After four days of traveling I arrive to Gunnison, CO for the Original Growler on 29 May. I signed up for this event based on a recommendation from Coach Patrick and I set my alarm for 10:55PM so I would be ready to register as soon as it opened in February. The race closed in 7 minutes with a waiting list filled soon after.
Well……………….this is a popular CO event organized by Dave Wiens, an MTB legend and former national champ, who built a 64 mile course with about 55+ miles of single track of some technical, buff, and very fast terrain. After arriving I went for a 45 min spin to loosen up and then to packet pick-up.
Checking-in
Race day began with a 5am wake-up for a 7am start. I slept about as good as could be expected the night before a race and after breakfast I headed to the start about 6 blocks from my hotel. I schlepped a big bag with a small cooler and extra bottles for the aid station for the end of the first lap. Dave Wiens was present for the start of the race and reviewed the rules and at 7AM the dual shotgun blasts go off to start the race. What a great day to be on the bike with crisp temps in the low 50’s and hardly a cloud in the sky. The 350 riders eased through Gunnison to head out on the trails, most of them closed 8 months a year because they are state lands or private property, in a low stress neutral start to thin out the field prior to hitting the single track.
Fast and Buff!
I was feeling pretty good to start but was definitely nervous and cautious because the race is at about 8000 feet altitude—something that really tests my ability to concentrate and race well. So……………..for the first few hours I rode reasonably well and was trying to manage my effort and the altitude. At the first aid station I just started to feel mediocre. Mentally sluggish and bloated and I really started to slow so for the next 2 hours I was trading places with a handful of riders but was being passed a lot. The temps were beginning to rise and the unrelenting winds were wearing me down—no joy here!!
Not Me!
I made it to the end of the first lap in 4:20 and went to my cooler and resupply bag. I refilled my Camelbak and chugged a cold RedBull and was off on the second lap. Now…………….this is when the race became REALLY HARD. Some of the riders I was with toward the end of the first lap peeled off because they were doing the Half Growler or just did not want to go on. I was now on the course almost alone…………..no one in front that I could see ……………………….no one behind either……………..and the heat was beginning to be oppressive. Climbs I could usually make I was walking and my body position was more upright so I was just trying to gut it out. The next 2.5 hours was really tough as I was mentally out of it (an altitude thing) and I could not muster any power. I made it to the aid station and took on some water before heading down hill in to a nasty head wind covering me in dust and dirt—I could taste the grit and had to duck my head to keep it out of my eyes.
The last 2.5 hours I rode efficiently if not fast. I was able to keep moving reasonably well and walked a few hills and cleaned a lot of the technical sections. My bike was covered in dust and the squeaks were coming from almost every moving part. Coming across the line was rewarding but disappointing because I had felt I could ride much better. That’s the funny thing about altitude because there are days it can be managed and is not a big impact and others it just takes you out of it.
The Finishers Prize--64 oz for 64 Miles!
Post-race was great with SRAM and ERGON schwag for almost everyone, free beer from New Belgium, and some great post-race snacks.
I spent the nignt in Gunnison after the race and heading out of town the next morning this is what the cemetery looked like for Memorial Day……………….
The View Leaving Town
JOCMO: I was smoked after many hours in the sun and 40+ mph wind gusts but was able to ride some nasty technical terrain on the second lap that I hike-a-biked on the first lap and about the only confidence inspiring thing that happened all day. A second Moment was being passed a cold beer as I came to the finish line (9:15 total) from the Brick Oven Pizzeria team from Crested Butte (http://www.brickovencb.com/). One of the best beers I have ever had and one of the reasons I love mountain biking!
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