Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Rating 2010 CTS
Three stars is good...
Course *
Course Marking **** A few distance left signs would be nice
Meals ***** Qty and quality both good
Awards Ceremony ***
Volunteers/Staff *****
Feed stations ****
Post ride food ***** Chocolate milk and subs were excellent
LODGING AND FACILITIES
Day 1 **
Day 2 *****
NOTABLY GOOD:
- A good group of racers in the event. Had a great time joking with cabin mates.
- Great shower and bathroom facilities on Day 2.
- Fun trails at Sir Sams (well designed)
- Ride to start was actually nice to spin out the legs
- Beautiful scenery at Day 1 camp.
- Washing stations were well set-up and managed
- Again, great staff and volunteers!
- Swag bag was good
- A chance to chat with Shamus and other pros
- Adam - stayed happy, worked hard
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
- Day 1 - many riders were wandering about after an exhausting day of riding trying to find their cabins. This included lugging their duffle bags full of gear. Either provide more direction, have the ATV/Trailer help out, or even deliver the bags to the cabins. Day 2 was very good.
- Mother Nature can't be controlled and can raise havoc with trails that are poorly designed or routed - both of which could have been controlled.
- There was little to no sign of effort being put into trail improvements. (It may have been done but was certainly not apparent). Lots of unnecessary spray painting on roots on the last day but most bridges were in very bad shape and could easily have been fixed. I would suspect that a donation of material would be welcomed by ATV clubs for trail maintenance days. Could ATV club members not be recruited to assist in hauling dirt/cedar/stone to problem areas - benefiting their own network? Reroutes were ridiculous. New trails were cut in areas where it seemed very obvious that would easily turn to mud, particularly on Day 1.
- Either put hand sanitizer at the beginning of buffet lines or have kitchen staff serve the food. Sickness spreads quickly through stage events, particularly the week-long events.
GENERAL:
Chico runs first class events and I have participated in many of them for over a decade. Furthermore, I have encouraged very many others to also enter, and will continue to do so. CTS was also a tightly run and well organized event with one glaring exception - THE TRAIL CONDITIONS ABSOLUTELY SUCKED. They deteriorated quickly throughout the field, hence the top riders would ride significantly different conditions than those further back. (It turned to a several km hike-a-bike after feed station 2 on Day 3.) Given finite time and $ for mtb events, I hold little sympathy for a trail designer who doesn't learn a lesson after the first year. 2/3 of the CTS's were a mud slog - it just happened to be the 2 events that I entered.
Was the event fun? Yes - everything except the riding
Are you just a complainer? If so, so are just about everyone else who rode around us for 3 days. (Unless you were at the front or like continually getting on and off your bike in the mud for 3 days, or perhaps aren't aware of what good trails are...)
Was it good value for the $? Yes - everything except the riding
Would you consider attending future CTS's? I will try other Chico events but will not be re-entering any 3 day CTS in the foreseeable future.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Day 3
The day started off with a great breakfast, some camaraderie with cabin mates and then the bag drop.
We rode about 10km to the starting area at Sir Sam's ski resort and assembled at the starting gate. The ride was good to work out the stiff legs and prep the new brake pads for another day of racing.
The announcers tried to work the crowd with banter as music played . Again, the top finishers were able to position at the front while the rest of the field selected a place in the line-up. Iain had 23 seconds to make up to achieve first, while there was no real pressure on our team. As mid-packers the objective was just to stay strong and finish the day.
Though there had been some rain the evening before, we were told that this would finally be a dry day - that news was extremely welcomed.
It was cool but warming up as people peeled of the extra layer and awaiting the start.
We rode about 10km to the starting area at Sir Sam's ski resort and assembled at the starting gate. The ride was good to work out the stiff legs and prep the new brake pads for another day of racing.
The announcers tried to work the crowd with banter as music played . Again, the top finishers were able to position at the front while the rest of the field selected a place in the line-up. Iain had 23 seconds to make up to achieve first, while there was no real pressure on our team. As mid-packers the objective was just to stay strong and finish the day.
Though there had been some rain the evening before, we were told that this would finally be a dry day - that news was extremely welcomed.
It was cool but warming up as people peeled of the extra layer and awaiting the start.
So we were off and the climb up some gravel doubletrack began. As always, everybody blast out of the gate until finally settling into their proper position. The problem can be that unless you do the same, it's easy to find yourself stuck behind less technically proficient riders when you hit the singletrack. I began picking my way through the crowd as I settled into a comfortable heart rate. The trail turned back down then we re-climbed the hill via a series of well designed switchbacks which made the vertical gain quite comfortable. Trevor was a few places back and I could hear him talking to a rider near him - his voice was not particularly belaboured by the effort. What surprised me a little was the physique of the some of the people around me - particularly the woman right in front. Though I'm large for a cyclist at nearly 200 lbs, most of the that body mass has a practical application in sport. OK, we'll leave it at that...
After what turned out to be a very pleasant climb, the swooping, bermed singletrack (apparently DH) descent began. Many of the same people that held strong on the climb were now past their comfort zone and some log-jamming started. Once passing a few people, I played as much as possible on the course by taking as many jumps as I could and going high on every berm. At the bottom a pavement section followed and continued until around the 18km mark.
An interesting situation happened when I passed the 3rd place solo women with whom we'd had breakfast. As I was cruising on the road, I almost took the opportunity to pull her for a while. What stopped me was the realization that if I did, it would be to the detriment of my friend Tanya (Vegan Vagabond) who was working to hold on to the second place position.
Soon the hydro-line trails began which consisted of gravel, rock-strewn ups and downs. These can be quite challenging but I noted that many of the people around seemed somewhat comfortable on this, based on their speed. I assumed that this must be the more typical type of trails for most. Soon Trevor and I regrouped and eventually hit the first aid station. There was no need to refill my Camelbak but I took the time to chat with 2 time Olympian Shamus McGrath who was part of a ride with contestant winner program. I had seen and chatted with him at prior BC Bike Race and Transrockies events, so it was cool to chat. What was cooler still was that we then followed him and his teammate for the next 30 minutes or so, watching how he rode sections and listening the advice that he was giving. Something that should be considered in these conditions is the quick deterioration of the state of the trails. What is simply wet trails to the front of the field quickly turns into a hike-a-bike mud slog for most others. This must have been really apparent to Shamus who would usually be at the very front.
Then we were back into singletrack trail. While this is usually a good thing, this was not the case. It started with muddy unridable steep climbs and most of the next several hours consisted of repeat "cattle-yard" stretches that had us on and off of our bikes. Trevor and I stayed close, taking turns leading the march. Most of the riders around us shared the same sentiment.
Near the end we encountered the Woodbury's who were completing their day on the short course. I'm very impressed with this husband and wife team who have done an amazing number of these events throughout the years and still have the drive to keep doing them (and the fortitude in their marriage to stay together).
Finally about a km of gravel road and we rode into the finish. Thank God it is over!
I quickly loaded my bike and gear in the van and proceeded to have a beer and excellent bbq feast that awaited. Then the awards ceremony and prizes. BurnE and Stew pulled off a first place in the 100+ category, Iain retained his same time of 23 seconds back - earning him a second, and Tanya also received a second place in the Solo Women's category.
What of Trevor and I you ask? Well, we didn't stand on the podium but we did finish this challenging event as a team that had no issues with equipment, nutrition, injury and most importantly - each other.
We met lots of great people, had great food and finally got to be a team in an mountain bike stage race.
I'd be dishonest if I claimed that I wasn't a little bothered that our team result wasn't at all representative of my current level of fitness nor our potential, but it is what it is. We worked successfully as a team and I have absolutely no regrets in completing this event as such.
I hope that you enjoyed following the event and I look forward to reading your comments.
Some photos will be added soon.
UM - Team Inflatables
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Day 2
Rather than reiterate negativity, please refer back to my report on the CTS mud slog from 2008. My opinions were refreshed but I'd rather focus on the positive.
So... After a great breakfast followed by reflection by the water and morning prep, we rode about 4 km to the staging area. Appropriately positioned in the gate we awaited the gun with a similar plan as the day before. Go out solid but not crazy and build as we were able. Fortunately there was some gravel before hitting the trails as it dissipated the zealousness of some of he pack. Before too long we were climbing technical doubletrack and the mud sections began. Early in the races it can be a bit of log jam before people sort out their position. If you aren't aggressive enough it can result in your rhythm being thrown off and settling into too slow of a pace. Turbo and I kept h other in sight as we rode amidst the groups, sometimes changing leads when one would take a bad line through the slop. At one point I tripped up on a section and BurnE went by. Turbo was actually Rodin between him and Stew, unknowingly, until a chain problem.
The hours and kms slowly passed as we chugged along the course, continually off and on the bikes, through the swampy and flooded sections. Most of the day was actually a connect-the-dots of these bogs. Turbo stayed ahead for quite a while in order set the team pace, which he described as slightly uncomfortable. Throughout the day we would see many of the same people plodding along. Occasionally a wipeout in the mud as well as near complete submersions. Often we'd just take a run at the bogs making it through part of the time and failing spectacularly on others. Today I wore new "Specialized Defroster" boots which are somewhat insulated and waterproof. I soon learned that the problem with waterproof boots is that when they do get water in - it doesn't come out. I did dump them at every aid station but mostly rode with fishbowls on both feet.
Today we stayed quite close together and kept a steady pace throughout. There were few big climbs on roadsections (which were welcomed) and one massive downhill had us hit a coasting speed of 81 kph!!!! That is rolling over the top and no drafting- just aero coasting - which is the fastest speed which i have ever hit on a bike.
Happily the course ended a few kms sooner than we were told and we high-fived through the finish. We were met with chocolate milks and Subway subs and some familiar faces. Camp White Pines is an upscale camp with excellent accommodations. Large clean restrooms and showers, cabins with electricity (ours was close this time too) and a dining hall that fit everybody. A great meal followed by awards including first places for Iain as well as B&S. Tanya pulled off a great day arriving ahead of our dual teams, scoring her a 2nd.
Like many others, I'm quite banged and bruised up, with lots of little cuts. While my cardio effort was likely less than most, the long hours of tough terrain has taken its toll including worsening the pre-existing knot in my back which won't stretch out.
The bikes have taken a severe beating and most have completely worn through brake pads. Mine were new before yesterday and were down to the metal. One of the pics below shows a crew of riders fixing Turbo's...
So... After a great breakfast followed by reflection by the water and morning prep, we rode about 4 km to the staging area. Appropriately positioned in the gate we awaited the gun with a similar plan as the day before. Go out solid but not crazy and build as we were able. Fortunately there was some gravel before hitting the trails as it dissipated the zealousness of some of he pack. Before too long we were climbing technical doubletrack and the mud sections began. Early in the races it can be a bit of log jam before people sort out their position. If you aren't aggressive enough it can result in your rhythm being thrown off and settling into too slow of a pace. Turbo and I kept h other in sight as we rode amidst the groups, sometimes changing leads when one would take a bad line through the slop. At one point I tripped up on a section and BurnE went by. Turbo was actually Rodin between him and Stew, unknowingly, until a chain problem.
The hours and kms slowly passed as we chugged along the course, continually off and on the bikes, through the swampy and flooded sections. Most of the day was actually a connect-the-dots of these bogs. Turbo stayed ahead for quite a while in order set the team pace, which he described as slightly uncomfortable. Throughout the day we would see many of the same people plodding along. Occasionally a wipeout in the mud as well as near complete submersions. Often we'd just take a run at the bogs making it through part of the time and failing spectacularly on others. Today I wore new "Specialized Defroster" boots which are somewhat insulated and waterproof. I soon learned that the problem with waterproof boots is that when they do get water in - it doesn't come out. I did dump them at every aid station but mostly rode with fishbowls on both feet.
Today we stayed quite close together and kept a steady pace throughout. There were few big climbs on roadsections (which were welcomed) and one massive downhill had us hit a coasting speed of 81 kph!!!! That is rolling over the top and no drafting- just aero coasting - which is the fastest speed which i have ever hit on a bike.
Happily the course ended a few kms sooner than we were told and we high-fived through the finish. We were met with chocolate milks and Subway subs and some familiar faces. Camp White Pines is an upscale camp with excellent accommodations. Large clean restrooms and showers, cabins with electricity (ours was close this time too) and a dining hall that fit everybody. A great meal followed by awards including first places for Iain as well as B&S. Tanya pulled off a great day arriving ahead of our dual teams, scoring her a 2nd.
Like many others, I'm quite banged and bruised up, with lots of little cuts. While my cardio effort was likely less than most, the long hours of tough terrain has taken its toll including worsening the pre-existing knot in my back which won't stretch out.
The bikes have taken a severe beating and most have completely worn through brake pads. Mine were new before yesterday and were down to the metal. One of the pics below shows a crew of riders fixing Turbo's...
So...
Our cabin all were in bed by 9:30 anticipating a big day tomorrow. There is a loon which is calling out in the distance right now.
Tonight there is probably going to be a continual flow of people to the restroom but most will sleep through it.
Tomorrow is supposed to be dry and great riding. I certainly hope so.
Thanks for reading - I'm going to sleep now.
UM
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