Leesburg Bakers Dozen 2012

Team deCAY signed up for 2012 LBD, 3-man geezer.

photo by A.W.

2010 Shenandoah Mountain 100

Before the race my goals were to beat the lights cutoff (I didn't pack lights), and finish safely (Shed ride on Wednesday). I managed the first one but failed the second.

For me it was a little too cold in the morning. It began to warm up on the first fire road climb though I could feel my legs were still cold. I was riding with Denis briefly and then dropped to my own pace. I pushed myself to do most of the donkey line ups except for a few really steep sections. Near the top I paid for that with my first cramp in years. I had to sit down for a while and cheering people passing by.

It wasn't too bad I said to myself because at that point I still had plenty of time to beat the lights cutoff. I noticed I hadn't drunk much Gatorade because of the cool weather, but I might have lost electrolytes during the long climb. I had a few more cramps later on but I was able to ride them out.

Later on the descend I had my first flat. No big deal that was spare tube and CO2 for. I got another spare tire at CP2.

Climb to Checkpoint 3 was slower than I would like, but I managed.

The climb after CP3 went well. I was leading a pack going up the hill. At the top I told people the downhill to CP4 was an easy one. Well, it was, but I failed (or my bike failed me). In the middle of one off-camber rocky section I tried to down shift to go through. The chain dropped. My legs made several desperate turns before the whole thing came down to the rocks below the trail. The bike fell on me and it was fine with only some very minor cut on the saddle. The rider's right knee was not so lucky. A deep cut about inch and half wide couldn't keep the blood from leaking out. I didn't know what to do but I do know I wouldn't be able to ride like that without stopping the bleeding. None of the riders going by had first aid kit.

Just at that time a miracle happened. A hiker with a huge backpack showed up on the trail. He helped me to put a sterile pad on and fixed it with some tapes. I thanked him and went on with the race. I caught up a tandem and we exchange the lead several times.

I rolled into CP4 miserably. It wasn't bleeding any more so I kept going.

On the way to CP5, I pulled a pack of riders on the initial relatively flat section. But once it got steeper they all dropped me in the dust. I went on the death climb solo all alone by my self. The tapes started to come loose and flying in the dusty wind. I stopped a few times to rest my legs and to digest the misery.

At CP5 a nurse looked at my wound and put some good bandage on. It was a well done job because I didn't feel any restrain later on in the ride. Many thanks to her. I left CP5 30 minutes before the lights cutoff. Somehow I got a second wind and passed a lot people including the tandem on the 13-meadows climb. I reached the top first in the group, only to be caught by many of them on the downhill because I was so afraid of having another crash.

I spent about only 20 seconds at CP6 gobbled down some bananas. I was feeling strong and did the last climb in the middle ring. I was again ahead of the tandem. We cheered on each other when I rode by them.

Just after all the climb and not long into the sweet descend to the finish line, another flat sent me to the trail side. "Oh that's a rip off", the tandem guys flew by me. The spare tire I got at CP2 had a short valve stem, so short it couldn't set off the Air Chuck SL CO2! Not sure why people make such a thing, aerodynamic? weight saving?

I passed a few more before the finish, but couldn't catch the tandem. The time on my GPS was just under 12 hours and 24 minutes. Jamie (Batbayar) poured me a cup of DFH.

Official time 12:23:42. Friend Denis finished in 9:36:18 and made the podium with 3rd in Masters!

Bandage picture by Denis; Wolf Ridge and finish line pictures by Bob's Photo Gallery.

Leesburg Bakers Dozen 2010

Chris and I arrived in the farm around 8am. The place was already so packed that we had to squeeze in between two cars and set up our base camp. Chris started the race with two solid laps. We alternated every two laps. Over 12 hours later, I finished the race with lights on.

The race course was hard packed and smooth. I was glad to have brought my geared full suspension, but regret that I didn't run tubeless - two snake-bites! Who would've thought Leesburg land could be this tough.

But I'm grateful all I had was flat, because it could be worse, as I saw this guy's teammate came back after the first lap with a broken carbon handlebar.

Results here: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7_jduX1FRh_YjZjODdiZTktYTUxNi00YzJlLWJkMjMtNDhhMDY5ODk5NmY1&hl=en

And a video from Chris:


Leesburg Baker's Dozen from Kro Li on Vimeo.

2010 Shenandoah Mountain 100

Just got the email confirmation that I have been registered for the 2010 SM100. 195 days until the race.

Leesburg Bakers Dozen 2010

Registration put in. 2 person male with Chris.

SM100 Recap

Weather was perfect and the trails were dry and fast.

550 riders launched from the camp ground at 0630. I was ahead of half of them so wasn't affected much by the huge dust ball.

Denis and I rode together briefly on the first climb. I fell in a pile of sand on a right turn, and never saw him again.

I was a little cautious about my pace. Last year I had an issue with my knees. I definitely don't want to revisit that. Also I didn't leave my lights in the drop bag, which means I had to reach AS5 by 1620, and have enough juice left for 25 miles more riding. So I rode hard, but reserved a little.

Went into the hike-a-bike section to AS2 with some pretty good riders so there was space for me to ride a good portion of the trail.

Between AS2 and 3, I cleared all the climbs , had only one dab on the descent, plus a flat. When I arrived at AS3, my knees were fine. I knew I had improved from last year.

I rode most of the trails between AS3 and 4. The rocks gardens were shorter than those in the Shed so no problem there. However I did make a stupid mistake and fell down the hill - luckily I was able to grab a tree to stop me from going too far down. I couldn't do some steep technical sections. It might have helped if I had a 34t cog in the back.

From AS4 to 5 was a long 19 miles of road and fire road climb. I felt pretty good on the road section and passed everybody in sight, including one guy who lost his middle and big rings pedaling hard with his granny on the road. Later there was a female rider (Bike Factory Racing) caught up and stayed on my tail for a good few miles. Sharp right turn onto the fire road, I scaled down quite a bit so I could keep pedaling, and she took off for good. At that point I realized my endurance was probably just up to around 70 miles or 8 hours. Nonetheless I pedaled up non-stop. I was so glad to see AS5 finally. It was around 1520.

Left AS5, I kept pushing up to the Apex. I got passed by quite a few riders. A singlespeeder passed by, I told him it was all downhill from there. Later we both found I was wrong.

The singlespeeder and I arrived at AS6 together. He recognized me from last year, well, he remembered my orange Vicious Cycles. We chatted a little, and he left AS6 about 45 seconds ahead of me.

I used the big ring on the road and caught up him turning onto the last long climb. He was leading at the beginning but soon had to stop and walk some of the climbs. I was able to go up non-stop in my middle ring so finally I was ahead of him.

I took the last long descent to camp ground easy and really enjoyed it. A couple riders passed me but I didn't care at all. At that point all I wanted was to enjoy the last bit of riding and to be home safe and sound.

When I hit the gong, the time was 11 hours and 29 minutes.

Over the course I consumed approximately 4 bottles of Gatorade, two cans of Dr. Pepper, three cups of Coke, a few pieces of PBJ, some bananas, a couple gummy bears, a couple chocolate sweets, and some mints. I didn't eat any Shot Bloks. Except for Gatorade and Dr. Pepper, the stuff I left in the drop bags all went to waste.

There was a photographer taking pictures at finish line and on the course. I'll see if I can find one of mine later once he posted them online.

The bike was cleaned and lubed the next day. A few scratches on the rear rim, probably from riding through those rock gardens. Oh, well.

BTW, that was my first ever camping experience. I fell into good sleep soon listening to a mother signing lullaby to her 11 month old baby in the neighboring tent. Wasn't it nice?

GPS trace: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12762319

Discussion thread on a local MTB forum (MORE): http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16475

Fellow rider, Denis, posted an amazing time 9:30, took the 2nd in Clydesdale, and 3rd in Master.

Results on Cycling News

Off to Stokesville

I'm gonna do a few things differently:

1. Camping instead of Motel
2. Geared full suspension instead of rigid SS
3. Waterbottle instead of Camelbak
4. Road helmet instead of mountain, that should up the AVS by 0.142% :)
5. Probably not gonna leave my light at AS5. If I can't make it to the AS5 by 4:20p, I just stop there.

Pretty much got everything packed and bike serviced. Now all I need is luck.

Camelbak-less?

Can one survive the SM100 with two water bottles and refill at the six aid stations? I'm gonna try it. Here is the plan:

One 750 mL bottle in bottle cage
One 500-mL bottle in jersey pocket
One pump behind seatpost

Also in pocket:
One spare tube
One tire lever
One spare derailleur hanger
One Powerlink
One chain tool
One set of wrenches: M8, M6, M5, M4, Torx 25
One box of stick on patches
Two packs of Clif Shot Bloks
One car key (maybe)
Nuun (maybe)

In drop bags:
Packs of Clif Bloks
Light

99 days until SM100 2009

Just registered at active.com.

Links to LBD Photos

By PBB:





By Gary Ryan (gmr2048):


By JSC48:

LBD 2009

GPS trace
More pictures here.

18 laps in 13:31:36, 16th out of 26 teams.
Lap times
1: 37:38 37:38
2: 39:45 1:17:23
3: 40:17 1:57:39
4: 40:43 2:38:21
5: 40:55 3:19:16
6: 45:38 4:04:54
7: 45:46 4:50:40
8: 50:03 5:40:42
9: 44:29 6:25:10
10: 45:52 7:11:01
11: 54:16 8:05:17
12: 46:17 8:51:33
13: 44:19 9:35:52
14: 47:09 10:23:00
15: 46:38 11:09:37
16: 48:24 11:58:01
17: 46:57 12:44:57
18: 46:39 13:31:36

Leesburg Bakers Dozen

FC Social Aid and Pleasure Club strikes back.

Event site

SM100 Recap

Only four days passed but I feel the race was like long time ago. The experience was great yet literally painful.

06:30am the race started on time. Hundreds of riders filed through the campground exit. I was in the back letting the racer boys/girls go first. The section to the first Aid Station was mostly easy climbs on double track/fire road. There was one very short stretch of technical climb on singletrack that I hiked because I didn't want to push myself much. AS1 came and went, nobody stopped, time was about 07:47am. Denis was long gone. I didn't know that until AS5.

Then it came the long hike-a-bike section. I dismounted early and didn't even bother to hop back on - everybody in front and behind me were walking. It felt like a never ending hiking. Towards the end of the hike, my right knee, near the top of tibia, started to hurt a little. I had a brief couple minutes stop at AS2 (10:10am) and rode on. At that time, I was on an under 12 hours pace . I felt pretty well, legs still fresh. However it didn't last for long.

The knee pain really kicked in after finishing the long climbing to AS3. The subsequent long downhill didn't help much. I had to stop on the downhill several times just to allow my arms and wrists to relax. Liz passed me there and I never saw her again.

At AS3 (~12:10pm), I took a longer break, ate some PBJ and banana, and gave that knee a few minutes to rest. On my way out of the station, there were quite a few riders on the other side of the road riding opposite direction - they all had already gone through AS4. Good for them!

AS3 to AS4 turned out to be a nightmare for me. I was struggling to inch ahead because the knee pain was killing me. Even walking would trigger the hurting so I had to stop frequently. Many riders including Tim passed me on the downhill section to AS4. I came to a very small stream crossing, only to realize that I wasn't able to power the bike through. I dismounted, hesitated, calculated the best line to limp over. Down and frustrated, I told myself to quit at AS4.

2:30pm I found myself rolled into the AS4. I threw down the bike and went for some PBJ and banana. After a little rest, the knee seemed to be a lot better, even to the point that finishing the race was more tempting. Overheard that AS4 to 5 it was a long steady low grade road/fire road climb, I decided to move on. That section wasn't too bad. I went slow but steady, even passed a few casual pace riders on the climbs. Nearly three hours later, I made it to the AS5 before the cut off time. The time lady told me Chris had not yet checked in, but Denis did long time ago. I was a little worried about Chris. It made perfect sense if he had dropped. After all he hadn't really trained before the race.

Then, right before I was about to roll out, Chris showed up. A brief rest later we headed out together for AS6. We grouped with Tommy, who we met at dinner table the evening before. We climbed, we paused. Most of the time Chris would pull ahead and wait. Still bothered by the knee pain, I was so happy when finally reached the 4,300 ft apex. On the descent it was getting dark. I bombed down some technical sections that my conscience would stop me if there was better lighting. The first sweeper caught us. Time was running out.

Later Chris had a mischief falling into the creek in the dark. AS6 seemed so far away...

I had more PBJ and banana at AS6. From there to the campground was 12 miles. I was able to do most of the climbs. The singletrack downhill still got me and I had to stop and rest my arms once in a while. At the finishline, I was greeted by Denis and Tim, shook Bob's hand with wet glove on, and found myself eating Scud fries out of Todd's plate :) While gobbling down some hotdogs and burgers, I saw Tommy walked in with a glass in hand - he got his priority absolutely right. After dinner I packed up and drove home, planning on next year's return.

The "ride all day" took me 15 hours and 18 minutes. I was #426 out of 436 finished, last in the SS category. Complete results are here.
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The aid stations were great. In fact, next time I race this I'll not carry my Camelbak - simply no need.

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I checked in this Motel the night before the race. No thrilled. I didn't mind the sticky night table, half broken bathroom fan, challenging sink faucet, not even the high decibel window AC. What got me was the smell of the smoking room... The entire building was like that so I doubt a non-smoking room would be any different. The shower was good, though.

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p.s. the knee pain was gone a couple days later so I did a shed ride (SS 32x22) on Thursday and a BH night ride (SS 32x16) on Friday. I'm glad it wasn't something more serious.

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More photos:
Tim practicing dismount :)

Denis making a fashion statement by mounting the number plate on the brake cables. XD

Chris Getting ready for the race.

Denis' podium secret - start warming up the night before.

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Photo 2,3,4,5 credit: Jonathan Bruck

Last updated: 9/7/2008

Get Ready

OK, today I got my bike ready. I put on an 18t cog and a new PC850 chain, replaced the rear funbolts with QR, cleaned and lubed the rear hub, removed one bottle cage to leave room for the Morph pump, inspected frame, fork, brakes, crankset, saddle, handlebars, and tires. The tires have had a lot miles so hopefully they survive for another 100 miles.

One Week from SM100

It's time to get ready for the race. I'll drive to the camping ground Saturday and spend the night there. Sunday hopefully I will finish the 100 mile course early enough that I can eat some stuff before I head back home.

And no, no new bike purchase this time. I'll take the Vicious, full rigid ss geared at 32x18. Weighed the bike last night, 21.5 lb with pedals and bottle cages :)

SM100 - Countdown Started

Registration: Shenandoah Mountain 100
Purchase Date: 06/02/08
Category: Early Registration

As I indicated in the last SM100 post, I didn't enter the SS category, . If I really feel like it, I guess I can always bring my singlespeed there and ride. Anyway, about three months to go.

Also confirmed: Chris C., Tim S., Denis C., Andy B..

SM100 - Rigid SS or Geared FS

I have been thinking about doing the SM100 on my full rigid singlespeed, 32x18 or even 32x16. Finishing the race is my only target (well, maybe not too far behind Denis is another). But the Death March and the HAIRY descents would probably destroy me mentally and physically. The sweeping truck might find me laying trailside weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I have a geared and full-suspension bike, but I'd rather not to bring that 30+ lb beast to a long ride. The other two are both full rigid SS. I have a steel hardtail frame on the garage wall that can be build up with gears and a front fork. However it's always fun to eye on a new bike - especially when there is a legitimate excuse :)

So here is a preliminary list of choices - all XC full suspension and should be perfect for the SM100:

Specialized S-Works Epic
Ellsworth Truth
Santa Cruz Blur XC
Titus Racer X

More From The Race

I worked on the bikes the night before, adjusted brakes, lubed the chains, cleaned the rear hub on the Vicious, and etc. I brought both rigid SS bikes to the race, one geared at 32x16 and one at 32x18. Although I didn't have to change the bike , I did switched the front wheels after the first lap.

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8 am Saturday morning, I packed up everything and headed towards the farm. It was a beautiful morning, bright sunshine and cool breeze. Met David, Todd, and Liz on the same ferry boat. Everyone was in high spirit and ready for the race. Liz ended up with impressive 13 laps in 11:17:10 in SS Female category.

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The SSOFT, Dave G. and Shannon, Todd and David all set up their tents adjacent to each other. Every time I rode by, I got friendly cheered on.

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The boys on Tim's team (THE SCARLET LETTERMEN) were riding flat pedals but still pulled some fast laps. They totaled 18 laps in 3-person male category. Both Denis and Edward produced 12 laps in their solo endeavor.

*** *** *** ***

Single speed rigid is fun, but after long hours riding, I started to wish I had a front fork.

17 Laps

I arrived at the farm around 0840, went ahead and got my packet and marking. A few minutes later Chris pulled in. We set up the camp site together with Tim's team, did some last minute wrenching, and at 1100 the race started. Chris went first and we alternated every lap. About 30 minutes into my first lap I had a flat. Once I got back to the camp site I slapped on a tubeless front wheel, and never had any mechanical since.

Chris pulled some fast low 30 minutes laps and I did high 30 minutes. Half time passed we were on the teams 11th lap. When the lights turned on things started to slow down. We ended up with 17 laps and called it a day to enjoy pizza and bluegrass music.

The GPS trace looks horrible and I believe that's because of its smart recording. The unit simply doesn't have enough memory to handle long rides. Chris' is here (his first lap wasn't recorded).

Overall, I only had one flat, one OTB endo, and a couple out of pedal slips. I can live with that.

[Update 4/21/2008: Results are in] 17 laps, 12:07:54 total time.
1: 39:17 39:17
2: 48:34 1:27:51
3: 33:27 2:01:17
4: 37:24 2:38:40
5: 34:30 3:13:09
6: 38:52 3:52:01
7: 36:51 4:28:51
8: 40:01 5:08:51
9: 37:42 5:46:32
10: 41:36 6:28:08
11: 36:47 7:04:55
12: 38:42 7:43:37
13: 38:37 8:22:13
14: 43:05 9:05:18
15: 54:37 9:59:54
16: 1:19:02 11:18:56
17: 48:59 12:07:54

Two Days Before Race

The Baker's Dozen is on Saturday. I changed the gearing to 32x16 because from what I have heard the race course is quite flat, with only a few of very short steep climb. Having tried the 2.0 gain ratio in Schaeffer for two days straight, I found it was actually not too bad and most likely doable for this race. Once the race is over I'll be back to 32x18, though. No point to over-stress my knees.

Tomorrow will be a resting day. I'll do some shopping and get the supplies ready.

Schedule and race rules from the organizer:

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Schedule

Friday April 18

12:00 Noon - Venue opens for camping and pre-riding. The gates will be shut and locked until Noon, please do not come before. We will need to have the area clear to complete race preparation.

5:00-8:00 pm - Packet Pickup. Each registered rider must be present to pick up their own packets. We will also be marking the racers at this time.

11:00 pm - All generators, radios, etc must be turned off.

Saturday April 19

8:00-10:00 am - Packet Pickup. Each registered rider must be present to pick up their own packets. We will also be marking the racers at this time.

10:45 am - Pre race meeting

11:00 am - Leesburg Bakers Dozen starts

3:00 pm - Leesburg Bakers Dozen Kids Races are under way

11:00 pm - Pizza's begin arriving

12:00 pm - No more riders are permitted to start a lap. All riders on course will be able to complete their laps.

12:45 - 1:00am - Race awards ceremony around the Bonfire's


Racer Rules

No Cheating - We hope to provide a fun and healthy environment with good clean competition. We are racing on the honesty policy. You as riders will be policing yourselves. Please do not be "that guy" who cheats, cuts the course, uses a motor, etc.

You will be permitted to transition at your campsite. We will have a transition area at the start finish area, but you are not required to transition there.

Riders will be using the championchip timing equipment. Each team will be given an RFID chip. When making rider changes, the chip must be removed from the retiring riders' ankle and attached to the new riders' ankle.

Please ensure that when you cross the pads at the timing station, you keep your ankle in the down position and listen for a series of audible beeps.
This means your chip has been picked up.

No riders except registered racers will be permitted on the course. We had a few instances last year of unregistered riders poaching the race, including one person who suffered a broken collarbone. This not only endangers you as riders, but the race itself. As a racer, it is your responsibility to ensure that none of your crew, supporters, friends and/or family is on the course on a bicycle. If we find that a member of your group has illegally ridden course, your team will be docked with a 2 lap penalty. On a second offense, you will be disqualified and asked to leave the venue immediately. Also, if the offending rider is part of a group of teams, the same rules will apply to ALL the teams the offender is associated with. Your crew, supporters, friends and/or family are welcome to ride the course on Friday, Saturday before 10:00am, or anytime Sunday.

All on course racers must have three things: a race number on their bike, a championchip on their ankle, and the race markings on their calves.

If you leave the course, whether on the trail or through the camping areas, you or your teammate must reenter the trail at the same spot. If your team is transitioning at your campsite, the new rider must reenter course at same spot as retiring rider exited the course.

Make sure you enjoy yourselves.

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