King of the Mountain

My 9th race in 10 weeks, with this one (Return on the Jedi) being probably my favorite : point-to-point, tons of climbing (4600 vf last year), steep tricky technical descents, and plenty of smooth high-speed single-track railing downhill through old growth.

It's a 4-hour drive towards the coast, but with a great campsite at the race start area, 13 miles up a remote single-lane paved winding road, it's a good candidate for a weekend road trip. Convinced the family to come along, with my 6-year old daughter keen to enjoy her first 'kid's race' - usually a very easy 5 to 10 minute stroll around flat dirt roads, but being only a couple months out of training wheels, could be tough for her.

Arrived there early afternoon Saturday, with plenty of great campspots to choose from. And the camping is free this year - no campsite host, very few services - all part of the downsizing/decomissioning of Forest services all over Oregon (man, they need a new government soon...).

Preride the last section of the course with ChrisS and his sons - the final 1300 ft climb up from the lowest point, and then the high speed Jedi section - seems easy when you're fresh, but that climb pretty much finishes everybody off at the end of the race. I then went back to campsite fun with the family / beer-drinking, while Chris and a few other people rode the prologue loop. Heard some story about a 50-foot stream crossing through 1-2 feet of water - hmm probably an exaggeration. Seemed like they were planning on making the course easier this year anyways (which I wasn't too happy with), as the website said they took out the long hot climb in the sun and replaced it with a shorter one in the shade.

But at the start line at 9am the next day, we got the drill about several big stream crossings - all I got was "Stay to the left!", or else you might find yourself floundering in a few feet of water. Another disappointing turnout, with less than 20 pros and experts. Didn't see anybody from the 'Group of 6' from last week that finished in front of me. But within a few minutes after starting, about 10 of the group had opened a huge gap on me and were out of sight. Caught and passed 1 after 10 minutes or so, but then was alone in the initial loop, with no chasers. Came up on the first big stream crossing, and man they weren't kidding - 50 feet of fast moving water to cross, and it looked deep. Of course this was where the photographer was positioned, hoping for good aqua-carnage. I quickly decided ramming speed was the best option - as opposed to low-gear slow speed line picking - and jammed it right down the middle (staying left didn't look so good), and I made it across unscathed. A few more tamer crossings, and after half an hour was back at the start area, where the climbing fun would begin. Had caught up to SpencerS, and we took turns leading up the climb, which was along an old double-track with a great canopy above it. Excellent temps here in the shade - I noted 58F at one point, much better than the 105F climbing we had in the sun last year (though this year wasn't nearly as hot).

Finally at the top after 1.5 hours, and still no one in sight ahead. Found it hard to believe that the other experts were that much faster (found out later it was mostly Pros in that group). Down some dirt roads, and then the last loose single track climb to the real top of the mountain, whereupon the 2600 vf descent awaits. It starts off with steep rocky ledges, where your seat is rammed into your chest for a long while. Finally passed someone here who was walking his bike down (heard later he injured himself and DNF'd). Then more fun in the trees, out onto the hillside for more rocky switchbacks, then insanely fast single-tracking all the way down to the low-point. Hadn't seen SpencerS since the top, but he caught up to me at the bottom, and we again led up the climb together. Over 2 hours into the race, and now facing the last big daunting climb. Last year was pushing my bike on the steepest spots, walking through poison oak and not giving a shit, feeling like crap. But today feel good and clean the entire climb. Spence has disappeared from sight, and I push hard, knowing there's a good chance he'll catch up. But cross the finish line at 3:13, and no one else shows up for a while. I win my category for the 2nd year in a row - though only 3 were in it. Still, get 2nd Expert overall.

The overall conclusion among the racers is that this is a real mountain biking course - with the most technical terrain and the most climbing. With over 5200 vf and 30+ miles, yep it's probably the toughest. Hmm, I'll have to show them what it's like in B.C. :)