HellHole 2014 ~ "the year of the volunteer"

So I had just come back from a few major events and I was feeling the burn.  HellHole Gravel grind came up so quickly on the tail end of Pisgah Monster CX that I truly did not feel prepared mentally and most definitely physically.  I decided that this year, I would offer up my help as a volunteer.  Patrick mentioned that I should help out on day 2 as moto support and I agreed with my task on day 1 to start marking the course for day 2 shortly after the riders rolled out.  James Cooper, Marshall Brown and Andre Pope were coming down to stay at my house.  I also had mentioned to Garth Prosser a while back at the Pisgah Hub that he was welcome to stay at my house for the race if he chose to come down.  Surprisingly, he actually remembered and took me up on it which turned into a full house of racers for the weekend.

In wanting to feed the racers before the main event, I cooked up a massive breakfast meal, Steve Sperry style, to load up the group before their 75 mile day in the saddle.  The breakfast meal consisted of bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruit, cheese, orange juice, coffee, more bacon...the works!   Early mornings go by super quickly and before long, we were all rolling down Hwy 41 towards Witherbee and the race start.  We were greeted by a strong group of racers present and ready to tackle the great weather and nicely packed gravel roads of the Francis Marion.  There was a strong representation from Myrtle Beach and Wilmington areas with very little serious 2 day Charleston representation as I hear they didn't like the bumpiness of the gravel on their soft roadie assess(you know who I am talking to).  Although, I will mention that the MTP Velo team was well represented by Anne, Elisabeth, and surprinsgly, Chris Morrell was out there in full force comeback mode.  Alice Thomasson was even there as a followup to Pisgah Monster CX which was just awesome to witness! Jeb Brigman was representing Ride Bikes.  Greg Jone of Ride Bikes was there representing his bike shop and rode a strong race!  Always good to see bike shop owners getting out there and racing the local races.

 Garth, who is pro level, was up front and ready to race.  I was excited to actually sit back and observe this weekend as I always like to watch a good race.  I knew I had some time to kill as some of Day 2 course marking overlaps on Day 1, so I cannot modify some things until the riders are past a certain point.  With that said, I rolled out with the pack upon the start of the race and paced James Cooper for the first few miles.  He had a solid pace and was looking incredibly composed for someone who doesn't race these things often.  I worried that his pace might be a little too aggressive and that me might be holding it pegged because I was rolling alongside, so I gave him a quick few final words and let him continue on his own.  I then set myself as a crossing guard at Hwy 41 at which point Andre caught up and we both strolled a little further out and collected about a dozen or so water bottles each from racers which had been tossed in the bumpy lumpy gravel of the Hell Hole region.

 Upon returning, I immediately jumped in my truck with Andre and Marshall (who I believe had a mechanical?) and we sped off to mark the course.  Marking the course started out as fairly simple work, but upon realizing the amount of miles that 75 really is and whereabouts in the Palmetto trail markers would have to be place, the task became daunting to say the least.  4 hours in, my trio developed cabin fever and mutiny was muttered at times with plans to oust me from my own vehicle as the task was weighing heavily on all of us.  I even considered returning and finishing the task later on that evening, but playing host to a houseful of racers meant that was not an option.  I struggled to speed along and finish marking the course, but knew it was going to take at least 3 more hours.  Andre became hangry and comically volatile while Marshall , delirious from the days events, muttered incoherent musings and laughed wildly at Andre's worsening condition.

 I almost lost Andre to the Francis Marion that day as he refused to get back in the truck at one point, but after we all realized we had to finish the job at hand, we finally got things back on track and our task was completed.  Upon returning to the start/finish, we discovered that everyone had already finished, changed, and let the area for the day and our group was awaiting us at the Tattooed Moose.  We raced over there but not before stopping at the house to pickup wifey and feed the Andre, which held things over until we arrived at the Moose.  We learned that James Cooper had taken 1st place in the 1 day 75 mile event and James Turner from Wilmington was hot on his tracks to an impressive 2nd place on a unicycle!  Awesome out of area representation!  Garth had come in second and was out touring a plantation home somewhere and Alice had crushed her category as well!  Everyone was having a great day!  So after a few beers and some food at the Moose, the 1 day crowd headed back home and I went back to my home to prepare for day 2.  I still had to get breakfast prepped for the next morning as well as get my moto running, but night came quickly and the morning came quicker.

 Like the morning before, I had a decent breakfast spread laid out, but hangovers from myself and the Day 1 crowd were apparent and we dragged a bit more before heading out the door.  As everyone headed out to either go home or go race some more, I went to check on my trusty Kawasaki which had not been started in about a months time.  She was very hesitant getting started and bogged heavily for a long time.  I finally set the choke on and drove up to the Jamestown gas station and loaded up on fresh gas which had her purring normally once again.  Day 2 was a nice treat as I was able to lead out the racers and basically roll ahead and check for unforeseen obstacles.  It was an incredible vantage point to see how the strongest racers do battle.  They made it look effortless and I was very much impressed. Garth looked very much in control of the crowd and you could see him talking to the other riders at the high pace they were setting like it was not an issue.  It was cool to see certain strategies play themselves out and to notice when attacks would happen.  Overall I really learned a lot from moto pacing the group that I would not have understood if I were racing in the mix.  Hopefully someday I may be able to apply that knowledge.  Until then the race turned to Garth's favor with his only rival flatting out and never being able to catch back up, so the victory was shared and he nabbed grand champion.  I was so tired, I don't really recall the rest of the day's events except for returning home, showering up and enjoying some down time on the back porch discussing a dozen different subjects with Mr Prosser.  Overall, it was a good weekend of racing, new friendships, old friendships and lots of cool bikes.  Can't wait till next year!

Pisgah Monster CX 2014 ~ "Suffering with a view"

Once again, I found myself getting ready for one of the more scenic, fun, and enjoyable gravel races of the year.  Pisgah Monster CX, hosted by Pisgah Productions, is a gravel race up through select forest service gravel roads leading up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy.  It is a very challenging race as the climbs are steep and the gravel descents are loose and twisty.  I seem to do a little better every year and this year I was not counting on anything spectacular as I had just completed TNGA a few weeks prior.  I also did not have a bike built up for the event as my super carbon gravel bike turned out to be a flop since it could only fit 32c tires at most.
This time, it was a little different...there were others from Charleston coming along!  So cool! For a few years now, I have been making the trip up to this race by myself and it is fun when you get there as I get to see many of my Asheville and Greenville friends.  This time, though, the MTP Velo team was rolling up in full force!  Michael Bannister handled the logistics on a place to stay in Saluda and everyone was pumped to attack the gravel climbs in the beautiful Pisgah mountains.  The

 I finally settled on converting my Salsa Selma since it would be the quickest and easiest to do in the short time window.  I added 9 speed gearing and turned her into a 1x9 with Salsa Cowbell drop bars rigid with my Iron Cross Stans wheels.  I was actually very impressed with the build and am considering this setup with beefier wheels for other bikepacking excursions.  Regardless, I had a bike setup, my fitness was still in the toilet and everyone was pumped and nervous since they had never attacked the gravel in a vertical sense.  It was going to be an epic day for sure.  Not only did the MTP Velo team head up, but a few close friends of mine, Ed and Alice Thomasson had finally decided close to last minute to also commit to the race.  I was pumped!  We had a huge group and it was going to be a blast!  Race time came up quick and I found myself rolling up to the mountains with Ed and Alice. It was a nice non-eventful trip up to the house in Saluda as we made it by early evening.  Everyone scrambled to find a bed and I got stuck with Bannister ;) .   I thought he was going to be a royal pain in the pass to bunk with, but I found him to be an ideal roommate regardless of the flatulence wars that occurred.  That night we were treated to one of the most incredible meals by Mr Bannister that I have ever had the privilege to consume pre-race.  Libations were consumed lightly with anticipation that everyone would perform well the following day.  I went to bed filled to the gills with good food and lots of water to ensure optimal hydration for what was to come the next day.

 Morning came too soon and everyone was already up and scrambling around to get to the start line.  Steve Sperry had cooked up a breakfast meal fit for a king and was very much in tune with properly loading up a racer for the main event.  Alice looked very worried as this was the most difficult bike challenge she had ever attempted.  I was also worried for her as I was not sure how she would fare out there in the bowels of Pisgah.  Nonetheless, she had Ed with her and he was more than capable of guiding and supporting her as he knows how to ride smart and strong.  So off we went to the start barely awake and my belly still full from the previous nights meal.  As we entered the parking lot, we realized we were a bit early which was great news as we could use the time to ease our butterflies.  I immediately found Mike Pierce, struck up a conversation with him and found he was running sweep this year once again.  I privately pointed out Alice to him and asked him to please keep an eye out for her and to simply point her down the mountain if and when she wants to quit the race.  He told me not to worry and he would look out for them if they lagged back.  Good friends are hard to come by and Mike is one of those good friends.

Ed, Alice, Patrick, Michael, Jane, Chris, Anne,  and Elisabeth all spread themselves out throughout the starting pack and finally Eric Wever gave us the signal.  The start was a bit more abrupt than in previous years due mostly to the great weather that morning.  I chose to start upper mid pack and worked hard to find my pace early on in the race.  As we tore up 276 towards the first gravel road, the pace resembled that of a road race with lots of drafting and pace setting going on.  Upon entering the woods at 477, the front of the pack made an initial attack and I paid heavily to stay on the wheel in front of me.  I could not believe that the pace was picking up this early in the game, but my legs were fresh and the bike was fast and nimble, so I continued onwards.  The initial part of 477 is punchy steep but levels out very fast, so I worked hard through the first part and held onto the pack upon the level.  I felt as if I actually had a chance this year based on all the base miles and long rides I had experienced thus far, but a little thing called reality set in and I once again found my place in the pecking order as the pitch grew steeper and steeper.  At first, I was answering each and every attack up the steeper sections with ease, but the gearing that I had chosen was still very tall for the very long day of hectic spinning that lay before me.  Not only that, but my legs let me know that they were not used to the pace I was trying to set.  After about the 6th mile, I realized I needed to find a different wheel to follow if I was going to survive all day and my excited rally came to a massive slowdown.  It felt as if I was being pulled backwards through a vacuum as everyone I was chasing started to pull away.  Surprisingly, some very strong guys were still coming up and by me which let me know I was going out too hard.  So I set back, found a steady pace and lifted my head a bit to enjoy the scenery of the Pisgah woods.  After about 30 minutes of this, I see a familiar red head tailing a pack flying by on my left.  Anne had her head down and was very much putting in some work.  They went by me too fast to let her know that she was going out too hard...or was she?  I really didn't have  clue...was everyone just that much stronger and prepared for this race?  Should I be cutting back my pace so soon in the race?  Too many questions, but only one clear answer: my legs set this pace.  I couldn't do anything but pedal at this pace.  It hurt to go too much harder and it was too soon in my opinion to ignore the pain.  Therefore, I crept forward at my slow ass pace since my gearing was maxed out and I was feeling a bit low for a little while.  I really didn't let it get to me because I knew that this was the right plan of action at the moment.

 After a little more time, I hear Bannister come up heckling me from behind as well.  He seemed in strong spirits and very positive as he passed me.  I mentioned to him how I would love to have a few more gears to match his cadence, but he went by so quickly, I could only admire the classic Rock Lobster he was rolling for merely a few scant moments. Alone at the back of the pack again, I took a few sips of my water and trudged forward.  The gravel started to pitch steeply and I found myself concerned that I might have to get off and walk to shake out my lead legs. As I neared a massive pitch, I found Michael working on his Lobster embroiled in a chain suck war which I wanted no part of.  He mentioned he had everything under control and I pedaled onwards.  As the 7th mile approached, the pitch went flat and then downwards or some fun descending action.  This is where I excel, so I forgot about using brakes and just went for it.  I was cruising down this gravel at a pretty aggressive pace and quickly came up on Anne who looked a bit unsure of herself on the tricky rolling gravel, but thats a good thing.  Better to know your current limits than to test them here and find out the hard way.  I sped past her shouting out that I am sure I would see her again at the next climb.  I popped out onto 276 for a short road burst, only to connect to 1206/Yellow Gap road for a bit more extreme downhill klunker fun until the pitch went up again...straight up.  It was painful, but I found my legs again and my pace evened out and I was back again climbing strong and steady like back in Georgia.  I was happy to be back in this mode as I was concerned that I was going to be woefully working all day with no fun factor.  This positive state of mind kept me chugging along until I neared the Blue Ridge Pkwy, but not before Patrick Lackey came up and passed me.  I was in shock!  Was I actually ahead of Patrick?  Much to my surprise it was only a fluke because he had followed someone ahead of him off course and it had cost him a few miles backtracking.  Even so, I was surprised to be anywhere near him in this race as I had already estimated him to be 1/4 of the way across the Blue Ridge.  He sped past me mutter some crap about not having Joel beat him and motored onwards never to be seen again.  I laughed out loud and kept my self occupied with eating, hydrating, and keeping pressure on the pedals.  My gearing choice was tough and I stood up pedaled the page majority of the upper 1/4 nearing the entrance to the Blue Ridge.  The grades at this point were in the 12-15% range and it was very apparent.  I was very relieved to finally be on the Blue Ridge Pkwy and motored forward to a short while before the effort of my labors let me know just how much I had pushed it coming up that last climb.  My legs got pissed and my breathing got shallow and I had about 4 riders drafting me not wanting to help out with the pull.  I pedaled up near the Pisgah Inn and pulled off and let them go only to hear if I was ok to which I replied yes, just got tired of doing all the work which they shrugged off.  I was, in fact, not alright.  My legs were screaming, not cramping, just really heavy again.  My power level was zapped, so I popped in some caffeinated gum, downed a gel, chugged some water with a few advil in it and continued onwards after a 2 minute break.  The next 10 miles saw a ton of seasoned road riders zip by me and I had a hard time finding my legs again.  The beautiful scenery kept my mind occupied and I remembered once again why I do this race.  I love coming up here to ride, race, visit, motor along....whatever.  It is simply another world altogether.  If I had to be suffering, then this is the place to do it in.  Suffering with a view!  As 276 went by, I wondered how Ed and Alice were doing...had I made a mistake of encouraging them to partake in this event? Would they hate me for recommending it?  Worse, would they hate Pisgah?  Lots of time to think can be a double edged sword.  Regardless, I reassured myself that they knew what there were doing and if all else failed, Mike would be there somewhere to "sweep" them back to safety.  So I picked up my pace certain that somewhere ahead was a fun, fast, furious downhill and I was going to find it.  Sure enough as the pitch grew steeper, and my spirits sank a bit due to the pain in my lower back returning from turning over such a tall gear, Steve Sperry, Elisabeth's husband, drives past me and lets me know I have about a 45 minute gap on the group overall and if I needed anything.  I was about to reply that I did not need that information floating about in my overcrowded head, but I was craving a banana and a mini coke, so we made plans to connect within the next few miles.  I climbed hard and steady and finally found Steve and David Champagne( Jane West's bf) running support for the crew.  Steve was on point and really knew how to handle me forcing me to eat in front of him to know I had consumed as well as stocking me up with extra food for the remainder of the ride.  I was in good hands, and before I knew it I was rolling away from them with fresh legs and a new supply of reserve power.  I worked extra hard to reach 215 which was a few miles further up the Pkwy, and then I knew the race was almost over, the massive final descent was upon me.  I dropped in like a free rider rolling into a massive banked turn.  I opened it up and let the bike scream along.  I hit 40+ mph down this stretch and caught up to and passed many of the roadies that had crushed me on the climbs.  It felt good to be this far and this strong.  I powered through the flat sections and tucked in and enjoyed the wind on my face feeling the reality of existence and absolution which enveloped me in the thin veins of Pisgah.  As I neared the bottom of the descent, I passed the final rest stop which I now regret not stopping at.  It was the Pisgah Hub crew dressed up as mad mariachi maniacs.  They were handing out tacos and hydration.  I really missed a good stop, but was too caught up in the desire for completion and the finish line beer and burrito.  So onwards I struggled through the sandy loose packed gravel climbs leading back across to Davidson river from Indian creek.  It was messy in places, but I knew the area well and could really gauge my efforts.  In a short amount of time, I knew I was nearing the fish hatchery and opened up the throttle once again...only to sputter and cough a few miles further down the road and have it witnessed my a roadie who had been trying to catch me for the past 5 miles.  He mentioned for me to get on his wheel, but I had nothing in the tank to hang on and thanked him for the pull offer.  I dropped back down to my own speed and crawled to the finish where I then had to use my remaining bit of energy to hop the finish line barriers.  Fun stuff!  70.1 miles,  5 hours and 46 minutes and another sub six Pisgah Monster CX came to a close.  I was tired, but not defeated and downing a few burritos and beers within minutes after my finish.  Patrick had finished not too far ahead of me, but enough to reflect the amount of effort he had put in that day.

 Everyone else came in shortly after I had mostly due to my bonking near the fish hatchery, minutes accumulate quickly when one is against the wall.  Ed and Alice came in several hours after I did, but thanks to Eric and his amazing group of volunteers, I was updated regularly on their status and continued efforts to complete their own challenge.  That night we once again dined on an endless supply of pasta, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables all of this washed down by some of the finest beers we could manage to get ahold of.   It was good to be back among friends and fellow bike lunatics...

After a wonderful nights sleep in Saluda once again.  Ed, Alice, and I wandered back up to Hendersonville and over to the Waffle House since the Pisgah Hub was not yet open and Ed wanted to buy bike stuff.  We met up with Mike Pierce and devoured some greasy morning breakfast vittles.  Afterwards, we headed back over to the Pisgah Hub and embarked upon an unplanned all day drinking session at the bar inside.  We closed the place down.  Thats how much we love the Hub!  Looking forward to next year!