Mountain-Bike race 2:30:00 [4] 34.0 mi (13.6 mph) +300m
Pickett's Charge, MTB race in Bend, Oregon. An interesting experience... the course was 34 miles long with two loops, each 15 miles. The special thing about it was that the whole 15-mile loop was one singletrail!!! The trails were specifically built for bikers and hence were turning and bending like crazy, sometimes over 180 degree curves. Only the first and last 2 miles were on forest roads. That meant that it was hardly possible to pass anyone during the loop unless one asked for it. The start was fast as expected and I could hardly see the road because of the dust. Hit the single trail loop in the last third of the pack but the pace on the trail was then just fine for me. Had to conecentrate all the time and therefore could only drink about 0.5l during the whole race... even the feed/beverage station was on a singletrack. I actually had enough after one loop, not physically but mentally, but had to do another loop. But often alone on the second one and didn't push that much. Even missed a junction towards the end and lost another 2 minutes or so. Ended up in the last third of the table in the Pro/Expert field, not really satisfying but I enjoyed the trails. Btw, the MTB Action Magazin recently nominated Bend as the best MTB spot in the U.S.(ahead of Moab!), and I can confirm that the trails are really, really good. Maybe just not for a race ;).
Mountain-Bike 1:10:00 [2] 17.0 mi (14.6 mph)
Riding the bike back from Medford Airport (where I dropped the rental car) back to Ashland. Was completely dark but fortunately found the bike track.