Training Log Archive: bugsInTeeth

Did regular circuit, less any leg work.

Mostly easy spin at the gym.

Event: Wilderness Traverse
 

WT with Simpy and Mrs. Tiny. Very sadly, no Funderstorm, who had to sit this one out on the injured reserve list.

Simpy detailed the race well. We had a pretty solid start on the bikes. The first part of the trail we bumped around with a bunch of different teams, many of which were our close friends. Verbal jousting with wilberto, DD, and Mr. Funderstorm is always fun. Once we hit the hydro line we started having a bit more separation from the larger pack, and had a pretty decent ride to the TA. Ice cream at the TA, courtesy of DD's amazing dad. What a great family, all there cheering everyone on.

On to the trek, which I thought overall went pretty well. We missed a non-distinct trail heading for the first CP, but recovered well. But overall I thought we did quite well for most ot the trek. Simpy's nav was dialed, and Mrs. Tiny was bashing lines through the bush. We hit the drunken sailor CP and Bent's Cheese and Cracker deli (how awesome is cheese in a race). I started to bonk a bit here, so I dumped a bunch of extra gear on Simpy, who was feeling strong. We took off again, following Mrs. Tiny who was blasting through the forest.

The end was...well...then end. We spent most of the day racing along side NSAR, but after the final river crossing we both took slightly different lines. We didn't hit the trail we were looking for, but unfortunately stumbled on one that had the same bearing, and actually ran parallel to the one we sought. It got us messed up when it died in an open area, close to a lake, and shot off in about 5 different directions. Unfortunately we didn't have many options to locate ourselves so after 2 hours of trying to sort ourselves out, we called it in. Lucky for us, we then had to do a bushwhack of shame 1.5km east through some nasty vegetation, finally hitting the main road. We took that south until Funderstorm came and picked us up.

The race certainly had it's highs and lows. I think as a team we got through the bike strong. I really enjoyed that riding, as although it was longer than years past, it was completely rideable and the trail was pretty sweet for double track and hydro line. The trek was very enjoyable, and secretly I was even enjoying the swimming as a nice reprieve from the heat of the day. We raced with a ton of our friends throughout the day, which is always awesome. Mrs. Tiny was a rock, suffering through the bike and killing it on the trek. And Simpy did a great job on nav, and helped offload some of the extra weight when I let myself get behind in my nutrition. Going from our best position probably ever in WT, to a DQ was tough, but sh*t happens. We learned some lessons, had a ton of laughs, and we will go back next year feeling like we have unfinished business.

Thanks as always to g-stix, Bash, Funderstorm, Beez, and the many other awesome volunteers who made this race so awesome.

C • WT 14

Durham ride with Simpinator. Started with some single/double track, and the bike and legs felt great. Technically solid riding as well. Then we hit some roads to get that AR feel in. Passed through Uxbridge where some asshat almost ran over Simpy....and Simpy returned the favour in kind with a severe tongue lashing. Once his HR got back to zone 2, we rode back to Durham, and squeezed a little bit more in on the trails, until we decided it was time for burritos.

Over all felt great on the bike tonight, and pretty stoked about WT.