Mr Big Ring Rants: June 2014

This was my third attempt the Mohican 100 MTB race. I had pulled my rectus femoris which is where the hip flexor meets the quad 10 days before the race. I had a difficult time walking for a few days after I pulled it. That's what I get for being an old man and helping the St. Basil bobcats CYO track team. There is nothing like feeling a pop in your legs and instant pain. A week of resting my leg felt ok before the start. I did not want to push too hard in the early miles only pay for it later in the race.

The start of the race had an extended road section since people were trespassing on private property in the week leading up to the race. I actually thought the new start worked out better and avoided the backup of riders at the start of the single track.

After seeing some NASCAR size pileups at the start of the race I decided lineup in the very back. Once the first climb I went at a steady pace and passed a few riders. After crashing last year 3 times on the state park section of trail I decided to take it easy. I was passed by a few riders but also managed to pass a few. I was surprised that by the end of the trail the amount of riders that suffering and they were only 25 miles into the race. After checking my ride on Strava I have determined that my biggest strength on the mountain bike is busting out the walk.

When I arrived at aid station #2 I went to grab my drop bag and was unable to find it. Lucky for me I had mixed several bag of Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem and HEED filled my Camelbak and kept going. During the Mohican Wilderness section of the race I lost my momentum in the rock and busted out the walk again. I actually caught and passed a rider in this section walking. When I arrived at aid station #3 my missing drop bag was there.

The missing drop bag

After aid station#3 there are nice long sections of gravel roads and the Holmes Country Trail. I rode with a few other riders during this section of the race. After leaving Glenmont at aid station #4 I just continued to grind out the miles. I was surprised that I was able to ride one of the longer gravel hills after mile 80.

My time of 11:35 was 9 minutes slower than last year. During the race I didn't feel like I wasted time at the aid stations but I could have made my stops more efficient. Aid station #2 and #4 I gave my bike to the mechanics to get some chain lube after I got water. That cost me a few minutes at each

stop. I also had an additional 5 miles for the race this year.