Ed's Dirty Spokes Solo 6 Hour Endurance Race

.
This had to be one of the most fun events I've ever done! A special thanks to the ICI/Chain Reaction guys for putting up with me on Friday night & really helping me during my pit stops. They would fill my camelback, lube my chain & help me with anything else I needed. I hope I wasn't too demanding guys!

Now on to the race report!

Dirty Spokes 12 hour race, Ft Yargo Ga. (6 hour solo sport division)

Mission accomplished.

I met every goal that I set for myself. Since this was my first attempt at this type of thing (6 hour solo), I set the following goals;

5 laps of the 12 mile course (that would put me at 10 mph avg.)
Consistent lap times
Start conservatively, finish strong
Don't die


Here were my results (I kept my time on my watch);
lap 1 - 1:14:47 (with parade lap & tons of slower riders to pass)
No stop between laps 1 & 2
Lap 2 - 1:11:01
Pit stop - 5:37
Lap 3 -1:11:07
Pit stop - 4:37
lap 4 - 1:09:53
Pit stop - 4:51
Lap 5 - 1:11:58

Total for 5 laps (60 miles) - 6:13:49

This is a fun, flowing trail and I love some single track! I felt like I was letting it hang out on the descents and in the twisty stuff. I also held back on the climbs so that I would have the legs to finish. This led to me passing people on the downs & then getting caught on the climbs. Since I had no crashes and actually only had to unclip in self defense once or twice, I think I had the right strategy. I finished 7th out of 19 starters on my class. I'll take it!

Big kudos go out to Dave Hiott for that 6th lap and 4th place finish. He was riding super strong! He caught up to me on one of the first few laps (I don't remember which one, some of that day is kinda fuzzy in my brain!) right before this long climb up a gas line. In about a half a mile he put about 40 seconds on me. Ouch! I don't think I could have ridden a 6th lap if I had another 6 hours. Way to go Dave!

Thanks again to the ICI/CR crew for all the help & support. All you guys that mountain bike need to try one of these endurance race things. Honestly, a 6 hour solo is about like riding a century on the road, but a ton more fun!

Ed