Since Matt was still doing the century, I hitched a ride with Matty and we hit the road a little after 7am. After a quick stop at a gas station so Matt could get his fuel for the day, we found a place to park and went to register. Since we were both running solo we just needed a spot to drop a couple of things and while we were searching for a good spot, I saw one of our TN friends, Ruthie! We chatted a minute and I asked if we could use a little of their tent space since she & Steven were both doing the 12-hour solo. Since everyone was solo, at least we wouldn't be in their way all day. I also met Tara, super nice! She & her boys were there doing support for Scott (MOAB) and she said to let her know if we needed anything b/c they'd be there all day.
This was my first 6-hour solo and I had never been to Dauset but I heard it was fairly flat with a couple of tough climbs . . . but overall, a great single-speed course. Matt told me I'd be fine 32x20 so he was nice enough to put on my Endless Kick-Ass-Cog the night before the race.
At some point in the morning I learned of the lemans start . . . nothing says fun like running up a gravel road in bike shoes! ;) I left my camelback at the tent b/c it's not comfortable to run in and it gives me a little lower back pain since I don't use it as often anymore. I realized on the first lap though that there weren't enough places for me to use just bottles if I was going to get enough fluids for the hot day so I grabbed it for lap 2!
The first lap seemed long. I felt like I could go a little faster but no one was passing and it seemed pointless to move up a spot or two in a long line of riders. Eventually, we got though some of the line but kept getting caught in the back of a non-passing group. Once we finally broke free of the last of a slower train, I was off! Unfortunately, I couldn't hang on with the guys on the downhill and I rounded a corner, got caught up in some vines that ripped my bike back and I braced for the landing after going over the bars. I survived with a scrape and a possibly tweaked ankle. The guy behind me rolled up and made sure I didn't get run over as I was getting out of the way then I jumped back in line after a few guys passed by. I can usually make up some time on the climbs and passed a few on what I'm assuming was Huff-n-Puff and the Pine Mountain Climb.
Climbing up Pine Mountain, I could hear cheering and cowbells! I rounded the corner and Norma & Johnny were up there cheering me on . . . it was AWESOME! All of the volunteers were AWESOME!
I was passing someone on the Pine Mtn climb and Johnny starts yelling "Hero". This immediately took me back a few years to high school where Coach Adcock called me "Hero" for the longest time after I hit a game-winning triple! I miss that crazy man - he was an awesome coach, teacher and mentor to sooooo many and I'm glad I had the opportunity to know him! Anyway, I think Johnny made my day at that point!
I finished lap one without any new injuries, grabbed my camelback and was off for lap 2. Laps 2, 3 and most of 4 were uneventful. I came up on the cheering section after the big climb again and rolled through without stopping again, only this time Nicki was getting back on her bike. We chatted for a second until she realized I was solo 6-hour and she more or less said "see ya"! :) I would lose her on the descents and catch sight of her on the climbs but eventually lost her for lap 4. I grabbed 1/2 a banana & a few gulps of my whole foods orange creme soda, topped off my gatorade and started lap 5. I came up on Nicki off her bike and trying to stretch to keep the cramps away & she told me to go on. I had some endurolytes but they must have fallen out of my jersey at some point so I continued on. It seems like anything worth remembering happened around that Pine Mtn climb . . . but on this climb I noticed my back wheel felt like it was coming loose. I didn't have anything on me to tighten it but Johnny said the chain was staying on and I was less than 15 minutes to the end so I continued on hoping my back wheel wouldn't roll off on the rooty trail. Luckily, I finished up lap 5 with my bike in one piece. I thought this was a true 6-hour and I knew I wouldn't have enough time for another lap towards the end of lap 5 but when I rolled across the finish line (currently in first) I was informed that the cutoff for going out on a final lap was 3:30. I should have listened during the racers meeting! I had 17 minutes and I knew Nicki wasn't too far behind me but I had already told myself I was done in lap 5. I grabbed a PB&J and finished my WF orange creme soda (delish) and waited. Then I realized I needed to tighten the bolt on my wheel, just in case. It was pretty much stripped and looked like it had tree bark in it. I got it somewhat tight . . . and waited. Nicki rolled in, had time for another lap and headed back towards the woods. I let her go. A few minutes later she's back at the finish line waiting to see if anyone else comes in so I go chat with her and tell her I'm done and off she went for her 6th and final lap to take 1st! I probably should have gone after her but I didn't. I'm sure the wheel would have stayed on if I took the multi-tool but I was mentally done when I thought it was a true 6-hour in lap 5. Next time, I'll suck it up and go until the end . . . not necessarily for the win but just to dig deep and see if I can do it!
I ended up in second place and got some great prizes, including a weekend at Mulberry Gap (we always take the camper so it'll be nice to stay in the cabins)! Nicki got the lovely 10' tall trophy (only a slight exaggeration) and I got a more manageable plaque.
Once I got home, I chowed down on some spicy hunan chicken w/ brown rice from the Asian Table, sooo yummy! I didn't make it too long after that and went to bed early and slept a little later on Sunday. My upper body was pretty sore all day . . . must have been all the roots.
I wish Matt had been there but I think I did pretty well self-supported (for the most part)! Great event & awesome people as usual and I was really excited to see Steven & Ruthie. Hopefully we can get together with the TN crew this fall/winter!
Up next, GA Single-Speed Championship replacement ride out of Mulberry Gap. Should be FUN! :)
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