Vq/cc

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by sailcalifornia, Mar 1, 2008.

  1. sailcalifornia

    sailcalifornia Member

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    i guess i will start it.

    Rode the CC, perfect conditions for the events. I finished in 6:14, i was very happy with my time and had a fantastic day in the saddle. Saw tons of the STR family out there. Looking foreword to seeing some of the pics posted up later in the day.

    And a special thanks to Ann for the fat tire within minutes of crossing the finish line.
     
  2. Jman

    Jman Live Free, Ride Hard

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    I hope everyone rode well, I was out on a boat patrol on the lake hoping you guys weren't to deep in the fog and the drizzle. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
     
  3. dubjay

    dubjay Having upgraditis is OK

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    I finished the CC in 6:38.

    There was a little fog and drizzle coming up Blackstar. It kept fogging up my glasses so it was a bit tough to see.

    But by the time we got to Main Divide and climbed above the clouds - man..what a gorgeous view. It was like a sea of clouds all around us and you'd just see the various peaks (almost like islands).

    Motorway was definitely different. I think it's actually easier to ride now, since there don't seem to be as many loose rocks.

    Maple Springs sucked - the asphalt part in particular.

    From Four Corners to the Peak was good. My pace actually picked up. Maybe the stuff from the aid station finally kicked in.

    Once I got to the top, I was pretty relieved that the climbing was pretty much all done.

    Upper Holy Jim was normal - loose and sketchy.

    Lower Holy Jim was good - although I did see a few people crash. I saw some people actually climbing Holy Jim as well. Talk about a bad day to schedule a ride there...geez...

    Trabuco Creek Road - by this time, I just wanted it to be over with. My back was starting to stiffen up and my hands were aching.

    I was definitely happy to finish. It's funny how suddenly you get rejuvenated as soon as you're done.

    Thanks for the support at the finish line - and thanks Brewmaster for the beer at O'Neill :clap:
     
  4. crispy

    crispy Wannabe

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    I did the CC

    I thought it was kind of surreal up there before coming down motorway. I had no clue where the trail was, it looked like the place had been hit by bombs because there were just piles of dirt. You could hardly see anything because of the mist/fog, but some how ended up on some pretty sweet single track.

    It was pretty bunched and crowded during the start and I was only holding my light so i just took it easy and stayed in a big bunch. Once I put my light away I started passing some people. After the first aid station I was pretty drained. Went into easy gearing and everyone plus some more passed me back up. Only took one small spill on motorway. One of those where you lean over too far and lose your balance and go sliding into the bushes. Got up without a scratch ( or so I though..... later I realized I had a tiny tiny scratch on my knee).

    It was my first time on all the trails out there and I almost cried before that last climb up to the peak and down upper holy jim. I thought we were done climbing when we went around that corner, then I saw the climb still to go. Upper holy jim was awesome and so was lower. The last road to get out sucked. Muddy and wet everywhere.

    It was my first time and I was trying to average around 7 mph which would have put me at like 6:15 or so. I average 6.7 and finished in like 6:35. Not too shabby I thought, but I have to go back next year to break the 6 hour mark.
     
  5. Jman

    Jman Live Free, Ride Hard

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    I'm curious is it a 'race' type feeling or just more of group ride type vibe? Are there prizes handed out? Congrats on finishing btw.
     
  6. TBlazen

    TBlazen Rider Doooood

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    6:29 CC, ran with my bike the last 1/2 mile or so due to a flat tire; then hopped back on for the photo at the tape.... Dubay and RAAM summed it up pretty well; Surreal, sketchy, Foggy, Sunny, Foggy, Sunny...

    Man, the lead pack, in the the dark with their lights shinning from above, very kewl. Those guys were little white dots, hauling Arse up the mountain!

    Thank God above for the porto potties at the starting line!

    And the support along Trabuco road before the finish was incredible too. Thanks to all that were there cheering!

    :beer:

    More later as I'm ingesting beer and sleeping soon !
     
  7. gooseaholic

    gooseaholic Active Member

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    I know you get a warriors feather and jersey I think. It is kinda an exclusive group.
    I hope to be one next year.
     
  8. sailcalifornia

    sailcalifornia Member

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    Not sure about the prizes, i knew i was not in contention for one. Not a group ride type feeling, very little talking. People just trying to survive.
     
  9. crispy

    crispy Wannabe

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    I would call it more of a race type feeling. Not a group type ride feeling at all. Even though warriors society calls it a ride and not a race, it really is a race. At least I think so, just no age groups or anything. If it was just a group ride people wouldn't have bags taken to the aid station. They would just fill up their bottles and not just try to fly around. the course. I think they give awards to the top 10 or something.

    edit: atleast most of the people are in "race mode" while some just try to survive.
     
  10. pitmang1

    pitmang1 Member

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    My first VQ and I finished in about 9.5 hrs. This has me definitely considering buying a geared bike. Those granny rings and full sussers sure looked nice while they passing my suffering, cramping body up Maple. I feel pretty happy with myself, though, I really wasn't sure if I could do it, and I did.
     
  11. bjammin

    bjammin Banned

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    Man, what a blast. I found E-dog at the start and as I was about to use a port-o-potty they sent everyone off! Climbing up Blackstar I was able to make it back up to mid-pack and felt really strong coming down Motorway.... until the cramping started...
    I guess when I was lifting my bike over the Moto barriers the tension really came to a head because as I was riding past the aid station I started to have a real bad time of it. I had to stop several times and massage my legs back to the point where spinning a higher cadence was all I could sustain. Once I got to the dirt I felt better and had started to make some time back. Coming down Upper HJ was awesome and Lower HJ was no slouch either until I blew out several spokes in my rear wheel trying to ride the second stream crossing. After 10 minutes of smashing my wheel on a rock I got it to spin in the frame and headed down to the road where I was able to spend another 10 minutes truing back to life. As I was getting ready to ride again Evan(E-dog) came flying past me and I caught up with him and we were able to ride in together.
    What an awesome day!
    VQ for me next year, and a regimented training program as well.

    7:05 finish time.
     
  12. lukewiens

    lukewiens New Member

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    first VQ in 8:12.....one comment:

    i will never forget the words "west horsethief"

    killer race!! congrats to those who accepted the challenge and also to those who finished!!
     
  13. allison

    allison Active Member

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    Justin, Steph and I finished pretty much together. 8:47. For those of you wondering.... I did manage to crash on Blackstar. Again. At least it was my own fault!! No major problems except my Garmin mount broke, so from about 4 miles up Blackstar to the end I had no idea about mileage or time of day.

    I'd ask Justin what time it was every once in awhile. He didn't have a cyclocomputer, and neither did Steph. We were 7 minutes ahead of schedule to Beeks, and I fell off drastically getting to Aid station #1. So I really tried to motor up Maple, but lack of food slowed me down and made me naseous/lightheaded.

    Descending from the peak Justin would wait up for me and tell me to keep moving since we were "on the cusp". We got to Aid #2 and I didn't even stop, just kept motoring on. I had no idea if I was going to make the last cutoff until about half way up Trabuco Justin caught back up (after getting OJ) and said it was 11:40. We wound up making the last cut off by 30 minutes!!! I literally was crying tears of joy once we passed the cut off.

    Longer RR and the two photos I took (at the cutoff) tomorrow.

    It hurts.

    Congrats to all finishers. You will NOT see me riding this again in 09 :bang:
     
  14. bjammin

    bjammin Banned

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    Congrats to all finishers. You will NOT see me riding this again in 09

    .... bummer, I was counting on some training pain.
     
  15. TBlazen

    TBlazen Rider Doooood

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    I wish those HJ stream crossings were earlier in the race....

    That would have woke my a$$ up
    :bang:

    ...Upper Holy Jim is Classic....blood, thrills, SB's, flowey lines, chaos...

    ...The hikers walking up lower HJ drove me nuts !
     
  16. BrewMaster

    BrewMaster Thirsty

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    Congrats to all the riders who took on the challenge of CC and VQ today. I am proud of all of you. Some had an easier day than others, but overall I think everyone accomplished something which they can be proud of. You are all studs in my eyes.

    It was fun hanging out at the park with y'all drinking beers. I'll post my pics later. You were all deserving of many beers for all of your hard work. :beer:
     
  17. allison

    allison Active Member

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    :lol: Sorry, dude.. I was about halfway up Maple when I came to the realization that I don't think endurance races are my thing ;) Wish they were, though.#-o

    Yes! Thank you again for the brews! You are the master!
     
  18. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    It is a little of both......race feeling because you want to turn a fast time.....group ride vibe because most of the people you meet out on the course are usually really friendly and social.


    You get a Coup feather for finishing both events.....no jersey....only for members.
     
  19. sailcalifornia

    sailcalifornia Member

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    Before i forget i want to say thanks to all the Warriors and everyone staffing the aid stations, there work let me have a fantastic day.
     
  20. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    The top 50-60 are racing.....it is all about thier time. The rest of the riders, it is about surviving and finishing.

    Both times I have done VQ, people have been very social and talkative on the ride.
     

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