Off the Front Racing

The Berryman Trail Epic race was held on a Saturday this year. They decided to combine the tour and race into one day. I think most enjoyed it better this way since we could party after the race and not bolt home to go to work the next morning.

I got up early on race day and took my own bag w/tubes and cooler to the only feed zone in the race which we would come to twice during the 55 mile race. I decided to do this for several reasons: 250 red bags all look the same on a picnic table, I wanted cold drinks in a small cooler since it was going to be warm, and I didn't want to have to get off my bike since I need a quick transition since my goal was to go after the geared women on my single speed. I placed my little cheap cooler next to a tree in the campground next to the parking lot.

The forecast was calling for rain so, I put a trash bag in my back pocket in case temps dropped w/rain. This is light weight and takes up no space. I mingled my way through the 250 racers at the start line looking for the top geared women. Scott Davis started announcing the race info. Then, 8 minutes till the start, a kind guy behind me pointed out that I had a big blister in my rear tire. Ok, this was bad. As soon as I would hit the rocky single track, this would for sure blow. I had no choice but, to push my way out of the tight crowd of anxious racers. I rode as fast as I could back to the cabin to change out the tire. I looked back and my kind husband was following me to help. I was mad at him for pulling out to help me since this would hurt him but, happy that I could change the tire out faster with his help.

Almost done putting a new tire on and then, I heard the explosion which sounded like dynamite! Race started. I started to panic since I was missing the start. I was saddened to see everyone heading up the hill but, me. My goal all the sudden changed to finishing the race instead of being competitive up with the geared women. Finally, I jumped on my bike and bolted out onto the course like a spooked horse . The first section was hilly gravel roads before getting to the single track. My legs were feeling pretty good climbing and I soon found myself weaving through the racers and catching up with the main field. I think being panicked helped a little.

Riding the single track was fun. I felt like I was back in the game. However, I was definitely pushing harder to get back in. I reached the 1st feed zone. Todd, my husband was standing there for some reason. He said all of my food, drinks, and tubes were gone-stolen. I had 2 bottles on my bike which were almost depleted and 1 bar and GU left. One of the race spectators was so kind to give me her left-over water so I poured it into my bottle. I said, "oh well...I'm going." Todd had quit the race due to his frame cracking.

So, I went from being panicked at the start of the race to pissed off. Who would steal orange filled bottles that looks and smells like crap and little Dixie cups filled with cut up bars and cliff blocks? Not as mad about the tubes since I still had 2 strapped on my bike. I still had a long race ahead of me with little water and food. So, I started looking for dropped bottles on the trail. Gross..I know. I was desperate. I saw a ton of them in the beginning of the race but, didn't find a single bottle when I needed it.

I bonked a little towards the end of the OT trail. Not sure if was going out too hard in the beginning to catch up, not drinking/eating much, or probably both. I was trying to conserve my water but, it was really warming up. Made it into the 2nd feed zone. A couple of racers who pulled out loaned me 1 more bottle with Cytomax in it to make it to the finish. Started feeling good again. I gave it everything I had left at the end. I managed to get 1st in single speed and 10th if I squeeze my time into the geared women results. I was hoping for top 6 among geared women's times but, considering everything that happened, I was happy.