Berryman Trail Epic

Erin and I created this blog a few days ago as a way to better keep in touch with family and friends scattered across the country. The plan is for both of us to contribute, so topics may vary. Think mountain bike rides and races for me, and the cutest little Pedipeds ever for Erin. I thought we would have a more official "first post" by now, maybe some sort of introduction, but neither of us has bothered to type anything up. Yeah, we're off to a great start. So here it is, post #1. It's probably fitting that it's bike related.

Sunday marked the inaugural Berryman Trail Epic mountain bike race and everything about it was better than expected. Good friends, great competition, blue skies, highs in the low 60s, a course in fantastic shape, unreal payouts and prizes... I could keep going. It really was that good. Bummer if you missed out.

Erin and Madeleine were in the DC area visiting friends, so I had a free pass and enjoyed what was probably my last guy's weekend for some time. Wes picked me up Saturday around 1:00 and we were soon on our way to Bass River Resort, host to the race's start and finish and not a long drive if you're riding with Wes. Bob had reserved a nice cabin for our group, and after unloading our gear and claiming our beds, we suited up and headed out to pedal the first and last few miles of the course. Columbia's Mike B. arrived while we were out riding and we soon headed down to the pre-race raffle. Talk about a raffle! Four (yes, four) Redline Monocog 29ers, a Garmin Edge GPS, a Niterider HID, Park Tools, Camelbacks, and too many pumps to count were handed out to the lucky few that were in attendance. I didn't score big, but I did go home with a nice CO2/flat kit. Thanks Springfield Bicycle Co.!

The rest of the guys staying with us for the night (Nathan K. from Cape, and teammates Robert and Scott) rolled in while we were enjoying the giveaways. Bikes were tuned up, beers were drank, and we called it a night.

It was a cold morning when we crawled out of our sleeping bags, but quiet. Energy-drink-addict Dwayne was driving over from home and hadn't stayed the night. And that's too bad. It would be an understatement to say De-Wayne is pumped up on race mornings.

After shivering until the 8:30 start, we were off. I did my usual and unavoidable slow start and used the first 3 miles of gravel to warm up. Normally I need about 5 miles or so to feel good, but I quickly passed the bulk of the hot-start train once we hit singletrack. I had the GORC SS guys (Bryan A., Scott P., and Matt H.) within sight not long after, but it wasn't until mile 15 that I passed Scott and Bryan. Matt was moving and it took another 5 miles to reel him in. Then he and I caught Wes and a rider from Arkansas. Catching Wes was a good thing as we rode together for miles 20-30, including all of the Courtois section of the Ozark Trail. Now I've ridden (and hiked) the Berryman more than a few times, but I've never explored any of the adjacent sections of the OT and the Courtois was a blast. The bulk of it paralleled creek beds and was smooth and fast. Steep (real steep) climbs and screaming descents made up the rest. Neither Wes nor I could believe we hadn't ridden this trail before. We'll be back for sure, hopefully with the rest of the DRJ gang.

When we reached CP #3 and the gravel, Wes took off. Matt H. had been a little behind up until this point, but quickly caught up with me on the roads. He and I beat each other up until CP #4 at mile 38. I was in and out of the checkpoint faster than he was and rode the next 18 miles constantly looking over my shoulder. Miles 40-45 were a struggle and I was hoping Matt would appear and put me out of my misery. I never saw him again, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of Wes shortly before we reached the last CP and the gravel road to the finish. I rode those 6 miles alone (Wes and his gears were long gone), but still kept thinking Matt was going to come screaming by so I didn't let up. I found out later Matt was cramping and his knee was bothering him and that's too bad. For someone that doesn't race too much, this guy can rip. He pushes monster gears, climbs like a goat, and is totally uassuming from the "hey-I'm-fast-look-at-me" standpoint. A sleeper for sure.

Not sure what my official time was (5:20something?), but good enough for 14th overall and 2nd place singlespeed. I should note I'm tempted to put an asterick behind the 2nd place SS finish. Matt K. did what's becoming too normal for this guy and rode his single-geared Stumpjumper 29er to an unbelievable 4th place overall finish, at least 40 minutes ahead of me and only minutes behind the leaders. Very humbling for me, but way to go Matt! Still, with my wrist keeping me off the bike until mid-June, this was only my 3rd ride (the others being 2 laps at the Ranch and the Burnin') on a singlespeed since last November. 5:30 was my goal and I pretty much nailed it, so I can't complain.

Big congrats to teammates Chris P. for rolling out of bed and taking 1st place overall (pocketing $1150), De-Wayne for getting lost on the most well-marked course I've ever ridden and still finishing 10th, Wes for a solid 13th, and Tommy, Scott, and Robert for their top 30ish finishes. Not bad showings considering Tom spent 10 minutes in an Ozark outhouse at CP#4 and Robert gave regular trailside how-to-fix-a-flat clinics. Also big congrats to super-nice-guy Eric S. for his 15th place finish after 2 flats and a broken chain (1st 50+ age group!), Mike B. for taking 3rd overall, and Scott P. for 3rd place in the SS class.

Mountain bike racing is fun, but it really is the pre and post-race good times that are the icing on the cake. I'm glad my good friend BLM convinced me to ditch the baggies and start wearing lycra.

And last but certainly not least, I owe a HUGE thanks to Scott and the rest of the Springfield Bike promoters for putting on what turned out to be a truly top notch event. These guys busted their ass and groomed 60 miles of old beat up trail to give us lucky few a fast, fun race that will surely develop into a (if not the) premier regional endurance event. And how can it not? They had great giveaways and massive payouts ($7500 guaranteed for next year!), loads of free food and beer, an ideal host resort, and plenty of friendly volunteers. They also had an extremely well-thought out and well-marked course. Did I mention it was fun too? Put it on your calendar for 2009. It's on mine!



A few pics from the weekend:

A loaded Element and the most expensive wheelset with purple anodized hubs in existence:

T.A. enjoying a post-race beer and happy to be out of the outhouse:

Eric S. after kickin' butt in the 50+ age group:

SS winner and happy guy Matt K.:

Hey, I just beat a pro roadie and pocketed $1150!: