Big Bear Shoot-Out, Southern California State Series #4
Sunday June 1st, I headed out to Big Bear, CA with my friend Scott Vlahos to race the 4th part of the So Cal State Series. I had entered the first two segments of the series ( Bonelli Park – 3rd place and Fontana- DNF) and I missed the 4th installment at Santa Ynez, mid May. I was looking to get back on track and hopefully fair well against the regular competitors in my class.
Scott, a fellow clyde, was already going and asked if I wanted to come along. Not wanting to drive up by myself, I took him up on his offer. I headed out to Scott’s place at 6:30 am in the morning. He lives in Riverside County , therefore Big Bear is only approximately one hour and half away. We would get there in plenty of time to register. We drove through the city of Mentone in Redlands which I would say has been the easiest way to get upto Big Bear. We hardly saw any traffic… upon arrival we went to the registration which was held in La Montana restaurant. Shortly after we finished with registration, we met up with our other friend Harry Burr. He hopped in the car and we drove up to the trailhead to see if we can scope out the course.
Harry trying to make heads or tails of the map.
At around 9:30 we geared up for our race and did last minute tuning of our bikes. In the parking lot we met up with Jim Palmer, another clyde who races in our group regularly. Our group wasn’t scheduled to start until 11:30 am, however since we were not allowed to park at the base of the mountain and only across the street from La Montana, we would have to ride UP to staging. Previous information stated 1½ miles to the top but per my computer it was actually close to 2¼ miles. This alone plus the thin air will be a toll on the body. The four of us along with many other competitors started making our way up the mountain. Once we reached staging, we were joined by three other clydes, making our group a total of 7 competitors. The race was starting at 7000 ft.
At GO we were immediately faced with a grueling 2 mile climb on the fireroad. This was a non stop ascent with no flat areas for a break. I trudged on but many passed me. Soon, other racers that started after our 11:30 am group were coming up behind me; some were the 18 yrs old and younger, steam rolling past me. This was a tough climb indeed! After the two mile mark the trail leveled off to a sweet rolling, short, descents with off camber turns. This didn’t seem to last too long then we were back to more climbs. The next few miles didn’t seem to be as steep as the first two miles but definitely tough enough. As we continued to climb, I started to lose sight of the guys in my group. Getting close to the 10 mile mark, we cut into a singletrack. This was a fast flowing, through the trees, type singletrack. I felt that I may do well in this section and hopefully will make up time. Somewhere in this section I see one of the racers that started with our group. Thinking it was one of the clydes I am competing against, I pedaled faster. Fortunately I have some skills that helped me maneuver through the singletrack and catch someone. Unfortunately he was not part of the clydes group, rather another racer (from another group that started at 11:30). Shortly after I pass him, I ran into the first water crossing. Not able to see the bottom, I wasn’t sure how deep it was therefore I dismounted off my bike and walked across the log. At the same time this was a relief after the non stop climbing. I jumped back on the saddle and got going. After the singletrack, it was more climbing on fireroads. Thus far, uneventful as I trudged up roads, in hopes to catch my fellow clydes.
Back to the race… more climbs. Knowing that this race was 17 miles long, as I reached the 15 mile mark on my computer, I knew the descents were coming soon as the race was to end near the starting point. At this point I haven’t seen any of my fellow clydes and pretty much had conceded coming in last place. From the fireroads, we were diverted onto a singletrack. Finally fun sections to breakup the boredom of climbing. With only finishing the course left on my mind, I wanted to enjoy the singletrack but get down it safely. I was exhausted, fatigued and had cramping in my legs. This is usually when the trail gets the best of you. I shot through the singletrack as fast and safely as I can. Once this section ended, I was back on the fireroad that I climbed at the start of the race. Coming down was the total opposite - as slow as I climb it earlier, I bombed down to the bottom with ease. I soon passed the starting point where I was directed to another singletrack that leads to the finish line. Many of this last section reminded me of Downieville (Nor Cal). I reached the finish line where Scott had been waiting for me. He confirmed that I came in last in my group. I was just relieved that it was over as this by far is the longest race I’ve entered. From the finish line, we rode back into town where we met up with Harry. We got our free tacos then headed home. From Scott’s Garmin 305, it recorded a total of 1856 ft of climbing…wow!
I had a good time regardless of the place I finished. However as a result from this race, I have decided not to finish the Southern California State Series which is “best 6 out of 8”. This is my third race of this series and only did well on the first one at Bonelli Park . There are four left and two of the venues are not local. Being that I am behind in points, I have to make a decision if it is worth it to keep on competing in the series. Taking the financial aspect of things, I have to bow out and shoot for next year.
Scott, a fellow clyde, was already going and asked if I wanted to come along. Not wanting to drive up by myself, I took him up on his offer. I headed out to Scott’s place at 6:30 am in the morning. He lives in Riverside County , therefore Big Bear is only approximately one hour and half away. We would get there in plenty of time to register. We drove through the city of Mentone in Redlands which I would say has been the easiest way to get upto Big Bear. We hardly saw any traffic… upon arrival we went to the registration which was held in La Montana restaurant. Shortly after we finished with registration, we met up with our other friend Harry Burr. He hopped in the car and we drove up to the trailhead to see if we can scope out the course.
Harry trying to make heads or tails of the map.
At around 9:30 we geared up for our race and did last minute tuning of our bikes. In the parking lot we met up with Jim Palmer, another clyde who races in our group regularly. Our group wasn’t scheduled to start until 11:30 am, however since we were not allowed to park at the base of the mountain and only across the street from La Montana, we would have to ride UP to staging. Previous information stated 1½ miles to the top but per my computer it was actually close to 2¼ miles. This alone plus the thin air will be a toll on the body. The four of us along with many other competitors started making our way up the mountain. Once we reached staging, we were joined by three other clydes, making our group a total of 7 competitors. The race was starting at 7000 ft.
Last minute tune up on my Intense 5.5.
Clydes - Harry Burr, Scott Vlahos, me and Jim Palmer.
At GO we were immediately faced with a grueling 2 mile climb on the fireroad. This was a non stop ascent with no flat areas for a break. I trudged on but many passed me. Soon, other racers that started after our 11:30 am group were coming up behind me; some were the 18 yrs old and younger, steam rolling past me. This was a tough climb indeed! After the two mile mark the trail leveled off to a sweet rolling, short, descents with off camber turns. This didn’t seem to last too long then we were back to more climbs. The next few miles didn’t seem to be as steep as the first two miles but definitely tough enough. As we continued to climb, I started to lose sight of the guys in my group. Getting close to the 10 mile mark, we cut into a singletrack. This was a fast flowing, through the trees, type singletrack. I felt that I may do well in this section and hopefully will make up time. Somewhere in this section I see one of the racers that started with our group. Thinking it was one of the clydes I am competing against, I pedaled faster. Fortunately I have some skills that helped me maneuver through the singletrack and catch someone. Unfortunately he was not part of the clydes group, rather another racer (from another group that started at 11:30). Shortly after I pass him, I ran into the first water crossing. Not able to see the bottom, I wasn’t sure how deep it was therefore I dismounted off my bike and walked across the log. At the same time this was a relief after the non stop climbing. I jumped back on the saddle and got going. After the singletrack, it was more climbing on fireroads. Thus far, uneventful as I trudged up roads, in hopes to catch my fellow clydes.
Starting point, continuous climbs up ahead.
P
Back to the race… more climbs. Knowing that this race was 17 miles long, as I reached the 15 mile mark on my computer, I knew the descents were coming soon as the race was to end near the starting point. At this point I haven’t seen any of my fellow clydes and pretty much had conceded coming in last place. From the fireroads, we were diverted onto a singletrack. Finally fun sections to breakup the boredom of climbing. With only finishing the course left on my mind, I wanted to enjoy the singletrack but get down it safely. I was exhausted, fatigued and had cramping in my legs. This is usually when the trail gets the best of you. I shot through the singletrack as fast and safely as I can. Once this section ended, I was back on the fireroad that I climbed at the start of the race. Coming down was the total opposite - as slow as I climb it earlier, I bombed down to the bottom with ease. I soon passed the starting point where I was directed to another singletrack that leads to the finish line. Many of this last section reminded me of Downieville (Nor Cal). I reached the finish line where Scott had been waiting for me. He confirmed that I came in last in my group. I was just relieved that it was over as this by far is the longest race I’ve entered. From the finish line, we rode back into town where we met up with Harry. We got our free tacos then headed home. From Scott’s Garmin 305, it recorded a total of 1856 ft of climbing…wow!
I had a good time regardless of the place I finished. However as a result from this race, I have decided not to finish the Southern California State Series which is “best 6 out of 8”. This is my third race of this series and only did well on the first one at Bonelli Park . There are four left and two of the venues are not local. Being that I am behind in points, I have to make a decision if it is worth it to keep on competing in the series. Taking the financial aspect of things, I have to bow out and shoot for next year.
