Tribble Mill with Jim Dangle

It’s been a long while since my last post. There has been a lot going on and most of it is blog worthy, but with my addiction to facebook and the new job I can’t seem to find the motivation to blog it down. This past weekends events were fun and memorable in their own way and I want to get my thoughts down while there still fresh.
Tribble Mill 12 hour
After experiencing uncooperative weather at the last 2 12 hour races I signed up for this race in hopes of getting in some actual miles in a “race” scenario. I convinced myself that 12 hour solo SS was a good idea and convinced Becky to mimic my actions. Our mileage has been lacking, to say the least, in the last couple weeks so our performances would be questionable at best. We prerode the course a couple of weeks back and I had a good feel for gearing and lap times. I knew it was going to be fast race with minimal climbing. Something I didn’t seem to notice on the preride was the rooty downhill’s.
As the race drew near Mike, aka Jim Dangle, let me know he would be making an appearance and his much better half would be there to help with support. JD and the better half showed up at the house early race day morning and grabbed some sleep in the spare bedroom. We were up early, ate some breakfast and off to the race. We arrived an hour and a half before the race. Becky was nice enough to go out the day before and set up camp. She snagged a great spot with permanent shade along the race course right after the start/transition area. Turnout was great. The race was held at a county park that has unlimited multiuse trails, that not until recently SORBA has started to make a presence and develop a working relationship.
Becky, JD and I lined up for the parade lap start. My older brother and his youngest, Jonah, showed up to cheer us on and enjoy the park. As the race began, I was next to Becky, but I wanted I moved through the field as best I could to get a good spot heading into the ST. The course had 7/10 of a mile of double track before we hit the real trail. I pushed the pace with JD on my rear tire and we were passing folks as the trail allowed. I was a tad out of my comfort zone with pace for a long day in the saddle, but the crowded trail demanded we go fast. We got stuck behind a geared rider who would not yield and our pace slowed. The geared rider slipped around a turn and we made our move. We continued to push past other riders and hit the first decent climb of the day. The climb has short burst then gradual up and repeats itself about 7 times. I was behind a geared rider who spun out and I steered off the trail to avoid him. JD jumped at the tiny gap on the right and tore up the climb. I battled around the geared riders to catch him, but he was gone. I continued to push all the way to the finish. I changed bottles at the pit and the better half said he had a minute on me. I took off for another fast paced lap.
I continued to push outside my comfort zone due to the congestion on the trail and not wanting to be passed. Towards the end of my 2nd lap, my pace started to fade and legs felt tired. I grabbed another bottle with some special electrolytes and started my 3rd. My pace slowed, heart rate slowed, but the legs felt like lead and I could feel the inevitable cramps flaring up. I continued to ride and felt tired and noticed every root my rigid fork hit in my hands and shoulders. I could not get any sort of rhythm going. I slogged through a 4th lap and my ribcage and chest felt like it was cramping. This is new, I thought. I found it hard to breathe and I knew I was dehydrated. I managed to finish the lap and I took a break. It was still early so I thought I may be able to get in 10 laps for 80 miles. That would best my current mountain bike mileage of 65 at one time. I enjoyed a liquid sandwich and before hopping back on the bike I noticed my seat had slid back on the post from where it started. I didnotice while riding my legs was hurting in a different place; I was also getting rubbed more than usual. I adjusted the saddle and knocked out 5 and 6 with no real memory. I rolled in from 6 and Becky was in the pit. She looked tired and said she wasn’t sure if she was done or not. I rested and ate everything I could get my hands on. Becky joined me for another lap as we rode, my legs seemed to hurt less, they had a little spring in them. I started to get a rhythm on the ST and was able to sit and grind the climbs. Becky and I finished the lap and she called it a day. Brother Dave showed back up with his family in tow and some much needed Tylenol. (Big Thanks)
JD rolled in as I was getting ready to head back out. He had already knocked out 9 laps in 8 hours, but he had lost feeling in hands and fingers. I tried to talk him into another lap, but he made the smart move and called it a day. Lap 8 went by quickly and I was feeling great. The longest climb of the day was at near the end and I started to cramp while seated, but I would stand and they went away. Finished 8 and it felt faster than my first lap of the day. Lap 9 was identical to eight. Put the light on for 10, but it was still fairly light out so I figured I could finish without it. Halfway through 10 another SSer caught me and we finished the lap chatting about anything and everything. It was good to have someone to talk with as the sun went down in the woods. I rolled across the finish line with 11:03 on the clock and to cheers from my fellow riders turned support crew. They were packed and ready to go. My back was completely locked up and JD informed me my body would pay me back for the extra effort. I hobbled back to the truck and we went in search of big ass burritos.
The course was great and Dirty Spokes put on a good show. The weather was warm, but not too bad. The trail seemed to get rougher as the day went on.
I had a great time and I am so proud of Becky for knocking out 6 laps I made her sign up for 12, but if she had entered the 6 she would have easily finished mid pack. I am happy with my 80 miles considering the amount of training I haven’t done. Huge mega props to Jeanie for running support for all of us.
Next on the schedule: Drama Queen
Pics to come as they show