Lumberjack 100
Here was the plan: Start fast and finish strong. I wanted to push myself to see what contenting for a hundie was really about. My realistic goal was to hang with the lead group for the first lap and maybe two, then maintain that position until the end for a top 10 finish.
Here was the execution:
I lined up in the front of the group for the neutral start. A perfect location to avoid the traffic yet still draft the fast guys to the single track. I sat comfortably just behind Shalk, Eatough & Simmonson as we rounded the corner into the Big M ski area and the pace immediately blistered.
9th into the single track behind the big guns:
The first climb is steep, crowded and soft sand. If you can get a descent line you’ll be lucky to not spin out. I managed to get both a good line and not spin out, but the anaerobic effort hit me like a pound of quarters in tube sock. I lost & regained spots as the others around me contented with the same elements. Once into the single track I realized I was not a contender for the overall today with those that would be already ahead by 30-40 seconds. No worries though, because I was still in or near the top ten.
The Inner Loop which forms the first 8 of the 25 total miles of the race course is series of short power climbs. My focus was on carrying as much momentum over the top of each so I bomb down the other side, then launch once again up the next. I reeled in 3 or 4 riders this way. Toward the end of this loop and the beginning of the Outer Loop the trail is flat and it’s best to have someone to work with. Travis Mullen and I paired up here and worked to gap those behind us, though soon I could hear Garth Prosser gabbing away to Roger Masse not too far behind.
Travis was kind enough to pull through and take the pace making while I caught my breath and got some calories in. Garth & Roger continued their sewing circle and even added a few with another couple of riders catching up to us. Half way through the lap I took over at the front. I felt good and no one complained about my pace (nor that I was doing pulling them around). 4, 5, 6 miles passed and I considered letting someone pull through, but the trail was so narrow I didn’t like the idea of being in the back of 6-7 others. I heard carnage more than once as those behind lost concentration and fumbled.
Garth attacked with about 4 miles to go. He came around me standing up on steep pitch, but didn’t get too far. My only response was to remain steady. I could feel the press from behind, but at 21 miles in and 79 to go I had no intention of making a move. If he wanted it he could have it. On the next descent I brought him back. No effort spent, just stayed off the brakes and let it rip. Again he jumped out of turned and stood through the climbs to get away. Again on the descent I’d bring him back. Finally on the last gradual ascent he powered away. No worries. If he can hold it, good for him, if not we’ll see you in a bit (today he would hold it).
I peeled off the front of the remaining group at the transition area to grab bottles. Many thanks to Scott Chambers for his help. My stops were fast and effective. In, out. I rolled out for lap two just out of the top ten. I wanted to punch it through the Inner Loop again and then figured I’d crack the top ten and wait it out until the last lap. The first climb changed all that. It’s only a one minute effort, but body did not respond well to it. It felt like all the muscles around my sacrum were in a spasm and I had no power. It came on so quickly. I walked some of the climb, remounted and hoped to spin it out. Just cruise until the loosened up. The problem was that this is a power course. Punchy climbs is not the place to relax.
I had to let a handful of riders get away while I waited out the back pain. I came out of the Inner Loop and saw Chambers waiting on his wife and yelled that I’d like some Aleve on the next lap. That proved to the race saver. I rode the rest of the lap alone. I kept it steady and in the end only lost 6 minutes on the previous lap. It could have been much worse.
I came through the transition to begin the third lap with high hopes. I’d take the Aleve, 20 minutes later I’d start to feel somewhat normal again, then I would start to work on moving up a few places. The “somewhat normal” didn’t come. I rode that lap alone until the end when Scott Cole come up from behind and pulled me to the transition for lap 4.
I took another Aleve and an extra gel. I struggled up that first climb one more time and then through the Inner Loop while I watched Cole slowly pull away. Then finally as I came out to the flat section I began to feel better. I passed a rider (orange jersey) who had passed me earlier. I was sure I pulled him around the first lap and to be sure I didn’t do that again I jumped passed him and kept the pace up. I headed off into the Outer Loop alone except for the occasional lapped rider.
I looked back and saw the orange jersey catching back up. That stung the ego a bit, but decided to play him out. I figured I caught him the first time because we was not climbing well on the Inner Loop, so I slowed a bit on the flat and waited for the little climbs to begin again. Then I punched it, the legs responded well and I had a gap. I punched again on the next one and the next one and so on until I couldn’t see the orange jersey any more. Then I just concentrated on steady finish. I used Cole as a rabbit, hoping to reel him back in, but all the riders I passed were getting lapped. As I came into the last couple of climbs I pushed with all I had left, but alas I rode in empty handed in that regard. I was glad to finish and not too unhappy with a 14th place finish.
Not on the podium, but I am in the picture….
