My First MTN Bike Race

Well. I finally raced the bike. I've been riding for over 15 years, mostly solo. This year, I started to ride for Rochester Bike Shop; a local Rochester bike shop with a bunch of good people working and riding there.

I planned to do a bunch of races this summer, but with the rainy spring, the leg issues, and running races that I was already signed-up for, the bike racing has been less than expected.

I do have a few races this summer planned, though. And, the first race was the Stony Creek XC Marathon. This was a long race for my first one; even signed up as a beginner, I was racing over 30 miles of single track. I wasn't too worried, since Stony in on my home turf and my AS-R was performing nicely.


I must say that I was going into this race with a lot of questions and a few expectations; most questions I found answers to and some of my expectations were less than I had hoped for.

Since I've done more than a few running races but no MTN Bike races, I only had the running to go off of. But, I did learn some important lessons; 1. no aid stations on the route, you're on your own for everything, 2. get to the race early, the organization is a bit lacking, and 3. be prepared to be aggressive on the single-track, people won't let you pass until they don't have a choice anymore.

I also noticed that, because of the difference in starting and finishing times between the beginner, sport, and expert riders, the hanging out with other riders is limited, to say the least.

The race itself was a tough one. The directors did a great job making sure the route was up hill the entire time (or, at least it felt that way). It was all trails, and mostly single track. We started at Westbranch and a steep climb into the trail system, a drop into some single track and a long climb of single track followed by a great decent that worked its way to the double tracks following the parameter of the park. We followed this straight into the Pines.

It wasn't too wet, but still had its share of muck and mud. I love riding the Pines because it really does offer a great fast tech. area; one where you can go all-out the entire way, pop out the end, and then say to yourself "lets do it again". But I didn't say it during the race - I knew I had two more loops to go.

After the Pines, we hit the parameter two-track around to the right and took it straight through the middle of the park into the mouth of the Serpent - switchbacks all the way up to the Roller Coaster for a drop in and a great ride all the way through until hitting the two-tracks once again for a quick ride around the parameter loop towards the main trail head.

Just about a 1/4 mile away from the head, we took a sharp right, into some more single-track; hitting the main trail. We followed this for a bit before taking a right toward the double hill - one of the biggest climbs in the park. And, at the top turning left and left again onto yet again more single tracks towards the starting line.

At this point, you are able to see the tents and the spectators and the start line - the beginning of the second loop, and eventually the third. But no, first there's a bit more to do. Just to add a bit of fatigue to the race, they send you past the start on the single-track, into the woods once again, up and around into a big mud field before doing a one-eighty and heading to the finish of the first loop - 13.2 miles later.

Then onto the second loop... ..and then a third, just for fun.

Three loops were for the Beginners. The Sport class had four, and the Experts had 6 loops to complete. It was a challenge, but well worth it. I ended up placing third (by only 10 seconds) in my group and a podium position (which I didn't know about at the time) for my very first mountain bike race.

Time for a banana.

Flirt With Dirt Trail Race Rocks

O.K. If you were ever thinking about trying out trail running and you live in the Michigan area, this is the race to do. It's got everything you need to get addicted to the trails.

I should say that I do love running trails - more than any other choice out there. The trail run should be included in every Training Sheet, every weekly schedule, and every muddy day. The trail is a blast to run - it offers different flora and fauna on every run, beautiful scenery, squirrels and other wildlife, and smells you'll only experience in the woods. Not only that, it is a great workout - you get a hill session while working all of your stabilizer muscles....I drifted.

Back to the Flirt; it is a great race. This was my second time running it and loved it both times. Last year, it rained the days before the race and so the trail was filled with mud and puddles throughout. It made for a slower, challenging race. This year, besides the bit of rain on race day, the trail was for the most part, dry. The race times were fast. Two years, two different races, even though they followed the same route.

But the reasons I would suggest this race over others is that if offers just the right everything for the person who would like to try a trail race.

First, this race offers two distances that are good for trying out trails; a 5K and a 10K - both of which are not too long. But if you wanted to do the distance, the race directors set up the times so you could run the 5K first and still make it back in time to run the 10K, making it a 15K day.

Second, this race is easy to get to for anyone in Southern Michigan; just 10 minutes north of I-96 in Novi. And, once you get there, the parking is ample for everyone.

Next, the trail is great. It offers good views, good single track, good passing areas, and nice hills (especially the last one). And, Running Fit sets up the race with a limited amount of entries so the run isn't too congested for the trail - as long as you know your pace, you'll be able to move it.

And last of all, Running Fit does a great job at promoting and organizing the race; they got their stuff together. I've run several races by them - the Flirts, Martian, Bayshore (sponsored), and the Trail Half - and have been more than impressed by how they handle each event.

I'll definitely be doing this one again.

P.S. If you can't wait for next year, Running Fit has "Run Woodstock" coming up this September - a weekend full of "Peace, Love, and Running".

My First 60 Miler

Yes. I finally hit over 60 miles in one ride.

Bayshore Marathon

Well. I need to write about the Bayshore Marathon while it’s still fresh in my memory.

It was challenging, it was long, it was 26.2 miles at race pace, and I was hot and tired at the end. And, it was a great race.

I thought I would just write about the race itself - for the people who have run it, they will relate. And, for the people thinking about running it, they might get some insight. Bayshore really puts on a awesome experience from start to finish.

I do have only nice things to say about the race (and here I need to say that I'm not the only one; everyone that I talked to before hand said that the race was one of the best). My wife and I signed up early because we had heard that if fills up pretty quick (and it did). If you're thinking about running it, don't wait. The pre-race information was abundant and correct, and the race directors sent out emails throughout the year, keeping us up to date - very cool. The packet pickup location was easy to find and easy to navigate (but no real expo to speak of), the tech shirts were cool (I've been wearing mine for 16 days straight now) and they even gave everyone a pair of "Bayshore Marathon" socks (I had to take mine off after 10 days).

The race course is on the East side of the Grand Traverse Bay peninsula, with awesome views of the East Bay for the majority of the time. It is an out and back on the same road for the full, and a drop off at the half way point for the half-marathon, so we were able to see the halfers and the full marathon elites running toward the finish line on our way out - very cool, especially if you know people in the half and want to get some high-fives. The start is pretty packed but by mile 2, everyone is spread out enough to find their own pace. The run is quite flat and fast with people cheering you on at every turn. But, the finish line is the keenest part of the course; the marathon ends on NWU's track. You have to finish the race by completing 3/4 of the track loop with people crowded on both sides watching, crossing the finish line directly in front of the bleachers - very cool.

Now, I've only done one other marathon, so forgive me if this is common (it wasn't so at the Detroit Marathon). The Bayshore had water stations every 1.5 miles - very, very cool. They offered both water and Gatorade, with GU at several stations. The volunteers did a fantastic job of making you aware of what they were holding, and when GU was going to be available. I even passed a kid handing out GU but he wasn't quick enough to hand it to me without my stopping, so I kept going without it. Ten seconds later he was running by my side handing me a packet - I'm gonna buy that kid a beer when he's old enough.

And, after the race, if you want to soak your legs in some COLD water, well there's the Bay. Yes, a whole Bay of really, really cold water for all those achy legs. And, after your shower and nap, the RunningFit store downtown plasters the windows and walls of the shop with photos of runners from the race - if you find yours, you just grab it and run. We headed into town afterwards to one of the good restaurants, got a burger and a beer, and counted people wearing finisher medals and smiles.

Bayshore was a good race. Oh, yea, I almost forgot. They had Coldstone icecream at the finish!!!!!!!!!!! That in itself was worth the distance.