June 16th was the 8th edition of the
Funk Bottoms Gravel race. This year my oldest son who just started riding decided to do the race. I thought it was very ambitious of him to try Funk Bottoms as his first race. I was going to let him ride my mountain bike but I didn't get around to getting it fixed in time. Being the nice guy I am, he was given the opportunity to ride
stinky pink. That left me with the option of riding my single speed.
The course changes a little bit each year and this year the first 8 and last 8 miles were out and back. The route was 66.7 miles with almost 7,000 feet of climbing. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into riding single speed, since I designed the course. This years route had about 100 yards of flat and short neutral roll out before the climbing fun began.
Funk Bottoms Gravel has grown steadily over the years the race was now starting at the Lake Park in Big Prairie, OH. The 8th edition had the largest starting field yet. Thanks to
Hammer Nutrition,
Yeungling,
Kenda Tire,
Velocity,
Chamios Butt'r,
Pro Gold,
DeFeet and the many racers who purchased shirts and made donations the Funk Bottoms is a FREE race.
Photo: Potenza
After I gave the last minute instructions and course notes everyone lined up for the start. As I walked over to get my bike and put on my helmet everyone took off. Nothing like being the last person to roll out of the parking lot. I was in no hurry since I was going to try and ride with my son and help him along. That plan went out the window as soon as we hit he first climb still within view of the starting line. My gear selection for the day was a 42x20, which actually worked out better than I thought. My son and Paul got dropped on the first climb since I could not take it easy, and after all there was the bet of ice cream between us. The first few miles were rolling hills and a large group riding down the road.
Twp 508 at the start. Photo: Potenza
Photo: Potenza
The first climb that was going to be a challenge was just over 5 miles in. We made a right turn on Twp 501 and was faced with a wall. Somehow I managed to make the climb and stay with the group.
Photo: Dan
When we marked the course on Friday the county was out grading some of the roads. When we got on Twp 217 was the first time of many that I was forced to bust out the walk. The climb was short but steep, and very loose from the grading the day before. Later in the day this hill would come back to haunt me. I lost contact with the group I was riding with whilst walking and it seemed I would spend a good part of the day riding alone after that.
Around 11 miles in while on one of the few short flat sections I dropped my chain. A quick adjustment and I was back on my way.
Around mile 18 near Killbuck. Photo: Dan
Rolling into Killbuck at mile 20 I was feeling not bad and happy to have almost a third of the race done. A quick stop in the Marathon gas station to get a liter of water to top off my bottles. My fueling strategy was to use what I know works very well. I had made 3 bottles of my favorite Orange-Vanilla
Hammer Perpetuem. I had planned to take one
Hammer Endorolyte about once and hour and planned on 4-5 Hammer Gels for the race. Carrying 2 bottles on my bike and one in my jersey worked out well. The forecast called for afternoon thunderstorm's and temperatures in the mid 80's so staying hydrated was going to be a concern. Even though I knew the "secret" checkpoint was 21 miles away I didn't want to be caught without water. The 33 miles from Killbuck to Glenmont were the most scenic and difficult section of the race.
I was able to ride a good amount of the climbs while keeping the walking to a minimum. Riding single speed you have to figure out the energy wasted grinding up a hill at 2 mph versus walking at a slightly slower pace. Around mile 30 there was a racer changing a flat so I let him use my pump and it gave me a few minute break at the top of a hill. By the time the secret checkpoint arrived at mile 41 two of my bottles were empty. A quick refill of the bottles mixed with Perpetuem and I was on my way.
Secret checkpoint Photo: Nate Burkes
After leaving the checkpoint there was about a mile of pavement and easy spinning before a nice long smooth downhill. As the old adage goes "what goes down must come up" is very true at The Funk Bottoms. The nice smooth downhill was followed by a nice long grind and some more walking for short sections.
The long downhill on Twp 136 was very loose with fresh gravel and rutted. The road was fine two weeks prior when a group of us did the full route to verify the cue sheet. All the loose rock made for quite the surprise and it was a high pucker factor. After surviving that section there was another 1.5 mile climb that was mostly rideable before a long easy downhill into Glenmont. It had only been 12 miles since my bottles got filled up and only 16 miles left. I could not pass on tradition of getting the ice cold spring water in Glenmont. I had a Hammer Gel along with a bottle of cold water and was on my way in about a minute.
After leaving Glenmont was the last big climb of the day. Needless to say the walk was busted out for what hopefully would be the last time at the steep part of the climb. Once I got to the top and was riding again I joined 2 other riders and there was a group up the road. Once we caught the other group I could see that 3 of them were on single speeds. Two of the single speed guys were doing the 200K so I did the math's and I figured that I was first or second in the 100K single speed. I normally start out slow and ride the second half faster. The other 100K single speed racer looked like he was tired and I still had a little gas in the tank with less than 10 miles left in the race. I decided to try and push the pace and see how much my legs would hurt. We turned on 217 with the two way traffic of the 200K racers going out for second lap. I was going down the steep loose hill that was the first one I walked earlier in the day and hit a big rock and heard my back tire blow. After coasting to the top of the next hill I changed my flat as quick as I could. Several racers passed me whilst the flat was being changed. With 7 miles left I was hoping that the other single speed racers could be caught but it would a difficult chase. Just my luck with 2 miles left another flat on my back tire, after swapping out tubes again I was on my way. Now I was racing against the rain that was on the way. With less than a mile left it started to drizzle and I could tell a downpour was coming. I was able to finish about 10 seconds before a big downpour.
Photo: Dan
I had been using my dismount skills all day so why pass up another chance to use them. After all cross is coming.
Photo: Dan
I finished 3rd in Single Speed 12 minutes back from first place. Both first and second passed me as I was changing my first flat with 7 miles to go. Like they say in NASCAR "that's racin" My son gave a great effort but only made it 32 miles. I see Honey Hut in my future.
Thanks again to Hammer Nutrition for all the support you give me. I am proud to be a Hammer sponsored athlete.
