Whiskey Off-Road 50 Recap

The Whiskey 50 put on by Epic Rides has been one event on my list this year I've been looking forward to since I signed up.  Mainly because the race is hosted in Prescott, AZ which happens to be the neighboring city to where my Mom and brother along with his wife live.  2011 would mark the 8th running of the Whiskey Off-Road and I can't believe I just found out about this event last year.  I usually make a trip out to Prescott Valley 3-4 times a year to hit up the many miles of great trails.  I was able to preview the entire Whiskey 50 course last summer so I knew what to expect coming into this year.

Driving was a little tough at times.  Photo by Steph.



The weekend started off on a Thursday morning for me along with James, JD, and Steph.  We all met up at James' pad to load the Highlander for the 6 hour journey to PV.  When we got into town we decided it would be best to pre-ride the 25 miler course of the Whiskey.  I was the only one of the group that was somewhat familiar with the route and I was glad to get another preview of what was to come a couple days before the race.  For dinner we went to the Raven Cafe in Whiskey Row.  This place was definitely cool with lots of great beers to choose from along with great food.  I highly recommend a stop to this place if you are ever in the area.  My mom was gracious enough to allow myself and my friends stay at her place for the weekend.  She is such a wonderful host and we all appreciated her awesome act of kindness.  It really made the weekend that much better.

This fireroad would suck come race day...Photo by Steph.

Pulled Pork Sandwich and sweet potato fries....yum!

Friday we were able to kill some time by picking packets up and hitting the theater's up to see Fast Five.  I know it probably sounds cheezy to most, but honestly...this was probably the best of the sequels to the Fast and Furious brand.  Highly entertaining for sure with hunks like Vin Diesel and The Rock so the ladies (Steph) and sometimes dudes (JD) can appreciate it.  ;-)

Steph gets overly excited for horse statues.

James, myself, and JD enjoying the sites.  Photo by Steph.

Occifer Bang Bang (JD)



Race day started early morning on Saturday.  Race start was at 7:30am and I loathe early wake up calls.  It was quite brisk in the early morning while getting prepped waiting for the glorious orange ball in the sky to begin the warming process.  We probably took more time than we needed to before heading to the start line on Whiskey Road.  I wish I had a picture of the start because I've never seen so many mountain bikers line-up all at once.  Apparently there was around 500-600 racers at the start.  It was quite cool yet pretty sucky cause I was NO-where near the front.  I knew I would have to work pretty hard early on to get somewhat near the front group once the race would begin.  The sound of a shotgun blast would signal the start of the race and off we went...wait...not just yet...why am I not moving?  Oh yeah, since I was so far back...I had to wait about 30 seconds before things started going.  The atmosphere was awesome with families and people cheering on the racers.  Something that lacks out here in the local SoCal racing scene.  I knew I had about 6 miles of paved road to try and catch the police escort group up ahead.  It put in some good efforts and really didn't feel like I was tapping into all my resources, but I think the elevation of 6000+ ft was playing tricks with me while watching my heart rate.  I eventually was able to catch on to the tail end of the front group just before hitting the sick singletrack.  I felt pretty held up at times from this point until getting to the fireroad ~8 miles later.  There were lots of water bars to scale going up and going down.  Some riders were more timid than others, which made it hard to get around those riders.  That's all just part of it though.

Once to Skull Valley, I knew the hardest part was ahead.  A twelve mile climb to the summit before the 10 mile descent back to Whiskey Row.  I had no idea where I was currently placed, but it didn't really matter to me.  My focus was to finish the race under 4 hours, but secretly hoping for something in the 3:30 hour range.  The climb started out well, but then I hit that 2 hour window where things always start to get tough.  The climb would get steeper as well to add more salt to the wound.  Steph told me I was top 20 as I saw her coming down the dreaded Skull Valley climb getting ready for her own world of pain.  I worked with other riders here and there, but pretty much was on my own for the majority of the climb.  I was able to make a couple of passes before the summit and finally get a sigh of relief before the fun descent down the mountain.  The best part of the race was making that final right turn onto Whiskey Row and seeing all the people plus my family cheering me on.  They've never seen me race before so they were just as excited to see me as I was to see them.  It was really cool and motivating to push that much harder for the line.  Once the results were in, I finished 12th out of 232 for the Open class with a finishing time of 3:48:30.  I know I could have done better, but I'm really happy with my results.  I hope to better my time at this race next year depending on the schedule.

My lovely mom and I post race.  Where would I be without here? Photo by Andrea.

James kicked ass finishing 16th and only 5 mins behind me!  My pupils learn fast.

"Everyone's Hometown"  I own this shit. ;-)

In retrospect, this was really a fantastic event that was well organized with something to do for the whole family.  Don't hesitate to put this one on your to do list.  It is worth it.  Oh yeah, the swag bags were the biggest I've ever gotten at an event.  Lots of cool stuff for sure.



2011 Vision Quest Recap

Back in October, I was dreading the morning of April 2nd, 2011.  I kept thinking of the pain, suffering, and not to mention the lack of sleep to come.  As the date drew closer, I felt physically and mentally unprepared for one of the toughest mountain bike events in the nation in that being the Vision Quest.  The week leading up to April 2nd, I began to feel burned out on racing as a whole and even contemplating a new approach to the sport I fell in love with.  I haven't exactly been overly excited about my performance at the early season XC races here in SoCal.  This all changed 2 days prior to April 2nd.  This event will always be dear to me.  VQ 2008 marked my first ever organized Mountain Biking event, which has made me into the competitive athlete I am today.  Of course my goals were much simpler back then.  Finish before my training buddies and to enjoy the ride.  That first event would also remind me how fragile our bodies are especially when travelling at 20+MPH on dirt.  I took a nasty spill on Main Divide between Beeks and Motorway.  Bruised and bloodied up, I was determined to fight through the agony and finish the race.  That I did, but my buddies got the best of me.  I realized that drive and determination has been lacking lately.  Those are the qualities that have encouraged me to conquer the VQ each year after.  Remembering that year charged me back up for 2011 just 2 days prior to the start.  I suddenly became mentally prepared and ready to give it my best.

VQ2008 - Bloody yet smiling.  I think I was 15lbs lighter too.

I still wish my goals were as simple back then, but there would be no challenge in that for me.  The challenge is what I need to stay motivated to ride hard.  We always want to better ourselves as athletes.  We want to measure improvement and I've found that VQ is the best thing for myself to measure against.  Not just with a stop watch either, but mentally.  Each year brings new and different challenges for the mind and body to conquer.  Adaptation is what makes us better cyclists.  After finishing in the Top 10 (9th) last year and just shy of my "unreal" goal of under 6 hours (6:02), I knew 2011 would be my toughest yet.  The first and obvious goal was to break into the 5 hour mark.  My "unreal" goal would be to break the 5 1/2 hour barrier.  Those type of times are usually reserved for the top 5 and consist of some fast local pros.  With all the rain we got this season, I didn't know what to expect in regards to the trail conditions.  This also meant less training in the Santa Ana's.  In fact, this year was the least amount of training I did out there due to the weather.  I despise the cold now...call me a wussy, but I have nothing to prove after years of doing it.  :-)

El Juan's jealous of #7.  I felt the pressure of the single digit number plate

Race day started out at the crack of somewhere way too early to be awake.  It was 3:30am in my case.  For once, I actually didn't feel sleep deprived for not really getting any sleep.  I never can sleep the day before a race knowing I have to be up before my internal clock.  CeeDubb met me at my house around 4:15am and we carpooled from there.  The morning was a nice 55+ degrees.  Probably the warmest it has been for me at a VQ event.  The forecast was calling for great temps during the event.  I was also excited that my buddy Matt Vaughan would be able to support me, amongst others, at each aid station.  This is always so helpful and much appreciated.  It didn't take long to get suited up and chug down my PreRace bottle.  I lined up next to heavy hitter Dana Weber at the front of the start line.  The other notables in Manny Prado, Tinker Juarez, Doug Andrews, Nate Whitman, Gerry Cody, Danny Munoz, and the BozBros were out as well.  This lineup was going to make for some good racing.  It was also good to see James and Bang Bang just before the start although I didn't say much since I was focused for the dirt ahead.

Staging.  Photo by Keith B.

The countdown began...3...2...1...and off all 300 and something of us went.  The start went well and there were no mishaps.  My plan was to stay with the front group until the real climbing began on Blackstar.  I got off line just a bit and slide into a mud pit on the way out to Blackstar putting a foot down in the slimy mess.  Oh well, it would just get worse throughout the day.  I slipped back a bit, but caught back up to the lead pack.  We got to the hard left switchback and the leaders picked up the pace.  I settled into a good pace with Eric Bostrom and another rider up towards hidden valley.  I was able to get in a small gap ahead of Eric and made my way to the Beek's gate in 42mins.  I didn't know it at the time, but that was 2 mins faster than last year.  Was I going too hard?  Probably, but I was hoped up PreRace.  That stuff really gets your blood moving.  Eric and I would pass each other a couple more times along the way to Motorway.  Tim Z, Danny M, and Bierman made there way up to us and we had a small pace line going.  Eventually, they gaped me before Motorway, but I put a small gap on Eric.  Motorway was a blast as usual.  I was able to pick clean lines and keep my tires afloat while many others didn't have such luck.  I will take that as a success!  I got to the first aid station 4 mins faster than I did last year.  Didn't know that either at the time.  I found Matt and his ever bright orange jacket and I took off my light as he swapped out my bottles.  They would consist of EFS and another shot of PreRace.  I also chugged down a flask of EFS Liquid Shot before I pedaled off.

Amazing Sunrise on Main Divide.  Photo by Gene.

Dismounting at the Motorway trail head.  Photo by Gene.

The way down Motorway.

Reaching back for an EFS Liquid shot as I grind up Maple Springs

The climb up Maple Springs started out well.  I felt strong, but started to fade halfway up the pavement.  Things would get better once on the dirt, but I was not moving as fast as I wanted to be.  I was starting to get worried, but I didn't panic and stayed focused.  I backed my pace off a little and to my amazement I was 2 mins faster than last year.  Eric Bostrom caught back up and slipped away from me at this junction.  Nate Whitman came blowing by me on my way to Modjeska peak.  He had a couple of flats.  I was now in no man's land.  Eventually, I could no longer see anyone in front of or behind me.  I gave a little extra push on the final stretch to Santiago Peak knowing I could recover on the way down.  The descent down from the peak was fast and furious.  The conditions were in great shape and I just let the Santa Cruz Tallboy breathe.  On the way to Upper Holy Jim, I passed Eric as he was pulled off to the side with a flat.  Once to the trailhead, Chanson was there to greet the passing riders.  I said to him, "I'm fading fast!"  Of course I would be teased about this afterwards, but that's what friends are for.  UHJ was tough for me this year.  I've cleared the trail in the past, but not this year.  I dabbed on a couple of switchbacks and bailed out on a rockier section.  I had no confidence in the traction of my tires on UHJ.  Maybe it's just too much saddle time on the road bike?  Me thinks yes.  I approached Lower Holy Jim and was told I was in the top 10.  Really!?  Came as a surprise to me.  I ripped down Holy Jim while avoiding the occasional hikers and bikers.  It still amazes me that these people continue to hike/bike when they know there's a race going on.  I would just choose another day to get out there.  The water crossings were deep, some rideable while others not.  They felt quite refreshing as the temps were starting to warm up.  It started to feel humid and the flies were hovering if you weren't moving.  I got to the 2nd aid station before 9:30am and was on pace to break 6 hours.  Matt lube up my chain, I swapped bottles, and stole some of James' coke in his cooler before the final push up Trabuco and West Horse Thief.

John Early capturing the moment as I reach WHT.

As I pedaled up Trabuco, I started to feel a 2nd wind come.  I was able to pedal most of Trabuco and was happy with that.  I got to WHT in 26 which was 2 mins faster than last year.  Pua and Guy caught up to me and made their pass just before the WHT trailhead.  Pua is one strong competitor.  I was amazed watching her pedal up WHT making it her bitch while I'm HAB'ing it.  Totally wanted a 2X10 setup for WHT at that moment in time.  Still love my 1X9 setup though.  :-)  I got to the top of WHT 3 mins faster than I did last year and was told I was in 11th.  WHT will always suck, but it sure didn't seem that bad from years past.  I pedaled to the Trabuco Trailhead and was on track to break 6 hours.  I really let it fly down Trabuco.  This is my favorite trail of the whole race.  The Tallboy was feeling great and the suspension was dialed in.  I had so much fun carving through the shale rock.  Once back to the WHT junction, all I had to do was to keep the rubber side down and pass the other competitors safely.  Everyone was very courteous and yielded to me.  I tried to give encouraging words to those struggling.  I even saw a rider fallen over in the bushes and I should have said something, but was too focused on the mission at hand.  Turned out it was a friend by the name of Eric Hull.  We had a good laugh about it after the race.  Once back to Trabuco Creek Road, I just kept the pedals moving while spinning out here and there.  I came to the old finish line from last year and I didn't exactly know where it was this year.  We were routed into the creek bed with no actual trail to ride.  "WTF!?" I said to myself as I tried to navigate by orange cone through the rocks and water.  Then guess what?...we had to hike-a-bike out of the creek bed to get to the road and finally to the finish line.  I coined that section the 2 minute VQ.  As I got back on my bike after the mini HAB, I looked back and saw another VQ guy starting the creek bed HAB.  "Where did he just come from?"  I turned on the jets and finished just seconds ahead of him.

Stop that Garmin...and...done!  Photo by Jordan

I crossed the line at 5:54:12 which put me in 10th place overall!  Less than a minute behind Pua.  I was very much surprised to pull off another Top 10 placing.  In summary, I really really enjoy this year's VQ.  Probably more so than the previous 3 times.  I'm ecstatic to have broken the 6 hour barrier and I'm actually more motivated to hit the 5 1/2 barrier next year.  We'll see if VQ will make my calendar for 2012.  This is the first time I've felt like this right after a race.  Maybe endurance racing is more my thing than the short XC stuff?  I'd like to give a shout out to Matt Vaughan for the awesome support.  He made my life so much easier at the aid stations.  I'd also like to thank Santa Cruz Bicycles, 1st Endurance, ESI Grips, The Hive, and Rock 'n Road Cyclery for the additional support with equipment and nutrition.

Filling up the last spot on the board.

Come at me bro.

CeeDubb and I post race.

Matt "Hermit" Vaughan the support guy!  :-)

Well deserved post race froyo...I <3 these guys.

6 Hours of Temecula #1 Recap

So I'm only a month late to finally getting around to this.  First race of 2011 is in the books and I'm ecstatic I didn't have to suffer on my single speed this time around.  Last year I did the whole 12 Hours of Temecula series on my SS hardtail and vowed to never do that again.  It's just not worth the pain and discomfort over such a long period of time.  The start of the 2011 Temecula series would bring a welcoming addition with a 6 hour category and me pedaling upon my Santa Cruz Tallboy with it's butt loving squish.  It was great to see all the familiar faces from the previous year out in full force.  The 6 hour category was deep with 39 competitors looking to tackle this new challenge.

My goal for this race was to simulate the upcoming Vision Quest in April.  Meaning, figuring out my pace and nutrition.  I'm grateful to have First Endurance as a new sponsor for 2011 to help fuel my race and training needs.  I'm no stranger to the FE family as I've been using FE products since early 2010 and I haven't looked back to all those other powders, gels, and supplements.  Absolutely love their stuff!  My plan was to stick strictly to liquids for my hydration and caloric needs.  I would achieve this by primarily using EFS and EFS Liquid Shot.  PreRace was also on my intake list for when I needed that little extra kick.  Of course I had Coke's on standby as my emergency pick me up.

I believe I'm the 8th rider back.  Photo by Jordan

The start of the race was fairly hectic as racers crowded the start line.  I found myself up near the front about 7-8 rows back.  I wasn't too concerned with my position as I knew the field would spread out during the parade lap.  The first climb was flooded with racers fighting for position.  As luck would have it, I took the far right line while the majority took the more inviting left line.  My line choice proved very successful as I was able to hop on my very own personal toll road around the traffic.  All of a sudden it got very lonely out there.  I must have been in the top 5 riders or so because halfway through my lap I couldn't seen anybody in front or behind.  I came into my pits to grab my next bottle and quickly resumed.  The PreRace really gave me a boost as I completed my first lap in the 41 minute range.  I was pretty sure I was in the lead at the time, so I wanted to keep my solid pace going.

Photo by Jordan

2nd lap was pretty much the same as the 1st minus the traffic around.  It was nice having a clear path for most of the way.  The trails were in great shape and I was able to pickup my speed a little bit more this time around.  This lap was my fastest lap of the day and the fastest lap of all 6 hour competitors.  Only problem, this is an endurance race and not a XC race.  I knew I probably went out too hard, but I sure didn't feel like I did.  It felt good to really let the lungs breathe and the legs burn.  Maybe I was hopped up on PreRace to notice?  I kept it going into the start of my 3rd lap.  Unfortunately, I would have an untimely mechanical halfway through.  My RD cable broke and I was stuck in my tallest gear (34X11).  After stopping to asses the situation, I knew there was nothing I could do on the trail so I pedaled on.  My mind was tossing around the idea of quitting or to keep racing SS.  I then told myself that someones got to have a replacement cable on site.  Lucky for me, I was about halfway through the lap and most of the tough climbs were over with.  I completed my lap and was able to get assistance from the Specialized crew.  Many thanks to them as they got me back up and running pretty quick.  I lost about 15 minutes due to the cable, but at least I wasn't out.  I knew my competitors most likely passed me which also meant that I lost the lead.  It was going to be hard to try and catch up.

Photo by Jordan

On my 5th lap, things started to slow down a bit for me.  4 hours seems to be the hurdle that plagues me.  My energy levels dwindle down and pace slows quite a bit.  On the positive side, I still felt good with no sick or upset stomach feelings.  I was able to maintain consistent low 50 minute lap times until the end.  I would finish with 7 laps and a time of 5:36:01.  Good enough for a solid 4th place against some pretty solid competition.  Overall, I'm happy with my results, but really wished my shifter cable didn't break.  It would have been fun to see how the race would have finished with the top 3 guys.  I was also ecstatic to know that I was done racing for the day.  My body wasn't beat up like previous races on the SS hardtail.  I can contribute that to the plushness of the Tallboy and my super comfy ESI Grips.  I could sit back, relax, and cheer on my buddies racing the full 12 hours.  Overall, it was a great day for racing and to be surrounded by friends.  The buzz about the Temecula series is definitely growing.  First US Cup race is in a week and it looks like it's going to be a wet one.  Until next time my friends.