Rolling in the Dirt: 2012

It has been a busy year. I competed in eight races in six months. Travelled to Colorado, Texas, and various cities in British Columbia for races.

I decided in January to venture out to an entirely different type of racing - 24 hour solo races. It was a big leap for me and I knew I would need some help to get there. I hired Shaun Taylor of Forward Momentum Coaching in March to help me get ready for the season and in particular get my head around 24 hour solo racing. Having finished twenty (now 21) 24 hour solo races I figured he was the man and he is!

My race season started with the Salty Dog in Salmon Arm, BC. It is a 6 hour endurance race with some fun single track. I did the race the year before so I was anxious to see how my training would pay off. The course was a little different from the previous year but quite comparable. I had a great race and managed to beat my time from 2011 by 30 minutes finishing 7 laps and 73 kms in 5:56 and taking first place for Women Solo Sport 40+.

The prize is a home made apple pie.

My next stand out race was the one I had been training for since March. The 24 hours of Adrenalin in Canmore, AB. I was definitely nervous going in as I was venturing into new territory. I felt good with my husband Steve pitting for me who had completed the race the year before, so I knew he understood what it would take to race a 24 hour solo. My sister, nephew and friend Rob Kay also helped with the pit which was awesome. Having Shaun there, who was also racing was a ton of help to get my head in the game.

The pit with Shaun and Rob.

My nephew Aidan - Mini Deadgoat

The course was in amazing shape and weather turned out great despite the storm the night before which caused an hour delay to the start. It was on of the hardest things I had ever done. Racing for 23:43:13, 238km, no sleep and minimal stops was a real challenge. Luckily I had no mechanicals but did have some digestive challenges around the 12 hour mark until the end of the race. Some how I managed to push on. It was a great feeling to finish with family and friends waiting at the finish line. Race highlights include seeing my husband every lap which kept me going, riding with Dave Franks the first couple of laps, my Deadgoat team mates cheering me on lap after lap, my dad showing up in the middle of the night to cheer me and seeing Aggie in her red coat on one of my morning laps.

Beautiful night shot

Pushing on during the night with my Exposure Six Pack & Diablo lights leading the way.

Steve keeping me going

Podium shot

My next big race was the Brec Epic, three weeks after the Canmore 24 hour. I knew this would be a tough one with the elevation and challenging terrain. The Brec is a 6 day stage race, 240 miles, 37K vertical.

My husband and I flew down with our team mate Tim and his wife Tracie. We were lucky to have one of our team mates Rick take our bikes as he was driving down. We arrived a couple of days early to get settled and try to get used to the elevation in Brec. We shared a place with Tim, Tracie and Tim's team mate Mike and his wife Meagan. Tracie, Meagan and Steve were helping at the aids and Steve was pre riding the course to Aid #1 every day. They did an awesome job and we could not have done it without all of their help.

Meagan and Tracie aka "The Twins"

Steve & Lily

Every day was a challenge whether it be the terrain (some nasty climbs!!), elevation, weather (Day 2 poured the entire stage) or just simply getting worn down from the race. It was a real battle between the top 3 girls in my category the first couple of days. Each of us had our own strengths. Positions were not going to change on the last day so I suggested we all ride together. We did and it was a blast. I ended up finishing 2nd overall in my category which I was pleased with.

Don't let you friends get a hold of your number plate!

We finished Day 1 - Rick, Tim, Mike & I

Day 5 - heading up to Wheeler Pass

Tim & Mike heading up to Wheeler Pass after getting their bottles from Steve.

The next and final race of the season was the 24 hours of Rocky Hill Ranch. This was a race I decided on 3 weeks before as I was heading down to Moab, Utah for a biking road trip. Funny how things turn out as it ended up to be the race of the season!

I was lucky enough to fly down and Dave and Shaun took my bikes. John Russell, also a 24 hour solo racer and great guy opened up his home to us in Austin, Texas. The race was in Smithville, Texas about a 45 minute drive from Austin. We headed out for a pre ride the day before the race which was a lot of fun. The course was 80% single track and 20% jeep road. The single track has a few punchy climbs and winds through the trees.

It takes a lot of bikes to do a 24 hour!

We had great weather right from the start of the race around 30C hot! I headed out with a good pace from the start with no stops until we had to mount our lights. I checked in with the pit crew and they told me I had a good lead so I felt pretty comfortable at that point. I continued to bang out the laps at a steady pace and came in for a break after lap 11. No need to put on any extra layers as it was still smoking hot! Headed back out for another one and my helmet light burnt out towards the end of the lap. No big deal as I still had my handle bar light but it is the kind of course you want a helmet light as it is very twisty through the trees. Came in to the pit and Thad one of the guys pitting for us had an extra light. We switched that out, had some water, hung out with the crew for a bit and headed out for another one. Still feeling good but eased the pace back a bit for the next few. The sun started to come up which really gives you a boost. I came in again to take the lights off and headed back out. Feeling the legs but some how managing to still make it up the punchy climbs. Had fun on the last downhill section and headed into the finish. I called it after lap 16 with a nice lead and my goal accomplished! With 236km under my belt I was lucky to have no mechanicals or any visits to the bushes!

A big thank you to the pit crew John Russell, Thad and Shaun. Also Shaun who is amazing as a coach, racer (1st place Male Solo Single Speed) and friend. Dave Franks for his support and how he kicked butt in the race with his first place finish in Solo Open Men. Last but of course not least my husband for all his support and helping me get ready for the race. The only thing that could have made it better was if he could have been there!