Race Report Kenda Cup West Finals, Big Bear Shootout #2

Lots of racing going on this past weekend in Big Bear (XC, SuperD, 50 miler).

Lets hear some race reports!

Here is mind from my blog....

http://themannadventure.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-kenda-cup-west-champion.html

 

Great write up! Well done!

 

Awesome read Justin, congrats to you and Mrs. SuperMann!

 

What a fun day. I did the 50 miler.

It was my first time riding at elevation that high. I did not know that you had to drink a lot more (or at least I had to drink a lot more). I went through 44oz on the first lap and went through 120oz (of this, 40 oz was probably poured over me, not into my mouth) on the second lap.

Had I had more to drink on lap #1, I probably wouldn't have felt so bad on lap #2.

I hope they keep the longer race next year.

 

Great day out! the lack of mud was the best part. riding at 7k ft is always a challenge. throw in some jeeps and dual sports to avoid and it makes for an interesting race. but a great race to finish the season. see ya on the cat 1 line next year.

 

Were there any photogs out there? sorry I don't remember 50 miles will mentally put you in a whole different world

 

My suspicion:

The 50-miler was a test for the SoCal Qualifier for Leadville next year. Not a lot of available options for a 50+ mile race at altitude. The NorCal Qualifier is 100k, and this loop could easily be extended to that or 75 miles.

As for the race...knocked almost 8 minutes off my time from #5, but not enough to make up for the fact that I was plowing through Fall Line's rocks instead of floating over them...some 12-year old kid I tried to hang onto through there tore it up while the few people back there spectating withdrew as I was going by.

Earlier in the Medium Loop for the Cat 2, the 50-miler lead group of 3 with Tinker merged with up almost exactly with a small group of us Cat 2's...we spent about 30 seconds trying to hang onto that group before they disappeared up the next grade with the rest of us sucking wind. I think he was annoyed by the bells more than anything else.

Good race, good trails, lots of non-racers out for rides and hikes shouting encouragement. I heard quite a few of us call out thanks and how many riders (200+) were behind and coming up. One of these times I have to figure out how to not wash out the front wheel on a turn in sand at a high rate of speed...29'er 2.0 Captains @ 30psi and crappy technique at 30mph just doesn't cut it. I heard some complain about the lack of singletrack, but then there would be a lot more frustrated people with more singletrack. Its still rough, its still in the mountains, you still have to climb, and you do need some pretty decent skills to roll through the entire course at speed.

Time for Rim Nordic. Next year the 50 miler...or farther.

 

I had planned on doing this but bailed at the last minute to focus on triathlon training for Vineman 70.3 (coming up July 17th). I was worked from the weeks training, and a long cruiser down to Oceanside made more sense training wise than an all out ball buster at elevation (plus a 4.5 hour round trip car ride). That, and also the prospect of getting a brew at Pizza Port on the way back!

congrats to all who raced any/all of the series!!

 

Here is my take on the 50miler http://shoair.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/update-cody-phillips-10/

 

:wave:

 

Anyone know if the photogs that were out there have posted pictures? I ave found a few, but I thought I saw more out there.

 

PICTURES
http://pinkshortsphotography.smugmug.com/BikeRaces/June-19-2011-Kenda-Cup

 

Anyone else race the Super D? I got this race report from Ian Odom:

Hey guys, Great race last weekend, Kenda Cup West Series Finals! In Big Bear lake Ca. They had the XC race, 50 mile race and the Super D baby.! My buddy Rom got 2nd in the 50 mile race and he looked like he could sleep for a week! Congrats dog! I ended up racing the super D, really fun course, high speed single track to high speed fire road to tight single track with a long peddel to the finish! the pro podium was Derek Hermon 1st, Ian Odom 2nd, Craig Harvey 3rd! it was awsome to see David K and Cody Jonston come up from fontana for some fun! Coming from Downhill, it was crazy passing the XC racers durning my race run. It kinda felt like a Baha race! Team Big Bear, we want more Super D races! Everyone had a great time and cant wait to COME BACK NEXT YEAR!!!

 

I raced the XC and Super D on my SS Hardtail. Read about it here on the 29'er crew blog.

 

There are a few more pics and story on MTBRacenews.com