Rocktober "Race" Report by Scott Seery We had a surprising showing of, count 'em, two certified Team Wrong Wayers at last weekend's Rocktoberfest at Eagle Mountain - Wes "Dust Eater" Taylor and moi. In addition, three TWW-affiliated racers were in attendance, too - Mark "Lick-the-Toad" Davidson 'n' Eve "Scallop Curry" McKay, and their pal "High Beams" Ray. Wes brought along his workmate Marvette (?). We also saw a few familiar faces from the San Mateo open space lands - Karen, Ivy, and others. TWW and affiliates scored BIG this weekend. More on this later... This event, now in its 3rd year, is promoted by Rick Sutton of Galeforce Productions, famous for Monterey's Sea Otter Classic at Laguna Seca. While the Sea Otter is known for the hard-core race venue and circus-like panoply of activities, the Rocktoberfest is best known for its technical race course, the festive, kicked-back atmosphere, and great grub, live music, and killer schwag give-away. This race, a two-day event, was held the first two years in October (get it: Rocktoberfest / Octoberfest?). The first year (1997) saw racers in 8' snow drifts and brutal camping conditions. Last year, it was about 40 degrees by race time, and began to snow/rain at the end of the day. The race was moved a month ahead this year to make for better conditions. This proved to be a smart move, as the weather was deliciously warm (hot?) and clear. The race, termed an "enduro", is run in 3 stages. Riders are sent out at 1 minute intervals in groups of 6. This is a cool way to do it because you can start and ride with your friends no matter what racing category they're in. The added advantage is not having to fight the classic flurry of elbows and legs at the start of most races. Plus the dust is not as bad at it would normally be (can you say Treeze & Breeze?) or could have been here. As it was, the dust was choking thick even with the spaced out start sequence. The first two stages are "casual" tours of select technical and swoopy single-track interspersed with sections of rocky fire road. Any who have raced the Knobular series here and remember "Grandma's Boneyard" would have had flashbacks during these two stages, as the course ran through the "yard" in one direction on the first lap, and the other on the following leg. Total lengths of the first two stages were 7 and 9 miles, respectively. You're given 90 minutes to complete each leg. Pretty easy to accomplish for the bulk of riders, but if you experience a major mechanical or have a low fitness level, this could become a major challenge to some. Between the 1st and 2nd legs of the race, and again between the 2nd and 3rd, are "special test" segments. The first special test was a timed tire change. You're given a new tube (Ritchey 26 x 2.35" - what were they thinking?), step into a chalked 8 x 8' box with bike totally intact, and are then timed replacing the tube in the front wheel. The clock is still ticking off the seconds until the tire is pumped up and on the bike in ride-away condition - QR. tight, brake cable re-attached, etc. The second test was a dirt criterium and obstacle course. Beginners and Super-Beginners had one course to negotiate, while Sports and above had another. Each course included baby head fields, log jumps, and a couple short, loose hills to sprints up. The first two legs of the enduro are not timed (unless you fail to complete each in the allotted time). The last leg, some 10.5 miles, is timed, however. The last leg is a haul-ass race. Only the Super-Beginners and above complete the last leg, and it is a tuffy. It begins with a series of roller coaster fire road sections, and then dumps you onto a graveled USFS service road. This road starts flat, goes downhill for a awhile, and then transitions into a several-mile- long climb of about 1200' or so. The road is fairly evenly graded, but is rough and choppy. It's a low back killer! At the top begins the fun part. It starts with a double-track downhill for a couple of miles, and then dumps you onto a downhill single-track - Monument Trail. This is no ordinary single-track, however. This trail is a mix of Rockville, Mr. Toad's, Lock 'em Up, Red Mailbox, and Dead Camper all mixed together. Rock fields, logs, ledges and drop-offs, loose, cobble-strewn chutes and slots, even California "slick rock" abound. It twists, and meanders, and challenges the rider every moment. This is clearly the most treacherous single-track I have ever experienced on a race course. This is broken bones territory. Dislocated shoulders are likely the daily special here. Monument seems more like a Euro downhill course than part of a XC race course. Judging by the number of DH-type bikes in the field that day, it would seem others felt the same. At the end of the race day, points are applied to each participant's times in the "special tests" and, where applicable, to the final leg. I understand that the judges then retire to the promoter's Slipstream to sacrifice a couple of free-range chickens and then, with chicken legs firmly grasped with one gloved hand, spin around like the Dervish in a clockwise rotation about a pile of broken Tommy Dorsey 78's and early (non-turbo) Corvair hubcaps. After "reading" the splatters about the interior of the trailer, the judges then apply some ancient Byzantine logarithm to each participant's points. Only 6 pints of Guinness can help one understand this process completely, and even then it's still a bit murky. But after several hours of this process, the judges re-appear from the back of the trailer, followed by a cloud of sweet, pungent smoke, with final standings clamped firmly between their teeth. While the judges are sequestered away, a schwag orgy is in full song. Whether trivia questions (e.g., How many warts on the nose of NORBA's founder?), or special contests like best tattoos, most piercings, gnarliest scar, tallest rider, shortest, etc., the schwag is dispersed far and wide. For a couple of hours. It was very, very SWEET! All the while the judges were getting in touch with their voodoo selves, and the schwag oozed sweet and gooey, dinner was served. And how! A half ton of marinated tri-tip was BBQ'd, and the microbrew flowed cold and deep. Seconds and 3rds at the trough were derigour this day, as there was just sooo much to eat! Phew! Pete would've loved it! Finally the results: TWW and affiliates all came away with medals!! 3 golds 3 bronze Wes actually won his class - old guy Beginners. His skills at those special tests must have really paid off! Heaven knows he's had enough practice changing flats! His workmate also came away with 1st place in her division, in her very first race!! I won my class (35+ Super-Beginners), even with a leg cramp on the last mile, a crash in the rocks on Monument and, bummer, a dented frame on my Moots :-( I suppose the $3 gold medal should mitigate that, eh? Mark and Eve both suffered terribly. Mark began experiencing debilitating leg cramps on the climb up on the last leg of the race, but still managed a Bronze medal in Sport Vet. Eve ran out of water on the last lap with 30 minutes to go. She arrived at the finish line looking like a Parkinson's patient, all trembly and no go. She could barely hold a cup of water she was shaking so badly, but still managed to take home a Bronze. Ray, also in his first race, came away with the Bronze medal, too. He may have had a better standing if not for the leg cramps he suffered about 5 miles from race's end. After the schwag and awards were dolled out, a live band set up and played until 10 pm. I learned that the genre of music dijour was "Surfer." Any fans of "3rd Rock" would recognize this style immediately. Cool sound, and quite a good band! Bonfires fueled both by deadwood and alcohol continued 'till the wee hours. I understand that some of the obstacles encountered on at least one of the "special test" sections was sacrificed to the fire gods Saturday night! Sunday morning brought a hearty breakfast at the lodge. All you could eat (Pete - you listening?). Later on that morning a trials competition, ala natural, began in the so-called "granite belt" a short walk away. Santa Cruz's Joey Hayes and crew set up the competition. Several international trials stars reportedly flew in especially for the event. The taped-off course(s) were all natural terrain . We're talking BIG granite boulders and rubble fields here. No cable spools or tires were anywhere to be found. Some of the Pro/Expert sections were incredible, as were the dudes and dudettes who rode them. Mark, still dealing with cramped legs and foggy head, figured, what the hey? He entered the Beginner class, and after two rounds, had only 2 dabs! His technique? A hop-hop here, a hop-hop there, and then power through like a XC course. YeeAah BaBee!! I imagine he was in the medals for that, too! All in all, quite a GREAT weekend, and an especially fun and social way to end the racing season. I'll be there again next year. Scott