STR | SocalTrailRiders.org

allison · 06-07-2008, 08:29 PM

The gear bags were packed and loaded into the truck as the couple jumped in and headed off down the freeway.

The bags had been packed with helmets, gloves, shoes, and other necessities. Coolers were packed with a two gallon container of water on ice, 8 bottles (2 Cytomax, 2 water, 2 Recoverite, and 2 Perpetuem), 4 smaller bottles of water, and a small bottle of Coke.

Inside the truck they had packed two large containers of drink mix, and 2-3 handfuls of food, such as Odwalla bars, Fruit Leathers, Clif Bloks, and Sport beans. Also packed was half a loaf of French Bread and a package of Trail Mix (nuts, seeds, and raisins).

The couple was ready for six plus hours of hard work on their bikes.

It was Saturday; one week before the local 12 hour event, and she was signed up to race solo. 12 hours on the bike, with nothing but her own power and determination while out riding. There would be assistance in the pits, of course: bottle refills, food handoffs.

Could she handle doing more mileage in a day than she ever had before, especially all off-road?

Today was just a trial run. No records were going to be set today.

Once they arrived they noticed local pro rider Herber was having his weekly race - Racers and Chasers - out there starting in about 40 minutes. They hoped to be out on course and not in the way of the race while they did laps.

The couple took off, riding through the grass to the sand pit, and up the first steep little climb. Following the short steep climb was a nice rolling fire road heading toward That Dam(n) climb.

They moved at an even pace, and as they moved to the start of the climb she downshifted. Four riders moved up ahead; carrots?

They were probably fathers out enjoying the morning before the honey-do's and daddy-can-you's of the afternoon. Preriding for 12 hours? Perhaps.

It was lap one, so the couple pulled through and continued up the climb, pulling slowly away from the four.

Her legs were a little stiff, but it was only lap 1 of quite a few more.

She came to the short rocky stint where she had faltered on Thursday. She cleaned it easily after taking just a bit of weight off the saddle.

"Plus one."

Up to the top, turn left, and head down the rolling descent.

Up the short climb, u-turn, and then another short steep climb. She cleaned it.

"Plus one - two," she said aloud, as she noticed the four men in the distance rolling on the hills toward them.

Justin had taken off and would be impossible to catch.

She took it easy for awhile. It was only lap one; no hurry. Along the ridges she rode, up the steep climb to Marlin, "Plus one - three".

Down Marlin, cautiously she traveled. They started to see signs from the Racers and Chasers race more often: red/silver and black/silver arrows pointing the way; sometimes the same way the 12 hour course was routed, and sometimes opposite.

Justin had waited up and taken a break on the way to Ambulance climb. Up the easy fire road they traversed toward Tunnel of Love for the fun, fast descent lined with shrub brush and small trees. The banked turns, small g-outs, and ruts all make it a great descent.

It ends all too soon, and the racers head down to start the Vic. singletrack. Up the false flat, down the other side, and up the steep steep climb to BMX. "Plus one - four" down the easy drop, up the short hill...didn't make it. "Minus one. Three."

She has never missed that one before. No worries, the rest of the lap had been clean.

Over the fire road and toward Marine Corps they headed. He let out a battle cry as he turned down the short descent before the steep and loose Marine Corps climb.

She headed off, pedaling as fast as she could, spun out halfway down... halfway up and she stops, finishing off the hill with a hike.

A bit more descending, and then a singletrack descent down near the pool. She sketched out a tad, and luckily didn't go down in the sand.

Around the grass, and they were done with lap one.

Lap two was similar. A few racers and chasers in site here and there. Plus one for making it through the rocks both times, plus one for finding a water bottle lid. Minus a few here and there.

Lap three they caught up to a few other riders, and finished it up to Eric and another singlespeeder about to head out.

The group was up to 5 for lap four. She slowed down a bit on the Dam climb. It was getting more and more warm on the climb. Along Rattlesnake Ridge (no rattler's today), down the ridges, along Marlin...

She briefly caught up to Eric on Tunnel, where he sped away for good.

Soon they were waving five fingers in front of the group at the bbq as they headed out. The break had been slightly longer. But they were ready for five. It had been four and a half hours since they had started.

Heading out on the fire road she commented, "I feel freaking awesome for 45 miles in." She meant it, too. He was not as excited, but moved quickly along the fire road none the less.

Another turn up Dam climb. The fire road was long, chalky, and hot. Sweat streamed down their faces. The headwind slowed them, blowing her around the fire road with its ferocity.

They neared the top. "Minus two for me," he said, referring to the fact that she was near to beating him up the climb.

"I'll take it." She continued up the fire road. 30 yards from the top he charged hard and attacked, laughing as he powered by. She took it two harder gears up and hammered to keep up with him. Just as she went to pass he turned in front of her on the clean line, blocking her from passing. "Oh man! Nasty block!" Down the descent they went.

She made it up the short steep climb after the u-turn for the 5th time. Legs still working mostly the way they were supposed to.

Up the steep climb to Marlin, cleaned it again, down the ridge... up Ambulance into the wind... down Tunnel, around Vic., around BMX (she missed it again), and then over toward Marine Corps.

They turned the final corner before the big climb. He turned back and said, "My battle cry this lap - meh" and off he pedaled.

It wasn't to be for her; she missed it again. Down the final descent, and around the pool.

54.6 miles. Over 7,500ft climbing. 6 hours and 31 minutes of total time.

She wound up with 7 points. Plus or minus 1-2.

The End.

Trizz · 06-07-2008, 08:36 PM

Allison, you are training hard for this event, 5 laps in 6 hours, wow, my whole goal next week is 6 laps. and you did it in half the time, I think your goal is 8 laps, you got it covered, awsome work, and another awsome report from you as well.

allison · 06-07-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trizz

Allison, you are training hard for this event, 5 laps in 6 hours, wow, my whole goal next week is 6 laps. and you did it in half the time, I think your goal is 8 laps, you got it covered, awsome work, and another awsome report from you as well.

Thanks! Hopefully I can do next weekend what I was able to do today.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone (especially those I haven't seen in awhile) and hope to see you guys out on the trails.

Planning on trying to wear a helmet cam for lap one and whatever becomes my final lap. I figured it may or may not be interesting

singleminded · 06-07-2008, 09:20 PM

She will....I'll be doggin her

Hey A, I thought I heard something like "You better peddle faster...I'm catching you" today. Must have been the wind

Man I was hurtin......

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechmann

she can bag 8 laps... the question is will she fight for 9?

Blue Rat · 06-07-2008, 09:23 PM

Good luck to all you guys next weekend.

OMR · 06-07-2008, 09:32 PM

Good luck young female grasshopper... I know that you will do well... the preparation will show!

foofighter · 06-07-2008, 10:10 PM

love the storybook narration Allison and the incorporation of the points system

kudos to you and justin for the dedication

lukewiens · 06-07-2008, 11:52 PM

well done......c'mon race day!!

Pho'dUp · 06-08-2008, 01:07 AM

Go for 9!

Ps. I think you guys need to invest in a laundry basket.

Knuckledragger · 06-08-2008, 01:37 AM

Oi! Give them hell... They deserve it!

C.K.

steviebfromtheoc · 06-08-2008, 08:20 AM

Great work Allison , we will be cheering you on !

Pain Freak · 06-08-2008, 08:36 AM

You know you guys have earned a break? All this riding and training is making me tired and I'm only reading it. Great rr Allison, nice touch.

allison · 06-08-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

You know you guys have earned a break? All this riding and training is making me tired and I'm only reading it. Great rr Allison, nice touch.

From YOU of all people?! Didn't you do a century a month last year??

Besides, I like riding my bike... what the hell else would I do with my time?

maxwell · 06-09-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allison

Besides, I like riding my bike... what the hell else would I do with my time?

This is freak'n CLASSIC!!

Great job guy's!

Remember to keep all this suffering FUN!!

mr.hobbs · 06-09-2008, 06:53 AM

For being part of the Paparazzi, you sure do use a bunch of words. You lost me a "racers".

mtnbikerfred · 06-09-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allison

The bags had been packed with helmets, gloves, shoes, and other necessities. Coolers were packed with a two gallon container of water on ice, 8 bottles (2 Cytomax, 2 water, 2 Recoverite, and 2 Perpetuem), 4 smaller bottles of water, and a small bottle of Coke.

Now I know why these crazy people do these endurance races, in the summer... In Temecula.....

Quote:

The couple was ready for six plus hours of hard work on their bikes.

The Coke will help

Quote:

There would be assistance in the pits, of course: bottle refills, food handoffs.

But don't do Coke around the officials, unless you have enough to share.

Quote:

Could she handle doing more mileage in a day than she ever had before, especially all off-road?

She does have the Coke

Quote:

Today was just a trial run. No records were going to be set today.

I'm sorry. I'm laughing so hard now that I can't continue, And my office mates are sure that I'm crazy...

Then I read them this:

Quote:

54.6 miles. Over 7,500ft climbing. 6 hours and 31 minutes of total time.

And they started laughing too!!!

Coke is it!!

06-07-2008, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
allison Gone ridin'	The Racers [A Novella by Allison] / 50 never felt so good / 7 Points The gear bags were packed and loaded into the truck as the couple jumped in and headed off down the freeway. The bags had been packed with helmets, gloves, shoes, and other necessities. Coolers were packed with a two gallon container of water on ice, 8 bottles (2 Cytomax, 2 water, 2 Recoverite, and 2 Perpetuem), 4 smaller bottles of water, and a small bottle of Coke. Inside the truck they had packed two large containers of drink mix, and 2-3 handfuls of food, such as Odwalla bars, Fruit Leathers, Clif Bloks, and Sport beans. Also packed was half a loaf of French Bread and a package of Trail Mix (nuts, seeds, and raisins). The couple was ready for six plus hours of hard work on their bikes. It was Saturday; one week before the local 12 hour event, and she was signed up to race solo. 12 hours on the bike, with nothing but her own power and determination while out riding. There would be assistance in the pits, of course: bottle refills, food handoffs. Could she handle doing more mileage in a day than she ever had before, especially all off-road? Today was just a trial run. No records were going to be set today. Once they arrived they noticed local pro rider Herber was having his weekly race - Racers and Chasers - out there starting in about 40 minutes. They hoped to be out on course and not in the way of the race while they did laps. The couple took off, riding through the grass to the sand pit, and up the first steep little climb. Following the short steep climb was a nice rolling fire road heading toward That Dam(n) climb. They moved at an even pace, and as they moved to the start of the climb she downshifted. Four riders moved up ahead; carrots? They were probably fathers out enjoying the morning before the honey-do's and daddy-can-you's of the afternoon. Preriding for 12 hours? Perhaps. It was lap one, so the couple pulled through and continued up the climb, pulling slowly away from the four. Her legs were a little stiff, but it was only lap 1 of quite a few more. She came to the short rocky stint where she had faltered on Thursday. She cleaned it easily after taking just a bit of weight off the saddle. "Plus one." Up to the top, turn left, and head down the rolling descent. Up the short climb, u-turn, and then another short steep climb. She cleaned it. "Plus one - two," she said aloud, as she noticed the four men in the distance rolling on the hills toward them. Justin had taken off and would be impossible to catch. She took it easy for awhile. It was only lap one; no hurry. Along the ridges she rode, up the steep climb to Marlin, "Plus one - three". Down Marlin, cautiously she traveled. They started to see signs from the Racers and Chasers race more often: red/silver and black/silver arrows pointing the way; sometimes the same way the 12 hour course was routed, and sometimes opposite. Justin had waited up and taken a break on the way to Ambulance climb. Up the easy fire road they traversed toward Tunnel of Love for the fun, fast descent lined with shrub brush and small trees. The banked turns, small g-outs, and ruts all make it a great descent. It ends all too soon, and the racers head down to start the Vic. singletrack. Up the false flat, down the other side, and up the steep steep climb to BMX. "Plus one - four" down the easy drop, up the short hill...didn't make it. "Minus one. Three." She has never missed that one before. No worries, the rest of the lap had been clean. Over the fire road and toward Marine Corps they headed. He let out a battle cry as he turned down the short descent before the steep and loose Marine Corps climb. She headed off, pedaling as fast as she could, spun out halfway down... halfway up and she stops, finishing off the hill with a hike. A bit more descending, and then a singletrack descent down near the pool. She sketched out a tad, and luckily didn't go down in the sand. Around the grass, and they were done with lap one. Lap two was similar. A few racers and chasers in site here and there. Plus one for making it through the rocks both times, plus one for finding a water bottle lid. Minus a few here and there. Lap three they caught up to a few other riders, and finished it up to Eric and another singlespeeder about to head out. The group was up to 5 for lap four. She slowed down a bit on the Dam climb. It was getting more and more warm on the climb. Along Rattlesnake Ridge (no rattler's today), down the ridges, along Marlin... She briefly caught up to Eric on Tunnel, where he sped away for good. Soon they were waving five fingers in front of the group at the bbq as they headed out. The break had been slightly longer. But they were ready for five. It had been four and a half hours since they had started. Heading out on the fire road she commented, "I feel freaking awesome for 45 miles in." She meant it, too. He was not as excited, but moved quickly along the fire road none the less. Another turn up Dam climb. The fire road was long, chalky, and hot. Sweat streamed down their faces. The headwind slowed them, blowing her around the fire road with its ferocity. They neared the top. "Minus two for me," he said, referring to the fact that she was near to beating him up the climb. "I'll take it." She continued up the fire road. 30 yards from the top he charged hard and attacked, laughing as he powered by. She took it two harder gears up and hammered to keep up with him. Just as she went to pass he turned in front of her on the clean line, blocking her from passing. "Oh man! Nasty block!" Down the descent they went. She made it up the short steep climb after the u-turn for the 5th time. Legs still working mostly the way they were supposed to. Up the steep climb to Marlin, cleaned it again, down the ridge... up Ambulance into the wind... down Tunnel, around Vic., around BMX (she missed it again), and then over toward Marine Corps. They turned the final corner before the big climb. He turned back and said, "My battle cry this lap - meh" and off he pedaled. It wasn't to be for her; she missed it again. Down the final descent, and around the pool. 54.6 miles. Over 7,500ft climbing. 6 hours and 31 minutes of total time. She wound up with 7 points. Plus or minus 1-2. The End. __________________

06-07-2008, 08:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trizz I'm a Machine	Allison, you are training hard for this event, 5 laps in 6 hours, wow, my whole goal next week is 6 laps. and you did it in half the time, I think your goal is 8 laps, you got it covered, awsome work, and another awsome report from you as well. __________________ “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin A Woman told Winston Churchill you're a drunk his reply was "well your ugly and i'll be sober tommorow"

06-07-2008, 09:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blue Rat F.O.G.R.	Good luck to all you guys next weekend. __________________ "He's soft and he's fat and he's wearing my clothes and he's getting too old and he was born on my birthday and I'm afraid if I stop riding, he'll catch up with me." I. E. Bikes

06-07-2008, 10:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
foofighter On the Mend	love the storybook narration Allison and the incorporation of the points system kudos to you and justin for the dedication __________________ Pho'd Up: " Heart Rate Monitor + Road miles = fast. Chasing Neil, and Chris (Sar Boats) = Faster." www.coverageispersonal.com http://news.singletrackminded.com/

06-07-2008, 11:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
lukewiens Reciprocal Sandbagger	well done......c'mon race day!! __________________ "When you get hurt and all of your sacrifice adds up to nothing, are you willing to put it all on the line again?" - Conrad Stoltz MY BLOG - www.mountainbikeluke.com

06-07-2008, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
OMR	Good luck young female grasshopper... I know that you will do well... the preparation will show! __________________ OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe The journey is the thing .... ride like it's your last one...

06-08-2008, 01:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pho'dUp I made a Taco this big!	Go for 9! Ps. I think you guys need to invest in a laundry basket. __________________ *TKBlazer:* Pho'dUp forgot his clothes i guess i have to stop by the thrift store and pick him up a dress to wear for the race

06-08-2008, 01:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
Knuckledragger Senior Member	Oi! Give them hell... They deserve it! C.K. __________________ Cohort Skates "No Used To Be's" 2009 Race Resume Link - Click Me! Blog - Click Me!

06-08-2008, 08:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
steviebfromtheoc steviebfromtheoc	Great work Allison , we will be cheering you on !

06-08-2008, 08:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
Pain Freak Peanut butta jelly	You know you guys have earned a break? All this riding and training is making me tired and I'm only reading it. Great rr Allison, nice touch. __________________ If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.

06-09-2008, 06:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
mr.hobbs Senior Member	For being part of the Paparazzi, you sure do use a bunch of words. You lost me a "racers".

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