The Lungbuster

The Lungbuster hill climb is a race in Fernie, BC. You start at the base of the Fernie Alpine Resort and finish at the top of the Timber Express Chairlift. You gain 2200 vertical feet in 6.9 kilometres. This was my fourth year doing the race and it is always a sufferfest! I was 2nd in 2011 and 3rd in 2010. I was hoping to get the win for women this year and beat my previous time!

This year the gravel on the road was looser than I had seen in the past, which made it even more of a challenge. The start was not as fast as the prior years, which was a nice change. I started near the front of the group and kept a pretty good pace.

The first section is tolerable until you start heading under the chairlift then it starts to get steeper and the suffering begins. About 10 minutes into it I looked back on one of the switchbacks and could see a few riders relatively close. I picked up the pace a little as I was leading for women and wanted to hold it. I just put my head down and kept the wheels turning reminding myself that the pain would be over soon. I passed a few guys then held my position, which I thought was around 5th overall. I could see the next two riders ahead of me the rest of the way. There is a short downhill section before the climb to the finish. I tried to ride that as fast as I could and headed up to the finish line. I was happy to beat my previous time, win for women and place 5th overall.

24 Hours Round the Clock 2013

This race in Spokane would be my 2nd 24 hour solo race of the year and my first race on my Specialized Fate. I was excited to see how the Fate would perform!

Steve & I headed down to Spokane on Friday to get our pre lap in and set up our pit area for the weekend. The course was in good shape with a few changes made including the addition of Little Vietnam as well as a new section Nelson's Nottingham, which was before the 5 minute hill. The course is a mix of 70% double track and 30% single track with 5 rock gardens but nothing super technical. A total of 24 kms with 1200 feet of vertical gain per lap.

Shaun arrived later in the afternoon and we headed back to our rental place for some dinner and prep work for the race. 

Our place in Spokane Valley

After having our morning coffee and breakfast we packed up and headed back to the race site. I knew it would be a hard race as Shaun, Steve & I were all unsupported. In addition, there would be some stiff competition with Monilee Atkinson, who was also coached by Shaun and an experienced and great racer. This was also the first time Steve & I would both be racing a 24 solo at the same time. Normally one of us would be in the pit supporting. It was going to be interesting.

I set up my lights and got my clothes ready to go for the night laps. I had filled twenty-five bottles of Infinit Nutrition the night before so I was good to go. 

The pit

Shaun & Steve getting ready to kick some butt!

We made our way to the start line and before I knew it the gun went off and the Le Mans start was on! Steve & I arrived back at our bikes at the same time and then he was off like a rocket and I never saw him again.

That is a lot of bikes!

Le Mans start

The first lap was congested near the beginning but spaced out nicely with the multiple double track sections. I felt pretty good and was happy with my pace for the first lap. I ended up racing another solo girl on that lap and for the next 3. I tried to ride smart and not get too caught up in it as it was still early in the race. But, it was on with the two of us coming through the timing tent under 30 secs apart. I did not see her again until the morning laps.

Loving the Fate 29er hardtail!

My first stop was to mount my lights which had to be on by 8pm. I grabbed a layer as well as it was starting to cool off. We had a few rain showers but luckily the dark clouds rolled away and that was all we had for rain.

It was not completely dark for  awhile so I just ran by Exposure Six Pack handlebar light for the first night lap. From that point on I stopped every lap to put more layers on. That really was not my plan but it gave me something to look forward to. Also it was getting really cold, you could see your breath. I ran into Shaun a few times back at the pit so we would have a quick chat to check in how things were going. He was doing well and said Steve was setting a good pace. The Elk Valley crew would also come over to make sure I was ok and to see if I needed anything.  The Fate was running awesome so all I needed was some lube on the chain and I was good to go. It was great to to have someone checking up on me.

Pushing into the night with my Exposure lights

One of the night laps when I came in Shaun was sitting in his lawn chair. I asked him what he was doing and he said" I am just staring at the stars". He seemed kind of out of it but ok so I headed back out. It turns out he went out too hard and needed to take a break for a couple of hours. A few laps later I discovered Steve in the back of our truck with a very blood shot eye. Up to that point he was killing the race and on track for a podium finish. However, when it came to the night he started to loose his vision with all the dust and smoke. Unfortunately he was forced to stop. That was very disappointing.

The last few hours in the dark got tricky with the heavy fog after Strawberry Fields. The morning laps were also starting to get tough and I was feeling beat up. When I came in just before 5:00am I was going to take my lights off but I found out they had to be on for another hour or so. Back out on the course and I was starting to really suffer now and feeling nauseous. I was sure glad to see Steve standing by the pit when I came in. He helped me take my lights off and I shed a few layers. I sat down for a few minutes and had some water and pepto bismol. I was hoping that would do the trick. Steve assured me I was doing well and that the race was now between Monilee & I. The results were showing at that time that I was 1 lap up. So I went back out and tried to do my best.

I started to feel better on the next lap but tired and feeling the legs. Each lap I would check in and I was told I was still 1 lap up. After lap 15 Steve said I would have to make it in before noon so I could go out for one more lap. I was not sure if I had 2 more laps in me but I had 1:45 to get in before noon. As I was riding I felt ok and towards then end of the lap I knew I would make it. I had about 10 minutes to spare. One final check in with the pit and I was told Monilee was now 1st and I would still have to go out again because the results were showing I was between 2nd & 3rd.

I headed back out but it was a very hard lap mentally and physically. I really was not sure if I was chasing anyone or what was going on. I just put my head down and did my best. After about half way into the course I felt like I was the only one out there riding. I barely saw anyone for the remainder of the lap. The sun was sucking all of my energy as it beat down on me on every climb. I finally made it to the final climb before the downhill to the finish. I was sure happy to see Steve & Shaun waiting for me! With 17 laps, a total of 410 kms and 25:29 hours of racing I was pretty much done. They congratulated me and said I finished 2nd. I was happy with the result knowing I raced as hard as I could. It turned out Monilee started to put time into me from lap 15 onwards. She got stronger in the morning and had a great race achieving a personal best on the course. Suzanne, the girl I was racing at the beginning also had a great day finishing 3rd.

2nd place finish with some wine and a cash payout!

It is really hard to understand what goes on during a 24 hour race. This was my fourth solo race and each one brings different challenges. They are all hard in their own way. This one I would definitely rank high on the suffer meter! It has been 2 weeks since the race and the sore legs, swollen feet, and exhaustion are starting to go away. I look back at the race with no regrets and a sense of accomplishment. I had no bike issues so I was able to ride the hardtail for the entire race. It was sure fast and handled awesome in the rocky sections.

I want to thank Steve for getting me through the morning laps, Shaun for his support and encouragement, the Elk Valley pit crew, my sponsors and last but certainly not least the amazing volunteers and other racers who were so enthusiastic for the entire race!

Specialized Fate

I have made the switch from a 26er full suspension to a 29er hard tail. It is not easy to find a 29er that fits correctly when you are 4 11". However, when I came across the Specialized Fate's women's specific geometry and test drove the bike I knew it would be a great fit. I did a custom build with the Fate Comp frame, 2 x 10 XX drive train, Sid XX World Cup Fork, XTR brakes, and Specialized Fast Trak Control 2.2 tires. 

I went to Speed Matrix last week to have the bike fitted. Spencer spent a lot of time on my cleat position as well as getting the front end of the bike in a good position. Coming from a 26er the bike is quite a bit different so we were playing around with the stem length and angle. He got it dialled in and I have ordered the S-Works CLP multi stem to get in the ideal position.

Last week I got some good miles in on the bike. Of course it took a few rides to get used to the bike but right away I loved it. The descents and road sections were notably faster. I am getting in tune with how it climbs and it certainly rolls over roots well. I look forward to putting the bike to the test at the Spokane 24 hour Round and Round race this coming weekend.

Thank you to Specialized Canada for sponsoring me this year and to Bow Cycle for all their support.

 

Salty Dog

Steve & I loaded up the truck and headed for Salmon Arm on Friday. We arrived in good time and spent the night hanging out and catching up with Shaun who finally arrived from Rossland.

We met up with Dave & headed to the course for a pre-lap on Saturday morning. The course was in good shape and we had some fun out there. Spent the rest of the day hanging out in town meeting up with fellow racers. Back to the house where we were staying for some food and hanging out with the Deadgoat crew.

Race day was a little cooler and there had been a little rain over night, which would be good to keep the dust down. It started to rain lightly as we were getting everything set up at the race site. Before I knew it we were all heading down to the start line. As in the prior years it was a fast start with everyone trying to set a faster pace up the road climb to get into a good position for the first single track. It definitely was congested on lap #1 with a couple stops with the heavy traffic. It started to spread out as I hit the first road section. I came across Shaun on the first lap who was pulled off to the side of the trail. It turns out his seat post broke. I saw him again later in the lap as he hammered past me on the last climb before the final descent. I remember thinking that was just wrong to be passed by him with his saddle in his jersey pocket and no seat post!

The pits

The next lap had a little more flow to it and turned out to be my fastest lap. After lap #2 I started to settle into my pace. I saw a number of Deadgoats along the way who were always very encouraging. It is always nice to suffer with your friends. As the race went on, the climbs at the beginning of the lap were definitely starting to feel challenging. I tried to just keep my head down and grind it out.

On lap #5 I had a crash on one of the descents. Nothing major I think just too much speed coming into a corner. I got up fairly quickly and a few guys checked in to make sure I was ok, which is always very nice. I stopped at the pit after the lap to adjust my brakes as they had moved from the crash. Back out for lap #6. I took an Infinit bottle with caffeine and a caffeine pill. I knew I would need a little extra jolt to keep the wheels turning.

The caffeine started to kick in as I went out for lap #7. I knew I would only have time for one final lap so I wanted to try and beat my time from last year. As it turned out that was not my only goal for the lap. I came across a few girls and not really knowing who was in my category my new mission was to try to pass as many as I could. I was setting a pretty good pace up the climbs and thought if I could stay ahead there I would probably be ok. I rode the final descent as quick as I could. Coming into the final part which had some tight corners and really no passing opportunities, I could feel some pressure on my wheel. I asked if the person wanted to pass. The guy said yeah it would be good when you have a chance. I was thinking really there is no where for me to go. He started to say Deadgoat and some other stuff. It turns out it was Dave on my back wheel just messing around with me. We came into the finish together which was cool.

In the end the final lap was the most important. I dug deep and passed two girls in my category securing 2nd place in my category and 3rd overall for women. I was only just over 1 minute ahead of 3rd place. This race taught me you always have to race to the end because you never know what is happening out front or behind. Overall a good race with 7 laps, 71.5km, 8540 ft gain and beating last year's time by 2 minutes.

Hand made medals

Dave ended up winning his category and Steve nailed it with a 3rd place finish in his category! This is so impressive since Steve is just getting back into racing this year with all of his eye surgeries last year. I was so proud! A number of Deadgoat podiums and Shaun still managed to bang out 6 laps with no seat post!

This picture says it all! Rick & Steve finishing = hard work, good times and team!

Dave, Steve & I

Spring Riding

I travelled around a little this Spring in search for some dry dirt! Spent the Easter weekend in Spokane with some friends riding some great trails and having a lot of fun.

Shaun & Steve happy after a good ride!

A few rides in Elko and Cranbrook over the last few weeks.

Cranbrook, Community Forest

Went to Helena, MT two weekends ago with some Deadgoats. The trails were in great shape and we got in some good vertical and had some fun descents. I am sure glad I found my other bike shoe :).

One of the many hills we climbed

The two Mini Goats!

The boys

The trails in Fernie are starting to dry up with the nice weather. Checked out a few of them last week.

Fernie, BC

Fernie, BC

I am off to Salmon Arm this weekend for the Salty Dog  6 hour race. My back has been giving me grief since Helena so will see how things go? I hope to have a good race but will have to ride smart with the 24 hour Round and Round race coming up in Spokane the end of May.