12 Hours of Cranky Monkey

This past weekend brought all the excitement, headaches, nausea and fun that is endurance racing. The 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey was being put on by EX2 Adventures on the Quantico Marine Base. This was the first occurrence of what will hopefully become an annual event.

After asking around about the course, I decided it be best if I were able to get up there Saturday afternoon after work for a quick pre-ride. While I was up there I would also be able to sign-in and reserve a pit location next to JB and Jason as well.


The pre-ride went something like this: Jump on the bike ... Ride about 4.5 miles ... Catch a flat on the rear ... "SHIT! I don't have the tools to get my chain tensioners off!" ... Hike last 5 miles or so out. Not a total loss though. I was able to gather that although I was able to push the 36X16 ratio I did not think I would be able to do it for 12 hours. While riding, err hiking, Mom and Dad setup/reserved a pit.

On the way back to the house, I was wondering what may have caused the flat. Puncture or Pinch? That was the question. Got home, threw the BUSS up on the stand to find it was a pinch. Thought to myself "Hey stupid! Put some air in your tires!" Wanting to make sure I did not pinch again tomorrow I put a couple extra pounds in. Started my search for a bigger freewheel as well. Turns out I have a couple 17's and one 18. 18 it was! Through it on, washed my hands and off to bed.

When we arrived back on the base Sunday morning Mom and Dad finished setting up the pit while I went to get my baton. Found out that there were 7 in the SS solo class now and not just 3. This was cool because it meant more people to race against. I stayed with my original plan however, which was to try to keep pace with the other larger solo class if possible.

Race started promptly at 8am with a 400 yard Le Mans style run. Have I ever voiced my opinion of Le Mans starts? Well I HATE them! Running is not fun to me at all! You see all those bikes in the racks to the right? Well lets just say I had no problem finding mine once I got to them. Seemed almost all of the ones around mine had disappeared down the trail by that time.

Keeping a steady pace I was told I was the second solo rider to check in at the end of the first lap. "Really?" I asked. That is a bit odd for me as I usually start really slow and play the I can outlast you game. I told myself not to do anything silly and just to keep MY pace and things will unfold as they will.

Somewhere in the lap 3-4 range the nausea came. "This cannot be good." While trying to figure out what might have been causing it, the nausea became vomiting on the side of the trail. Got back on the bike trying to salvage the lap. While passing through an aid station I took on a cup of water so I could rinse my mouth out. Saw a few riders dumping the water over their head and began to ponder if it was the heat making me sick. Over the head the rest of the cup of water went. Damn that was cold! Felt a little better however.

Took on more Carb/Hydro-boom to replenish what I just lost on the side of the trail, at the end of the lap. It didn't take long for my stomach to settle down once again when I noticed the tops of my feet were beginning to be rubbed raw from all the hiking I was doing. It took less energy to walk the bigger climbs than it did to ride them. That's the wonderful thing about endurance racing, one thing never plagues you for too long as something always comes around to make you forget the other part hurt just moments before.

Post Race Rawness

Started lap 7 still in second place. Got about 2 miles into the lap when I hear the dreaded ... Psssssssssssttttttttt after one of the handful of logpiles. "SHIT! I don't have a pump!" I had loaned my pump to another rider a few laps ago and never stopped by the pit to get it. Luckily for me I was able to borrow one from a fellow SS solo rider who was a couple of laps down. Having changed many a tubes before, I took my time, checked the tire for any shards of what caused the flat then put the new tube in. While I was busy forcing air into the new tube I saw another SS rider come by ... "Are you solo?" I asked. Guy replies, "I'm in second place. I cannot stop!".

A running dialogue with myself began. "Did he really just yell at me? If he is in second, does that mean I had moved up to first? I have to catch him! Did he really just yell at me?" Caught up to him on the flat section on the top of the next climb. We had a brief conversation about placing and then another big climb came. I had decided I would do whatever he did on the climb. If he walked, I would walk. If he rode, I would ride. He dismounted at the bottom of the hill. Seeing just how far he would have to walk, I got the crazy idea to continue riding. But not at an easy pace. Time to get the time gap back. Up the hill I went trying to ignore the fact my HR just went through the roof! By the end of the lap I had put 4 minutes between the two of us.

John and I on the long and fast gravel decent

On Lap 8 I forgot about my raw feet as the nausea had returned. Somewhere before the first aid station at the 3.5 mile marker I began to vomit once again. I had been to occupied with the time gaps to remember to pour the ice cold water over my head. Arrived at the aid station, poured the water over my bald head and kept riding. A few miles later I noticed that once again my stomach decided to behave itself. At that moment I began to convince myself it was the heat and to grab and pour at every aid station. There were three by the way.

After lap 9 Dad had told me I was gaining on the leader with every lap. Do I actually have a chance at winning this thing? Probably not still about 12 minutes behind. Tried to push myself a little harder on the 10th lap as the time was winding down. Plan was if I could make it back before the cut off time of 7 o'clock and I was still the same distance down on first I was just going to wait and see if 3rd place made it back in time to go out for another lap. I was feeling confident that with a 10-15 minute rest while waiting for him I would be able to out ride him on the last lap if we left at the same time.

Finishing Lap 10 alongside JB

Finished lap 10 with about 20 minutes remaining. Mom and Dad were fairly certain third place would make it back before 7. They made me eat once again, gave me a couple of fresh bottles and sent me on my way. I was happy with finishing in second so I was just riding to "stay out of trouble". A little more cautiously than before but not to cautiously. Finished the race in second place.


Mom and Dad were sitting just across the finish line in the transition area looking much happier than I did.

Mom: "We think you just won!"
Me: "What?! I never passed the leader."
Dad: "He started the 10th lap after you. He took a break and then didn't make it back in time to start the last lap."
Me: "Seriously?!"
Mom: "Go ask the scorer"
Me: "Could you tell me where I finished, please?"
Timer: "You finished in first, congratulations."
Me: "Holy Shit!"

Still in somewhat disbelief that I had pulled another one off, I headed back to the pit sit down. OK crash on the ground and want to weep. Everything on my body had begun to hurt. After cleaning up the pit area we headed over to the awards assembly. Come to find out not only did I win my class but I did more laps than any other solo rider in any of the classes as well. Tell you what I felt every one of those laps on the ride home and while trying to sleep Sunday night.


Thanks go out to EX2 Adventures, all the great volunteers, the rider that loaned me his pump, JB and Jason for the encouragement along the trail, Carb-boom, Twin-Six, Maxxis (Those High Rollers are ama-za-zing!) and especially my parents! Without you two it would not have been possible. You guys kept me out of the pits (never entered them once!) and rolling forward.

I will be off the bike until Saturday's pre-ride at the Scout Camp where Yoda Lama's Juicy Sin will be getting together for a few laps. Looking forward to it guys!

Back from the 12 hours of Cranky Monkey. Photos are up here. Race report coming tonight after I return home from a recovery ride at where else but PSP.

Met up with Travis for the first half of the last of the pre-Cranky two-a-days. Put in a little short of 50 miles in on the road mostly on my favorite Riverside route. Afterwards went home for a few short hours to grab some grub watch part of the Cubs game and then grab the mtb and head out to PSP for a spin with Chris. Have to say, the pace was a relaxed one full of great conversation and it is great to have you back on the bike again.

Alarm went off for work this morning but totally do not remember turning it off. Made it to work just a few minutes before scheduled. For the rest of the day I have been fighting heavy eyelids. This is not good considering there are a bunch of Marines waiting to Spank my monkey on Sunday. The good news though is it feels as if I have plenty of energy and was actually itching to go for a short spin this evening. Knowing that I need rest more than anything now I talked myself out of it and instead gave the BUSS a look-see and a bath. It's all clean now and looking as Butt Ugly as ever!

Heading up for a pre-ride tomorrow afternoon then meeting up with JB to reserve a couple of pit stalls next to each other. Race on Sunday!

Before heading out for a ride at the Scout Camp last night I had to get rid of the awful creaks that were coming from somewhere under my arse on the BUSS. Knowing it could be a couple of things such as the bottom bracket and or an ungreased seatpost I decided to pull both re-grease and make sure everything was tight once again. The good news, the creaks are gone. The weird news is I think that is the first time since I took ownership of the bike that I have removed the seatpost entirely. Now not removing it is not the weird part. It is what I found when I did remove it.

Probably the longest seatpost I have ever seen in my life. Seriously who needs a seatpost this long? If you needed it to be raised that much, wouldn't you need a tad larger frame?

Arrived out at the Scout Camp for the first episode of what is going to become a regular pre-ride event for the 18 Hours on the Farm. Cycles Ed has once again delivered with a fantastically fun fast course. Running in the opposite direction of last year with much of the fireroad removed and replaced with singletrack this event is going to be amazing! Cannot wait for August to come around!

Not overlooking this weekend's adventure through the woods on the Quantico Marine Base however. Planning another two-a-day today (road with Travis and then PSP with Chris) but both will be at a pretty relaxed pace, I hope. Going to take Friday off from riding and then heading up to Quantico Saturday afternoon for a pre-ride of the course before the fun begins on Sunday morning.

Week in Review....

While all the locals were getting excited about the upcoming Xterra Games here in Richmond, I was taking it easy on the road all last week. Being lucky enough to have a work schedule this past week which allowed for me to ride to work 4 out of the 5 days without having to cross the bridge after dark, I took advantage of it. Not only did I not have to pay the $3 a gallon for gas in the car but I was able to get some good road miles in which is what I need to stay in shape for this weekend's 12 hours of Cranky Monkey.

Met a few folks over at Reedy Creek for what was supposed to be a Mellow Monday ride on the course the previously mentioned Xterra Games used just 2 days before. After a quick bottom bracket adjust for Joel we were back on our way for our anything but Mellow ride. Renamed Maniac Monday for the time being all of us were begging for the insanity to be over by the end of the ride.

Was able to get in a couple of decent road rides in (effort wise) yesterday and again this morning. If the weather holds off I'll be heading out to play in the dirt at an undisclosed location tonight with a few insanely fast locals. A little TLC for the BUSS is in order first however.

The Hydro-Boom has arrived from Carb-Boom. Tasted both the Orange-Mango and the Raspberry-Lemon and have to say both are very good tasting. The Raspberry-Lemon smells and tastes a bit like cotton candy in my opinion. This may or may not sound good to you but for someone with as big of a sweet tooth as myself it is P-E-R-F-E-C-T! Cannot wait for the Carb-boom to arrive early next week.

Recovery Ride?

Looks like the members of Yoda Lama's Juicy Sin were still all a little tired yesterday morning after their hard efforts on Sunday. Looks like John and Chris were going to go for a swim in the James River during lunch. Does drowning in the James count as swimming in the James? No? Suppose that eliminated me from said recovery effort.

Decided to ride into work to stretch the good ole legs out. I usually leave myself an hour to get to work but that requires a hammerfest to get there on time. Usually what I am looking for as it will be my only riding for the day but yesterday I decided to leave a few minutes early so I could just ride over with very little effort.

Why is it when you are not trying to go "fast" things seem to be a bit more fluid? First time I have made both the trip to and from with an average of over 21mph. Doesn't make sense to me except maybe I should just not force the power? Is it there regardless? Not sure, but what I am sure of is on the commute this morning, I am going to "try" and ride the same as yesterday. Does "trying" slow one down? I would venture to think so to an extent. Gotta learn to just get on the bike and relax.

I remember someone once telling me "Smooth is fast and fast is smooth". Or wait was that in Days of Thunder? Regardless it makes sense. I'm off to learn to relax.

Camp Hilbert Race #2

After a week long debate with myself over what class to race, Enduro or Single Speed, I decided on trying my hand at an actual XC type race and not an endurance race. So I entered the SS class. Arrived at the park about 2 hours before the race was due to start and headed down to the registration tent to sign in and all that good stuff. While waiting in line I noticed a somewhat familiar face in line just a few folks back. One Sam Perry or as the locals know him as, SingleandRigid. This made me feel good about my decision to race in the SS class as I knew I was going to have to push myself to my limits to keep him in sight.

I started to come up with a plan of attack. I took a look at how the race loop began which was with a short section of fireroad that looped up and around and then shot us into the woods. Guessing I was the only idiot to run such tall gears, I decided I had to be the first into the woods and then I would just keep the pressure on until I either blew up or they blew did.

Horn went off and I took to the front. Winning the holeshot into the woods I tried to slow my breathing a bit on the first downhill but knew that I could not take it too easy or Sam would be right back on my wheel and that was the last place I wanted him. About a mile and a half in I hear someone approaching fast and calling for my left. I gave it up expecting it to be Sam but it turned out to be a freak of nature. Gushing wind is all I heard and it didn't take long for him to disappear out of sight.


The rest of the first lap went by extremely fast and relatively easy, until about the last mile or so when I once again caught one of the "invisible" tree stumps with a pedal. Thankfully this time it was just a pedal and not my toe. Wait what am I talking about?! This bull whipped me around to the right and tossed me to side all while goring me in the lil Andys with an Ergon grip. After the race I started to think it might be a good idea that Ergon put a disclaimer on the packaging stating something like, "Keep away from scrotum area. Will cause insane amounts of pain if contact is made." OUCH! is all I could say. Wanting to curl up in the woods and cry like a little school girl I got back on the bike and rode gingerly until the pain subsided.

Second lap went by just as fast alright well maybe not time wise as I think I slowed by 2 or 3 minutes but mentally I was alright until I reached into my jersey pocket looking for my flask of Carb-boom! only to find nothing in my pocket what-so-ever. Damn it must have flown out while I was busy massaging my balls on the Ergon grip. I had seen the third place rider not too far behind me and coming on strong as I crossed the line to finish the second lap and knew I was going to have to start pushing my pace once again.

By this time it became a little harder to do as all the "rabbits" from the other classes had all but disappeared. Deciding that I was not going to get caught, I put my head down and continued to push. Somewhere I grew a sack (maybe it just seemed bigger because it was swollen) and found myself not touching my brakes at all on the downhills and began to find some of those pesky rabbits once again. Having someone in my sights gave me the strength to continue to bridge and not slow down.

With an uneventful third and final lap, I finished in 2ND place just 4 minutes behind first and Sam finishing in 3Rd just a few minutes behind me. I had a great time and want to thank the RunRideRace staff for putting on another great event.

More race photos here. Most are of other riders.

After possibly the worst night of sleep last night I decided to take the BUSS over to PSP for a very short and quick spin before work this afternoon. Was a bit disappointed when I pulled into the Qualla lot and found this ...

Hoping the sign in the lot had just not been taken down from the other day, I took the fireroads over to the trailhead were I was delighted to find they were indeed open! There is a new reroute at the beginning of the blue trail but the BUSS took it in stride. No problems with pushing the taller gear and I actually felt a bit more fluid on the climbs. No more spinning out when out of the saddle and climbing!

Looking forward to my 3 day weekend that starts tomorrow. Jenn is running a 5k on Saturday so I will be cheering her on there and then she will return the favor on Sunday at Camp Hilbert. Now if I can only decide on what class to run: SS or Enduro?

Dilemma

Alright so I alluded to something to come and it came. This will be my last post about them since I have now received sponsorship via Carb-boom but my floor display of Jelly Belly Sport Beans arrived today. Man I love those things! Did I mention, I also love Carb-boom?! Now I just need to find a spot to put this damn thing because the middle of the kitchen floor is not going to fly.


Think I may have just enough to last me until my order from Carb-boom arrives? Crossing my fingers.

Successfully replaced the bearings in the rear hub of the BUSS last night. John you were right, very east to do. Wheel rolls smooth as silk once again.

Added a tentative race schedule to the right of the screen for your viewing pleasures. Also feel free to visit and/or buy from any of my sponsors also on the right.

And since there is not too much to write about this morning and this boring entry is in desperate need of a picture I will leave you with a little teaser of what should be in store this afternoon.

I Heart.....

Riding past this every time I want to get to one of my favorite trails

Riding with old friends

And riding the BUSS, naturally.

Had a great ride on Saturday out at PSP. Started the ride off by heading over to the Lakeviews. Ran into Lisa, Richard, Scott, and Clark while over there. Trying not to be late for dinner I said my hellos and then got back up to pace. After riding the other side of the park I was happy with the 20 something miles I had and was about to head out. Got out to the car and low and behold who's car is sitting next to mine? My ole buddy Chris! After debating whether or not I would have to time to get in a few more miles with him I gave him a call then meet him for a little overtime. Glad to see your wrist has finally healed and you are back on the bike, bud!

The BUSS now has about 50 miles roughly on it this weekend and is running strong. No signs that it looks chain hungry which is good news for me because in case you have not been around me in the last couple of days and possibly haven't heard me say it, I HEART SS-ing!

Hit up the Riverside before heading into work two days back. Had a good ride despite my legs feeling like hardening concrete. I took the oppurtunity to try a couple different flavors of Carb-boom gels. I have to admit I have yet to come across one of their flavors which tasted poorly. Favorites have to be Apple Cinnamon and Banana Peach (or is it Peach Banana). Anyone who can guess the flavor on my knee will win something special. (Hint: The prize will be something very similar to nothing at all)

Last night I debated with myself: Hit up Riverside again or Work on the BUSS? Working on the BUSS won out and although I have not touched the bearings in the rear hub ( this weekend though) I did get a new chain on it. Using an 8 speed chain I think the straightening job I did on the crank is going to work. Going to take it out for a spin later this afternoon. Crossing my fingers in hopes he stops eating chains like I do mom's cookies.