my dear!
Way to go, Roxz! Sounds like you deserved the beer. I always enjoy a good race write-up, so thanks for sharing!
Post a Comment