EX2 - 6 Hours of Cranky Monkey

3 Hrs Solo

by Brad Walker

First a big thanks to Flying Dog and our sponsors. Next a thanks to Ex2 adventurers for not disappointing for a great start to the season. I have never ridden at Rosaryville and I will definitely have to make the trip back down for the next 6 Hours of Cranky Monkey. So let’s see, this winter has been cold, wet, and way too long so not much time for training but the miles that were put in early are paying off as I can tell that I will be at peak racing shape earlier than last year. It is so hard to go into a race and tell yourself that it is a month early and you won’t be in the best shape so take it easy and enjoy yourself. This is of course not the way my brain thinks so every ride is a race and every race is as if it’s for the yellow jersey. Well the race directors have the 3 hour solo racers line up for the prologue of about a mile before hitting the single-track of what will be an 11 mile loop repeated as many times in 3 hours. Most races are started by classes but for some reason they started the entire 3 hour solo class together, beginners, sport, and experts. This is pretty hard as you never really totally know who you are racing. Racing bikes is a lot more than just riding a bike, there is a lot of strategy to racing mountain bikes, especially as you move up in class and become the top percent of the class you race in. Once in the top tier you will find that the times are very close and it becomes a chess match. One wrong move and you can go from leading to falling out of contention fast. So not knowing who you are racing is difficult as you can find yourself chasing someone who isn’t even a threat to your podium spot. So the race starts and I find myself in the top 5 or so riders after the first mile and heading into the single track. Around mile 3 the field starts to span out and I find myself by myself and trying to keep a consistent pace for what I would expect 3 hours racing would be for the sport class. I was assuming that times under an hour were going to be very close to being the time needed to be in contention for a spot on the box. I assumed after mile 8 that the 4 or 5 riders in front were experts and I should start pacing as the lead sport racer and race my race. The first lap comes and goes in a flash, legs are warmed up, it’s not too cold out anymore and I’m feeling great. At the end of each lap we are told to dismount and walk/jog through the timing tent, this is a little odd to me as I’m not racing as part of a team but as a solo rider, dismounting takes time and allows the chasers to catch up a little more. Regardless I dismount, jog through and I’m back on the saddle racing through the pit areas. At this time it’s not hot out and I’m not really paying attention to hydrating correctly. As a rule of thumb, I’ve always tried to drink a bottle every hour, and even more if it’s hot or I’m riding really aggressively. So I head into the single track and I can tell there is one rider on my wheel who is in my class so I take off and try to gain some distance and keep him from bridging the gap. I’m keeping a very strong pace and feeling great and the miles go by pretty quick and before I know it I’m dismounting again with a solid minute on the guy chasing me. Heading into the 3^rd lap I’m figuring it will be the last lap of the race, I have a little less than half a bottle of water left and don’t think anything of it since it’s not hot out and I’m not thirsty really, this is the bad chess move that will prove to be the difference in a podium spot and solid finish. So about mile 4 of 11 my left leg cramps extremely bad. I’ve heard of endurance riders especially talk of hydrating and cramping, it’s never been an issue of mine as I’ve never cramped during an event, after is a different story. I’ve always guzzled water from a camel pack but I’ve switched to bottles in an effort to take some weight off my body and put it on the bike. Unfortunately grabbing a water bottle on tight twisty super fast trails is pretty tricky and I’m worrying more about riding fast than hydrating. So I try to put the leg out of my mind as its hurting but not keeping me from pedaling, I go over a log and my right leg cramps up and it was a different cramp than my left. This cramp was more like a Charlie horse and I had to dismount and stretch my leg. The chaser catches me as well as another by the time I can muster the strength to get back on and push myself to ignore the pain. I take off and ride as fast as I can and another rider catches me but I can only push as hard as the legs will go. I have plenty of gas left but when I try to push harder, the cramps come back. So I sit back and pace myself to the finish. I ended up in 6^th place which isn’t too bad but it’s bad for me since I was in contention and knowing if only I had hydrated correctly I would have a nice little glass to show for my efforts! Regardless, this is racing and it’s very strategic and takes mental strength as well as physical strength. The difference in winning and losing is very thin. Next race is the Greenbrier Challenge which is home to the Maryland State Championships and happens to be my training and home course.