K-Blue Racing

2013 Fire on the Rim Race Report
Pine, AZ
Don Mellow
September 14, 2013

  This was a race I had not done before, nor pre-rode. I had done a little homework studying the area, terrain, and overall layout of the race. With this race, the obvious worry point is the 970' of constant elevation gain at the very beginning of the race. The other factors were the 3,700 total elevation gain of the 30 mile course I was attempting.

  After arriving at the race headquarters the night before, I had a chance to drive the initial climb from the start. Even my F250 was working, so I knew it was going to be one of those times that I would have dig deep, block out the pain, find my cadence, and get my Clydesdale butt up the hill! I have put on about 300 miles in training for this race, so I felt I was about 85%. I'll tell where I actually was at the end of this report. 

  I arrived at the race camp the next morning about an hour and a half from start time. One thing I have learned after years of racing is to have as much ready BEFORE you head up so you have time to relax and get into race mode. I was ready to go in 15 minutes due to the preparation and was able to hang out and get to know my neighbors. That helped calm my nerves and heard some interesting stories.

  About 20 min to race start, you could hear the calls for the 45 mile guys to start. The anticipation and internal gut check began. I geared up, checked everything over and headed for my race. After stretching and warming up on the pavement areas around the start, I felt I was ready. It was nice to be out of the heat of the valley, checking out everyone's bikes for what they had put into it, and going over my race plan in my head. After lining up in the middle of the pack, behind the shaved leg guys and before the guys handing off their beers to their wives, the race official had us give a moment of silence for the 19 fire fighters that recently passed in the Yarnell fire. It was great to give respect and reflect how lucky we have it in so many ways and how my participation was going to a great cause. So then it was back to the race. 45 seconds to start, I put on my race app and turned on the Metallica song to get me ready to go. BOOM- we're off and with a little downhill to feel like your a pro, we sped off...uphill. Because I driven the uphill the night before, I just found my pace and peddled, thinking of those famous socks that say "peddle damn it". I really do enjoy race starts. Gears changing, people (in shape) talking, the crowds cheering, and me thinking of when the first cramp will come. I stayed in the middle basically, passing some, getting passed, but feeling good about my planning and pace. After about 2 miles we cleared the houses and cheering folks. You know, that point of a race when it is just you, your bike, and the open road? At that point, it was now about getting up the mountain. I peddled, and peddled, and peddled. Taking advantage of my granny gear and a few 50-80 yard downhills to lift my butt off the seat to get circulation again. I had to walk a few sections at the top because I was wanting so save some energy for the rest of the race and just enjoy the event. Then finally I reached the saddle and started the 5 mile downhill. You know that feeling of "weeee". I was moving pretty fast, but still feeling the drag of newly installed brake pads, so I took some time to really burn them in. This was and really smooth forest road, dodging a few water puddles and rocks, but mostly cruising. There were a few washes that I was able to flow through without too much peddling...that is always nice. I reached the end of the downhill at an aid station, where another road revealed the humbling fact that the race would not all be downhill. So started peddling again on a fairly steep road, but less compacted, so I just found my lines and stayed the course. It was about another 4 miles to the next turn with only a few small downhills to give relief. After making the next turn, it got steeper for .5 mile then started some crazy single track that was extremely steep and very narrow, with lots of rocks. However, because it was mostly downhill, I loved it and just enjoyed my car crash through the woods, always taking note of how I could do it better and faster the next lap.

  After completing about 2 miles of the single track, it was back to climbing another 1 mile of pretty steep climbing. Not as steep as the initial climb, but add rocks and ruts to equation, and I finally had to hike a bike about half way. Good thing is about 50% of the riders were doing the same. So I just climbed as fast as I figured I would be riding and made it to the top. Hello downhill. And by this I mean some of the most technical, fast flying downhill I have ever done. I love surprises, so I just stayed focused and on speed. This was a 2 track road that had been washed out in the middle, so it was V-shaped. Picked my side and slammed on the breaks and was still going about 15 miles an hour.!

  After finishing that section, it was now onto some pavement, but still uphill pain. Towards the end of that 3 mile section it was downhill. Why does the downhill go so fast? Then turning onto another single tract that parallels the main highway, I just peddled. However, at this stage of the race (about 12 miles) I was feeling "ok", I was determined to stay at race pace and enjoy the next section. This section was the most demanding because it was a twisty, turning, steep-then-up single track. O, and there was about 1000% times more the rocks. This is where you start evaluated " what if I get a flat". So I just took it easy to see what the trail had. And it had everything...steep steep steep downhills, crossing boulders at the bottom of creeks (I was thinking that this wasn't even a bike trail), and really technical turns. So I finally arrived at the turn to go to the finish line or start the next lap. Mmmm, thinking, thinking, thinking...ok, I started my second lap. Understanding where I was and where the road was, I began developing a plan to have fun riding this new trail for the race and pace myself....about one hour later, I had just finished the connecting section that was everything I have written so far COMBINED!!!! No joke. I won't give details, you'll just have to ride it!!

  I was now about halfway up the initial climb and feeling good. Still walked a few sections because of tightness and being lapped by the 45 mile guys starting their 3rd lap! Got to the top and enjoyed the downhill, and going much much faster. I think I ran faster in some areas, but had to walk a few more sections because of the cramping. I still kept moving though. I had it in my mind that I had to keep moving. I only had 6 minutes of stop time in 4:38 minutes of racing. I finally got to the finish line turnoff and knew most of it was downhill. It was and it was fun to get the energy of finishing and catching my breath. After weaving thru town and getting off course in one section that cost me and another guy a few minutes, I finally saw the finish line. I felt like I left everything on the course and with hamstrings cramping I crossed the line.

  Got a few after race pictures and walked to the racer tent where the volunteers were shoving food and drinks at me so fast. They really did a great job and I know they appreciate the cause for the race to help fund forest fires to keep big ones from happening. I sat down for some food, music, and the sights and felt good to finish, even though I was shooting for a 4 hour goal. At this time, I reflected on what I thought I was 85% prepared at the beginning of the race, was now a humbling 60%. I know I did a great job, but could definitely improve by knowing the course and demands of the race. I recommend all to do this one...top three for me.

  Special thanks to some products that helped me complete this race. Sexy race shorts will gel pad from Serfas, great gloves that never slipped from Serfas, GU products that kept me moving forward and avoiding more cramps, my flip up Gargoyles glasses that really help in the shaded/sunny areas of the forest and allowing me to wipe the sweat from my eyes easily, and the great Serfas Krest tires that hugged and loved this terrain. No flats (Stan's NoTubes), and probably should have been, really great handling that helped me focus on other aspects of the race. Do this one, you won't regret it too bad!

Don Mellow