12 Hours of Temecula 01/24/2009

Up to this point I would have thought my training routine would have carried me through this event with some relative ease, but I stand corrected. This event was as tough as they come. From the sandy trails to the multiple steep climbs; I simply found it difficult to find any kind of rhythm. I found the mental aspect of this event to be one of the toughest parts of the challenge because each lap I know that once again I would have to revisit the same steep climbs over and over again. For a while some where around lap 5-7 It became a little easier but the mental strain began to take over once again around lap 8 and it became easy to dog the last couple of laps in the hope that the hour glass would run out.

Equipment: All and all I still have to say that the amount of traction that the 29er tire provides is far superior in the sandiest environments, especially on step climbs. I watched many people on 26 inch wheels spin out as they tried to stand up to reach the summit of the climbs where my 29er would only slip an inch or two before finding the traction necessarily to reach the top of the climbs.

Mishaps: I did manage to brake a chain but luckily I remembered to carry an extra power link.

General Thoughts: I really gained alot of respect for this style of racing. I learned that regardless of how much training you've done; racing in sandy terrain is tough and one should train in that kind of envirnment if one hopes to succeed there.

La Ruta de lost Conquistadores

If every thing works out I will ride in Costa Rica this November. There is a lot to think about and train for between now and then.

2009 National Endurance Mountain Bike Racing Schedule

Cohutta 100 Saturday April 25

Mohican 100 Saturday May 30 -

Entry Fee $99.00

Deadline January 15, 2009

Directions: Camp Nuhop (Race Central) and the Mohican Resort & Conference Center are both located in north central Ohio, approximately 20 miles southeast of Mansfield, Ohio - near Loudonville.

Team: Nick and Michael Saddleton and Charles Powers (aka will Team Will Peddle for Beer) will hopefully be handing me a few water bottles at this race.

Lumberjack 100 Saturday June 20

Breckenridge 100 Saturday July 18

Wilderness 101 Saturday August 1

Fool’s Gold 100 Saturday August 15

Leadville 100 Saturday August 15

Entry Fee $250.00

Deadline January 31, 2009

Post Mark:

Leadville Trail 100

POBox 487

Leadville, CO 80461

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

50 miles out and back. Start/Finish in the heart of Leadville @ 10,200’. 90%+ dirt or double track dirt roads. Steep climbs: serious descents. 7 mile climb to the 50 mile turnaround at 12,600 ft. Approximately 14,000’ elevation gain. Greater than 65% average finish rate under the 12 hour limit. Excellent support stations.

Shenandoah 100 Sunday September 6

Tahoe-Sierra 100 Saturday September 12

Links:

http://www.leadvilletrail100.com/index.ihtml

http://www.usmtb100.com/