Training Log Archive: Work4justiceIn the 7 days ending Jul 3, 2020:
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Friday Jul 3, 2020 #
Note
Crusher Bike Race
5 AM
Mountain Bike 26:47:33 [2] 249.55 mi (6:27 / mi) +3900m 6:09 / mi
Crusher EX 225 Ride
The original race ((enhanced gravel with checkpoints) was scheduled for July 18, point to point and was 200ish miles. The race moved to a format of getting the track and do it between July 1 and October 3. JayXC had the idea of doing Coast to Coast last weekend and Crusher this weekend and I thought why not? Jay prepared some great maps as backup, which was awesome. Prior to the race I preprogrammed the check points for my garmin on the track and saved photos of the checkpoints.
I asked Mari Chandler and Brenda Carlson Brown if they were up for it, and we did it together. We went up early to have a day to recon a route and see places to meet sag. A big pre race struggle for me was how long would it take? Asked Mr. W to help with estimates, dot watched a married couple that was the first to do the 225 from July 1-2, and we decided to prepare for 30 hours out there. Mari provided some GREAT advice pre and during. Omigosh.
Mari, Brenda and I went over gear and expectations. Decided to have a short sag at mile 8, a meetup at mile 85 and we would do a TA in L’Anse (pronounced LAWNCE) at a gas station. Reviewed gear and who would carry what. Went to sleep until the 4:45 alarm. We got to the trailhead at 5:45 and did a final set up on the bikes. Rolled out at 6! I was nervous/excited.
The course wasted no time crushing! Immediately on single track (NCT) and hike a bike up Hogback Mountain for CP1. It was beautiful and thanks to Mari my first learning about putting my bike frame on my shoulders to hike a bike. How did I not know this! Got up and over Hogback in good order and made our way to meet Todd and Joe. We had agreed to carry to Roland Lake, but Joe wanted to see us again at 28. We rolled through the next 20 miles, all great roads. Seeing Joe and Todd at 28 did not come to pass. We rolled on through CP2 and CP3, no issues there either. and started off for
the long climb to Mt. Arvon. I didn't know is that Brenda left her supplies with Joe..fortunately at mile 40 we saw Kelly U and she was able to resupply Brenda. We went on to climb up Mt. Arvon. This part started to show the course’s true colors. The Wilson Creek Truck Trail was big hike a bike. And, the climb to Mt. Arvon was hot and sandy. Truth, anyone considering a gravel bike with 40s or 42s for this course sghould know there significant sandy areas and loose rock over hard pack. We got to the top of Arvon, Mari carried some of Brenda’s gear and did a lot to help her up that climb! She was so positive and forward thinking, it was awesome.
The descent from Arvon/CP4 was fun, and the only daylight descent. Rolled into Roland, gave Brenda a bit to recover—she had an endo on one of the rocky areas.
Rolled out of Roland and there was a lot of pavement. We worked together there again. I shared that I was feeling a little puny, so we slowed some. Made our way to CP5 which was the Huron flowing with Lake Superior. So many people there which suprised me a bit. Once we got to L’Anse, resupplied, took a break and then went on our way. I was nervous about this back end. It was exciting that we were more than half done, but we still had more than half the climb, it was getting dark, and getting into the territory of “I haven’t been on my bike this long” mode. We biked through deer fly alley, er, dynamite road. OMG they were terrible. Once the sun went down it was a gbit better. At the 6th Checkpoint, we ran into 2 young guys we rode with briefly before L’Anse. They said “you are a sight for sore eyes!” Yup, wanted to ride with us. We rolled out pacelining until we got to the two track and gnarlier stuff. At one point, one of the guys was suggesting to leave his friend with us. He first broached it with Mari she said “no way man, dick move!” And then with me and I said “you cannot leave your friend, that’s the worst thing you can do.” For about 50 miles we rode with them and did all we could to keep them going together. Ben was suffering, and they both weren’t eating enough. Offered TUMS and Pepto tabs. Didn’t accept but they both ate.
That’s one thing about this course is that it got challenging to eat especially on the back end. The roads were either tricky two/single track or the roads were washboards or sand. We got to CP7 Mulligan Truck Trail and Mosquito Gulch around mile 200 and it was crazy hike a bike for a bit. Then, onto the sandy roads of the Dead River Basin. Mari and I had talked about suffering, and decided to throw off the training wheels and see if I could finish with half a bottle of water and a bit of coke and about 600 cal of food. I was a bit chilly, but could tell that Brenda was colder so gave her my jacket—I got thirsty and hungry and wouldn’t do this in the middle of a race or anything but was curious how long I could go on minimal supply. The last 40 went long it seemed! Sand, washboard, cold and the last 20ish was moderate 2 track, and single track. We found the last CP with no trouble and made our way to the end.
After a bit of time these are my thoughts. Surprised I feel pretty good, my hands are still a bit cramped and tingly. Some of the stuff in this ride seemed a little crazy, but I get it. It’s an adventure. Going as light as possible is key. Stopping to eat and drink was real. Also, I can see in the pictures how I got more and more swollen. Wish I could do something about that!
Brenda had a rough go in a tough ride and absolutely hung in there-on 2 occasions I followed her line on the single/two track that made a huge difference.. Mari is just amazing. She was a rock star throughout, and I was just so impressed with how positive and strong she is—learned a lot from her—she mentioned she had some insights to help us too. JayXC blew me away doing this solo. If it’s offered as a point to point next year I’d do it. Glad I didn’t know how hard it would be. I might not have done it, but my riding has come along and it made a difference to have Brenda and Mari there for sure!
Really good experience. Looking up some hiking and packraft adventures. Super fun week having JayXC and Kelly around.
The original race ((enhanced gravel with checkpoints) was scheduled for July 18, point to point and was 200ish miles. The race moved to a format of getting the track and do it between July 1 and October 3. JayXC had the idea of doing Coast to Coast last weekend and Crusher this weekend and I thought why not? Jay prepared some great maps as backup, which was awesome. Prior to the race I preprogrammed the check points for my garmin on the track and saved photos of the checkpoints.
I asked Mari Chandler and Brenda Carlson Brown if they were up for it, and we did it together. We went up early to have a day to recon a route and see places to meet sag. A big pre race struggle for me was how long would it take? Asked Mr. W to help with estimates, dot watched a married couple that was the first to do the 225 from July 1-2, and we decided to prepare for 30 hours out there. Mari provided some GREAT advice pre and during. Omigosh.
Mari, Brenda and I went over gear and expectations. Decided to have a short sag at mile 8, a meetup at mile 85 and we would do a TA in L’Anse (pronounced LAWNCE) at a gas station. Reviewed gear and who would carry what. Went to sleep until the 4:45 alarm. We got to the trailhead at 5:45 and did a final set up on the bikes. Rolled out at 6! I was nervous/excited.
The course wasted no time crushing! Immediately on single track (NCT) and hike a bike up Hogback Mountain for CP1. It was beautiful and thanks to Mari my first learning about putting my bike frame on my shoulders to hike a bike. How did I not know this! Got up and over Hogback in good order and made our way to meet Todd and Joe. We had agreed to carry to Roland Lake, but Joe wanted to see us again at 28. We rolled through the next 20 miles, all great roads. Seeing Joe and Todd at 28 did not come to pass. We rolled on through CP2 and CP3, no issues there either. and started off for
the long climb to Mt. Arvon. I didn't know is that Brenda left her supplies with Joe..fortunately at mile 40 we saw Kelly U and she was able to resupply Brenda. We went on to climb up Mt. Arvon. This part started to show the course’s true colors. The Wilson Creek Truck Trail was big hike a bike. And, the climb to Mt. Arvon was hot and sandy. Truth, anyone considering a gravel bike with 40s or 42s for this course sghould know there significant sandy areas and loose rock over hard pack. We got to the top of Arvon, Mari carried some of Brenda’s gear and did a lot to help her up that climb! She was so positive and forward thinking, it was awesome.
The descent from Arvon/CP4 was fun, and the only daylight descent. Rolled into Roland, gave Brenda a bit to recover—she had an endo on one of the rocky areas.
Rolled out of Roland and there was a lot of pavement. We worked together there again. I shared that I was feeling a little puny, so we slowed some. Made our way to CP5 which was the Huron flowing with Lake Superior. So many people there which suprised me a bit. Once we got to L’Anse, resupplied, took a break and then went on our way. I was nervous about this back end. It was exciting that we were more than half done, but we still had more than half the climb, it was getting dark, and getting into the territory of “I haven’t been on my bike this long” mode. We biked through deer fly alley, er, dynamite road. OMG they were terrible. Once the sun went down it was a gbit better. At the 6th Checkpoint, we ran into 2 young guys we rode with briefly before L’Anse. They said “you are a sight for sore eyes!” Yup, wanted to ride with us. We rolled out pacelining until we got to the two track and gnarlier stuff. At one point, one of the guys was suggesting to leave his friend with us. He first broached it with Mari she said “no way man, dick move!” And then with me and I said “you cannot leave your friend, that’s the worst thing you can do.” For about 50 miles we rode with them and did all we could to keep them going together. Ben was suffering, and they both weren’t eating enough. Offered TUMS and Pepto tabs. Didn’t accept but they both ate.
That’s one thing about this course is that it got challenging to eat especially on the back end. The roads were either tricky two/single track or the roads were washboards or sand. We got to CP7 Mulligan Truck Trail and Mosquito Gulch around mile 200 and it was crazy hike a bike for a bit. Then, onto the sandy roads of the Dead River Basin. Mari and I had talked about suffering, and decided to throw off the training wheels and see if I could finish with half a bottle of water and a bit of coke and about 600 cal of food. I was a bit chilly, but could tell that Brenda was colder so gave her my jacket—I got thirsty and hungry and wouldn’t do this in the middle of a race or anything but was curious how long I could go on minimal supply. The last 40 went long it seemed! Sand, washboard, cold and the last 20ish was moderate 2 track, and single track. We found the last CP with no trouble and made our way to the end.
After a bit of time these are my thoughts. Surprised I feel pretty good, my hands are still a bit cramped and tingly. Some of the stuff in this ride seemed a little crazy, but I get it. It’s an adventure. Going as light as possible is key. Stopping to eat and drink was real. Also, I can see in the pictures how I got more and more swollen. Wish I could do something about that!
Brenda had a rough go in a tough ride and absolutely hung in there-on 2 occasions I followed her line on the single/two track that made a huge difference.. Mari is just amazing. She was a rock star throughout, and I was just so impressed with how positive and strong she is—learned a lot from her—she mentioned she had some insights to help us too. JayXC blew me away doing this solo. If it’s offered as a point to point next year I’d do it. Glad I didn’t know how hard it would be. I might not have done it, but my riding has come along and it made a difference to have Brenda and Mari there for sure!
Really good experience. Looking up some hiking and packraft adventures. Super fun week having JayXC and Kelly around.
Mountain Bike 14:33:52 [3] 175.51 mi (4:59 / mi) +2367m 4:47 / mi
Wednesday Jul 1, 2020 #
7 AM
Running 38:49 4.01 mi (9:41 / mi) +8m 9:37 / mi
ahr:133 max:151
With KDU.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020 #
12 PM
Mountain Bike 47:05 12.03 mi (3:55 / mi) +106m 3:49 / mi
ahr:126 max:146
Partial crusher load.
Gravel bike 46:04 [3] 11.84 mi (3:54 / mi) +26m 3:52 / mi
Monday Jun 29, 2020 #
10 AM
Spinning 1 [3] 0.0 mi (13:25 / mi)
7 PM
Mountain Bike 57:10 13.88 mi (4:07 / mi) +66m 4:04 / mi
ahr:112 max:127
Partial crusher load.
Yoga 16:05 [1]
ahr:57 max:85
Saturday Jun 27, 2020 #
Note
Postponed Coast To Coast gravel race
6 AM
Spinning 3:34
ahr:113 max:135
Mountain Bike 7:28:11 103.13 mi (4:21 / mi) +635m 4:16 / mi
ahr:142 max:164
Third time around on coast to coast with JayXC, Mindy and Eric. Picked up a lone guy John. First section went smoothly. Then seemed like I was working awfully hard at the 50m mark. Mindy and I peeled off, then I wondered if it was the bike. Flipped it and the back wheel didn’t free spin. Dang. Got to 2nd checkpoint and bailed. Had fun sagging with Kelly for the rest of the day. They crushed it!