Endurance Event of a Different Kind

Since the Hundo I have been riding a little less; trying to recover before the 4th of July and the Firecracker 50 which is half the mileage of two weeks ago, but the same amount of climbing (with most above 10,000 feet).

This will be the first time doing this race, one I have wanted to do since moving to Colorado 5 years ago....so here it is.

Last weekend was Widespread Panic at Red Rocks for three nights and the nature of this event is a test of endurance.  Admission is all GA so being the freaks we and our friends are we get in line early every day, that plus the sun and beer makes for a long weekend.  Did still manage to get 4 rides in last week with one even Sunday morning after going to bed at 3:00 AM.  Finally felt better on Sunday, starting to recover from that 100 mile day.

For now some pictures from a great weekend at Red Rocks with some great friends among the freaks that love Panic in our state.

The Bailey Hundo

Well I can say I finished; took me 12 hours of what was an amazing event that came together in a very short time.  Big thanks to those who supported me; I was able to raise $250 in addition to the $100 I put in.  Also big thanks to all the volunteers who were so helpful at the aid stations.  I am really happy to have been part of this event and hope to do so again next year.

Friday afternoon we went up to Buffalo Creek to setup camp for the weekend and then it was off to the Romer Ranch outside of Bailey.  Senator Chris Romer invited all the race participants and volunteers to his family ranch for some BBQ food and relaxing before the suffering started.  This place was amazing....

First the google earth image of the course for some perspective....this thing is big.

Sarah dropped me at the start in the morning and then went around to a few of the aid stations and took some pictures.  Overall I road strong, but came apart on the climb out of Deckers in the 90 degree heat....it was brutal and I almost quit a few times, but managed to get through the numb hands, sore neck, sore a$$, serious shooting pain cramping, and the mental game going on to finish this thing.

The start...

Coming out the bottom of Sandy Wash.

Me in Deckers at mile 70 feeling really good....this was about an hour away from my meltdown.

Through the last aid station....mile 90ish

Finishing up....

Yeah I think that sums it up.

After doing the White Rim last fall I thought I would have this one pretty easily, but this race course was really hard.  Overall seemed everyone had different numbers on their GPS units, not sure why so much variability, but most people are saying 105 miles with 12,000 feet of gain.

And finally.....

Getting ready.....

For the Bailey 100 on June 19th; looking forward to the race it should be a really great event and being a fund raising event any little bit helps.  Check the "donate"' button for more info.

As such the last couple weeks have involved a lot of miles and climbing.  Past two weeks have been great around the Front Range (little warm lately), but getting 265 miles and 34,000 feet of climbing.  Highlights would include riding 55 miles of the Bailey 100 with Colorado Senator Romer (one of the senators sponsoring the race).




Along with a ride yesterday on Kennosha Pass (East).

For now it is more riding trying to be ready to finish this race and raise some money for a good cause.