Northern California Bicycle Racing Community

Boggs VIII 8 Hour, 2013 'Back to Dirt'

I'm worked. That took all I had. Only a week out from my successful Devil Mountain Double effort, I stood at the start line in the front row for Boggs VIII, contemplating whether or not I had it in me to defend my Expert title for a forth consecutive year.

I know this race; the mass chaotic start; hundreds of riders elbow to elbow, wheels crossed battling for position up the first climb; the hypoxic push for the first single track hole shot; the ripping narrow descents through the tall pines, the eventual congestion on the course as teams and solo riders of all abilities push forward and the cheering crowds and party atmosphere at the start/finish. I had been in the top five and had won the Expert category three years running. Could I do it again?

Relying on my experience and cumulative endurance training, I charged forward ready for the somewhat predictable phases of this race; the anxious wait, the initial doubt as the heart pounds and the chest heaves out the gate, finding that sustainable groove, enjoying the ride, working past the ever growing fatigue as the body aches and mind wanders and then finding that second wind when as the end is near.

The almost expected set-backs come each year. This round, while attempting to pass slower riders on dusty single track, I went down hard on my 2nd and 10th lap, each time smacking the same damn left elbow that was still recovering from a crash a couple months ago. Nothing to do, but ride through the pain, just covered in more dust that quickly became sweaty mud on my face, arms and legs. Fun.

Into my groove, I was averaging between 45-48 minutes/lap. I kept at my tried and true consistent fueling and hydrating plan that had worked in so well in years past on this lapped course. On each lap, rolling into my pit, I'd gulp my cold perpetuem, grab a fresh water bottle and gel flask or supplements, as needed, from the ice chest. A bike stand and chain lube on this dry and dusty course came in handy every 4 or so laps. Two extra wheels sat at the ready, if I had any problems.

Despite that first painful out-of-bike experience early in the game, I was feeling it, riding fast and confident, trying to get past the hundreds of other riders spread out across the course. One after the other on the tight single track, I'd call out from behind, 'rider coming through, on your left', followed by a short burst of speed attempting to make a clean pass without taking a rider down or hitting a tree. On my first crash, the dust cloud obscured a basket ball sized rock that my front wheel refused to negotiate, sending me over the bars and onto my left side. Ouch.

My pace held. Not knowing who was in my category, I chased down any and all riders out in front of me. The two long fire road hill climbs were amazing opportunities to gain ground, weaving through the staggering masses without fear of mishap. All that road riding was showing major benefits in these sections.

Per the Boggs rules, as long as we started our last lap by or before the 8 hr mark, we had an additional 45 minutes to complete the final lap. Rolling out lap 10 around 7:35, I knew I could easily knock out one final jaunt around the dirt circuit. The crowds at the finish cheered and whooped as I stood up and sprinted through the finish on toward one more frothing orbit around the track.

Finishing 11 laps at 8:21:44 put me back on the top podium spot for the Solo Expert category and only 36 seconds behind Shane Bresnyan, the first place Solo Pro rider!

Not a bad day.

Time for some rest and recovery.