Tales from the trail.: American Mountain Classic: Brian Head, UT, August 21-24, 2008

A long time ago, Tim and I decided that because Trans Rockies was not going to work out (we though the house would be getting done in August), we would do a mini version in Brian Head, Utah. A 4-day stage race with a short prologue and then 3 epic days of riding. Did we realize how hard it would be to ride 50 miles a day at over 9000 feet? And not just ride, but race? Oh well. We had never been to Brian Head, so why not? And that is how the adventure began. My adventure began with the long drive last monday when I loaded up the car and drove to Boise. I spent a day with Brett and Laura, but Brett was pretty much worthless, as he had injured his hand, but no worries, he set me up with some buddies of his to ride on Tuesday near Bogus. Lots of fun. And then early Wednesday I set out to pick up Tim and Cass at the SLC airport and continued on to the land of no air. And Thursday the racing began...

Alec & Abi ripping it up on their bikes after we arrived!

Prologue: Thursday, August 21

Apparently I missed the memo that said that this prologue really didn't count for our cumulative time and it was 'optional'. Hmmmm? An optional stage that didn't count? Of couse we raced, but since I didn't think I could win (which did have a $500 stage prize), I hung for as long as I could and on the last climb, I let the leaders go. I settled for 4th and no glory and a good little 6 mile warm up for the next day. Tim also placed 4th, setting him up good for the starting block the next day.

Stage 1: Friday, August 22nd

Although logisitcally challenging (we had to be driven to the start and picked up from the finish), this was by far my favorite day. What an epic day of riding and amazing trails with great views. In fact, I had to be careful not to check out the scenery for too long on the Virgin River Rim Trail, b/c the drop off was quite spectacular. It was a tough 56 miles, but I had a huge silly grin on my face most of the time and just rode without a care in the world. It didn't really feel like racing. In fact, I had to remind myself to pick up the pace more than once, b/c I was usually all by myself and just riding along. I did pick up the pace, however, when I saw this really cute blue butt just in front of me. It was Tim. We sprinted for the line, but he beat me. I should have done the stealth sneak attack instead of hooping and hollering letting him know I was there. I took 3rd in the stage and he took 4th. A fun day of racing! And Monavie had a film crew there, so a lot of smiling for the camera and interviews. I don't think I am the most articulate after riding for almost 5 hours.

The start in the middle of no where.

The finish in the middle of another no where.

A scenic view on the way home at Cedar Breaks.

Stage 2: Saturday, August 23rd

This was one tough day. Luckily they decided to eliminate the prologue loop from the start of our race and just let us go, climbing up the asphalt and ascending and ascending. This day was way too much road and fireroad for my personal taste. The singletrack we did have was super fun and unfortunately on the first descent, I flatted. This is only the second time I have flatted in a race. Tim came up on me and offered me some assistance or at least anything I needed. I told him to get going and I pried the stans strip out and put a tube in and carried on. I was paranoid the rest of the day and rode pretty easy on all the rocks. Unfortunately all the fireroad, etc was rocky as can be. Some of the most technical roads I have ridden. Lots of out and back, seeing where I was in comparison from my competitors. And the most cruel joke was an out and back to the highest point in Brian Head, topping out at I was gaining time back and passing all the gals that passed me when I was fixing my flat, but it wasn't enough. I ended this stage in 6th and Tim was 4th again. 4.5 hours in the saddle.

Giving 'er on stage 2.

Dad checking out Alec's bike.

Monavie had a film crew there.

Stage 3: Sunday, August 24th

YIKES! What a way to end. It was not nice. 2 laps of the XC course, each 24 miles with 3400 feet of climbing. And the first half was trail we had already ridden and we knew it was going to hurt. Not to mention the road climb off the start. But sometimes it is great trails and scenery that make a ride epic. Today it was the suffer factor that made it epic and the Dark Hollow trail. That was some good fun. Big rock drops, tons of rocks and just a small amount of fear factor. It was good stuff. It is what kept me going, b/c I knew I would get to do it again. Yahoo. Tim and I got to ride together a bit, but I had to go first on the descent to try to make up some time. And try I did. I actually was moving pretty well. A bit too well on the gravel road in the corner, b/c I went down hard. Real hard. Opened up my left arm again. I pushed on and rode to the finish, but it wasn't enough. I had lost my 3rd place by 4 minutes. Tim, however, moved up in the GC, b/c my teammate, Art, did not finish. So Tim gets a 3rd place in the Elite Men 40+ and I get a 4th in the Elite Women. A good way to spend the beginning of our vacation! And now we are in Brian Head for the week. Tim will work half days from here and I will hang out with Abi and Alec, my mom and dad and Cass! Heres to a week of fun in the altitude!