Laramie Enduro Mtn Bike

July 30th 2011
Race Report from Laramie, WY

Laramie Enduro Mtn Bike Race 111 Kilometers

This was the second time that I have competed in the Laramie Enduro mountain bike race and it won't be the last. What a phenomenal event! The race organization was great, the volunteers were unbelievable and the course was a mix of gnarly to really gnarly. Since the first time I raced in Laramie in 2007 the race has exploded to a lottery and wait list. This narrows the participants down to the 500 brave souls looking to test their physical and mental toughness on a mountain bike. The course is never flat. Constantly climbing and descending, check out the Garmin link above to see the EKG profile.

Having had so much fun racing the Silver King in Leadville and doing so well because I stayed within my means and raced my own race, I decided to do the same in Laramie. Go out strong, but even. I got a good jump on the first steep climb before several hundred of us went to single track. Placing yourself well there is key to settling into your rhythm. I felt great and my heart rate regulated and we were off. I was with a pack of 4 other racers, about 15 positions back for the first 20 miles and then shook a couple guys off and kept riding along and chatting with my new friend Kris Keller of Lafayette. We had a good pace going, rallying each other on the ups and cruising the downhills. The weather was perfect, but steadily rising temperatures tested all the athletes. I stopped at 4 of the 5 aid stations to make sure that I always had fluids and fuel. In total, I drank 7 bottles, ate 2 GU Chomps, 3 GU Roctanes and a Honey Stinger Waffle. A good amount of calories, but not too much.

My riding pace was strong but not out of my comfort zone. I knew all to well how difficult the last 25 miles of the race were going to be. Containing the two largest climbs of the day, 86 degree temperatures and very technical single track. All of those factors require solid nutrition and complete focus throughout the race day. Around mile 45, Chris couldn't hang on any more and I started to push it even harder. I was told by a volunteer that I was in 15th position as we had to carry our bikes over some makeshift stairs that protected us from 4 lines of barbed wire. One of the many obstacles other than dirt, rocks, roots, loose gravel and cattle shit. I felt good about 15th, but had a feeling I was stronger than a few gentlemen up the road. So I keep slugging away and pushing the climbing and redlining my downhills lines. I was able to pick off 5 more racers in the last 15 miles, all of whom were strong riders, but looked like they had had enough for the day.

The final descent was tremendous, a very technical downhill with multiple obstacles and rock ledges. I could not believe how much I had the throttle open, this was the fastest I was going downhill in years. After a broken pelvis injury in 2008, followed by a separate broken wrist injury in 2009-present, my downhill governor has been working overtime. It felt great to have some MOJO back and I was anxiously awaiting the Fat Tire Amber Ale at the finish line. As I made the final turn, I spotted my friend Mike Hogan just across the finish line, bent at the waste with some solid muscle cramping. He finished a very strong 9th place and I was just moments from catching him!

I am very pleased with my 10th place overall finish in 5:20:43. I took over 40 minutes off of my race time from 4 years previous. Finishing just behind top PRO mtn bikers from Team Honey Stinger, Team Trek and Team Horizon Milk. This caps off my mountain bike race year and I am excited to finish with some success and free of injury!

The most fun aspect of this event was the strong showing by Team Schneider Electric with 8 racers (Doug Andrew at 6:06, Matt Langley at 6:15, Dirk Shaw at 6:20, Will Johnson at 6:45, John Warren at 7:00, Josh Ross at 7:06 and David Deihl at 7:55), sporting the sweet team issued White & Black kits (now with thousands of brown specks of dirt and cow shit!). By far the most represented team in the field. All of our racers did great and bettered their previous years or previous race times. I also had a lot of fun catching up with two former MN training buddies from the mid 1990s, Mark Barrett (racing Leadville 100 for the 7th time this year) and Kevin Grafft. These two showed up from sea level to race in Laramie, an event that never dipped below 7600 feet and they did great. Also racing with good pals Mike Hogan of Justin's Butter and my great friend Kyle Boschen. Knowing all of these friends were on the course with me really helped the motivation and focus. Congrats to all! Stay Thirsty...