Every once in a while I have had a brake through race. This was one of them. My training in preparation for Primal quest had been going well. Although the results in Baja were not what I hoped for – physically I was strong and fast the entire 4 + days.

Physically, with the exception of a nagging calf injury, my health was good and my plans of frequent rest seemed to be working. In addition I had raced at Cool last year so I knew the kind of effort that was needed.

This year Will and Brain were joining me as 24 hour soloist, Jon was on the 8 hour course and Jen, DP, Aja and a guest were racing as a 4 person teams. So we would have lots of help and excitement. We also had a great crew.

My goal was to cover 200+ miles (last year I did 187) and win the Masters Division. In addition, I just wanted to keep moving and avoid any major brake downs.

The race started fast. My first few laps felt good and I was making good time. (1:02, 1:04, 1:06.) I was drinking as much as I could because it was warm. Lap 5 I stated cramping a bit. A handful of E-caps and I felt better.

Lap 6 I pitted to eat solid food, change clothes, clean the chain and put on lights. In and out in 20 minutes.

Just after midnight, I had 10 laps (123 miles) in and was still feeling strong. I took another 20 minute pit to eat, clean the chain and switch the gearing. For you gearheads – I was running a 33X18. I switched to a 33X20 to make the climbs a bit easier.  For the record, I was riding a Gary Fisher Rig with 29 inch wheels.  I used semislick Stan’s 29er Crow tires. They were perfect.

My new lights were great.  The 600 lume Dinotte worked like a champ. Light weight, with long burn times, I could see what needed to be seen.  Even with these great lights, some of the down hills were so fast that I would have to ride by memory and hope that nothing changed.

The course was 12.3 miles long with about 1500 of climbing. Out of the start chute was a fun single track that I could whip through. This lead to a small climb, another quick down hill, then the first real climb. After that came a screaming down hill leading to another fun bit of single track through the trees. A short climb on single track leading to the decent into Knickerbocker creek. Through the creek and then a very steep climb out (which I walked every time,) then a fast down hill, a relatively flat single track leading to the road to the aid station. A fast road downhill, then climb back out. A fast down hill leading to Salt Creek. The climb out of Salt Creek was the longest and hardest with 2 separate climbs. I rode the whole thing the first 4 laps. Thereafter I walked a 150 meter section in the middle. Finally, after the last climb, a smoking downhill with some short climbs and finally to the pit area. This course was 1.3 miles longer and 300 feet more climbing then last year.

After the midnight pit, I continued to ride strongly till around 4 am. That lap (#13) was wobbly and I was really feeling the 160 miles I had put in.

Just after 5 am I came in and pitted for about 40 minutes. I slept for about 5 minutes in a chair, ate, changed clothes and as soon as it was light took off for the last 6 hours.

At this point I was about 45 minutes ahead of 2nd in the division. I pushed through laps 14, 15 and 16. I was still moving well, about 1:20 a lap. I flatted on lap 16 – the only mechanical of the day. Finishing lap 16 (196 miles) I was told I was still about 40 minutes ahead of second. Just to be safe and because I had time, I went out on lap 17. I finished in 23 hours 27 minutes. 209 miles with about 25500 feet of climbing

I won the Masters Division (an open 45+ division) on a single speed. I was 4th over all among all solos. Interestingly, 3 of the top 4 and 7 of the top 12 were single speed riders.

Brian was 12th overall and 6th in the single speed division. Will was 5th in the open division and 15th overall. Jon got 10th in the 8 hour division. Jen, DP, Aja and Chris took 4th in the open 4 person division.

A great day for the DA’s.

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