MTB Baja 100 Race

Leaving Costa Rica early in the morning

This weekend I opened and closed the 2015 chapter of international races while participating in the Baja 100 Ultraendurance MTB race in Ensenada, Mexico. This was my second time taking part in the race after disappointing attempt in 2014 when I double flatted early in the race and had other mechanical issues.
For the 2015 edition  we invited a few friends from Costa Rica, so at the end Cristpher Esquivel and my teammate Pedro Arias decided to join us on the adventure. We travelled thursday morning and after a layover in Mexico City and a quick stop in Tecate to visit Norma's aunt and eat some tacos we made it into Ensenada later that day.

Mexico DF, from the plane

Rocky Point from above

Tacos and Tecates in Tecate, Mexico

Finally made it to the host hotel in Ensenada

The next morning we grabbed a quick breakfast and headed out for a recon of the course. This year's edition moved the start back into downtown Ensenada, as opposed to last year when it started from vineyard on the outskirts of town. We got some general directions and headed out to wake up the legs. Just a couple of blocks from the hotel we turned into the riverbed and rode for a couple of kms of freshly graded sand and dirt. Before getting onto the rocky, gravel and dirt portion of the course we had to ride up the Cañon de Petra. A long 4-lane highway to get out of town. Eventually we found some course markings and decided to follow them. Later on we would discover we were in fact on the course but going backwards. This wasn't too bad, since we had planned to ride first few kilometers of the course as well as some of the last ones too. We just changed the order. At about 12 KMs we decided it was good enough of the latter part of the course and headed back to the split. We had to ride some more pavement up the Cañon de Doña Petra to find the initial part of the course. By the time we found it, we had almost 1.5 hours of riding so we made it up the first climb and turned back.

Doing the course backwards wasn't easy

Course pre-ride 

Later that day we got our bikes checked, pick up our race numbers and grabbed an early dinner with Norma's sister Ruth, who had come down with her daugthers to spend time with us. We tried to go to bed early in preparation for the 4:45 am wake up time, however as it usually happens we didn't get to bed until almost 11 PM.

Bike inspection

Cris waiting for his bike to be checked

Is it going to pass?

Ooops, Pedro's bike didn't pass at first!

Helmet passed, waiting for bike to be inspected

My alarm went off what seemed like just two hours after, however it was already race day and although the sun wasn't up yet, it was time to start the morning. We had breakfast at the hotel and went back upstairs to get last few things ready. Put the final details on the feed plan that Norma was going to help us with and headed down to the race start.

The previous night, Pedro and I had gone to visit my friend and coach Art MacFarland, who had brought down a pair of cycling shoes that Pedro ordered online. Part of the reason for going to bed late the previous night was because we were tring to get new clips mounted on the new shoes but one of the screws was stripped. Only one screw was missing, so I told Pedro to leave them like that, plan on riding his old shoes but as a plan b, if he could find a screw in the morning he could install into onto the new shoes and contrary to all advices, race on his new shoes. 20 min. before the start he had installed the screw and changed onto his new shoes right in the hotel lobby. We all got on the bikes and started riding towards the start line, which was a few blocks away on the main street. I thought he was following me, however when I got to the Elite/Pro corral he wasn't. I lined up with the rest of rider already in there and just a few minutes before the start appears Pedro with eventual race winner Jeremiah Bishop trying to come in from the front. They were ushered around the starting arch and onto the corral where Pedro confirmed that his new cleats were not compatible with his pedals and didn't realize it until he tried to clip in for about half a block. So he had gone back and changed into his old shoes.

Pro field start line

All equipment problems solved, we had a race to finish. The organizers spiced things up by offering a prime, about 3 KMs from the start. That created a fast and somewhat chaotic environment at the start. I positioned myself near the front to stay out of trouble but couldn't find Pedro. Later I would find out he had fallen while trying to connect with the lead group. Eventually he connected near the Cañon de Doña Petra section, but got dropped as soon as the pace increased at the entrance to the gravel. I tried being efficient and stayed tucked in the group at a pace I could manage. As the climb got harder a few people started to ease their pace and by the top of the first climb I was the third rider to crest it, however I realized I had gone too hard, too soon and for too long. I tried recovering on the next downhill but it was short and fast until we were on the next climb. I let a group of 8 or so riders go by me and decided to settle into my own pace. For the next 30 mins I would dangle off the lead group just about 1-2 min in arrears, however near the KOM their pace increased and lost sight of them. A group of three riders caught up to me and although they dropped me on the long downhill where I had flatted the year before, I was able to get back on their wheel and gain some ground. At first I couldn't offer any pulls to the group as I was still recovering from my effort to chase back to them. However, gradually I started to feel better and did some good work at the front. Shortly after one of the first aid stations we caught former race winner Marcon Antonio Escarcega and leader of the team with the most riders in the pro field. Him and I as well as one of his teammates who had been riding with me did most of the work until we got the lead group back on sight. I had to do the last pull to get us up to them but it seemed their pace had porpuselly been drop in order to let the team leader get back.

Lead group near the halfway point

The 14+ strong peloton rode non-challantly for the next few kms until we got to the biggest climb of the day. The ascend to El Cielo. A sustained climb with a few steep pitches and loose rocks. The group immediately exploded with the first few meters of climbing and everyone set into the pace they could manage. I was feeling as good as ever, but we still had over 50 KMs to race, so I kept my effort within my limits and that was enough to get me to the top on 7th place. 6th was hovering about a minute in front but regarless of what I tried for the rest of the race, I wasn't able to get any closer than the 40 second difference we finished with.

Tail end of the group

That second part of the race went by much faster or my brain simply blocked as it was a very painful one. Shortly after finishing the descend from El Cielo, my legs started to threaten craps. I would get spasms here and there whenever I had to push a little harder or make a serious effort to control the bike. I kept my pace as high as I could without cramping completely and took calculated risk to avoid loosing as little time as possible on the technical sections. The last 12 KMs we had ridden the day before seemed much longer and I could harly wait to hit the pavement downhill. However, I didn't want to hold onto anything and left it all out on the course as I made one last effort to catch 6th place on the sandy wash before the finish.

Digging deep to finish strong

I didn't make it, but I finished really satisfied for going as hard as I could, for as long as I could and as best as I could. There is no better feeling than finishing a race, or anything in life for that matter, and be able to said that to yourself.

Pro Results

Podium Bikes

I can't thank enough my awesome wife Norma, for playing multiple roles on race weekends and excelling at each one of them. Much of the success of my races comes from her ability to navigate the most unfamiliar roads and towns, drive like a rally car driver, offer moral support to me and other riders and still have time to take a few pictures and connect with other riders friends, family or support crew at the aid stations. You are a Super Woman and I could not be happier to have you on my team.

My support crew!

This is also a great opportunity to thank all the people and companies that have a part, whether is big or small on making this happened. First to Mr. Will Muecke and family for being the best team boss anyone could ask for. His passion and kindness transcends cycling and he makes Team CoreCo a group to really be proud of. To the rest the Team CoreCo for providing the motivation and companionship during races, training camps and rides to get inspired at events like this. Especially I have to thank Pedro for his friendship beyond the bike. He helps me think big yet stay grounded and true to who we are.

Pedro's North American racing debut

Another friend I have made through cycling and it has gone beyond is Art MacFarland. He is not only my coach and equipment mule, he is someone I really look up to. He is one of the reasons I wanted to go race Baja Epic and bring as many friends as possible. His guidance and coaching helped me get to the event in my best form in a while.

Old man won his category, what more motivation do I need

It's been said that cycling is not all about the bike, however a good working bike makes a big difference. Thanks to my friend, and mechanic Juan Onetto I never have to worry about my bike not being in the best possible condition to train, race or just ride for fun. Juan's attention to detail and ability to understand me and my riding style is what sets our relationship appart. I have ridden bikes worked on by Juan for almost 4 years now, so he knows me and my bikes better that I do myself.
Cycling offers me the opportunity to meet lots of people but some you get to really know them, trust them and make them part of your life. Juan Carlos Soto is one of them. Very few things do we care more than our beloved dog Koko, but when we leave him with Juan Carlos, we traveled in peace knowing that he is good hands. Lastly thanks to our traveling companions Ana and Cristopher. Thank you for your patiente and for making it a great weekend.

Although there are people behind company names and products, I couldn't finish without thanking the many supporters and sponsor that lend a hand. I prepared for this and other events doing a pre-load of cold pressed, natural beet juice from Jugos Ultra Sanos (JUS). Great way to boost my oxygen capacity and overall well-being in a natural way. Wolftooth Componets made the 32T front chairing I rode this weekend. Although the terrain was rought and there were a few dropped chains by other riders running 1x11 set ups, I didn't have a single issue. Many of the miscellaneous things you need at a race have to come from somewhere. For me that place is BikeLab. The shoes, tires, tubes, CO2, gloves, gels and minitool I used at this race all came from BikeLab. All these companies along with the rest of Team CoreCo sponsors including: Borealis Fat Bikes, 1upRacks, Industry Nine, Wisecracker make it possible for us to test their products, be ambassadors of their brands and have fun. Thank you all for your support.

Jeff