The Traverse 2009: All information thread(merged)

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by Cowgirl, Oct 27, 2008.

  1. Zippo

    Zippo Pow Wow!

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    I'm sure there is plenty of facetiousness in here but I wouldn't go so far as to call it "just a bike ride" - that's not really giving the ride, or those who put it on, much respect. ;) I actually think that last year's Traverse was way harder than this year's VQ.

    RR 2008 Traverse Ride Report thread
     
  2. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Absolutely right Zippo. I spent more energy and felt more wasted on last year's Traverse than last year's and this year's VQ. That heat was brutal.

    Put it this way, I'll go through the VQ again with bad knees and all I went through this year losing my Garmin, cramping etc.., than to repeat last year's Traverse in the heat.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2009
  3. jbh65

    jbh65 Member

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    I had never done any mountain biking event of significant distance but knew I wanted to try at least one of the WS events, so I picked last years Traverse as my first.

    I thought because it was just climbing along the MD that for me it would be easier then the CC or VQ because I am not very strong on technical decents. Boy was I wrong last years Traverse was and still is the hardest physical activity that I have done.

    9 hours and 7 minutes pushing that piece of metal around in that heat, on those climbs, & then having to ride out the dustiest, bumpiest, & narly road that I at the time I had ridden on was brutal. As tough as the CC was I know I will do that ride again, but just about 1 year later I can't say the same about the Traverse
     
  4. Jordansrealm

    Jordansrealm New Member

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    Just signed up... what am I thinking...
     
  5. Zippo

    Zippo Pow Wow!

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    ...pray for cooler temps!

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    Here's some prospective on the Traverse.

    I'm far from what I would considered a super strong rider. Traverse is a very tough animal that should be respected. After bonking at this year's VQ on WHT and taking an eternity to drag myself up that hill. I was able to ride the Main Divide from WHT to Trabuco in about 22-25min.

    Last year at the Traverse I was in pretty decent shape all the way to the WHT checkpoint. I had watermelon at WHT thanks to John Early. I need to look at my garmin data but that same 22-25min. section on the Main Divide totally kicked me in the balls. Might have taken me twice as long. By this time I think it was around 1pm and the hottest part of the day. I went through both my bottles of water and everything in my pack. Out of water I was walking from shade to shade and wilting out there. Even riding Trabuco Creek Rd to the finish was hard b/c of the crazy hot headwinds.

    But Hey I'm stoked to have finished that thing.
     
  7. dutch

    dutch New Member

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    I am kinda considering signing up for this, but I don't know how I'd fare.

    My longest rides have been between 24 and 28 miles with 4500-5200 (or so) feet of climbing. I did 24 and 4000 yesterday and felt I could have done more, especially if I was pacing a little slower...

    What do you all think??? I've got plenty of time to put in the miles before May and would love the challenge (especially after seeing all the reports on vq/cc).
     
  8. warmblood

    warmblood Member

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    I started riding in the Santa Anas two years ago after my brother died of Kidney Cancer at the age of 30. Mountain biking was a great way to reflect and process the fact that my brother had passed away. A good friend had lost his mother last year as well, and we both signed up for the Traverse as a way to live life to the fullest and not take life for granted.

    The 2008 Traverse was my first WS event, and I had never ridden on MD between Beeks and Four Corners because of the fires. All I can say is, I got my A$$ handed to me pretty quickly and walked a lot of the steep climbs due to the heat and not being able to ride the course. It was painful, but I thought of my brother, and all the pain he endured going through chemo. The pain I was going through was temporary, and motivation to keep pushing ahead. I made the cutoffs and was amazed at the organization and friendliness of the WS, especially on such a hot day. Fortunately, I was able to finish and am still proud of the accomplishment, even though I was one of the last finishers. I learned a lot about myself that day.
    I won't be able to compete this year because of family commitments, but I'm definately going to try to do it every year because it was so challenging, and my first WS event.
    Because of the 2008 Traverse, I signed up and finished my first VQ. If anyone is thinking of signing up for The Traverse, I say do it! It was one of the best things I've ever done. If its your first WS event, just preride the course and be prepared.
     
  9. Fookawi

    Fookawi Climb more Mountains

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    I am in

    I have also signed for the Ride Around the Bear so teh Traverse will be a training ride:)
    Mark Cluttey

     
  10. jbh65

    jbh65 Member

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    Its not always about distance. Heat is a major factor. Ride from Blackstar to 4c's via the main divide, and then see how you feel.

    Secondly unlike the CC it's not all downhill after the Peak. That's where a strong mental makeup is needed. Once you get to LHJ there are several significant climbs left before you get to Trabuco Trail.

    If the weather was low 80's I'd be all in, but when the prospect of +90 looms out there it's a hard decision to make
     
  11. Permagrin

    Permagrin Hard landing comin' up!

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    Double that!
     
  12. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    I got talked into this ride several months ago and then totally forgot about it. Didn't put it in my calendar, which really means it doesn't exist. After doing the VQ I am really glad I signed up. I can't wait for the Traverse to roll around. Gives me a good excuse to kill myself a few days a week training between now and then.
     
  13. dutch

    dutch New Member

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    Think I'm gonna have to miss it. I just found out that two of the classes I'm taking next quarter will take up a lot of my time, and I might be getting a second job.... here comes 10 weeks of limited bike time (well except for commuting it seems).
     
  14. KonaDupee

    KonaDupee Soon to be Konaless Dupee

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    If there are still spots open on Friday I will definitely sign up.

    Last year's Traverse was my first ever WS event and the heat made it absolutely brutal. There was almost 50% DNS & DNF. During the CC this year, all I kept thinking was, "I finished the Traverse in 118 degree heat, this is nothing!" If the Traverse had *actually* had only one aid station at 4 Corners like it was advertised, it would have been impossible. It was only due to the generosity of so many volunteers (like OMR's impromptu aid station @ LHJ or John's watermelon @ WHT...still have yet to taste ANYthing better since!) that most were able to finish. I slugged down over 12 liters of liquids while riding and STILL did not pee from 7am until 9 that night (after drinking a lot more water once I finished). How Tinker did it with only 2 small bottles is beyond me.

    Think of it this way: I finished the CC single speed fully rigid almost an hour and half faster than I finished the Traverse on my full squish geared bike. The heat was simply a killer. Luckily, I am hoping it was a one-time fluke.

    If the weather cooperates, it really is a fun event that is right up my alley.
     
  15. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    Warrior's site says the '09 Traverse is now sold out.
    Time to start a wait list?
     
  16. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    There should be another list... where you sign someone ELSE up :)

    call it a..."HATE list?" :lol:
     
  17. Kish Me

    Kish Me DH'r in a rigid 9'rs body

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    If the weather is anywhere close to last year...

    I will proudly post a DNS. :bang:
     
  18. KonaDupee

    KonaDupee Soon to be Konaless Dupee

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    If there *is* a waiting list in existence, can someone please post a link? It appears I got my tax refund a day late to sign up.

    I'd be more than willing to take anyone's spot! PM me if you have to drop out!
     
  19. Congo Kid

    Congo Kid Middle Aged Wannabe MTB'r

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    I did it last year, but bailed at 4C's due to heat, and I'd been on 3 antiobiotics the previous 8 weeks. It was 105 degrees, and people stopped sweating, etc. Crazy. Main Divide road: you feel small in the scheme of the world.

    I did the Rwanda 50 on Saturday and want to train to finish Traverse this year. PM me if you want to train with me on weekends, as i'm looking for a partner(s). Did Rwanda in 5:40, so gauge my level accordingly.

    HP
     
  20. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Registrations for the Traverse opened in November. Unlike the VQ/CC, there is no waiting list for and I don't believe we had any transfers the last 2 years. They either show up or not. Last year we had 39 that DNS and 40 that DNF. With the hassle of maintaining a waiting list and some who are unable to follow simple instructions, I may not do one for the VQ/CC next year either. Sorry.
     

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