Summer Solstice 2010

[Newt]

G'day Guys,


Here is my Summer Solstice 2010 report

Well I'm home and showered from my first 24hr mtb race, so here are some of my experiences  and post race reflection.
A few things on my favourite list
-spending time with Janet
-Mtbing
-Mtbing at night
-long distance duration events
-testing my limits

The Summer Solstice is North Americas Largest 24hr Mountain Bike Event. I have been tossing around doing this for a couple years, and finally pulled the trigger so to speak and signed up for the event. As much as I don't usually mind training and racing in inclement weather, the heavy rain first thing in the morning and continuing on and off to race start time was not good. I am a early riser but I was able to sleep in Saturday morning as the race start was noon, so I woke at 6:30am with the sound of rain on the tent. The heavy rain, caused the race organizers to delay the start from  at first 1:00 then 1:30 then 2:00, I was ready to race at 11:00 and was timing my nutrition to start the race at noon, so with continual time changes by the time the race started I was getting hungry. Not good.

The race started well and even though I went a little harder at the start than I wanted that is too be expected and after the first lap I gradually dialled the intensity back. The heavy rain did three things, it made the first 4.0km of the course very greasy (read clay type soil), the course is very rooty and roots become very slippery and hard to ride through when wet. Often if you are not paying attention they will kick your wheel out from under you, thirdly the course was in often in a mist making it tougher to navigate with muddy glasses. Luckily the the last 12.km of the course was more sandy and even with the roots much better to ride on.

I started ticking lap after lap off got into a nice rythmyn, with drinking and eating, but I was hating the first 4.0km more and more. As the darkness fell the lights went on the bike we were now introduced to steadily increasing fog in the woods, anyone whom has driven a car in the fog knows how much visability can be reduced. This isn't a good thing in a twisty/turny/root strewn mtb course especially as you start getting fatigued and your reactions get slower. I found that my wrists were cramping, from my white knuckled death grip on the handle bars going through the first section of the course but I was usually able to get my fingers to work properly by the end of the lap. (though I still think my hand imprint is permanently imbedded into the bar grips.) After 8 laps I was not having fun, this was supposed to be a fun experience. The next 3 laps I was getting frustrated, slipping and falling in the roots, crashing into trees, and generally getting tired. At this time I decided it was not worth getting injured, or worse yet damaging my bicycle. So I pulled the plug at about 3:30 am. The funny thing was I wasn't sleepy like I expected (maybe influenced by adrenaline induced by fear), I was tired but not exhausted, and other than my hands cramping, my legs were doing ok, as I was still able to ride the steeper hill sections only walking if I felt like give my legs a change. (since on the long steep hills I could run/walk my bike as fast/or faster as most riders could ride them)

So my 24hr mtb race was over in 14 + hrs mainly out of fear. (I did personally witness 2 bad crashes, one I'm sure she had a broken collar bone and the other a severe leg injury, so I can't imagine how many had gotten hurt) I guess I could have had a sleep at this point and start back up in the daylight, but once I had decided to stop, psychologically for me the event was over. So when I woke up at 6:30am (2 hrs sleep), I started breaking camp/packing up and went home.

I will rate this experience as a "C" as I did test some personal boundaries, (176km of mtbing) though I didn't complete the full 24hrs. I also learnt a few things.
-most riders are very supportive and concerned of other riders
-I absolutely hate mtbing in night fog
-I dislike riding on slippery roots and rocks more than the above
-ChicoRacing run a class event even though the conditions were not optimal, As Race Organizers unlike Sandy they can't control the weather.

So even though I wasn't doing this as a race I ended up with 11 laps and in 6th place out of 27 in my category, "if" I had continued getting a fourth place was "doable". Hats off to all the other competitors, fine job.

I would also like to add that  Janet is a hero to support me in these adventures and having support from my Brother-in-law Cal, and my neice Amy helped both Janet and I enormously.

I often say "Mother Nature is my favourite playmate" well it felt like I was in Ultimate fight match  with her last night.

Peace
Peter

[NancyR]

Congrats Peter, sounds like challenging experience. I bet that fog was just awful.

Wonderful too that you have a great support system 

Nancy

[The Moose1]

Congratulations Peter.

[Newt]

Thanks Guys,

Mike - using your tagline as a reference I would have to call myself a "loser", though probably one with a lot less bangs and bruises and maybe broken bones then I could have had if I kept going. I can live with that for now.

Peace
Peter

[Jeff]

Congrats Pete!!  I know the 4K section you speak of, I still have nightmares about riding it with morning dew, can't imagine with hours of pouring rain.   Don't know if Janet and Cal will read this but supporting a solo in a 24 hr race is challenging enough then add pouring rain!!

[runningwild]

The fact that you had the courage to attempt such a feat amazes me!  Congratulations!

Cheers,
  Stephanie

[Jon]

Way to go Pete.  I was thinking of you out there this weekend, and was wondering how bad the weather got to the race.  Great effort -nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Jon

[April]

Congratulations Peter

[Glo]

I'm with Stephanie, at least you made the attempt to do something such as this.    Too intense for me -
Congratulations on your success  - and YES it was a success because YOU TOOK THE CHALLENGE.

Gloria

[NancyR]

Gloria I like this!!
 
YES it was a success because YOU TOOK THE CHALLENGE.

[Sandy]

Bravo Pete.  Having been where you were, decisions are made in the moment based on what life is throwing at you.  For me I base my "should I stay or should I go now" on #1. am I having fun?  #2. is my life or limb in peril  #3.  considering I have to go to work on Monday and make some money how will staying affect that. 

I disagree with the lable loser OR say it was a failed attempt; when ever you go long things happen that can't be imagined or sometimes controlled.  Ultra events are something that can't be comprehended until attempted and every step forward is a win.  We can prep all we want for our events by riding in the rain, training early or late, practicing our race pace, grinding up the hills etc. but ultimately race day is what it is and we have to deal with it.

[Newt]

Thanks Sandy,

I appreciate all of your help/advice and kind words. I should frame your above 3 points they are so important and they were the actual thoughts going through my head over the last 3 laps when making my decision to quit. (and I don't pay attention to those points enough)  Though on a deep level I feel disappointed with myself and that I failed what I was trying to achieve, you can understand that. We never know where too far is until we've gone too far, and I wasn't willing to push the edge this time. (maybe I needed more caffeine)

Peace
Peter

[Sandy]

I know disappointment is normal but I always resist the urge to give into it.  Having pulled the plug twice on ultras for various reasons that are always easier to explain away when you're dry, rested and fed, you make your decision in the midst of "yuck" with all information available so you have to be satisfied that you couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't continue.  Don't second guess or scold yourself...analyze, memory bank it and learn for the next event.  Revel in what you accomplished, it was awesome. 

[Rachel]

Very well said Sandy.  It's true that it is so much easier to question (be disappointed) in our decisions after the fact because we are no longer enduring whatever it is that is causing us the dilemma. 

I'm usually just happy that I got off the couch and got out there and attempted.

You did a great job!!!  Bravo Zulu to you!

[Kate]

Peter, I am in awe.
CONGRATULATIONS on facing such a huge challenge!