Today was a "training" since the season is pretty much over. I'm starting to do longer rides and races to improve my endurance. Fire on the Rim had 3 options 15, 30, 45 miles. I did the 30 miles. I didn't want to push myself to hard since its the start of base training for next season.
Didn't get much of a warm up only about 15 min. Race started out with a long climb on fire road. The pack stayed together for the first quarter mile and then people started to fall off the pace. I moved up to the front and kept the pace up dropping everyone but top 3 riders. We worked together on the fire roads and then split up on the single track. The single track was awesome. The descents where fast and technical, lots of rocks and ruts. The last 5 miles was mix of technical rock covered trail and paved road. Once again the trail was awesome. The end of the first lap we where about 45secants apart coming in at 1.19 and 1.20.
At the start of the second lap I was feeling pretty good but not looking forward to another 2200 ft of elevation gain, most of which is on the first climb. Climb started and I could see the 2 other guys one right in front of me Nick who rides for AZ DEVO and another Jason riding for Exhale bikes. I was only able to cut off a few seconds on the first parts of the climb. I was inching closer and closer the second part of the climb. We hit the descent and about 45 seconds into the descent I hear and see my rear tire get sliced on a rock. I look to check out the damages thinking shit even though that's not what i was saying. My tire had a nice 2" cut running from the side wall to the middle of the tread. Which is not fixable. I jump on my bike and continue one to see how far I can make it with a flat tire. I make it down the descent and on to paved road. I was amazed on how much traction I still had, but was still very little to a properly inflated tire offers. I continued on at a much slower pace hearing all the helpers say you got a flat and I thanking them for letting me know after I asked each one if they had a spare wheel laying around. I made it to the "flat" technical section I continued to ride what I could ride and walked/ran what I couldn't ride. Surprising still passing people that didn't have a flat. I would tell them keep it up there doing great as I think thing to my self I hope to don't eat shit in front of someone!!! After about 25 minutes I get past by a rider who was in the 0-18 category. The whole time thinking I'm about to get passed by a ton of racers in the 30 mile category. this helped to to stay motivated along with the sooner I get back the sooner this fiasco is over. The last couple miles was pretty uneventfully other than a wonderful guy who was handing out cups of beer!! Which I most definitely did not turn down at this point I needed it. I Chug it while still riding and a few minutes later I was crossing the finish line in 2nd for which I did not know at that time.
WOW what a ride. Can't wait for next years race this was a great venue and the people of Pine where great!! Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped put this event on!!!
