Wow, that a great race! I knew this race was going to be a toughie...especially after completing the 100 last weekend, I wasn't sure how it would go. But, I was even more concerned about Bri and how she was going to make it through all of the climbs and heat that the course would throw at her for only her 2nd sport race. It seems that since she has moved up, things sure have gotten tough as we are headed into some races that go beyond the "more normal" 18ish mile sport courses!
As we climbed and descended, and climbed some more, I was pretty sure that the steep climbs were going to put Bri through everything that she had. As it was, I was spending more time in the familiar "one-one" combination that was so often used last weekend as well. Hmm, maybe I could be a single speeder after all...24x34 seems to be my preferred gearing as of late!
As we passed Gary at the half way point I knew the course would be mostly down hill so I gave it my all and was able to pass one more rider before the finish to move myself into 2nd place for my class and 3rd overall. Not bad considering the pain I inflicted 7 days earlier! I was lucky to finish where I did though because Dave Locke (Whom I have now heard on more than one occasion as being called a "Legend" of the Monterey area) was right on my tail and finished just behind me. Good thing I didn't let up!
As the clock ticked away, tired riders came in seemingly happy with their accomplishment of conquering the 5000+ feet of climbing that occurred over the 22ish mile course. Just as I was gearing up to go check and make sure Bri was still coming, she came roaring into the finish line and was the only Sport girl to complete the grueling course! I had anticipated a time of about 3.5 hours for her and she came in at almost exactly 3 hours to put in a great ride and much faster than I had expected in the heat and with all the climbing. She is really becoming a great mountain biker!
The event itself was excellent and Travis and Tamy are turning into superb race promoters offering USA cycling points/sanctioning, challenging courses and top notch customer service! He's got a few more events coming up, namely a cool sounding event at Hollister Hills that you should check out if you aren't making the trek to Weaverville.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tahoe 100
In my case it cannot be more appropriately said that “ignorance is bliss” in relation to my complete and utter ignorant entry into the 2009 Tahoe 50/100 National Ultra Endurance Series final round. In my mind, I thought it would be “pretty cool” to ride my mountain bike 100 miles…an idea that hatched last year this time when I heard about the event. So, I put it on the calendar for this year thinking, “no problem, how hard can it be?”
Well, a few weeks before the event, I realized that my “100 mile” preparation had never really materialized over the course of the last 365 days. Oh well, just sign up for the 50, I told myself after completing the 40 mile “Coe Time Trial” with pretty good success and feeling confident that I could do 50 miles pretty easily. I had only ever ridden 100 miles once and it was on my road bike, so betting on the 50 seemed like money in the bank.
Enter Jeff Linder. You know the guy that never ceases to amaze and inspire me with his cycling feats! Fresh off winning the World Solo 24 Hours Championships he calls... “Brian, the race in Tahoe looks fun. Let’s do it!” Of course in “Jeff Speak”, let’s do it translates into “we are doing the 100 you sissy”. Looks like Shelly was going to be on her own for the 50…
Fast forward to September 12th, approximately 1pm / hour 6 on my bike…way longer than I have EVER been on my mountain bike! As I am directed out of the “dusty corners” aid station and pointed up a hill that would be better suited towards my motorbike I thought to myself, “Wow, it’s a good thing that this event has really taught me the finer points of pushing my bike…” shortly followed by “If I was smart like Shelly, I would be DONE right now…Shelly is certainly done. Shelly is probably sitting in a comfortable chair eating candy and laughing at her stupid friends still out on the course…”
As I endured the next hour of climbing, I fought with every ounce of energy in my body to keep turning the pedals forward as I proceeded upwards at a pace so slow that I had no idea it was still possible to remain upright without just keeling over to the ground. At least the thick “moon dust” would cushion my fall… “Just a little farther” followed by “nice and easy”. I quickly learned that everything in 100 mile racing happens on a “relaxed” schedule. Nothing is worth getting worked up about because you can’t spare one extra breathe that you might need later. Take your time and think methodically. I know, for me this was the hardest part, it was like trying to re-wire my whole central nervous system to achieve this “zen-like” state for 10 hours of racing!
Also, when you ride for nearly 10 hours, you have SOOO much time to think! I tried to focus on the cool stuff, like the rad trail we rode earlier in the day called Robinson Ridge, which featured gnarly single track, loose dirt, tricky rocks and carnivorous plants that left my legs bloody and ripped at my front derailleur so badly that I had to stop and make repairs. Even with the problems, the trail was incredible!
Another thought that could usually be counted on to offer relief was the knowledge that an aid station lay ahead – if you had the strength left to pedal to it! Each aid station was like an oasis of bliss! Besides an assortment of “power food” and fresh fruit, each aid station had GUMMY BEARS!!! Hmmm, candy fix and a 100 mile ride? At least part of this equation spells Brian Butler! Drop your bike off while the friendly volunteers lube the chain and fill your bottles and eat gummy bears while you decide if you should proceed with the course or just add to the volunteer crew!
As hour 9 clicked away I struggled to remember the motivation for sending my entry in. Knowing I still had 6 miles of difficult climbing to reach the finish I thought back to Jeff Linder and Nietzsche…something about being tough, finishing what you start, and if it doesn’t kill you, well then…About the time I was wishing for death, I crossed the line – exhausted and just in the nick of time!
I found out that Shelly had SMOKED all the other girls in the 50 and set the fastest women’s time. Fast company! She is already looking forward to her first 100 next year. With the aid of copious amounts of food and candy from our tip top pit crew consisting of Brian and Kim Spiersch I came back to the land of the living long enough to begin to wonder where Mr. Linder was. Apparently, he had the unfortunate designation of discovering that lights were in fact needed if leaving the Robinson Flat aid station at not just 6pm, but 5pm too. As he rode by braille he was eventually joined by a light carrying rider who stuck with him for the last few miles to the finish. Persevering through the grueling course and finishing in a tick over 14 hours. That is true grit!
After all we had been through our pals, Dick and Teresa offered up post race accommodations that would impress the “Four Seasons”! We hit the hot tub, and sacked out after nearly 20 hours of non-stop action and adventure!
When all the dust was cleared Shelly’s time was not only good enough for the fastest women’s 50, but would have put her within 13 seconds of the Mens’ 30-39 3rd place podium, too! I think she coulda’ found the 13 seconds if she was battling with that guy up the hill! Nice job!
While Jeff came in just after the official finisher mark of 14 hours, there is no question that with a proper light he would have been under the cut off and amongst MANY riders who came in during the final 13th hour. Next year for sure! Plus, at 14 hours, we weren’t sure that he might just want to keep riding for another 10, just to get in some more 24 hour practice!
Using my theory that if I can “race 50 miles” I should be able to “ride 100” I had just enough energy to squeak out a podium finish for 2nd place in the 30-39 Expert 100 class and end up in 19th overall for the entire event. Wow, that exceeded my expectations!
In the end an event and assault on said event doesn’t happen without a ton of support so thanks again to Bri for putting up with me and letting me go racing, her parents for being there ALL DAY in typical “pro” pit crew form, Dick and Teresa for life saving accommodations, Shelly and Jeff for a great weekend and finally Jim of Global Bio Rhythm Events and all of his volunteers for a first class race!
Pictures to come soon...
Well, a few weeks before the event, I realized that my “100 mile” preparation had never really materialized over the course of the last 365 days. Oh well, just sign up for the 50, I told myself after completing the 40 mile “Coe Time Trial” with pretty good success and feeling confident that I could do 50 miles pretty easily. I had only ever ridden 100 miles once and it was on my road bike, so betting on the 50 seemed like money in the bank.
Enter Jeff Linder. You know the guy that never ceases to amaze and inspire me with his cycling feats! Fresh off winning the World Solo 24 Hours Championships he calls... “Brian, the race in Tahoe looks fun. Let’s do it!” Of course in “Jeff Speak”, let’s do it translates into “we are doing the 100 you sissy”. Looks like Shelly was going to be on her own for the 50…
Fast forward to September 12th, approximately 1pm / hour 6 on my bike…way longer than I have EVER been on my mountain bike! As I am directed out of the “dusty corners” aid station and pointed up a hill that would be better suited towards my motorbike I thought to myself, “Wow, it’s a good thing that this event has really taught me the finer points of pushing my bike…” shortly followed by “If I was smart like Shelly, I would be DONE right now…Shelly is certainly done. Shelly is probably sitting in a comfortable chair eating candy and laughing at her stupid friends still out on the course…”
As I endured the next hour of climbing, I fought with every ounce of energy in my body to keep turning the pedals forward as I proceeded upwards at a pace so slow that I had no idea it was still possible to remain upright without just keeling over to the ground. At least the thick “moon dust” would cushion my fall… “Just a little farther” followed by “nice and easy”. I quickly learned that everything in 100 mile racing happens on a “relaxed” schedule. Nothing is worth getting worked up about because you can’t spare one extra breathe that you might need later. Take your time and think methodically. I know, for me this was the hardest part, it was like trying to re-wire my whole central nervous system to achieve this “zen-like” state for 10 hours of racing!
Also, when you ride for nearly 10 hours, you have SOOO much time to think! I tried to focus on the cool stuff, like the rad trail we rode earlier in the day called Robinson Ridge, which featured gnarly single track, loose dirt, tricky rocks and carnivorous plants that left my legs bloody and ripped at my front derailleur so badly that I had to stop and make repairs. Even with the problems, the trail was incredible!
Another thought that could usually be counted on to offer relief was the knowledge that an aid station lay ahead – if you had the strength left to pedal to it! Each aid station was like an oasis of bliss! Besides an assortment of “power food” and fresh fruit, each aid station had GUMMY BEARS!!! Hmmm, candy fix and a 100 mile ride? At least part of this equation spells Brian Butler! Drop your bike off while the friendly volunteers lube the chain and fill your bottles and eat gummy bears while you decide if you should proceed with the course or just add to the volunteer crew!
As hour 9 clicked away I struggled to remember the motivation for sending my entry in. Knowing I still had 6 miles of difficult climbing to reach the finish I thought back to Jeff Linder and Nietzsche…something about being tough, finishing what you start, and if it doesn’t kill you, well then…About the time I was wishing for death, I crossed the line – exhausted and just in the nick of time!
I found out that Shelly had SMOKED all the other girls in the 50 and set the fastest women’s time. Fast company! She is already looking forward to her first 100 next year. With the aid of copious amounts of food and candy from our tip top pit crew consisting of Brian and Kim Spiersch I came back to the land of the living long enough to begin to wonder where Mr. Linder was. Apparently, he had the unfortunate designation of discovering that lights were in fact needed if leaving the Robinson Flat aid station at not just 6pm, but 5pm too. As he rode by braille he was eventually joined by a light carrying rider who stuck with him for the last few miles to the finish. Persevering through the grueling course and finishing in a tick over 14 hours. That is true grit!
After all we had been through our pals, Dick and Teresa offered up post race accommodations that would impress the “Four Seasons”! We hit the hot tub, and sacked out after nearly 20 hours of non-stop action and adventure!
When all the dust was cleared Shelly’s time was not only good enough for the fastest women’s 50, but would have put her within 13 seconds of the Mens’ 30-39 3rd place podium, too! I think she coulda’ found the 13 seconds if she was battling with that guy up the hill! Nice job!
While Jeff came in just after the official finisher mark of 14 hours, there is no question that with a proper light he would have been under the cut off and amongst MANY riders who came in during the final 13th hour. Next year for sure! Plus, at 14 hours, we weren’t sure that he might just want to keep riding for another 10, just to get in some more 24 hour practice!
Using my theory that if I can “race 50 miles” I should be able to “ride 100” I had just enough energy to squeak out a podium finish for 2nd place in the 30-39 Expert 100 class and end up in 19th overall for the entire event. Wow, that exceeded my expectations!
In the end an event and assault on said event doesn’t happen without a ton of support so thanks again to Bri for putting up with me and letting me go racing, her parents for being there ALL DAY in typical “pro” pit crew form, Dick and Teresa for life saving accommodations, Shelly and Jeff for a great weekend and finally Jim of Global Bio Rhythm Events and all of his volunteers for a first class race!
Pictures to come soon...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Reno MTB ride
Since Brian will probably post something tomorrow about his epic 100 mile mountain bike race he did today, you will only get to enjoy my photos for a short time before they get pushed down. Long story short, I went on a super fun ride with my sister (who is moving to West Virginia in a week) and with my papa when I went up to Reno last weekend. It was super hot and awesome. I love the rocks and there were plenty of them! We ended up through a short muddy mess as well. Here are the pictures and a video of me going down this technical super steep hill. BELIEVE ME, it really was a big hill, I just made it look super easy!! :) 
I keep telling my mechanic about my squeeky brakes, he just tells me all brakes squeek. :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tahoe 100
Or Bust!
I can see my wonderful girlfriend has yet to update the blog with her last fantastic ride. So, I will just say, expect great things from her soon.
Otherwise, Jeff, Shelly and me are headed up to Tahoe to tackle the final round of the National Endurance Series and Bri will be singing the National Anthem at Laguna Seca on Sunday so check it out if you are at the track for the event. She will be the one with the beautiful voice :)
Bri's ride and Tahoe 100 report to come soon...
I can see my wonderful girlfriend has yet to update the blog with her last fantastic ride. So, I will just say, expect great things from her soon.
Otherwise, Jeff, Shelly and me are headed up to Tahoe to tackle the final round of the National Endurance Series and Bri will be singing the National Anthem at Laguna Seca on Sunday so check it out if you are at the track for the event. She will be the one with the beautiful voice :)
Bri's ride and Tahoe 100 report to come soon...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Be Careful What You Wish For!
So, I've been working pretty steadily most of this year with little results to show for efforts in terms of that pesky profession that is supposed to pay the bills...Real Estate. However, in the last week, we have been inundated with an overwhelming amount of work in the form of 3 new listings, multiple property showings and more property showings and another listing appointment later this week! WOW! Like they say, it's time to make hay while the sun shines and I am finally seeing the results of all the months of hard work pay off...
It's interesting how Real Estate parallels Cycling sometimes...You feel like you are banging your head against the wall with little tangible benefit. You log your miles and shake the bushes for business. You do your hard rides and contact your hard clients...over and over until BAMMO...you get some race wins, sell some homes, and your confidence is BACK and makes all the long days and nights worthwhile!
It probably didn't hurt that I snuck in a birthday party for my good friends Tomer and Teresa Saturday night in Auburn and the best present of all was that their house was spared from the catastrophic blaze that rampaged neighborhoods within a stones throw of them. Scary, but thankful.
Sunday Shelly and I headed out to recon the Tahoe 50 course. With an email blurb, bad map, and hoping for course markings we successfully navigated our way around a pretty remote part of the Sierra's with remarkable aplomb. The majority of the course seems to be fire road, but "high sierra" style, meaning loose dirt, rocks and you can never let your guard down or you will probably go down. I think with our new found knowledge we are both feeling a lot more comfortable going into the event in 2 weeks.
That's it for now. I've got to get back to setting up our new listings. If you know anyone looking for a stylish, entry level condo that is completely updated in sunny Del Rey Oaks OR a sweet double lot 2 blocks from the beach in Carmel, then send me your briefcase's full of cash and I will handle the details! Until next time, keep pedaling, it's sure to pay off eventually!
Travis Chillin' after the time trial with a lucky survivor!
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