Race_Report Lumberjack 100 - MTB race [Archive]

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Dan Socie

06-22-2009, 09:39 PM

For my latest adventure I raced the Lumberjack 100 (http://lumberjack100.com/index.htm). A 100 mile mountain bike race. Which is part of the growing National Ultra Race Series (http://www.usmtb100.com/)

This is race goes down in the Manistee National Forest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_National_Forest) and it's a 25 mile loop that you get to ride 4 times. Plus it's 100% single track so no fireroads, 2 track, etc. Just lots of twisting single track. Oh yeah and about 10,000 feet of climbing over the 100 miles.

To make this more exciting and difficult I raced it single speed. Yup - 1 gear. oh wait and yeah this only my 3rd mountain bike race.

As an experienced long course athlete I felt I was at a major advantage over most of the field. (Mountain bike guy doesn't race much over 2 hours). I've learned a TON about pacing and nutrition from Ironman training and racing. I was just going to take what I know and apply it to this race.

My plan was to under-ride the first lap and make sure to eat and drink a lot during that easy riding time.

The top riders were going to throw down 1:40 laps. I planned to ride 2:10

1st loop 2:08:34

I intended to ride the 2nd loop just as slow but there was less traffic (almost none) so I knew it was going faster.

2nd loop 2:01:59

Since I was riding single speed I was walking a lot of the climbs. What I learned on the 1st loop is that if I'm walking I better be eating or drinking. There isn't much opportunity (OK none) to eat or drink with all that single track. Crashing was a high probability.

When you finish a lap you ride through the pits where you place drinks/food. Basically a transition area. The pro's had a crew that would hand them bottles. I was self supported and grabbed my stuff out of the cooler. I didn't stay long in transition. I grabbed all my food and bottles and kept moving. There is a massive climb right out of transition. Completely unrideable. Again if I'm walking I'm eating. In this case I drank a 24oz coke. At the top I put the bottle in my jersey pocket and got to work. I did this 3 times.

The 3rd lap was my low lap. Crampy legs, fatigue, worry. Crap I better fix this or my day is done. There is an aid station at the half mark. I grabbed 2 extra bottles, enduralytes, twizzlers and snickers and I was rockin' like Dokken.

3rd loop 2:15:05

On the 4th loop I just wanted to be finished. The barn might of been 25 miles away but I could smell it. I was whipped but still really motivated.

I knew I was in good position because I hadn't passed or been passed by another riding in probably 6 hours. The only time I saw anyone was in transition. There was the occasional zombie rider walking or riding at about 5 mph. But I had the forest to myself and it was awesome. I just enjoyed my time and made sure not crash so I was so tired.

4th loop 2:15:54

Final time: 8:41:30 good for 8th place in the single speed division and 30th overall (geared and pros)

Overall an incredible day. I'm completely shattered and couldn't be happier. Now I need to recover and figure out what's next.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs086.snc1/5049_1190823809365_1191463930_525533_7450221_n.jpg

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http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs086.snc1/5049_1190823889367_1191463930_525535_5451859_n.jpg

http://dansocie.com/lumberjack.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs086.snc1/5049_1190824009370_1191463930_525537_4375981_n.jpg

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Nemo

06-22-2009, 09:45 PM

Dan- you absolutely set the bar when it comes to doing "cool stuff" with your fitness! I bow to your greatness! :bowdown:

Colleen Doody

06-22-2009, 10:02 PM

Wow, that's amazing! 100 miles of singletrack is incredibly hard. Congrats!

dhalligan

06-22-2009, 10:10 PM

Did you exercise the demons of the game 7 loss on one of those 4 loops?

Sounds awesome, Dan.

What made you do it on the single speed?

We spent about the same amount of time in the saddle this weekend. :beer:

Dave

Dan Socie

06-22-2009, 10:27 PM

Did you exercise the demons of the game 7 loss on one of those 4 loops?

What made you do it on the single speed?

Red Wings are perennial winners. It's not like it was a surprise they made to the finals. They will be there next year. I rode in peace :)

Single speed racing is the ultimate in soul riding. Plus it really keeps you honest with pacing. There is a lot of joy in how simple the bike is without all the gearing. Of course I did ride a carbon bike with a front shock so I'm not a total Luddite.

Kitboo

06-23-2009, 01:04 AM

That's sooo cool, Dan! 100 miles of ALL singletrack in 8:41--you was smokin' fast.

chris malone

06-23-2009, 01:23 AM

That is cool. Sick, but cool.
:beer:

Blazer86

06-23-2009, 02:09 AM

That's super cool. I'm definitely going to do one of these some day. I'm not surprised that your IM experience paid off. Congratulations on the great result.

CoachP

06-23-2009, 03:37 AM

you win: first race report to use the word "Dokken"

Dan Socie

06-23-2009, 11:01 AM

you win: first race report to use the word "Dokken"

if only I could embed audio files. My race reports would rise to a whole new level :yelrotflmao:

ht001

06-23-2009, 12:23 PM

Nemo

06-23-2009, 01:03 PM

What's next???? ....

I'm just waiting for the announcement that Dan has decided to qualify for RAAM next year!

Beth_S

06-23-2009, 02:08 PM

Ooh! That race looks like so much fun. And, as always, I love the pics you take while riding.

sford

06-23-2009, 02:46 PM

That takes the cake for crazy rides, awesome job

Dan Socie

06-23-2009, 07:58 PM

Dan I love your reports because of the pictures! Looks like your weather was great!

Well done out there on the event super-epic-stud-man-socie! 8:41 is a wicked fast time....How shelled are your legs feeling? Hope you're recovering well...you probably already rode 60 miles on the road today for recovery. :beer:

What's next???? You've done the 200 mile road ride, now this. Hmmm.....I say you haul out here to the high country and do the Leadville 100! Yessss! One of my girlfriends did that on her SS rig last year. I told her she was nuts. So did her knees. But she's doing it again this year. What'dya say....c'mon? Or at least do the 50 miler....you know you want to....

Thanks. My legs are good but overall I'm sore and wicked tired. My back tok a beating. I did ride an easy 50 this morning to stretch things out and feel much better than yesterday. I am out for State Road Championships this weekend.

Leadville WILL be conquered. It's on the short list of Must-Do events. So is Breck-Epic (http://www.breckepic.com/) and the BC Bike Race (http://www.bcbikerace.com/)

I do RAAM if I had a sponsor. I'm more worried about cost then the miles.

Nemo

06-23-2009, 08:11 PM

I do RAAM if I had a sponsor. I'm more worried about cost then the miles.

Hmmmm, I think we need to start a bake sale!!!!