Midweek Race Series #3 - Race Report

Midweek MTB Race Series – Race #3

Riverview Trail (Heber, UT)

May 20, 2014

Steve Warner

This race was in Heber, Utah what typically would be a 45 minute drive from my office. I left work at 5:00pm with the plan to arrive at the race at 5:45pm ready for the 6:30 start. I hit I-15 heading south through Utah County and planned to go up Provo Canyon to reach Heber. However, after a few miles on I-15, traffic completely stopped due to a freeway closure. I sat in traffic and inched forward for about 45 minutes, finally exiting the freeway and making my way up Provo Canyon. Traffic was moving now, but I had about 30 minutes to get to Heber. I pulled into the race parking lot at about 6:22, threw on my race plate, put on my shoes, grabbed a water bottle, and raced off to the starting line. I got there as they were starting the Pro Men just in time for my Sport 35+ Category to start a few minutes later.

I had not pre-ridden the course or knew much about this trail system, but I asked my friend Brian to describe the course, so I would know how to allocate my energy with respect to climbs. The race started with 800 feet of climbing over 2 miles. It was a little shock to the legs to start this way without warming up, but I got into a groove and was able to grind the climb out without much problem. The next 2 miles were a traverse across the side of the mountain followed by a 1 mile descent with 14 hairpin turns. The 8 mile course finished with a 2 mile section that was relatively flat followed by 1 mile descent to the finish line.

I placed 35^th out of 51 riders in the Sport 35+ category with a time of 49:09.

Special thanks to Serfas (tires and shorts), GU (Roctane Gel and Drink), Stan’s (sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).

Sedona MS Ride

Sedona MS Ride

Cottonwood, Cornville and Sedona, AZ

May 17 and 18^th

Sterling Margetts

This was my 6^th year riding the MS ride and third year at the Verde Valley location.  This year was a little different than previous years (rain, sleet, hail, and snow two years ago, and broken spoke and wind last year) with it being hot and the route being reversed. 

I woke up at 3:00am on Saturday May 17^th loaded up my truck and headed up to the Cottonwood Fair Grounds to meet up with Scott around 6am to get ready for the 7am start of the race. After some friendly greetings friends and other riders, we lined up at the start line to lead the group out on the ride with the Discount Tire team.  And so began our journey up State Route 89A from Cottonwood to Sedona.  Along the way we took several scenic detours through the Red Rock Valleys, including a section of dirt road that surprised me last year, but it was in better shape this year.  We traversed about part of Sedona before we headed back down toward Oak Creek Village and Cottonwood.  

On our way through the gusting wind and temperatures near 100 degrees back to Cottonwood we encountered a tragic accident of a vehicle/bicycle rider associated with the race.  The police was on the scene and several people were attending to the injured rider on the ground.  With things out of our control and being taken care of the by the authorities we hurried to the finish line appreciating the safety we were lucky to have and hoping the best for our fellow cyclist.  Although some parts of the ride may have seemed tough climbs with hot gusty winds it was noting in comparison to the challenges that those with MS face each day of their lives.

As we wrapped up the first day and went back to the hotel, my mind kept thinking about the injured rider and hoped that everything was okay.  It was not till the morning when we arrived back at the fair grounds that we were told that the rider did not survive the accident and that day 2 ride would be limited to the 30 mile loop out of respect for what had happened the previous day.  So with heavy hearts we had a moment of silence and then began our ride for those with MS and the cyclist who we had lost yesterday.  The Second day took us through Page Springs, which I image to be like riding through the French countryside with rivers and wineries lining the winding rolling road.  It’s a fantastic ride and helped raise up our spirits to remember the purpose of our ride to help others. We finished the 30 mile loop weaving through Cottonwood and Clarkdale.  I enjoy my time helping with this cause and wish the best for the family of those that were unfortunately impacted by the tragic event on Saturday.

Thank you to all the sponsors for helping me be a part of this great cause.

Sedona MS Ride
Conttonwood, Cornville & Sedona, AZ
May 17 & 18, 2014
Scott Thomas

  So this was my (Scott) first year riding this ride.  Late last year a close family member of mine was dianogesed with MS, so when Sterling asked me if I wanted to ride it with him and the Discount Tire team I jumped at it.  This would be my longest distance on a road bike.

  So pretty typical for an out-of-town race for me that I packed up and headed out on Friday.  Along the drive I had the typical me time to figure out a plan and just life in general.  I've live in AZ since 1998 and for the most part I always refer to Kentucky and Virginia as home for me.  As I pasted the Prescott exit on the way to Sedona I saw the horizon and something finally clicked with me and Arizona is where I can call home now.  I will always have ties to Kentucky and Virginia, but this is home.

                                     
  Well I made it to Sedona and got checked in and all set up in my hotel.  Laid out all the gear for Saturday morning.  My hotel was about a 30 minute drive from the start of the ride on Saturday morning, so I wanted to make sure I was ready.  Filled all my bottle and put them in the frig and headed to bed.

  Saturday morning comes, grab my stuff and head to Cottonwood.  Sterling had driven up that morning from Phoenix.  We got there in time for the Discount Tire team picture and then lined up for the start.  There were about 600+ riders at the start for Saturday's ride.  The options for the ride were 50 miles, 70 miles and the 90 miles.  Sterling and I were in for at least the 70, but the 90 option we would decide at that turn.

  The ride starts off in Cottonwood and a small loop thru town to immediately start heading out to Sedona.  By the time we hit mile 10 the pack had really spread out.  There's some climbing along the 89A into Sedona, but nothing to horrible to complain about.  As you hit the second aid station or mile 20-ish for the 70 & 90 mile courses you do a small loop that takes you down a 1 mile packed dirt road.  I was a little concerned being on my road bike, but the dirt actually wasn't bad and better than parts of the asphalt I had already seen.

  As we headed into Sedona again there is a turn for the 70 & 90 mile courses that is about a 10 mile out and back (totaling 20 miles).  The heading out on this part seemed much further than the coming back in part.  As soon as we get back we weave thru Sedona and hit the aid station where they have lunch set up.  

  After a quick bite we head out to finish this.  At this point we are right about 50 miles.  I knew that we had about 3 more miles out of town and then about 6 miles till we hit the turn for the 90 mile course for turn and head back for the 70 mile course.  

  As we hit the road that would be the 6 miles it seemed like someone had turned on the wind.  Sterling mentioned after the fact that that section was suppose to be the fun part as there is a slight downhill to it.  It wasn't.  It was a pedal the entire 6 miles.  At the end of this section there was an aid station just before the turn to either the 70+ or the 90 mile course.  Sterling and I both filled our bottles and at this point decided that we would just head in for the 70 mile course.

  We made the turn, which was about 100 yards from the aid station and started to head to Cornville.  As soon as we made the turn I saw two sheriffs trucks stopped in the road and about 5-6 cars stopped behind them.  Thinking the worse as Sterling and I got closer, not sure if we would be able to get thru, saw a rider had been hit.  

  As we passed I turned and saw the rider that the sheriff was working on and I had a sick feeling over me.  Had we been 2 minutes faster that could have been Sterling or I or both.  The next 14 miles to the end of the ride would be the longest I've had in a while and the most somber ones for sure.  As we hit the last aid station the air-vac helicopter flew over.  

  Getting back to the start/finish area couldn't hit soon enough.  

  Sunday morning comes and I packed up my hotel room and grab everything and headed to Cottonwood for round two.  Getting to the start area I find out that the 50 mile option would not be offered due to the fact that the rider that got hit on Saturday didn't make it.  

  A brief statement was made by the local MS Chapter president regarding the accident and then we were off and running again.  Today's ride would be fun.  Again thru the town of Cottonwood and then out the 89A towards Sedona, but making a turn well before toward a community called Page Springs.

  Living in AZ for 18+ years I've never heard of Page Springs, but I will be going back.  We dropped down into this small community and there were 4-5 vineyards and wineries.  What a hidden little gem in the middle of no where it seemed.  It was very pretty and pleasant down there.  

  We headed out of there and a brief hit of Cornville before back into Cottonwood and out to a town called Clarkdale.  It was a nice steady climb up to Clarkdale, but the reward of the downhill coming back into Cottonwood was worth it.  

  All in all it was a nice weekend of riding.  I wish drivers had more respect for us cyclists and understood the laws.  Will I be back next year?  Hard to say yet, but what a great cause to ride for.

  Thanks GU Energy, Serfas, Poc, Crank Brothers, Polar Bottle, Yankz!, Geigerrig, NoTubes & ProGold.

  

Iron Will 50K - Race Report

Iron Will - “The Abram” 50k

Camp Williams (Riverton, UT)

May 17, 2014

Steve Warner

Camp Williams is a National Guard training site near Salt Lake City. For the first time, they opened the military base to the general public for a mountain bike race. It was actually part of their “Iron Will” event that included running and biking events. The mountain biking events consisted of “The Sherman”, a 25 km loop, or “The Abram”, a 50 km (32 miles) adventure that covered much of the Camp. I opted for the 50 km race for two reasons (1) I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see the military base and (2) I wanted a longer, more physical challenge than the 10-15 mile races I typically do. Well, I got exactly what I asked for.

I'll start with the good first:

*·        The venue was great. The views and location were amazing. The weather was perfect too.

*·        The Utah National Guard did a fantastic job of organizing the event, setting up and staffing aid stations, and marking the course.

*·        Riding through training grounds on the base, including the Afghan Village, the Sniper Range, the POW site, the Machine Gun Range, etc.

*·        Dropping 2000 feet in the last 5-6 miles of the race.

*·        Apache helicopters buzzing the tower throughout the race.

*·        I finished and can feel good about accomplishing something hard.

*·        I crossed the 30,000 feet mark of climbing, meaning I have climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest in the past two months.

The not so good, but also not terribly bad:

*·        Not being fully trained for a race of this distance (32.2 miles) and time (3 hr. 18 min.). I placed 101 out of a total of 162 riders or 40 out of 63 in my age group. There were more than a dozen riders that were out for more than 5 hours, so I guess I wasn’t the only one suffering.

*·        Over 4300 feet of vertical climbing—including two “hike-a-bike” sections that did everyone in.

*·        Had to bunny hop two snakes stretched out on the course.

*·        Battling headache, cramps, fatigue, and downright depletion during the last few climbs of the race.

*·        Rear shock lockout not working and having to deal with the bouncing of rhythmic pedaling on the climbs.

Overall, it was a great experience and an adventure that pushed me near my physical limit. Special thanks to Serfas (tires and shorts), GU (Roctane), Stan’s (sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).

Alien Run Mountain Bike Competition - Race Report

Alien Run Mountain Bike Competition

Aztec, NM

May 4, 2014

Meagan Johnson

  On May 4th I raced in my first mountain bike race of the season in Aztec, NM.  It was called the Alien Run Mountain Bike Competition!  I raced in the Sport Category that consisted of a 24 mile one lap loop through the deserts of New Mexico.  It was the first time that I had ever raced in this particular race and wasn't sure what to expect going into this race.  At the start I realized that most of the competitors were in the Pro and Expert Category with about 35 of us in the Sport Category.  

  The race consisted of mostly single track and gas line dirt roads with a lot of sand.  It was a balmy 77 degrees to start but then the clouds rolled over and made the next 20 miles the most pristine riding weather!!!  It was a tough race right out the start as the pace was set and the consistency kept throughout the race.

  For my first race of the season in this type of atmosphere I realized how fast and hard people go up here in the Four Corners Region! I finished the tough loop in 2 hours and 22 minutes and have to give lots of credit to all of the sponsors that helped me get through in STYLE!  Lots of thanks to Serfas, POC, Polar Bottle, Geigerrig, NoTubes, ProGold, Crank Brothers, GU Energy and Yankz!

Midweek MTB Race #2 Race Report

Midweek MTB Race Series – Race #2

Corner Canyon (Draper, UT)

May 6, 2014

Steve Warner

This was my first race of the season and was held at Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah. Corner Canyon is where I do 90% of my training, so this race was on my home turf. The weather forecast showed a 30-50% chance or rain from about 3:00pm on that afternoon, so I spent the lead up to the race following the weather and the Facebook/Twitter feed from Midweek MTB to make sure the race was happening.

I arrived at Corner Canyon a few minutes before 6:00pm. I checked in at registration and warmed up for a few minutes. The rain held off, so we lined up at 6:30 and they started the race by categories. Pro Men went first and so on. I race Sport Men 35+, which is by far the largest group (60 riders).

The start was fast as usual and I tried to slide quickly into a pace I new I could sustain. The first mile was on a dirt road allowing for the pack of riders to space out. There was a bottleneck when the course narrowed to single track, but it wasn’t too bad. Once on the single track it was about 5 straight miles of climbing up to the top of Corner Canyon. The course followed the standard approach up Corner Canyon until we reached the fire road. Things started to space out at this point and I was able to find a good position with 3 or 4 riders that seemed my equal. We rode together all the way up to the top of the Canyon via Canyon Hollow Connector, Potato Hill Trail, and Ann’s Trail, about a 1500 feet climb.

At the top, we immediately connected to Rush Trail, which is a downhill only trail specifically designed for DH enthusiasts loaded with jumps, berms, table tops, s-curves, etc. I was able to separate myself from the pack of riders I was with on the downhill sections. It was a fast decent with a few sketchy moments. The 10 mile course ended with the Creek View Trail and then a dash to the finish line. It was an incredibly fun course and event.

I ended up placing 44^th out of 60 riders in the Sport 35+ category. Overall, it is a good start to a new season with lots of racing still to come.

Special thanks to Serfas (tires and shorts), Stan’s(sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).