Our Journey: Steamboat Stinger

The Steamboat Stinger! A 50 mile mountain bike race consisting of 90% singletrack (That's a lot, and that's awesome!) I wouldn't say I was in my best shape for this race, as my weight was up a bit, and training had been messed up with the move to Illinois, but I was mentally prepared, and the legs actually felt pretty good in the week leading up to this race. And since I had spent the whole week prior in the high country, the lungs were feeling fairly acclimated.

I raced the Pro/Open field since I normally race Expert in the Vail Town Series. My one goal was to not start out too hard, as this is what normally happens, then at some point I inevitably implode. I was also majorly concerned with cramping, which always happens to me in long races. The goal was to be right around 5 hours.

Dinner the night before was pasta (duh). But for dessert I rode my bike down to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a few apples. They were yummy! The plan was to get to bed early for a good nights sleep... That never works. I never sleep worth a crap the night before big early morning races. Start time was 8am. I was up at 530 to eat breakfast and have some coffee before heading to the start area. Staging was at 745, and the sun was out (going to be a HOT day) and it was chilly, but the sun felt really nice at that time of morning.

Dad getting ready to start 20 minutes after I did.

I was concerned about the start because it was a super short steep loose rock climb up to a switchback and the first section of singletrack. I figured it would be Chaos. But since I started so far back, I didn't really have much to worry about... Everybody actually did alright on the first rocky section, but it was just a bit further up the trail that we ran into trouble and were standing around waiting for things to get sorted out. It was caused by a steep loose dirt section that I guess people weren't expecting. From there the trail opened onto a long (about 2 miles maybe) dirt/rock road climb. Not super steep, but just good sustained climbing. And as would be the theme of the day, because I had started so far back, I started picking people off right and left. I had probably passed 25 people by the time we got to the next singletrack section through a grassy meadow. And from there I just kept passing people. Not really a strong climber I was really surprised that this was the area where I passed the most people. The race then hit a steep singletrack climb up in the pines (that I walked both times) before descending for a long time down the backside. There was an aid station there and a couple mile rock road section that provided a good place to feed, before climbing back up to the top (about 30 minutes) and descending back down the front side. The descent down the front side was treacherous at times. What hurt more than anything the entire day was my hands from holding on so tight during all the descents. I was riding with a strong group most of the 1st lap, but got gapped from them on the front side descent. At one point on the super rocky tech section I actually missed a turn and took out the course tape in the process... oops! Beginning of the 2nd lap once I got on the dirt road climb, I again started passing all the people that had dropped me on the descent and found a small group (3 guys) to ride with. Halfway up the front side on the 2nd lap, the Pro Women's leader passed me, she was flying! My buddy Courtney passed me here as well (he was 3rd singlespeed category) I eventually lost the guys I had been riding with because I was climbing faster than they were. On the backside descent some guy came flying by me, he was older, maybe 40-50, but shortly after that he crashed, and I had to swerve around him. I don't think it scared him any though (at the finish I saw him showing off his battle scars...), because by the time we hit the bottom he came around me again. On that descent, I also passed Courtney, who may have been struggling a bit with the downhills. On the gravel road section I stuffed my face with as many calories as I could, hoping it would be enough to finish the race on. For about 20 minutes on the backside climb, I was riding by myself. It's crazy when you are out there on a long race like that, and there are so many people (about 450) and you don't see anybody. Your mind starts to play tricks on you... mostly like "how far behind am I?" or "Ok, just let me finish, and I'll be happy with that..." I was mentally struggling a bit at this point. Eventually a girl from Honey Stinger caught me, along with another girl, and they paced me back to the top. At the top of the backside climb there was an aid station called F'N' Aid, A play on the FM Light and Sons cowboy company from town. At F'N aid, they had bacon, bratwurst, PBR, whiskey, and other goodies. It was great! It was so cool to see them up there having a blast and cheering! When we got to the top I came around the Honey Stinger girl, the other girl had gapped us a bit on the climb, and I descended the final descent on my own. I passed one guy but didn't even see anyone else. Again, the mind games, but I just pushed it as hard as I could. Incidentally this descent was the only time the whole race that I cramped and it was because I hit a small rock and fell into a bush. As I was falling my body tensed up and caused major cramps in my arms and legs. Took a couple minutes to get them working again and took a few more endurolytes and everything was fine.

I finished 46th of 106 finishers with a time of 5:10. Could have maybe been a bit faster, under 5 would have been cool, but I was super stoked with this result and grateful for a good day! I did a good job taking in calories consistently and think I avoided cramping with the large amount of electrolyte fluid I consumed along with the 35+ Hammer Endurolyte tablets I took in. The picture below was taken immediately after the race. Luckily I had buddies there to help take care of me. Up first was SHADE! It was HOT! After sitting in the shade a bit and having a coke and some frozen electrolyte sticks, I was good to go. I headed to the river for some cool water relaxation, then back to the house to change clothes and head back to the course to wait for dad. (Ended up waiting a while as he got Altitude sickness out on course and was puking while riding...) He finished in 7:30 hours, but he was excited that he finished. I would have called it a day...

Thoughts on the race: Absolutely a must do! The course was amazing! Great singletrack high mountain riding. Support was phenomenal. I had brought a bag of bottles and food, but it was not needed. At each aid station there were people handing out bottles of water and electrolyte drink as well as Honey Stinger product. I had the Gold gel, which I've never had before. Tasted like pure honey and it was the bomb! After race food was provided. Maybe the best part of it all was that I ended up with 4 new Honey Stinger water bottles. Not to mention that Steamboat Springs is one of the coolest towns ever. Maybe the best race I've ever participated in!