East Side Epic

Last week I had mentioned the east side epic, the 1st race in the Leadville winter mountain bike series. Well it was Badass and truly epic. The course was perfect the night before the race, two groomers had the course absolutely perfect. Then more snow came, we had 10" of new snow by race time with blizzard like conditions. Around 12 degrees, dumping snow and the wind was howling. Did a little abbreviation of the course, so all in all it was now 11 miles.
The start was a nice mellow snow packed road, nice and quick until we got to the first groomed section. I was unable to ride the 10" of fresh over the groomers so the slog began, picking off several riders who aren't as down with the hike a bike. A mile and a half of this and then it headed down, super plush with snow blowing everywhere. A quick spin on the snow packed road and a tough but cleanable section over to 5th street. The climb up 5th was nice and steep and allowed me to pass a few others.
A quick push up and then one of the most amazing descents I have ever had. Hard groomed surface underneath with over a foot, by this time, of the fluffiest and lightest snow, ever! As fast as you could pedal with snow blowing all over your chest with pedals in the snow with each stroke. Absolutely fabulous!!! However, it went from awesome to awful in about ten feet. At the bottom of the descent to California gulch is when it got awful. Wind was whipping with 30-40 mph winds the drifts were over 2' deep, slogfest. The wind was brutal, lower your head and slog on. It was probably -15 to -20 degrees with wind chill. Absolutely brutal. By the time we got back to the road there was 5-7" of fresh snow on the road. Came across the finish line and had a blast!
Wasn't sure about the finish and still not sure. I thought Chad was overall winner on a ss fat bike, but he must have missed a turn or something. Anyway, saw in the paper the other day that I was 1st ss, but whatever. Just to show how tough it was, it took me 1hr and 50 min to go 11 miles, kinda crazy! It was an absolutely fabulous time. Hope to see some of you for the second race.


GO RIDE!!!