All pictures were taken by Jamye Chrisman, thanks!
Jay P’s Fat Bike Pursuit, this race should make most people
shake in their $350 Wolvhammer boots. When I signed up I was expecting a ride
that would take 6-8hours. This year that would have been winning time.
I started to look at the weather about week before the event
and almost pooped my pants. The forecasted low for the night before was -10. I
kept checking the weather throughout the week and it kept going colder. The
only time I spent in temps below 0 was walking to my truck. Thankfully I am
gear head so I had tons of options for clothes and other systems. On top of the
cold weather, my beloved tires Jumbo Jim where showing major wear. It is not
ideal to change tires before a big event but I also wanted to have confidence
in my gear. I bit the bullet and bought new tires. Both options were a gamble
but I felt new tires were the less risky option. I know that I could keep my
hands warm to about 5 above, but if I was lucky that would be the high for the
Pursuit. The few days leading up to the Pursuit it was in the 30s so I could
not test systems. I watched video that where Jay suggested wearing a base layer,
fleece, and wind jacket, saying that he uses the same system at 0 and -20. I
thought he was nuts thinking maybe his body is better at cold temps. I chose
his system plus a thin puffy and shell jacket. I did plan to take those off
when I got warm.
The week leading up I kept thinking about different systems
for water, food, clothes, hands, feet, skin, etc. I kept asking myself at what
point is it going to be too cold? I finally came up with my goals for the
Pursuit, 1st stay safe no frostbite, 2nd learn more about
riding in cold temps, 3rd have fun, 4th don’t have expectations
on finishing but rather on staying self-sufficient.
Saturday morning. When I went outside to grab my bike it was
-20 but it didn’t feel crazy cold. I got ready put my light and Garmin on my
bike. Typically before a big ride I get nervous belly, it was not too bad. I
head over the start line, I am feeling good. A bit worried about tire pressure,
being a new tires I was not sure how long I could before the seal would go. I
went to turn on my light and Garmin both were not going to have it in the cold.
Thankfully I had an extra light not as bright as I would like. When the race started
I was warm. My core warmed up quickly and my feet were getting colder. I
stopped about ten minutes into the race to adjust layers and add toe warmers to
the top of my boots. I did not want to stop and be “that person” but I knew I
needed to stop to reach my goals. Rule #1 no sweating! I got back on a few
minutes later. Jay was correct and still crazy but for other reasons.
Once I was riding again I had to play the game of passing.
For the most part there was one track to ride in, outside of the track was mash
potatoes. I stopped about 45 minutes into the race to drink water and grab a
snack. I pulled string cheese. It was starting to freeze, I would take a bite
and let thaw. I passed my buddy Frank. I was a bit worried about him, he is
much stronger rider than me. Got to the first check point about 10:40. I was
feeling good. No reason to turn around. Downed warm water and took off. It took
me a while to realize that I was on the climb. By this point the riders had
spread out a good bit. Almost at the top by Frank passed me. Turns out he had flat
and did not realize it! Gotta love fat bikes.
The climb was breathe taking beautiful, the sky was blue
bird. It had been a while since I had seen the sun. The trees were all dressed
up in snow, they had a heavy coat of snow. I could have stopped enjoyed the sun
for an hour, knew that the day was going to long so I just kept going.
I reached the top and was feeling good. I was excited for
the downhill. Then the 4 inch wide track
went soft. I could ride for a bit then I would walk. Trying to find the balance
between pushing and riding. The riding required perfect balance, upper body and
core had to completly engaged to ride. In this section I was not keeping up
with time and thus not drinking and eating on a regular bases. I could feel
myself slowing down. I passed a sign that stated the lodge is 15 miles back
which meant I had over 20 miles to go. I wanted to cry, walking 20 miles with
bike is not what I signed up for but there was a chance that I could happen. By
mid-afternoon I calculated that I was about 5-7 miles away from the second
checkpoint which would be about 2 hours. I kept going and increased my water
and calorie intake, I started to feel better. My arms were starting to scream,
sharp pain from being so gripped. I remembered that I could lift my handle
bars. I first thought about doing that at the checkpoint then decided that I
should do it sooner. This was not ideal, taking apart my bike. As I took I was
working on my bike Jay the race director came by he looked very worried about
me. I had done the same thing trailside this summer so I felt good about it. 20
minutes later I was chilled and in a much better rider position. I was able to
warm up quickly. When Jay stopped by he said that we have about 8 miles to till
the check point. I was far off on my desistance calculation. The only thing I could
do was keep going. I was passed by a number of people including my buddy Zack while
fusing with my bike. The price of learning is time.
I still had to walk a good bit. I made the last turn towards
the checkpoint. Then the snow got even softer. At times I could ride then I
would break though the crust. I let a little more air out. I was almost out of
water. My lungs were starting to hurt, what I image an asthma attack would feel
like. I eventually came across Zack. We rode and walked together for a bit. It
was getting dark. We both talked wanting the day to be over and how much we
wanted to hit the EZ button. My lights on my handle bars were dead. I last
minute tossed in my headlamp. I kept thinking, how I could ride with my helmet
and handlamp. Not wanting to waste more time I took off my helmet and used my
handlamp. I reasoned with myself, when I was riding I was going 3-4 miles per
hour- I run faster and not seeing would be a greater risk than no helmet. Zack
pulled away once again I was alone.
I tried to open my water bottle for the last bit water at
5:30 and I could not open it. I wanted to cry. No idea how far the checkpoint.
I was so exhausted and ready to be done. Then about 5:50 I could hear a snowmobile
coming. The guy was helping with the race asked if I was ok. I responded yes. He
said that the aid station was up ahead. I almost cried for the 100th
time. I remember thinking, someone cares! Then my next thought was, come on Nan
people care I just can’t see it right now.
I pull into the checkpoint! Zack greets me saying that we
have to keep going. Then I see Bryon another friend. Bryon did not look well,
lights were on but not sure if he was home. I down a half liter of water
quickly. I was given hot chocolate. Bryon was walking around with his puffy
coat in his hands. I asked how could I help, he asked me to help him get his
coat on. The folks working the checkpoint were helping others and keeping
things warm. I eat some, drink more water I did not really stop I kept moving.
Zach says that he is going to keep moving and Bryon wants to join us. The guys
said that it would take about 2 hours to ride. I wondered how was the trail?
Does 2 hours include walking? It took me almost 2 hours to ride the same
distance fresh.
When I got back on my bike I was in Nanland (my happy
place). I was warm and recharged! I followed Bryon for bit, looking at his
green frame lights thinking Green Machine! At some point I ended up front. The
trail was firm and very pleasant. This was fun and what I wanted. Every few
minutes I would hoot and holler. I kept thinking it is about to pizza time and
no longer business time! Zach’s break had a very loud squeak. I tried not to go
so fast so I could not hear him. When we left together I knew that the safest
thing was to stay together. At times we would stop and I would give them some
of my food. When I left the checkpoint I was not sure how long I would stay in
Nanland but with the trail in great condition I stayed there! When we made the
turn to go along the powerline I stopped hooted and holler more. Again I almost
cried this time from joy!
When I crossed the finish line I gave a huge fist pump and my good friend Jamye was
there! She gave me a huge hug. I told her that our friends
were with me! We finished in 10:45 hours! A bit longer than we expected. We
were filled with many different emotions. We rode up to the lodge and Gary
(Jamye’s husband) greeted us. He gave me a great big hug. We did it! I went
inside and more friends were there. I went to take off my balaclava and my hair
was frozen to it, Frank helped to pull it off.
In the end I reached my goals: I stayed warm, I learned a lot,
mostly had fun, and somehow finished. The guys where eating when I arrived. We
talked about how challenging the day had been. I believe two years ago the
winning time was 3 hours, last year just over 4 hours, this year 6.5 hours. The
soft conditions got everyone not just me. Overall the Pursuit was a Pursuit and
not a race for me. I was the last female to finish. I am proud that I finished
and what I learned.
Looking back lessons learned.
-Riding
at -20 is not much different than riding at 0
-Long
rides in soft conditions go more upright
-The
conditions can get worse or better
-Toewarmers
in the front of boots are a great trick
-Lithium-Ion
batteries do not function in the cold
Lessons reinforced
-If
something is bothering you stop and fix do not wait till it is too late
-Do not
sweat
-Riding
with people is way better than riding alone
-There
is more in me than I think
-You
never really know what the conditions are going to be
