RR: Idyllwild Spring Challenge Race

[sdyeti]

Dan (Man blong Gaua), Allison, Mechmann (Justin), Eric (Singleminded) and Eric (Zippy) all made it up to the Idyllwild Spring Challenge Race this weekend (and maybe some other STR members that we didn't meet).

Welcome to the Idyllwild Spring Challenge


Sure is pretty


The Manns, Dan, and I all arrived Saturday morning for the XC races (Dan would be the only one not racing Saturday...he was our designated camera-man and all around helper as he would be racing Super D on Sunday).

Pro men, taking off (Manny Prado won the $1000 prize)


The crowd was pretty big and there were lots of racers who came out. Allison & I wondered if we would still be the only ones in our class (sport 19-29) given the number of riders choosing the same day registration option, but in the end, we were left to duke it out with each other (I'll give away the ending now...Allison had a great day and beat me handily by over 8 minutes).

The gals in argyle


Represent


We got ready and warmed up...but the race got delayed by about 15 minutes and the air really started to warm up too! I'd guess it was at least 75, and the sun was very bright. I opted for the CamelBak...dorky, I know but I didn't want to fight with the bottle and the Niner only has one cage on it.

We watched Justin and Singleminded Eric go off and then lined up for our race.

Mechmann looking ready to rumble


Justin goes for it


Singleminded (in orange jersey) taking off


I put it down hard off the line and got the hole shot but I knew that Allison was right behind me. Almost immediately, my heart rate was through the roof and my lungs were on fire. I could taste blood, which often happens when I ride really hard at any elevation above about 4000'. I knew that I was in for a rough ride.

Allison passed me easily once we turned left to start the Keen Camp climb. I watched her stand up and accelerate away from me. Damn! I knew it would be her day today, but I still pushed myself hard. When you have a teammate and close friend like Allison, and when you train together like we do, you get to know the other person's strengths & weaknesses. This can play out for the better or for the worse, depending on the perspective. She knows that I warm up slowly and don't hit my rhythm until ~30 minutes into a ride. She is able to go out really hard. Me? Not so much

In any case, I made it to the top of Keen Camp and then made it out to the meadow when I started to pick off some of the other riders (mostly sport guys). A couple of the sport women 30+ pulled away from me on Keen Camp but I caught and passed them once on the singletrack.

Justin on the course


I was sweating pretty badly and couldn't regulate my breathing for most of the way up May Valley Road. I could still taste blood. I felt like throwing up. Still, I tried to push hard up May Valley Road...I knew the singletrack was awaiting and would be a welcomed relief.

Before I knew it, I got to Buena Vista and took off down the trail. I seriously felt like I was hallucinating and was totally wobbly on the bike. Pretty soon, my breathing slowed and I was able to steady out. I actually did really well on the singletrack (my strength) and caught the other ladies. I made it over the Roman wall section and turned right onto Mirkwood. To my surprise and delight, I saw the welcoming, gleaming smiles of Donna (CaDownhillDoll) and Steve! Thanks guys!

Down Mirkwood it was...I was flying!! Soooo much fun...and then I got stuck behind a couple other riders.

We turned right to bypass all the HAB and a quick climb brought us to Lower Southridge. On our ride here for the STR campout, I struggled so badly. I knew that I needed to stay on my bike as much as possible if I had any hopes of salvaging my time. I passed a lot of people walking and cleared a couple steep, long sections. I was really proud of my technical riding skills!

Lower Southridge was still a grind, but once I made it back out to May Valley Road, I knew the hardest parts were over!

Allison on Exfoliator


Me


Me again, on Exfoliator


Climbing up on Exfoliator


Next it was Snakeskin to Cahuilla Cutoff to Tres Hombres Uno. These sections were fast and flowy with a lot of turns. Overall, lots of fun. Things started to get crowded, though, as the expert riders had merged back with the sports. It was tough to have some guys assume I was going to get off and walk, telling me "rider up" but then I beat them up the climb.

Anyhow, I knew by this point that catching Allison wasn't going to happen despite my best efforts. Nevertheless, I had a blast bombing down Exfoliator and then Rage through the Sage (despite the climb between them).

At one point, some guy who I'll call "The Hare" decides that he MUST pass me and blows by me on RTTS...then, I cleaned the rock climb--the techy one--and there he is, resting off the side of the trail!? Score one for me, "The Tortoise". Then I put the hammer down and big ringed it out to the pavement. Who comes flying up along side and then past me? You guessed it! We took the right turn back to the dirt again and I passed him back. Then, at the turn before The Demoralizer, he nearly pushes me out of the corner. Anyway...

Allison approaching The Demoralizer


Ditto for me


I made my best efforts at The Demoralizer, but it lived up to its name. I walked up the last 1/3 then finished up to see Allison, Dan & Justin waiting for me. I finished about 8:41 after her. I did warm up after all, it just took me too long.

Soooo happy to be done


We ended up hanging around, munching on food and hoping we'd win something in the raffle (Justin did win). The vibe was awesome and relaxed but I felt really sick...lightheaded, headache, etc. Too much heat and not enough electrolytes. Got to meet Zippy and hang out with the others friends we've made so far this year.

My time was about 2:15 for a 19 miles course. Justin came in 5th and Eric came in 5th for the 30 mile open course (on his SS, no less!)

Justin's podium


Us chicas on the podium


Singleminded (far left)


All in all, I would definitely recommend this race...awesome trails, great race support (sweepers, medical, aid stations, volunteers), and a great local vibe. The only bummer was that Super D got cancelled though we still rode (but that's another RR)!

[grant]

I saw both you and Allison as green blurs when you passed me on the course.

I managed to say Hi to allison at the start.

Well done.

[sdyeti]

Aw...sorry I missed ya! Was hoping to meet some more STR members this weekend...how'd it end up for you?

[schleppp]

There is nothing sweeter and at the same time sour as losing to a good friend! Thanks for the pics and write up!

How did the superD go today? (ooppss missed the part about superD being cancelled...)

[sdyeti]

Welllllll.....it got cancelled. The boys held their own underground Super D anyway (just Dan, Justin, our pal Michael, and one of the Don's Bikes dudes). We all rode up to the start, the gals went down the course and set up to take pics, then the guys raced down.

RR forthcoming...

Originally Posted by schleppp

There is nothing sweeter and at the same time sour as losing to a good friend! Thanks for the pics and write up!

How did the superD go today?

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Welllllll.....it got cancelled. The boys held their own underground Super D anyway (just Dan, Justin, our pal Michael, and one of the Don's Bikes dudes). We all rode up to the start, the gals went down the course and set up to take pics, then the guys raced down.

RR forthcoming...

I missed to part about the cancelation... I am sooo blind!!

[sdyeti]

It's okay

Your Niner would have been perfect for the course, BTW.

[lukewiens]

glad to hear you guys had a good time out there.

hope you didn't have to wait 4 hours for awards like in '07. congrats on the STR podiums!!

[gregg]

Since this was my first time up in those hills I decided to race the +45 men's open (30 miles) and get a good tour of the area. What a fun course. Lots of singletrack, water crossings, and a lot of hike a bikes. I don't think I could find half the trails I rode on since I was in oxygen debt for almost 3 1/2 hours. The hardest part was up the some pavement. That climb was for KOM. It seemed like it took half an hour to climb up that dang hill. Thanks for the pictures. I was in the last one. I finished 2nd. One of the pro girls (Sarah) pulled me from where we split from the sport class to the finish. It was all I could do to follow her. Now I just need to go up there and for fun.

[allison]

Steph and Dan came up Friday night so we could all get up somewhat early and head to Idyllwild Saturday morning. We got our stuff packed up, in the truck, and headed out 79S toward the race start.

Somewhere in between Aguanga and the turn off for Idyllwild I said that it didn't feel like race day. Everyone agreed. It was sort of a weird feeling. We got to the venue around 8:20, which is odd first of all. Normally we are all in a hurry and get to the venue about 7 am.

Now, I know you guys hate my race reports. So I'll keep this short.

At 11 am we toed the line. Steph took off, I passed her before Keen Camp Climb. Struggled. Pedaled. Pass. Pass. Struggled. Drank. Gel. Ouch. Woo! Ugh. Hike. Ugh. Hike. Getting closer now. What? Yes, water down the back. Ugh. Woo, wow, that was close. Pass. Pedal. Pedal. OMGOMGOMG so fun. Climb. Pedal pedal. Turn. Sorry. Wooooo. Yay. So close. Pedal pedal. Ugh. Dead. No more. Please. No. Hike. Try to pedal. Pedal. Damn! Crank crank crank. Yes!

On to the pics:

Michael, seriously passed out after his 30mi race



Manny in first



Lyle got first in Semi-Pro!!



Zippy



Justin in 4th



Crowd still hanging out



Me and Steph



My trophy



Great day. I thoroughly enjoyed the race. It was painful, but the aid stations were all awesome. The directions were really good, and the trails were well signed. I was never unsure of where to go.

Lots of singletrack. I've never had a venue provide post-ride goodies for free, much less for so long. The smoothies, while I didn't buy one, were awesome. I heard the other grilled food (they were charing for smoothies and grilled food) was good.

I definitely would love to come back next year. Which course to do is really the only question

Thanks to all volunteers and the race crew. Idyllwild Cycling put on a good one! Hope the race director is healing up. (And not just cause I want my $$ back )

For anyone interested in the long version, just click the link above. I did take the time to do a full race report, but since so many people said they don't read them anyway, there's not much point of posting it again

[elab]

Originally Posted by allison

Now, I know you guys hate my race reports. So I'll keep this short.

I enjoy reading your reports, please keep doing them.

We need more mtb content on this site, not more pub stuff.

[allison]

Originally Posted by elab

I enjoy reading your reports, please keep doing them.

We need more mtb content on this site, not more pub stuff.

Well, feel free to read the LONG version!

If I get a few more requests I guess I can copy/paste here. Just seems like more people than normal said my RR was just too long last time

[singleminded]

Where did you place? I raced Open 45+ also....Did we meet? I remember a couple of guys.....I was on the Yellow Siren single....got 5th. I lost 2 places on the mile or so run in....one of them on the last little climb to the water tank I had nothing left.

Great race...the course was tough and fulfilling.

I was last going into the first climb against the gearies....and road hard to make up places. then they dropped us out right into the pack of sport riders at like mi 8 ....man did that suck (no offence sportsters) .

Trying to keep the single going while many were grinding in granny or walking. Not too stressful since it was my first time doing the event. Nice knowing I was able to make up the places and 3rd-5th was seperated by only like 1.5 min.

I am glad I raced the open class....since I do not race xc I have never held a licence and could only sign up for beg or sport as a single in the point classes. As Allison commented....it would not have been fair for me to race sport really....I think I would have been a bit rough on the sport singlespeeders. The winner did the 19mi course with limited climbing in 2:11 and I did the pro/exp course in 3:34

Anyway I will get a shot at the winner at the Racers n Chasers gig or the June Temecula 12hr baby

All in all it was great

Thanks girls for talking me into it. Great to see Justin and Dan also. And thank you all for putting up with my stressful truck key situation and waiting for me to get my trophy

Originally Posted by gregg

Since this was my first time up in those hills I decided to race the +45 men's open (30 miles) and get a good tour of the area. What a fun course. Lots of singletrack, water crossings, and a lot of hike a bikes. I don't think I could find half the trails I rode on since I was in oxygen debt for almost 3 1/2 hours. The hardest part was up the some pavement. That climb was for KOM. It seemed like it took half an hour to climb up that dang hill. Thanks for the pictures. I was in the last one. I finished 2nd. One of the pro girls (Sarah) pulled me from where we split from the sport class to the finish. It was all I could do to follow her. Now I just need to go up there and for fun.

[donkey]

Missed you girls out there! Sarah K, Mary, Brendan and I were in route to Thomas Mt when we stumbled upon Dan and Justin.....the official-unofficial stuper D sounded fun but we were in a bit of a hurry to get over there and get some climbing done!

Ramona never disapoints. It was awesome.

Glad you guys had fun out there. We heard about the race being cancelled early Sunday morning and I thought about you guys driving all the way up there.......but I don't have anyone's phone numbers!

B

[gregg]

Singleminded, I got 2nd place. I think my time was around 3:22 or so. I might have talked to you for a minute after the podium. I was talking to Tony (3rd place). when you came over. I remember somebody saying hey you guy are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

You must have been working pretty hard to keep up on the pavement with only one gear. We were moving at pretty good pace.

There was a guy trying to direct traffic when we joined the Sports, but nobody was listening. He was trying to stop or slow them down when I showed. I had to lock up my brakes to keep from T-boning one of the guys.

It was tuff trying to pass those guys going up the hill. Near the top some leaders of Sport went by me and I just followed them down and thru the meadow. They seemed to know the course.

The course was a lot of fun. Well at least once we got past Hell Hill at mile 17. It seemed like endless singletrack with a couple of exciting creek crossings.

I did the 30 miler so I could get a tour of the area. I don't think I remember where any of those trails were. I was just low on Oxygen the whole time.