Rockhopper MTB Classic -6/8/2014

Rockhopper Race Reports:

 

Race report by Andrea Madison:

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  Andrea

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  Andrea

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  AndreaTeam,

     First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, and guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I don’t think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir, you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  -Andrea

Race report by Brian Russell:

My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot??!  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow “velos” , were passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.  - Brian

·My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot.  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow velo's , we're passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

 Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.   - Brian

·My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot.  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow velo's , we're passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

 Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.   - BrianRace report by Kevin Duquette:

My experience for the Rockhopper -

 So I was ready to do two laps. Practiced for months and actually did two laps at practice. I have always had a heart monitor, 5 years, and know my body well. Know my heart and where I can ride for extending time and what race pace does.

 So on the warm up i new I was in for a tough ride. I was taking it easy and noticed elevated heart rate.

 The race. 1/2 way into the first lap I saw my heart rate at 190. Im thinking this is not good. So I tried slowing down. No luck. 187. Then the climbs it went to 200. No good.

 Funny thing is I felt fine. If I didn't have a heart monitor I would have kept going.

 My normal rate is 175 for a ride and 180 for race. Maybe 185 for a TT all out 10 miles. But for an 18 mile MTB race at 195-200. No

 So I made a choice at the top of the mountain, I'm going to go down and stop at one lap.

 I don't know what was going on, I didn't want to hurt myself.

 I was well hydrated and actually felt okay. Legs were good, but my heart rate wouldn't obey. So done. One good fun lap!!

 I know my body, I know what baseline race pace is like, and today wasn't the day to figure out what would happen if I rode the whole race at 195 plus heart rate.

 Hope this will be helpful information for someone.

 I did hydrate all week and ate well and ate electrolytes during the race.

 Great Job Team!!  - Kevin

 Race report by Steve Roehrs:

     I was totally that guy that showed up to the shop on Saturday with my bike needing work. Vince was awesome and got my rear brakes squared away. Thanks Vince. Now for the race. It was awesome to have a good team showing and being local it was awesome to see every body’s friends and family out there supporting the racers.

 I started strong was feeling good on third wheel through the first climb then shifted into my wheel. Once I was back on I was mid pack and settled in to the pain. I knew that if I could stay strong I would make up down on the backside decent. I finished strong and can't wait to practice more out there so I can have a stronger showing next year. Also two laps. One just was not enough pain.

Have a great day, - Steve Roehrs II

 

 

 

 

Andrea State Champ!!