Evan MacKenzie
Why is race in quotes? Because it sure didn't feel like a bike race
walking up that horrid Skull Hollow "road." Regardless, thanks to all
for putting on such a fantastic sufferfest.
OK, so I got 8th in the C class. The important thing to note here is
that I finished at all. If you've already seen the results on OBRAchat,
you will see that a bunch of people dnf'd.
The course was a virtual waterbottle graveyard. The gravel roads took
their toll not only on waterbottles and cages, but all manner of other
bike parts as well. I used a small camelback and was glad I did. Most
people ran out of water, even if they didn't lose it on the trail,
myself included.
I don't have for sure numbers, but I'd say the course was 30-35 miles of
gravel roads and the rest paved. The paved stretch along Hwy 26 going
south had a pretty good headwind both laps. If you weren't working with
anyone you were not happy. The gravel roads were in good shape for what
they were, but on a 700c wheel that still makes for a pretty miserable
ride. Most people were using 'cross tires of varying widths and tread
patterns. Those who did not lost major time (and a few tubes) on the
gravel. I heard of one guy who got 5 flats. None for me, thank you,
courtesy of 80 bone-chattering psi in both tires. But 30mph descents on
little tires with that kind of pressure does get a little squirrely. OK,
a lot squirrely.
The final climb, that didn't look THAT bad on the course profile, was
brutal. I was in my 36X27 before we even really started to go uphill.
Most people walked a big part of it, and even that was tricky. Nice
large rounded pebbles on sand and dirt make for a tough climb, whether
you are on your bike or not. However, that last descent was a blast. 25+
mph almost the whole way, off road. Almost ate it on a 90 degree left
after a cattle grate. Then it was a short but increasingly steep climb
for the last kilometer, and a 2-mile downhill and flat ride back to the
start.
It hurt. My lower back was killing me on the second lap. Walking parts
of that last climb actually helped. I sat in my camp chair afterward and
had a burger, which took me a good 15 minutes to eat I was so tired. It
totally rocked.
You all have to do it next year. They promised they'd have a feed
station before the last climb next year.
Don't even ask me if I want to go for a ride after work today.
See you guys at Hood River next weekend. It's only what, 12 miles? No
problem!
Evan MacKenzie
Urban Planner I
City of Hillsboro
150 E. Main Street, 4th floor
Hillsboro, OR 97123
503-681-6154
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Planning_Department/
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