Training Log Archive: Work4justice

Michigan Coast to Coast
https://micoasttocoast.com/register/

Coast to Coast 210 Gravel Race across Michigan—goal—finish by sunset.
This is billed as a point to point gravel race plus. The plus is a pretty extensive network of forest roads going through Big M and lots of loose soil and sand. Brenda and I got to talking about doing this race together, her husband Joe joined in and to save some money on lodging we had another couple join us – Rick and Amanda Hatfield. Having a support vehicle is mandatory, my husband Todd and son Simon supported all of us. I rode my Warbird gravel bike. I had 40 tires, with high 30/low 40 psi.
Our goal was to beat the sun, and finish by sundown. After dipping our back tire in Lake Huron, we rolled out of Au Gres at a very gentle pace. About 5 miles into the course there was a “mud bog”---from talk I guessed it was a few hundred meters. It was maybe 50. After that, we were flying. I couldn’t believe how fast we were going. Rick was going for top 10 (on a full suspension no less!) and Amanda thought she would ride with us. We lost her at the mud. A bit later, Brenda’s water bottle holder started falling off, and had to stop to adjust that. Got back going again and worked our way back up to the group we were with, then rolled in and out of CP in about 7 minutes, realized we could do better.
Off onto leg 2, which started the hills and forest roads. Seemed like there was nobody to work with, then came upon a few people, but the hills broke up any groups we had. We intentionally didn’t push as hard, because leg 3 is the hardest. There was a bit of forest road, and a lot of hills. Joe had trouble with his water bottle holder also on this leg.
I personally was very excited to get to leg 3…while it’s the most difficult, it had the most variety. Lots of hills. The sand was rough, and there was a lot of it. Brenda handled it so well! During this leg there were a couple of descents on Koon Road, which had sand pits at the bottom. Someone dislocated their shoulder! My strategy for sand pits were spin through, sometimes walk, and often I went through the woods! After a few waits, Joe broke off and told Brenda and I to go on ahead. We rolled into Dublin about 30 minutes past goal time even with having shaved time on legs 1 and 2. Simon got us hamburgers, so stuffed those in jersey pockets, slammed a coke and a boost, put bottles on and we left onto the last leg in less than 5 minutes.
Back on to forest roads….sand again, and found myself doing the math of will we make it by sunset? Once we got out of Big M, I realized we would be well ahead of the sunset. For the last 25 miles we found a fun group of 3 guys to ride with and we worked really well together to the finish.
Rick came in 7th OA and first in his age group, Joe and Amanda made the sunset. Highly recommend this race. Brenda and I got 7/8 OA gender, she got 1st AG (50-59) and I got 2nd AG (40-49). 4th place OA female came in 12 minutes before us…cash went 5 deep.
Not too sore, ready for the next adventure.

C • CRUSHED IT! 5

Easy peasy

So many no see ums.

Ankle wasn’t great on this ride, no standing and had a dull ache about 45min but it’s defin improving. Bruising is also on top of my foot. All the colors!!!

C • Ankle 2

Nirto continued....