Mountain Biking needs more three-day stage races (Moab Rocks recap)
Tired of driving across the country for a two-hour race? Me too. Three-day stage races are the answer. With most one day races - even the short ones - costing close to $100, the price of a well run stage race is seeming much more affordable. While the big marquee events like Breck Epic take a lot of organising and time off of work (which is definitely worth it, by the way), a three-day race is easier to organise. And let's be clear here: I'm not talking about those "stage races" that are actually a 20 minute short track, an XC race, and a 12 minute "Super D". I'm talking about three legitimate and challenging races on real trails, in a beautiful place, and the ensuing deep and satisfying hunger that comes after racing your bike for three days in a row.
Riding: this was the first day that the trail bike felt like a real burden. The punchy climb had a huge number of accelerations in it, and I just couldn't get the bike up to speed. The undulating descent didn't really test the bike either, so although it might have been a bit more comfortable, I don't think I got proper use out of it. Knowing how capable the Spark is (the little brother to the Genius), I think I would have been very happy with an XC bike all weekend.Drinking: Low temperatures helped today, but I still got through two tall bottles of Carborocket. The fuel tank was close to empty all day, and reaching for a drink at every opportunity was all I could do to keep going.Eating: Not enough! Justin's attack on the climb threw me off a little, and I spent time chasing him instead of focusing on my own race. I got down 4 gels during the race; barely enough to get to the finish.
I finished the week in 5th overall, 10 minutes back on Geoff Kabush who took the win. I made a big mistake by being so impatient on the first day, and flatting as a result. Lesson learned. The longer the race progressed, the sillier it seemed to have been taking so many risks early on. I think that's something I need to remember in every race this season. Generally I'm really happy with the way I raced though. The pace I set on stage 2 shows that I have some top end fitness that I wasn't sure was there, and although I faded a bit, I still think my endurance is better than where it was last year. The best thing is that I still have a month or so before the next big goal of the year at the Whiskey 50.
I'll be back again to Moab Rocks - I can't imagine a better way to open the season, and the friendly vibe just makes it more appealing. It's definitely a race worth traveling to!
I finished the week in 5th overall, 10 minutes back on Geoff Kabush who took the win. I made a big mistake by being so impatient on the first day, and flatting as a result. Lesson learned. The longer the race progressed, the sillier it seemed to have been taking so many risks early on. I think that's something I need to remember in every race this season. Generally I'm really happy with the way I raced though. The pace I set on stage 2 shows that I have some top end fitness that I wasn't sure was there, and although I faded a bit, I still think my endurance is better than where it was last year. The best thing is that I still have a month or so before the next big goal of the year at the Whiskey 50.I'll be back again to Moab Rocks - I can't imagine a better way to open the season, and the friendly vibe just makes it more appealing. It's definitely a race worth traveling to!