Soaking Wet Copper Valley

Just like the European Spring Classics on TV, this year's edition of the Copper Valley Road Race was wet and cold. Thankfully there were not cobbles on this one but the rain and 42 degrees made it for a tough day of the bike.

Had to get out of bed earlier than usual 3:40 AM, pick Kurt Smith on the way then swing by Art's house. The plan was to drive my car, but once we had the stuff for Kurt and I, there was little room for Art. Plan B was to move all the stuff onto Art's truck.

Made it to Globe by 6:20 AM and the temp was just above 40 degrees and cloudy.

Procon was the organizer so we were in charge of set up and registration. While waiting for tables, the clouds lifted up to reveal snow on the top of the hills nearby.

Worked the registration table then it was time to get ready.

I put on two base layers including one long sleeve, jersey, arm and knee warmer, shoe covers and beanie. Just riding down the the start line made me shiver then Mr. Zagg, one of our team mates who was driving a wheel truck saw me and gave me his jacket. Thanks Ueli! I couldn't have finished without that. It was a little big for me I didn't care. A little wind resistance was better than being soaking wet.

Up until that point it was just cloudy and cold. As soon as we clipped onto our pedals the sky broke loose and we had constant rain for the 3-hour round trip to Lake Roosevelt hence the importance of the jacket.

I spent a lot of time at the front staying out of trouble and avoiding bike spray however less than 10 minutes into the race I was wet and cold.

Our grop of around 30 guys split on the first climb. 15 or so of us went off the front and keep the pace moderate. The long donwhill made everyone shiver. At one point we were doing 46 MPH into the rain. There were a few attacks before the turn around point but we were able to control them. Bicycle Haus and Procon pretty much controlled 90% of the race with either Bryce, Judah, myself of the other BH rider leading the pack. We made it to the base of the long 6 mile climb with a group of about 20. I drove the pace for the first couple of miles then Bryce attacked. I chased him down and 7 other guys came with me. Unfortunately Judah didn't make this cut, so without teammates I decided to attack. I tried 3 or 4 tame attacks up the hill but my legs were too cold to accelarate quickly so I got caught everytime. The 9 of us made it to the top as a group and it seemed we were all settling for a sprint finish. Focus had to guys in the group so they tried to get away a couple of times without sucess. About a mile before the finish a cheap attacked went on while most of us were taking off our vests and jackets so our numbers could be recorded. We quickly caught up to the group before the sprint. I got on Daniel DeMos wheel on the left side. He launch his sprint then I came around him, a little too soon as I ended up spinning out of the gear and getting pipped to the line by Daniel, Bryce and one other rider for fourth. It didn't help that there was no marked finish line. The rain made it impossible for the tape to stick to the road, so we had to sprint for an imaginary line. In fact, even after crossing the line we were wondering it we had sprinted a the wrong location. A photo reviewed was required to convince me I had finished 4th, however it's hard to tell because you can't see my wheel only my body crossing the line. Unfortunately I was seated while the rest of the guys were off the saddle so my body is further back. Oh well, at that point I was glad to get out of those clothes and get into Art's warm truck. Here's what my hands looked like. By the end I could barely operate the brakes or shifters.

My feet were even colder. I couldn't feel anything except for my heels.
I won't be racing next weekend, however I am planning to be at the Nova race at McDowell to support and watch the younger riders have fun. Then it's up to Prescott on the 25th for the Whiskey Off-Road.

I hope I can get rid of this cold soon. Coughing, sneezing and aching body is not the way I want to start my prep for the Whiskey.

Flying Solo

Stop number 5 in the MBAA series was this weekend up in Prescott. Temperatures were a little chillier than expected. Some overnight campers were caught off guard by snow the night before the race.

I drove to the race by myself, which was a first for a MTB race and it helped me realize how much Norma helps me, especially on race day.

I made it to the Alto Pit at around 9:30 AM and it was 42 degrees. I put all the layers I had on and went to check-in. Our friends James and Katia were taking care of hungry riders and families by bringing Pony Espresso to the venue. Great wraps and even better coffee. Thank you guys for coming over. I am sure I wasn't the only satisfied customer.

After a little chat with just about everyone, I figured it was time to jump on the trainer. Unfortunately, that's when I realized I hadn't prepared my bottles. Getting bottles ready took a while and then I had to label them so someone could hand them off to me. That someone had to be determined too.

I made to the start line after cutting the warm-up a little short. I had the cooler with me and the first person I saw was James. I knew he was busy with the Pony Espresso, but I asked him to find someone to feed me then grabbed a bottle. As it turns out I grabbed the bottle with Coca-Cola that I usually take on the last lap. 60 seconds to start and I can't find my cooler so I am about to start a race with a bottle of diluted Coke. 15 seconds to go and James walks by. I grabbed a new bottle just on time for gooooo!. I was in my small ring, so I punished my drive gear to move to the front. I made it into the bottle neck in 3rd wheel behind Tim Allen and Scott Keller. Keller got around Tim and so did I. We stayed like that for a few minutes then I attacked before the steepest section of the climb. I managed to move to the front and led the race for good 'ol 30 seconds before Keller and Tim went around me. We cruised on the downhill and Eric Salstrand went around me. I am feeling tired and spent and we are not even half way into first lap. I backed off a little then Lance and Tim Bolton go by. I finished the first lap in 6th. On the next climb Kam Reedy comes by too and not to long after Jason Sager passed my too. I am getting concerned then my legs finally start to cooperate and I stay with Kam and we pass Sager.

We get to the bottom of the hill and pass Salstrand on the side fixing a flat. Bummer!

Now I am back on 6th then my handlebars come loose again. I rode the rest of the lap like that but I am loosing ground on Kam on the downhills. We head into the 3rd lap together but he gaps me on the downhill. There is no other option. I stopped, got my tools out and retighten the bars. Sager goes by. 60 to 90 seconds -that felt like 10 min- go by and I am back in business. I passed Sager but Kam is nowhere near. I rode the whole 4th lap by myself and I am starting to feel a lot better, however I am ready to settle for 6th. I head out for my 5th lap and Darrin tells me someone is not too far. I get some motivation and make it to the top but can't see anyone. Near the last long climb of the lap I get a glimpse of a rider. Is Tim Bolton and he seems to be hurting. I get on his wheel on the steep climb then pass him at the top. To avoid giving him a free ride I push the pace even though I am at the limit. I looked back and he's no longer there then I look up ahead to find Tim Allen struggling. I snuck up to him by no using my rear break (as it makes noise) and we both hit the last short steep climb to the finish. He goes left I went right and I moved into 4th. There is no response from Tim but he comes in on 5th to round up the podium.

The real story is that he was sick as a dog and his body shut down on the last lap. Hope he gets better soon. Keller held on for the win from Lance while Kam came in a few seconds later.

Here is a podium picture, sans Tim Allen who wasn't feeling good and left early.

Now it comes a little break from the fat tires to give time for some skinny tire action this weekend at the Copper Valley Road Race that Procon is promoting. I'll be volunteering first then jumping on the bike to do some work for the team. I re-taped my handlebars on Sunday because my palms were really hurting after long road rides. I got double tape on the most used areas and went for a ride. It feels soooo much better.
Until next time....