The cut off is being changed and moved down to the HJ parking lot to save everyone the pain of trying to make it to WHT and not making it....to alleviate the suffering we are moving the cut off time up a little bit but also moving it down to the parking lot which is 1 1/2 miles closer.
OK, this was my first CC, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was caught up in the energy at the start which really helped me drag by fat butt up Black Star. Watching the stream of lights rising out of the fog in the dark was pretty surreal. By the time I got to the Santiago Peak I was feeling pretty dehydrated…. I thought I was having visions of Alice in Wonderland ;-) The ride down Holy Jim brought back the adrenaline (could have beat 9 hrs. if I hadn’t stopped for tea!) Now that it’s 72+ hours after CC and the feeling is slowly returning to my body (there are some extremities that I’m really starting to worry about BTW) it’s easier to reflect back on what everyone accomplished on Saturday, including yours truly ( I finished). A genuine thanks to all the volunteers. This is a really supportive community that doesn’t hold back when it comes to putting on a quality event that everyone should take some pride in hosting and participating in. The feather award at the finish was really cool! Oh! Thanks for hiring the stand up (sit down) comedian for the ride?
I nailed it! I'm cruising down and then a bright flash, too cool, maybe I'll even get a picture of this? (I e-mailed Don on Geoladders) I met Murmer on WHT, he saw it and was laughing at me because I bobbled the uphill after it (wasn't in the right gear!) Oh well!
Look at the bright side....you'll be in GREAT company!!:lol: every darn picture we see Donna (cadownhilldoll) in, whether she is climbing over the rail at WHT doing the VQ (2004) - and saying "I'm never doing this again", or coming over the finish line in the CC with MUD on her face, she looks MODEL PERFECT!! That's our girl!! :clap: Celebrating...that's what I'm talking about!! Lets do it SOON!!
Yeah it was him. I emailed him through Geoladders and he wrote me back saying that he'd post them up on Geoladders later this week. I don't know if he's on STR, but I'm sure someone will link to his gallery once it's up.
While it's easy to be blown away by the performances of the fast guys at VQ and CC, they weren't the ones who impressed me the most. The truly inspiring riders, IMO, were the ones who gutted out 9-hour finishes. I mean, their pain was no less (heck, probably worse) than the top riders, only they endured three hours more if it than the first finishers. That's really an impressive display of desire and toughness. This event opened my eyes to just how many insanely strong riders are out there.
This is so true. I was talking about this to someone else. I think it would be really cool if the Warrior's recognized some of these finishers like they do the top 10 guys and gals.
How true, alot of peeps had never ridden that far and battled through all kinds of bodily pain to complete the course. Andy 'Sprockethead' did almost zero training and still managed to complete the ride with an impressive time. :bang: Almost all my muscle pain has gone overnight! woohoo :drunk:
The Warriors do recognize them. You have to read the emails sent out from Chris. Being the Vision Quest, the ride is about the accomplishment of going beyond your own physical means. It is not about the racers. Sure the top finishers are recognized as well, but if you read any of Chris's emails, you will realize the ride is about pushing yourself beyond your limits not a sub 5 hour time. It has never been about the top 10. andy
That's sort of why those 2 awards went out this year. Not to the top finishers but to the 2 who had to overcome physical, emotional or mental obstacles to finish each race. Both of this years recipients very deserving indeed. Although Debbie may think she failed last year, but it is what got her through this time and for Koke to finish with a broken wrist is hardcore to say the least. I'm sure Chris V. will mention something about all finishers and even those that didn't finish in his writeup.
I think it's more a display of the beauty of the human spirit. When you see the folks who have never attempted something like this event and you see them willing themselves to take the next step, push the pedal down one more time, the look of determination in their eyes, a faint smile ... it's inspiring to say the least.
R U Kidding, after the amount of miles we already did...it just was not worth giving it a try.....I'm with you, just not up to taking a nasty fall!!! I walked it, and was proud of it :bang:
My 2008 Vision Quest Losing Christy Kirkwood has been bittersweet. In life she made me want to be a better person, and in death, she she challenged me more than I ever could imagine. Little did I know she would be responsible for one of the worst & best days of my 43 years. After Christy’s accident, my Trail Angel friends signed up for VQ & CC in record numbers. I jumped on the bandwagon, not fully understanding what I was up against. I did not train properly, and missed the final cut off at the bottom of HJ. As I cried inconsolably, I also saw my husband, Erik, Christy’s husband, Chris and son, Corey there with open arms. Unbeknownst to me, they planned to come with me across the finish line. I let them down, but most of all, I let myself down. The emotional and physical pain was so bad; I never thought I would put myself through that kind of torture again. The months flew by, the pain faded, and then I found myself signing up again for round 2. This time I trained HARD! I gave up a good portion of my life for this and I wanted that stinkin’ feather! I had knee issues early on in my training, then 2 weeks before the race I got a bad chest cold. The night before I lay in my bed with a rapid heart beat and shoulder pain from stress. I got about 3 hours of sleep. I fought my demons hard that morning and throughout the entire race. I didn’t feel as strong; I peaked on the training ride 2 weeks prior, and then got sick. My ear bud was ripped out somewhere on the Motorway, so I had NO music, which more than stunk! I got some gnarly leg cramps when I tried to hop over the barriers at the bottom. I kept eating and drinking, and the cramps went away after a couple minutes. I was lucky! Paula, who was on my mind a lot throughout the race, did not get relief from her cramps. She fought hard and sometimes your body just won’t cooperate the day you need it most. She has the fortitude; we know she can conquer VQ. The climbs messed with my head, especially leading up to the peaks. The DH was awesome! I still walked a few sections due to fatigue. I got down UHJ & LHJ in record time. I was frantic passing people, but they were kind. I became this possessed person willing to do almost anything to make my final cut off. There was a rider walking carefully across one of the streams at the bottom of LHJ. I could not wait behind him, so I jumped knee deep in the water and took off. At 11:38 a.m. I reached my husband, Erik at the bottom of LHJ. He gave a big arm pump and paced me to WHT. I made it with 6 minutes to spare. My bike felt like it weighed 50 lbs., I felt every ache in my entire body hiking WHT and it was the most beautiful thing! I was laughing and crying, conversing with God thanking him for my blessings. [-o-] In the back of my mind, I kept saying, “You’re not done yet, girlie!” I came down Trabuco Canyon to find Erik waiting at the gate. He escorted me all the way to the finish line. He is my rock. He taught me how to ride; he took my old bike completely apart and put it back together. He let me slack in work so I could leave him many times to train. THANKS ERIK, YOU ARE MY WORLD! The finish line was Saweet! Chris and Corey were waiting with big smiles. My Mom, sister and niece were there, along with my wonderful friends. I want to say a special thanks to everyone volunteering for VQ & CC. Thanks to Chris Vargas and the Warriors! Sherry from Switchback, if you’re lurking, I love ya! A HUGE THANK YOU to Gene Frial and John Early, Ned Reynolds, Eron Boyer, Greg Howard and Tim & Jason from Switchback, for giving up their precious time to train with me & many friends. Also, thank you all for believing in me more than I believed in myself. Thanks to John Early for capturing the moments; you are very generous and talented not just with the camera, but on the bike as well! My “Muddy Buddy” & special training partner, Vickie, I love you! You sacrificed & completely transformed yourself into a riding machine! Another training bud, Donna . . . what can I say, but you’re so close to freakin’ perfect in every way and I still love you! I had my eye on those pink socks ahead of me on the MD, but they disappeared shortly before the Motorway, never to be seen until the finish line! Train less, rider faster, yeah, it works for Donna! More girls who ROCK and RULE :bang:Anne, Beth, Carrie, Debi N, Jacke, Jody, Kathy, Kim, Kristine, Lynette, Maribel, Paula, Rachel, Regina, and all other T.A.’s support & cowbell crew. Danielle “lil Brown” and Queen Willi are true inspirations; they ROCKED the CC after having just over a year of mountain biking experience! I apologize if I missed someone; I may not have seen you, or I will blame it on my perpetual natural high. CONGRATULATIONS to all those who signed up and competed in the VQ/CC, it takes WAY more than guts! Whether you met your goals or not, you all have our utmost respect and admiration as mountain bikers and human beings!:clap: To end my perfect day, I was given a MAGNIFICENT award for overcoming obstacles. I was shocked and honored, but I'm very aware that is what everyone has to do if they sign up for the VQ/CC. Each person has their mission and sacrifice. We all have one common bond (W.E.I.T. baby!) We are willing to do whatever it takes. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m SO looking forward to riding slow. See you out there on the trails!
Debbie - I am so glad you made the VQ. I know you had some doubts in yourself, but I never did. :bang:
Debbie - You don't know me & I only know you from what i've read & heard of the trials you've been through these past years, but I did learn a little more about you today! That was an incrediable RR :clap::clap::clap: You are a very beautiful person and that was very inspiring - It actually brought me to tears - Congrats on a momumental day in your life!
I'm sure the others will agree that it's been fun and an honor to be able to ride and train with you and the others. You and the other ladies made training alot of FUN! 8-[. When I found out that you made the cutoff, it didn't hit home till I saw you and Erik coming in. I think I got something my eye then . Congrats Deb, well done. Now on to the next mission. :bang:
Huh...I've been in the clear so far...washed lots with Technu when we got home...hope the phantom itch doesn't show up!!!
