Story for Barnburner 100

After 27 years of mountain biking,  I have never seen the bike computer roll past 60 miles, let alone 70,80, 90, or God forbid into triple digits.  After 35 miles, I am usually "done and dusted," and ready for a malt-based beverage.  I have the highest admiration for those that can ride these dirt centuries, but after a couple of 50 mile races, I just never counted myself among them.

The need to push into the unknown is a powerful elixir, however.  The need to chalk up a dirt century has knawed at me for 2 or 3 years, and despite my lack of long-haul experience, when previewed via keyboard and mouse, there were races that seemed doable.  One of those that caught my eye was the Flagstaff Barnburner.  An honest 100 miles, but with a relatively modest 7,400' of total elevation change and a comletely fire road based course, it seemed far more sane than most of the other races I've contemplated.  And there was a big belt buckle to be won!

I had a decent base of fitness this summer, and had suffered through the tough inaugural Carson City Off-Road 50 miler in June, but not a lot of big rides in July or August.  Sometimes you just have to say "What the heck," right Joel?

The 4 lap format of the Barnburner is a nice way to manage your race and control your nutrition and hydration.  I was able to pack a cooler full of my preferred food and drink options, and rely less on the aid stations.

How hard to go out?  That might have been the toughest question. A time of 8 hours seemed possible, but a goal of 9 hours left some room for pit stops and shall we say...pace degradation?  Lap 1 has the potential to be too quick--lots of racers around you pushing the pace, and legs are fresh.  It was my fastest lap at around 1:50, but I felt fresh and ready for more.  The course was fast, and my chosen ride, a 2016 Ibis Ripley LS, was tearing up the miles with ease.  The weather cooperated in a big way, with sunshine and 70s for the first 2 laps.  Lap 2 felt pretty good, just 5-10 minutes slower.  By lap 3, the miles were slower and lonelier, but still felt OK.  Just trying to make sure I saved some for the bell lap.  I remember Ryan Petry (the overall winner) passing me on the last third of lap 3, and I felt like I was standing still!  Before pushing out for lap 4, I felt some quad cramps coming on, so I figured I would spend some time stretching them out.  I grabbed my shoe and pulled it back into my standard stretch, and my hamstring immediately coiled into an excruciating knot!  Arghh!

Lap 4 turned out to be a little faster than the previous one--no more saving something for the next lap.  Once the last climb was in the rear view mirror, it was a pretty easy cruise into the finish.  I beat my 9 hour goal by about 35 minutes, and earned the big buckle.  Still, at 21st place in my age group, there would be no automatic qualification for Leadville.

So, if you can't be fast, better be lucky...I stuck around for a few hours and waited out the award ceremony for the superhumans.  Finally, the lottery drawing for the 40 open slots to Leadville next year.  About 30 names in, and my name was called!  It looks like the Race Across the Sky is going to be my new quest for 2017.