Tim Omer
Super Racer
Posts:83
Registered Users
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| 06/02/2008 7:26 AM |
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http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=B7&Date=20080531&Category=PHOTOGALLERIES&ArtNo=805310802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=5
Blaine Looks worried about starting the Mohican 100
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Donald Parr
Posts:100
Registered Users
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| 06/02/2008 8:26 AM |
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| Baline? The caption says Floyd Landis. I did not know we were picking former TDF winners/losers/cheaters (Who knows?). Does Team Louisville test for steroids? |
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Duane Walker
Master Racer
Posts:478
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 06/02/2008 11:27 AM |
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My race report:
M.F.E. (Miserable F%$*&^# Experience) |
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Fat, Old, Ugly & Lazy. and Slow. and Hungry. |
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Charles Garner
Uber Racer
Posts:145
Registered Users
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| 06/02/2008 4:39 PM |
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Duane...Sounds like you had fun!
CG |
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Blaine Heppner
Not Newbie
Posts:24
Registered Users
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| 06/02/2008 11:14 PM |
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Duane, is this that the definition of epic? Well what a wild weekend. First, had the privilege of traveling up with a couple teenagers. Actually, that was the epic part for me, Clayton and Andrew were great traveling companions.
Arrived early Friday to get settled into a cabin there at the finish. It was basically a cabin with only bunk beds. The boys and I got to preride the the finishing 5 miles of the course. First we went out and rode it backwards for about 5 miles. Started off riding with the Biowheels guys. We rode down the back side of a dam wall. That was a nice 40+ mph ride down. But the dread of climbing it at mile 62 of 64 miles, that will hurt. Ran into Floyd Landis preriding. Did I say steep! It was really a crawl.
Later that afternoon Duane and Jonathon Kindig rolled in. Got them settled in. Did dinner in town.
A long yet short night. Rain came in about midnight and rained hard all night. Let's say hot, sweating, humid, body sticking to
sleeping bag. No rest for ol Blaine. Rolled out of the sack to very wet, but subsided rain. Continental breakfast included constitued a coffee and hostess muffins, donuts. Really nice! Not good for me.
The start was to take place as the crow flies 5 miles away. Debating over weather to ride it, or load up and drive, we drove the 20 minutes for 10+ miles. Glad we did not. Like the Leadville 100 start, it started downtown Loudonville,OH. I sat on the
front of the starting grid. I had Floyd Landis right under my thumb. Needless to say, I was not in the perfect state of mind.
The start was uphill going out of town on a road that would equal the steepness and length of Sleepy Hollow. They were drilling it. I glanced down doing 22mph and thought that was insane. Tried to get into my own rythum by the time we got out of town, I felt wasted already. To make a long story short. It made for extremely long day.
Andrew and I rode nearly in sight of each other for about 30 miles and Andrew left me behind as I could say that I did not have it. I went into survival mood. Had to deal with leg cramps much of the last half of the race. I pretty much rode solo for
much of the second half of the race. Drilled back several along the way to leave them.
The best way to describe the course is: Never climbed so much ever. 11,000' climbing in 64 miles. 3 - 4 hike a bike sections with at least two of them impossible to ride, ever if you were Chris Eatough (24 Hour world champ). Gravel roads were reminded me of Pendleton, Barrelton on ice. Could not stand to climb. All this while baking in the sun. Single track was epic.
Mud was epic. It was a hard day. I have beer mug to show for it. Actually already thinking about next year. Now, that I have my first endurance event under my belt, many changes in preparation and race strategies will come into play.
I netted a 21st place 6:44. Not what I had hoped for and now that I lost an hour of what I could ride it in.
Andrew 8th and Clayton 9th. That had a great race. I am proud of them.
Duane can report his experience. Jonathon Kinidig finished 42nd in about 10:30 in the 100miler.
I can say that I am drilled out now. Next one will be epic. |
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Carol Flinchbaugh
Uber Racer
Posts:175
Registered Users
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| 06/02/2008 11:24 PM |
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Nice report, Blaine. But, roads that reminded you of Pendleton and Barrelton on ice....sweet...sign me up for next year!
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Mark Luking
Uber Racer
Posts:111
Registered Users
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| 06/04/2008 7:18 AM |
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What a race! 11,000 feet of climb is 10,000 too much for me. I'll stick to Cyclocross.
Mark |
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Steven Webster
Posts:40296
Administrators
Louisville, KY
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| 06/04/2008 8:23 AM |
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| Wow - great reace report Blaine. Sounds like a good [sort of] time for the Louisville crowd. |
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Steven Webster
Web Guy, BikeClicks.com |
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