Training Log Archive: britty327

Cont'd

To Pound River Campground

To Camp Jacob w/Mostly Retired. 30F overnight made for a chilly morning ride.

After a resupply at the TA, we headed North Fork Pound Reservoir for packrafting. Traded places with MR throughout and arrived together.

We dropped everything but mandy gear and headed out on the reservoir for 3 CPs. A note about our packrafts...we have a 2 Gnu setup for both this race and Worlds. However, about 30min prior to our arrival at the race location, I realized I left the bin containing our packraft (and more comfy seat setup) at home. Panic ensues. Fortunately, Mark had a spare solo Scout that he let us borrow. It was slower and less efficient than the Gnu, but it got the job done. Even saved us a couple lbs over the course of 100+ miles. Needless to say, we weren't too upset when 2 packraft legs got cancelled. For this leg, we opted to do an out and back through a saddle from one point to another. As we were coming back over the saddle, here comes MR carrying all of their paddle gear and boats. Ah they outsmarted us! Great strategic decision. Saved them over 1k of paddling.

All the way to Kingdom Come! On the way, we stopped at a convenience store CP where I enjoyed a delish RC Cola and we all had ice cream sandwiches. Kingdom Come is on top of a mountain, and we climbed in direct sunlight.

Quick run through the park with gloriously light packs for 2 CPs. The cave amphitheater was a cool feature.

Off to Pine Mtn Settlement and our B bin via the Little Shepherd Trail. We thought this was actually a trail. Turns out it's paved road. After the extended climb up to the park, the downhill out was righteous. Unfortunately, we would have to ride right back up that hill the next day, one of 5 or 6 out and backs of the race, mostly on roads.

At the settlement house, we went out for the quick CP tour of the grounds then stuffed ourselves with soup, bread, and butter. Honey Badgers were leaving as we came in and had not slept. MR was in and going to sleep. UNE came in shortly after us and were undecided. They later opted to sleep as well. Jonathan of MR had found a warm quiet place and offered to share it with us. The space was heated with cold concrete floor. We laid down for 1:15 until 1030pm. I slept for most of it. Our only sleep of the race. We got moving and climbed up to the ridge, then once again hit pavement trekking. Hit the Cumberland River and bundled up for a cold paddle. MR got on the water right behind us.

Event: Breakdown XPD
 

Racing with Jeff and Dave. First time actually meeting Dave! We got 6 maps at noon, then 15min before the prologue received a blowup 1:24k map with 14 prologue CPs. Had to collect 10. No trails on the map, but had time to quickly transpose them to the main map. Took the first couple CPs to get on the map, but then we were off. Virtually unlimited route choice. Wouldn't be surprised if every team took a different route. Came in right behind UNE.

Through Breaks with some CPs in the park then to the rappel down to the river. Great rap actually. No wait on the ropes and super smooth and quick despite a double rope system. At the river, we opted to inflate one raft and ferry the 3 of us across. Got in the water ahead of UNE and Mostly Retired (MR) but they left the takeout a min or so ahead of us. Next up was a long linear trek towards the packraft put in. UNE disappeared ahead of us, taking a wrong turn. They passed us on the road near the TA. Decent amount of pavement in this section, which would become a theme throughout the race. Our biggest gripe of the course. At the TA, we were informed that a packraft section, trek, and canoe had been cancelled due to high water levels. Turns out 11 boats had been lost downriver and 5 destroyed in the 15 hour race (in the dark!). Luckily no one injured. We were to proceed directly to TA6 by whichever route we wished. We chose to take roads all the way with a small bushwhack which ended up being the optimal route. The other 2 teams left 15-20min ahead of us. MR took a different trek route and came in while we were in TA. We rode out to Camp Jacob together. UNE lost an hour taking a packraft route.

Quick test ride at Conway with Dusty to make sure the new brake is golden. It is. Trails were junk from the Adventure Enablers races over the wknd. L shoulder super sore from truck work yesterday.

4 hours of truck ops 3 days before a race. Perfect ;) We got an acquired structure, so we had free reign on a house to do anything but burn it. Cut vent holes in the roof with saws and later an ax (hard work), threw ladders, vent/enter/search, forcible entry, took out window frames. Spent.

Quick run with packraft from hemlock to the bridge for our put in for a final test with the Gnu.

Guess on time and distance. Water was higher today so rapids were fun. I wanted to test out the Gravity Grip seat as a bench seat for the front. Game changer. So much better than the long pillow piece. And it weighs a # less.

Event: QOC Gunston Hall
 

EZ dog hike. Long night at work. 5am fire.

Neighborhood trails trying out the temp rear brake. Nope. It might slow the bike down a lil...doesn't stop. Master cylinder for the Magura is supposed to be in on Tues, so it's getting installed before the race.