Anyways....too early to get that off track. So....I planned to go and ride, carefully, and not aggravate any injuries. The thing is, the Crank is a different kind of experience. It's a combination of epic views, always epic stupid weather, epic unrideable trails, epic fun trails, the painfulness of stage racing, but mostly its friends. Hanging out with like-minded mountain bikers in the evenings recounting the day on the course and what each of us went through....sharing the experience of the experience.
So, I packed and readied....my Cat5 bags lonely no more...
And in a couple of vehicles, and a camper trailer, with PowerPaul, Jaimie, EnglishJim, and Giant...Friday evening we headed north for Sir Sams Inn, the venue for the event. Environment Canada, of course calling for great weather!!
The weather sucked!! As we approached Sir Sams the skies started to open up...a trickling rain soon became a downpour, then severe thunder and lightning. As we pulled into Sir Sams it was monsooning, pouring, sheets and buckets....water ponding on the ground. We were forced to hole out in the vehicles, drinking our weekend beers, until the rain let up enough to set up the camper-trailer (thanks Paul and Giant!!).
It rained through the night...over 3 inches!! (thats 8 cms to you young-uns...). At 6am the sky started to clear....
Photo cred: JeffS
But it was already super hot and humid....this was going to make for a very interesting day on the trails...it was supposed to be in the 30's...40 with the humidity....and it was muddy!! The weather is never dull at the Crank!!!
Anyways....breakfast....guess I was a little nervous??
Getting the bike prepped....
Thanks to JeffS for so many of the pics. He is making a bid for the officially unofficial Riot blog photog....here is a shameless selfie...
Yes....he is fast enough to stop for a selfie to show how far ahead he is....and still come in first overall...seriously...he was partnered with John...they were racing in a tag team category.
the only guy who may be faster than him...more on this later....
and he made sure he got his pic with some famous people...Louda
Some volunteers: The Sweeps....including thedumbopinion and JC....thanks for the encouragement along the way guys!!
The crew from Aid Station 1....the best volunteers ever making sure we were fed, watered, and bike functional!!!
What other characters were on site??
Oggie....
Kevin...whipped me good on Day 1...
AngryJohnnie took over the announcing duties...although I wasn't too happy about him telling me I had to go up the ski hill at what I thought was the end of Day 1...more on this later...
These guys were actually lounging right on the trail....
Anyways....let's get on with the race...after we gathered for directions from SuperflySean....
We were off....a total of about 135 racers...10:30am, and it was already close to 30 above....and humid....and so muddy from the rain...
I worked to keep pace with the lead group off the start....but it cost me too much....I burnt myself right off the get-go...by the time we dove into the single track I was toast...heart rate already maxed. The time off letting injuries heal had left me in less than ideal shape. And the single track was a mud filled squidgy mess that gave no opportunity for recovery...
And the gearing on the Raijin with the 1 x 10 set up did not work well in these conditions. I struggled up the muddy climbs....needing that one extra gear. On one of the climbs early on I slipped out and Jaimie passed me. Giant was already gone....up with the leaders...he is kicking total butt this year!!
How muddy was it??? Here are a few pics thanks to ApexTed and ApexRacePhotography. Click on the link for many more epic pics!!
Me through a bog....
mtbmeister made a bigger splash than me...and always does at this game...
It was even too wet for the frogs....
That...and the pic is a testament to ApexTed's ninja skills. What, you didn't know Ted is a ninja??Ask any racer who has ridden by him in the bush!
Anyways....the conditions, and loooong slippery steep climbs made for so much hike-a-bike. I am certain that I have never walked a bike so much in a race. My heart rate was over 160 walking my bike!! And walking meant slower moving, no breeze....so you felt every degree and ounce of humidity. And slower moving meant I went through my water....before getting to the feed stations. At one point I begged a water bottle from a race marshall....thank you very much ma'am...you were a life saver!! At another point between feed station 1 and 2 I stopped at a natural spring on the side of the road where a local was filling jugs....and graciously let me butt in to fill my bottles. In fact, at one point another racer passed me and begged for a sip from my bottle...
And there were many flat tires encountered ... and I came up on Jaimie who was pulled over with a flat. I pulled over and offered to help, but he just needed my CO2s....so I tossed him my tool kit and he told me to carry on....so I did. Apparently he fouled his only tube in attempting the repair...but PowerPaul came along and offered him a second tube.
And so on I went...riding where I could, and walking where I had to. Even the descents offered little rest....they were either very technical (which is a ton of fun to ride!!), or just too bumpy from rocks and roots to let up on grip or attention. There were so many times I rode over a feature, and thought "Wow! Did I just ride that??" I ended up riding for a portion with Burnsy....but eventually he dropped me and I didn't see him again.
And then this sign....
The f#(*n NorthShore Trail!!! If I never ride this trail again I will be happier...virtually unrideable at the best of conditions....it was almost not even walkable in sections... Seriously....I have never looked so forward to finishing a race as I did on this Day 1. At one point riding...I clipped a tree and crashed, falling into a bed of leaves....and the ground was so cool and soft I stayed there a minute....and took my time getting up and getting back going...reveling in the cool escape.
Seriously, there were so many moments that I was so exhausted, I had to fight to keep from vomitting. While trying to continue to eat and drink to maintain energy fuel. Sounds horrible...but beats golf, beats sitting at a work desk....so I guess I should have been more positive about the conditions.... like this guy...
but I felt more like this guy....
And I am sure I looked more like this....
But....like everyone else (well not everyone....there were DNFs)...I soldiered on...
And on....and on...
Until....I could hear the announcer (AngryJohnnie) in the distance....and I rode out of the woods....into a grassy plain....and there in front of me...several hundred metres in the distance was the Finish line!! YES, YES, YES!!! So on I plodded....but the trail tape didn't quite line up...
And AngryJohnnie announced..."Here comes another rider....Just head up that ski hill, and back down the other side....just another 5 km to go....and you are finished."
WHAT????
WTF????
What F'n sadistic, cruel mf set up this race course???? (SuperflySean, SuperflySean, SuperflySean???)
"RIOT!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!".....JeffS, screaming at me....he had been done for hours already, I think. Kevin was sitting at the finish line already too...asked me 'if I needed anything' as I rode by...I just looked at him....'where do I start...water, lungs, energy, will to live????'
So up the hill I continued....and up, and up, and up....finally into the twisty, technical single track in the bushes near the top of the hill....twisty climbs....
And somewhere in the twisty climbs...I saw Jacques!!! What the heck?? Was he just behind me, or just in front of me?? The twists were close enough, and switched back on each other so much, I couldn't tell. Either way....he is way faster than me in past races....I shouldn't be this close to him. Then, I heard..."Mikey!!" It was Jaimie!!! He was behind me in the twists!!! That meant Jacques was in front of me.
A small burst of energy....a little more will to live. Stay ahead of Jaimie, and catch Jacques!! Eventually, the twists started to head back down the hill...but there were plenty of rocks and roots....sharp drops on sharp turns...had to keep my wits about me. Wanted to stay ahead of Jaimie, wanted to catch Jacques....but didn't need a crash and injury this close to the finish.
Finally, the twists opened up to the grass near the bottom of the hill....a couple more twists, and there it was....the finish....for real this time...finally, finally. I crossed the finish with a time of 5hrs 47minutes for the day...seconds behind Jacques....less than a minute in front of Jaimie. I fell over and lay in the shade of the finish line tent, sucking on what little fluid was left in one of my bottles. Jacques was laying there too...I didn't move for several minutes...couldn't...until felt well enough to attempt some attempt at recovering....
As it turns out everyone (well everyone without magical mountain bike powers like Johns, JeffSs, mtbmeisters) struggled on this day....walked many, many hills....walked many, many rocks...ran out of water....hated the false finish...and generally barely made it to survive the finish (or did not finish).
Giant and mtbmeister both survived to have a great day. They were second and third in their cat...
John and JeffS tag teamed to top in their cat, and top overall for the day...
I finished the day 8th in my category. I was 36minutes behind Jeremiah (who finished 3rd in his cat), 47 minutes behind Kevin, 7 minutes behind Burnsy, and just 5 minutes ahead of PowerPaul. EnglishJim had packed it in at aid station 1, but had ridden already for almost 5 hours.
So, we washed bodies and bikes, ate, drank, shared stories, and attempted to recover enough to do it all again tomorrow....
Tomorrow...woke to get bodies and bikes ready....trying to ignore the left over pains of yesterday...
Yup...that's a race ready breakfast! Thanks for the pic JeffS!!
Oggie looked even more grim than usual on this morning....
But once again we worked our way over to the start...
And even though this second day had us start by climbing up a long loose gravel hill (up the ski hill again), I already felt better than yesterday. Even though the start had us climb up and down the ski hill a total of three times....I still felt better. Even though I took a tumble in the rocks amongst the twisty trails at the top of the ski hill, and both Jacques and Jaimie got ahead of me...I still felt better (although I still have the scrapes to show for it).
The oppressive heat of yesterday (it was supposed to be hotter today....and it was!!), had dried things out significantly....conditions were already much better.
Finally, off the ski hill....and onto a long road section...pavement and dirt. I could see Jacques up ahead...I pushed to catch him. I saw Jaimie well ahead...I pushed to catch him...but never did...didn't see him again till the finish....he is getting too fast!!
Jacques and I caught Burnsy on the road....and a small group of other riders. We hit a section of dirt road and our small group rode together. I was almost starting to feel good about myself, hangin with these fast guys...till this gent streaked past me .... on a fatbike.
Yes....a fatbike. I felt unworthy once again...
And I was getting a little worried. Although, I had carefully washed and lubed my bike the previous evening...the drivetrain was quite noisy. And the squealing was getting worse as we continued. As our small group pulled into Aid Station 1, I handed my bottles to the girls volunteering to refill, and I handed my bike to CraigFastBoard who was also volunteering there...and said "I don't know what you can do, but it is very noisy..." The Aid Station volunteers were awesome!!! SuperflySean picked them right!! As I ate and drank while the volunteers did their thing, my riding group headed out. I took my time to eat and drink...not wanting a replay of yesterday.
The girls handed me my replenished bottles. Craig handed me my bike, and said "You are good to go!". And I was....he had worked some kind of voodoo magic. My bike ran silently, cleanly, and was perfect for the remainder of the race!! Wow!! Thank you Craig and ladies!!! I grabbed a little more to eat and drink....and headed out from Aid Station 1.
From here, we were back into the trails. A long double track climb from Aid Station 1 back into the woods, led to a long loose single track climb. We were back into real mountain bike racing. But, again, I felt much better than yesterday. The climbs weren't defeating me. I was riding relatively clean and strong. I passed several riders who were walking climbs.
Then on a gnarly rocky descent, there was Jacques...he was walking the tougher parts. I rode past him, as he walked over a nasty rock drop. Wow...I was in front of Jacques! The trails on this day were technical but fun....and although there were still hike-a-bike sections they were, for the most part, rideable.
And Ted was in the right spots to catch good action...
And although I didn't look as good as Louda (or as fast...yes she is one of the fastest racers around), I was doing alright...
Check out more of Ted's pics on the link....really they are awesome!! I just can't fit enough in a post!!
I pushed on trying to make up some of the ground I had lost yesterday. Today seemed much more like a race, than a desperate attempt at survival.
I caught and passed Burnsy who was walking up yet another long loose climb. There were plenty of these climbs...long, loose gravel, or slick rock....or slick grass... Wow...I was in front of Burnsy!!
There were plenty of descents...loose gravel descents....or grassy doubletrack with rocks hidden under the grass descents....or twisty, rocky descents...all fun....but all requiring attention...
Through Aid Station 2....just in time...my water was getting low. Rehydrate (drink)....refuel (eat)...refill bottles...and continue.
I caught Kevin and his racing partner. They were walking up a very long, loose climb. They were both cramping. I asked if they needed anything. Kevin answered, "A new motor." I said, "I can't help you with that. I'm having enough trouble keeping mine running!" And I took that as a cue to continue....so I did. Wow...I was in front of Kevin!!
I caught LauraP, one of the female racers, who was riding at just about the perfect pace for me....and rode with her until we hit the Ben Trail. Oh no!!! This trail is just about as crap as the NorthShoreTrail...so much hike-a-bike over impossible (for me) rocks, too steep or rocky climbs...and I am woefully slow at walking my bike. Laura dropped me walking the bikes. (I eventually finished a couple of minutes behind her). At least the Ben was shorter than the NorthShore....and eventually out onto an ATV trail...
Then the Normac trail. Wow this must mean we are near the finish!! Almost. The Normac trail is a long trail....but a great combination of flow and technical....although there are a few walking sections it is mostly rideable if you are willing to take some chances...over rocks and roots...
But I guess I was getting too cocky for the mountain bike gods. As I approached a bridge of logs leading the trail over a creek at the bottom of a descent, I hopped the bike over a gap in the bridge...only to land the front wheel directly in another gap....stopping the bike dead in spot...and over the bars I went....landing with a handlebar digging directly into my man units...(yeah....that spot). As I tried to cough said unit from the back of my neck back to where it belonged....and get my lungs back to working properly from the shock...(and make sure my recently damaged ribs were ok)...I checked over my bike to make sure it too, was fine. It was. I continued on...intent on taking it easy so close to finishing...
I caught and passed a coed tag team that had been riding in front of me for some time on the Normac....they had slowed to walk a tech section. I caught and passed another coed tag team that was recovering after a long climb...
Then out of the Normac....onto a dirt road...where there was a sign that said '1 km to go'. What??? So close to done!! Then...'100 metres to go'!!! Up a hill...then totally stall out in deep sand...jog through the sand....on the bike....and finally....across the finish...done. Done...
4 hours 13 minutes.....7th place in my cat for the day....8th place for both days combined. Happy just to be done.
My small group of friends stuck around to eat, drink, recover and attend the awards ceremony. Giant had an incident in the race with his rear wheel that cost him some time...so he finished 8th in his category for the day....and just off the podium for both days. Too bad...he is smoking this year!! mtbmeister managed to hang on to the podium though....2nd for both days in that category.
John and JeffS....first in their tag team category....and first overall...
That's Hal in 3rd with his riding partner
It is rather sad that this may be the final, last Crank the Shield....so much suffering....but so much fun... These 9 people have done every Crank (there have been 6)...
Me....happy to have survived...and this....
So, we packed up, and headed home. There was a lot of this going on driving home...
Well, at least EnglishJim wasn't driving. (Thank you to Jaimie and PowerPaul for driving!!).
Well at least Lois seemed to be happy I was home. She even had one of her friends over ready to wash my bike for me...
Well at least the cats....
Oh well...
Anyways, I think this is a long enough post!!
I'm not really sure at the moment what's up next for me. There are a few options I haven't yet sorted out. When I do....I'll let you know...
Stay posted!!
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