Snake Creek Gap Time Trial #3

Finished the third Snake Creek Time Trial yesterday! Note; missed the second one due to work.

Summary:
Activity Type: Mountain Biking
Event Type: Race
Start: Sat, Mar 7, 2009 9:59 AM Eastern Time
Total Time: 04:14:02 (vs 05:29:40 for Snake #1)
Average Speed: 7.5 mph (vs 5.8 mph for Snake #1)
Max Speed: 40.3 mph
Distance: 31.97 mi
Elevation Gain/Loss: 5,237 ft / 4,981 ft
Min/Max Elevation: 804 ft / 1,812 ft
Heart Rate Average: 165 bpm (vs 151 bpm for Snake #1)
Heart Rate Max: 190 bpm

GPS track link:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2408209

Official website:
http://www.nwgasorba.org/the_snake.html




Camped out with some folks Friday night before the race and tried not to drink too much beer. Lots of fun people there. Scott Hodge, Matt Kicklighter, Bruce Dickman, Yazoo Brewing Race Team and some of the local folks.

Starting out Sat morning, body felt fantastic. Bike worked flawlessly. Weather was pleasant. Trail conditions where excellent. Nice and tacky with none of the muddy climbs that sapped my energy the first time!

Killed my previous time. Cut 1hr, 15min off of it. 4:14 vs 5:29.


Changes from previous Snake in January:

• Better fitness. Put in some long mountain bike rides with Polly, Roger, 198, B, T & that crew. Also was good about hitting the night rides at Big Creek during the week, CrossFit, watching TV on the rollers and running.
• Faster bike setup. Easier gear ratio for the climbs. Lighter tires. Hydrolic brakes vs mecanical disk. Suspension fork vs rigid (though I kept it locked out most the time). Lighter & smaller CamelBak. In additon to running Cytomax in my water, I took four SportLegs before starting.
  
• Better trail conditions. No muddy climbs to suffer through.

Houston Studios Photography


I did make one big mistake. Skipped filling my water bottle at the second SAG. Was feeling great and thought I had enough to finish the race with. Unfortunately, the last 1/3 is the most difficult and the sun had just burned through the fog. Ran out of water a few miles from the end and started to get some twinges in my left calf. Slowed it down a bit. Also paid dearly after finishing. Had to drink water and lay down in the shade of my Jeep for almost an hour before I felt well enough to eat.


Me, trying not to be sick but happy to have finished. Photo Mark D.