Tuesday, August 13, 2019

AN ORE 2 SHORE EPIC MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE SAGA


Ore 2 Shore 48 Mile Women's Overall Champions
Year One – 2013: My fist harrowing attempt at this arduous 48 mile Mountain Bike race in the Upper Peninsula.  As it was only my 3rd year Mountain Biking, I probably should have started with the shorter 28 miler.  Like my dad always says, “Go big or Sleep in the Streets.”  I was almost sleeping in the woods after this one.   
That year the group I was in got stuck at the railroad crossing because of a train.  Then I crashed and my handlebar nearly poked my eye out.  I was seeing stars and knew it would only be a matter of time until my eye would swell shut.  Do I go on or call it?  Figured it would be a game to see if I could make it to the finish before losing an eye.  I took a few minutes and shook it off as my legs felt good and got back on my way. 
Later in the race I got a flat tire, a trail angel helped me with a CO2 cartridge.  I was able to ride a bit further but the gash wasn't sealing.  I made it to the top of the Country Road 510 climb where a spectator had a pump.  I pumped it back up and continued on.  But another couple of miles and the tire was flat again.  (!*^%&!#)   I started my march to the next aid station, ready to pull myself from the race.  After hiking about a mile another guy tossed his hand pump at me.  I proceeded to pump the tire up and ride as far as I could, then pump it up again about every mile for the last 14 miles.   I crossed the line just shy of 4 hours with a flat tire, one eye open and a group of medics waiting for me at the finish.    
Photo Cred: Kari Lewis Scheppman

Year Two – 2014: I was out for the entire season with a shoulder injury. 
Year Three – 2015: As I didn’t have anyone to go with, I didn’t race that year. 
Year Four – 2016: I made my return attempt for redemption only to be thwarted by another early crash.  I was thrown into a fence, then run over by a few people.  I suffered a minor injury on my arm, nothing to stop me from pedaling, but my shifter had fallen off.  I slow rolled to the closest aid station and was able to get it fixed. 
Because of strong legs, I once again began to plow through the masses.  With about 16 miles left …….. another flat.  C’mon Man, Really, Aaaaaaahhhhhh!   I was so upset that I smashed my camelback on ground.  With furiously shaky hands I unzipped the pouch, grabbed the CO2 and shot it into the tire. Because the puncture sealed up this time around, I put my camelback on to start again…… only to have the water leak all over me.  The nozzel had busted off from the impact when I threw it.  I started to hyperventilate from the the rage I was feeling. 
2016 Heartbreaking for me, thankfully my honey was waiting at the finish
Twice now I had suffered a crash from which I’d managed to recover, only to be cursed by flats.  I slowed my breathing, dug down deep, and just focused on riding it out.  Still ended up finishing almost an hour faster than 2013, 13th overall females and 1st in my age category.   
 











Year Five – 2017:

The goal was to make it through the entire race without a crash or mechanical so I played it super safe the entire race and ended up 3rd overall.

Broken Spoke Racing Team






















Year Six – 2018:   I was gunning for a first place finish as I felt I'd finally figured out how to race this one. 
As it turned out, I believe that was one of the most exciting races of my career!
Emma Swartz and I battled it out for the majority of the race.  She grabbed hold of me a few miles in and asked if we were in the lead.  I didn't think we were as I thought I had seen Lindsey Kriete up ahead.  So the entire time we were working together, pushing the pace, making moves, trying to get our group to catch the pack in front of us in effort to close the gap on Lindsey. 
With 15 or so miles to go we passed who we thought was Lindsey only to find that it was a man in the same kit.  We knew then that we were in a race for first!
I started to make attacks.  It was an epic battle for a few miles.  We were in a strong group of about 20 riders clipping at over 20mph when I rolled over a stone and my butt hit the back of my saddle causing it to jack knife up.  I tried to push the seat down while pedaling so I wouldn't lose the group but it wouldn’t go down.  I tried to just ride standing but it was too much.  I stopped to try and get it to go down but couldn't.  I had lost the group.   Another equipment snafu.  (*^#%)
I did what I could and came across a couple of volunteer firefighters. I pulled over and asked one to punch the seat as hard as he could.  One hit and the seat was back in line, my hero…….. I was on my way! 
But the damage had already been done.  I was on my own for the last 10 miles, still giving it everything I had because there was a slim hope that Emma would get dropped and maybe I'd be able to catch her.  She is such a strong rider that she never got dropped and won the race.  I was able to hold a respectable 2nd place overall. 
Few of My Besties - Kristina Navarro, Katie Kimberling, Me, Mary Penta






Year Seven – 2019:  This year was the year to crack the curse.  This is the race I have been training for all year. 
I normally mark riders at the start but it's really hard when there are 800 people lined up.  It’s tough to keep an eye out for your mark after the gun goes off, as you need to watch out for the mayhem that is going on around you.  Early crashes are very common in the mass-start races.  Adrenaline is running high, people are energized and challenging for good positions. 
I've learned to ride aggressively and defensively at the beginning.  You need to burn a big match at the beginning in effort to link with the fastest group of guys you can, while also giving a wheel in case there is a crash in front of you. 
Consequently, I do not hug wheels early in the race, I try to keep enough of a gap that I can respond when things go wrong.  We hadn't even gotten off the wide open road section when a multi person crash happened right in front of me.  I quickly yelled out, "riders down," and "Slowing" as I tapped the brakes and maneuvered around the pileup. The thing is, when you've got to slow or stop for a crash, a major threat is from the masses at full speed behind you.  You've got to be paying close attention, quick to respond….. and loudly. 
Once we turned into the first section of jeep trail we were in 2 single file lines.  It’s still very early in the race, people are jacked up and make stupid moves in efforts to overtake riders.   Sure enough there was another multi guy crash right in front of me.  Yet again, I was able to carefully make my way past them a second time.
Once the race spreads out a bit is when I start to hold tight to wheels.  Drafting is key when going for a podium finish.  I latched onto a group that was much stronger than me but was able to hold on thanks to the draft until we hit the deep sand.  The draft advantage is gone when in the sand and the stronger, heavier men are able to grip and plow forward.  They dropped me as if I'd stopped for a snack break. 
Out of the sand and I was alone.
Rather than attempting to catch them, I sat up and waited for the next group to pick me up.  It's important to save your energy so that you can grab hold of the next train that rolls through.  I jumped on the passing train and was pushing hard. 
Before Misery Hill a few spectators said I was first lady and I felt that I didn't need to make any crazy moves to hold the lead. I played it cool for the entire sketchy section which is full of off camber descents, pot holes hidden by grass, sharp rock features and a few hike a bike climbs.  There was a group of 4 of us working together once we hit the road section and were able to bridge the gap to a group in front of us.  There was also a few behind us that caught on so there was a solid party of about 20 of us heading up the County 510 Bridge. 
At about Mile 32 we take a right hand turn back into the jeep trails, it’s sweeping downhills, fast flats, single track, a couple of sand pits …….and all sorts of fun from there. 
The weather was a perfect 75 and sunny, couldn't have been better.  Conditions were as usual, a few big water holes in the beginning followed by dust and sand so that you always look like burnt toast at the finish. 
I’d turned the final corner on the road section and was greeted by cheering spectators.  I slowed down to bask in it, slapping hands and smiling as I rolled past the finish line FIRST!  7 Years in the making for this win, for THAT MOMENT.   
When a Dream is Finally Realized
Training:
I've been training for the XC Marathon style races specifically this year so I do a lot of long days on the Mountain Bike during the weekends and interval sessions during the week.  New this year: I hired a strength coach named Ethan Urban from the Princeton Club in Madison.  We do a day of heavy lifting and a day of balance each week.  This has been a game changer for me.  I'm climbing faster and with less fatigue than ever before. 

Nutrition:
I use Hammer Nutrition products for fuel in every training session, ride or race.  For this race I had two big bottles full of water and Heed to keep my hydrated, full of electrolytes and calories.  I also took a Vanilla Hammer Gel every 35 minutes.  They are quick and you don't have to waste energy on chewing.  I also took to cups of water at every aid station.  After the race I had a scoop of Hammer Whey Protein and a scoop of Recoverite in a shaker bottle in my drop bag so that I could fill it up with water and take it down immediately after the race.   I Never Ever Ever skip a recovery shake. 


Equipment:
I go with my Specialized S Works Hardtail for smoother races like this one.  It's light, nimble, responsive, pretty and FAST.  Fastest bike I've ever ridden.  Weighs only 19.6 lbs.  I race for Broken Spoke Bikes in Green Bay Wisconsin.  They became a Specialized dealer last fall so I've also got an S Works Epic full suspension as well and I'll be getting the Fat Boy Fat bike.  I am swimming in the Specialized kool aid. 
Specialized is Especially Fast!



Team:
Want to Thank my sponsors, teammates and everyone that has been supporting me in this intense journey over the years.  www.brokenspokebikes.com  www.hammernutrition.com www.princetonclub.com



Fall Racing Action:
I was very pleased to start my fall season off at the Ore 2 Shore with a win.  I am planning to race at the Dakota 50, Chequamegon 40, Oz Trails Off-Road 50, Margi Gesick 50, Founders Peak2Peak and the Iceman Cometh. 
I'd like to continue advocating for separate starts for the females.  Mass starts are fun but the races would be much closer and more tactical if we had our own start.  We wouldn't be able to pin it like we do and rely on men for help.  After the start this year I didn't even see another woman. It felt more like a super-fast group ride.  If we were able to start on our own there wouldn't have a woman or two just disappearing off the front. We'd need to work more among ourselves.  This is why I am excited about the Chequamegon 40, Oz Trails Off-Road and The Iceman Cometh.  Nothing will make you push as hard as you can then seeing a group of pony tails driving the pace. 
I was even able to get the Fat Bike Birkie to commit to a separate start for the females in 2020.  Hoping one day the Ore 2 Shore will consider this style as well. 
www.dakotafiveo.com         www.cheqmtb.com             www.epicrides.com
www.birkie.com/bike/events/fat-bike-birkie/
Photo Cred: Jack Kunnen
Photo Cred: Steve Lindburg

Photo Cred: Shawn Tyrrell

1 comment:

  1. I have an awesome shot of you at finish line.
    How do i post?

    ReplyDelete