Isaias, dope, Humboldt, 12 hour race, hmm...
Photo of Tinker at the 12 Hours of
Humboldt borrowed from TeamBigfoot.net 12Hrs of Humboldt
Aug 28, 2004
Solo effort
9mile loop
about 1600 ft of climbing/loop
16,318 feet of climbing according to my Polar 720i watch
9 laps completed and still felt pretty good at the end.
The Intro:
Physically and mentally, my approach to this endurance race
was much more laid back than my usual stressed out race
demeanor. I suppose having done the Cascade Cream Puff 100
gave me some level of confidence that I could actually ride
for 12 hrs solo. However, my travel schedule, due to work,
left me in a position where I wasn't doing many rides
period, let alone any of significant duration. In any case,
after hearing Jason, Ambrose, and Paul O's description of
last year's race, I was dead set on doing it even if I had
to take a nap to recover in between laps.
(FAST FORWARD)
Lap 5-9: Same story different lap. Still having a blast
though and legs still feel good, although, some of the steep
climbs hurt a bit more. Unfortunately, by the time I got in
from my 9th lap, there was only 55 minutes left until the
clock hit the 12hr mark. Dang it, if I hadn't taken so many
breaks I could have easily gotten in another 2 laps. Turns
out the winners in my category did: 11, 10, 10 laps.
More to come... (someday)
David Ambrose of TWW is a sick man... a very sick man.
Ah yes. The 12 Hours of Weaverville. It took me a while to decide whether or
not to race it, but in the end I just couldn't miss a Team Bigfoot 12 hour
race. And what a race!
Erin and I left for Weaverville Friday around 6:20pm. Later than planned but
no worries. Our original intent was to camp out in Weaverville but by the
time we hit Redding I was shaking sleep from my head so we stopped and
grabbed a hotel room, deciding to finish the drive in the early morning.
Worked out well enough and Saturday we arrived at Trinity Highschool with
plenty of time to hit registration and set up our pit area. Allan and his
wife were both there as well and the morning was beautiful and sunny.
At 8am we all took off in the mass start. Solo's and 1st lap teamers taking
off up what was just a horrendous climb. Actually, it really wasn't all that
bad but seeing it right at the start of the first lap made it seem worse
then it really was. It was one of those deceiving climbs where it would
level out, dip and bend then when you get around that next bend expecting to
see the top of the climb, it only keeps going on, up and up and up. The day
started heating up early and only made things worse.
Click here for David Ambrose's 1st PLACE RACE REPORT!!!
12 Hours of (Heaven & Hell in) Humboldt
Paul Oellerich
Jul 01, 2003
Hi All, I had such a great time doing this race that I'm gonna throw out my first Race Report here. Ok, I'm also ecstatic that I actually survived soloing for 12 hours!
The weekend started out as all weekends really should... very warm summer Friday evening, bikes on the roof rack, good friend at the wheel (David A.), tunes cranked up, and heading out to a weekend full of riding!! It couldn't get much better, and I actually forgot that I've never done anything close to this and have been fairly sure that I'd end the race as just another heap of Vulture grub in the forest. Despite the usual Friday traffic stuff, the drive North went smooth until we got about 120 miles south of Eureka, when things literally got bumpy. A deer jumped out in front of a truck coming towards us and the poor thing was thrown inches in front of us, turning it into a very unpleasant speed bump at 60 Mph. After making sure it was dead, and determining there was no significant damage to the car, we continued on, noticeably less exuberant for a time, though feeling very lucky that it didn't hit the windshield or take the bikes off the top. We arrived at camp in Eureka in plenty of time for a good 5+ hours of sleep.
Up & On to the race and getting anxious! First surprise is the small # of people there; Did we arrive an hour before, or 3 hours? We piled our stuff on our little spot of grass that we'll call our pit for the next 13 hours or so. I go to register, where it becomes obvious that it's either going to start late, or many people will not be racing; One person doing registration & they ran out of punch-cards. They adapted quickly though and after a very entertaining riders meeting, we all headed down to the starting line for an 8:30 start (1/2 hour late). About 50 starters... not sure of the breakdown of solo & teams.
So, suddenly we're all off for the First Lap, with me hanging in the back still uncertain of what my pace should be. My first lap was about as schizophrenic as it could be. I found out that this was a fantastic course, with a lot of fun sections mixed in with the expected double-track. There was some slow tight single-track sections through the undergrowth... some blazing fast narrow down-hill sections with whoops, off-cambers, and other obstacles... a drop-down over roots & such section of single track... a fairly tough short technical climb... and some blurry-eyed fast fire road descents! Oh, and certainly enough double-track on & on climbs to make any self-respecting XC rider smile from ear to ear! In fact, it became obvious that even though the 1000'+ of climbing advertised might be technically correct, it was certainly bordering on deceptive advertising! :) It was agreed that there was substantially more, and I heard afterwards that one rider's altimeter put it at 1600' per lap :o So here's the dark-side of my first lap... One wrong turn (fortunately I had the right jersey for it & happen to be used to making u-turns), dropped the chain off the inside of the small ring in the middle of a climb, slid-out on an ugly gravel-filled horseshoe turn, AND got stung by a bee inside my left ear!! So, lap one ends with me thinking the trails great, but the day will be looooong...
Fortunately I settle in on lap two, feeling good and climbing strong. If fact, I find that the sound of the blood pounding through my throbbing ear is the perfect beat for climbing. Who needs a stink'n walkman? Lap 3 is good, and by lap 4 I'm feeling a huge rush, am sure I'll never need to stop, and am just having a blast riding.
So now I take my first pit to refill my water, eat, fill the hammer gel, lube the chain etc. 10 minutes or so, and I'm back on the trail... and a total mess! Lap 5 & 6 were inexplicably sucky. Just couldn't get into a groove, didn't feel strong on the climbs, and the unexpected pain in my knee started. It was this time when I started making greater use of my small ring. I also spend much of these two laps cursing the friend that I had discussed doing a two person team with, and wasn't able to ;) What can I say... I was day dreaming of handing off a baton & laying on the grass! The only saving grace was the fun sections mixed in with the climbs. Then just as suddenly, heading into lap 7 I'm on top & raging again!
Another short pit stop, and I'm on to lap 8. By now my knee is a nagging pain, and I'm tired enough to become emotionally attached to my small ring on a number of the climbs. But as the end starts to come into sight, I realize I'm going to miss riding when I stop (huh?). I time lap 9 at 1:10, and end it with only 2 hours left. Since they'll only count full laps that end before 8:30, there's no way I'm gonna get 2 more in. I take a little extra time in getting out for that last lap, knowing I've got plenty of time to do it. My only BIG mistake of the day!!
I finish the day with 10 laps, 82 miles under the tires, and 15,000+ feet of vertical. And no Vultures in sight! Yeah!! Plenty of good socializing... warmer clothes... free burgers & beer... a looong raffle (of course), and around 10:15 it's awards time. And suddenly I've got a redwood plank in the shape of a big foot with "2nd Place Solo-Sport" on it! Ok, there were only 5 of us, but it wasn't my fault there weren't more people to beat, huh? :) So now, four of us are ready to escape for some real food & beer at the Lost Coast Brewery, and I could have walked away... But, no, I HAD TO wait for an opportunity to get close to the results chart the announcer was working from and find out... And I found out that I missed 1st place by 1min/15sec! Aaaarrgh! I could've, should've, would've... I had no idea how close things were. Oh well, I'll get over it. Someday. Maybe.
I'm stoked on this race; It was more than worth the drive up... 12 hours of racing is a blast & a challenge. The course was way fun enough to stave off boredom for 12 hours and the event was as down-home as everything in Humboldt should be! Definitely look forward to doing this again next year! Good race by TeamBigFoot.
Ride On, Paul
Race Report - Bigfoot Classic #2
David Ambrose
Jul 16, 2003
Last weekend a bunch of non-cycling buddies went camping up along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt.
After checking the old calendar, it was just too convenient that the Bigfoot Classic #2 was just a short 1.5 hour drive
from there.... so of course I had to do it.
I was the only TWW'er there. In fact, I was the only person there I knew at all since my non-cycling buddies
don't usually wake until about 10am. No worries! These little grass-roots events are always full of good people and
company. Lot's of people there recognized the TWW jersey and a few remembered me from the 12 Hours of
Humboldt a few weeks previous.
Registration and getting ready was hassle free and despite the race starting 5 minutes early, there was plenty of time
to get ready after arriving. This place was totally out in the boonies... a 5 mile gravel road winding along
the ridge to Bald Mountain and the small event.
The race itself was a BLAST. The singletrack was all cut from old deer trails, swept and buffed out by Team
Bigfoot. This course was incredibly fun, and probably the most technical I've ridden this year. Skyline comes
close but I think Bigfoot Classic #2 takes the cake.
The course started out with a short fireroad climb sprint to the first singletrack.
Whoopty-whoops galore and lots of speed as it wound into the woods, hitting a sweet jump
part way through and then twisting around back into the main starting area before hitting "the climb". The climb was
pretty sick. Long and steep. I'm a weak climber so I took my time and let about 15
people of unknown categories pass on by while I conserved energy for later.
Hitting the top of the exposed fireroad climb, the course dipped back into the woods, tightly weaving in and out of
trees with lots of hairpin switch backs on loose soil. It was time to lay it on and hammer. Relying on the
technical areas and descents to get back into place I pushed it full throttle.
This course was just amazing... sharp turns everywhere, hidden whoopty-whoops and a couple surprisingly large
drops took us down into a creek and some super steep and loose descents that I just had to get back
over the wheel and ride the rut, holding on for dear life before a sharp right hand turn. Wrapping around a little bit the trail
really narrowed with a sheer drop to the left. No wonder the beginners had a detour... you really
had to be able to ride a line here. The trail took a turn back up the hill into a
long freaking hike-a-bike section where once the trail leveled out again, the bottlenecks started up a bit as
people remounted their bikes.
Dropping back onto the fireroad, it was hammering time back to the finish line to start the second lap.
Lap two, I was feeling much better. I had no idea where I was currently placed but I didn't really care - I was having
just too much fun. Around and around, then back up the big climb where I pushed it the whole way up and
slipped back onto the singletrack. By this point it was obvious that some people were hurting from the climb and I took that
advantage to push myself the rest of the way around the course.
On the final climb, I was riding with a singlespeeder just kinda relaxing and taking it easy for a few moments before
one last sprint home. There was no one else in sight.
Back at the finish there were 8 people who had come in before me and I figured I'd missed the podium. As it turns
out, 2 were Sport class Jr, 1 was a beginner (shorter course) and the rest had all dropped out of the race...
the results board was updated and there I was... at the top of the Sport Vet class with 2 minutes to spare. Oh yeah
baby. My first podium was first place. Stoked!
I am now the proud owner of a 1st place Bigfoot Classic plaque in the shape of a uhh... big foot, made from
recycled old growth redwood.
Good times!
David Ambrose |
More Domination of the
Podium at Billy Cross
TWW
showed-up with Allan, Loren, Franck, Jerry Cherra, and I. Overall,
the turnout was a little less than usual. Ken grouped all the male
sport racers into one group of 12, male experts into one group of 5,
I think (Jerry, correct me if I'm wrong).
Results:
Loren 2nd
Allan 3rd
Franck 5th
Rich 6th
Jerry 2nd
Billy Cross - Fox Cup #8
Race Report by Rich Henthorn
Pretty nice day at Lake Sonoma. High temp just shy of 90.
TWW showed-up with Allan, Loren, Franck, Jerry Cherra, and I. Overall,
the turnout was a little less than usual. Ken grouped all the male
sport
racers into one group of 12, male experts into one group of 5, I think
(Jerry, correct me if I'm wrong).
Results:
Loren 2nd
Allan 3rd
Franck 5th
Rich 6th
Jerry 2nd
Not too shabby. We also had a brush with fame in that none other than
Ned Overend won the pro-expert race, just nipping Jerry by about 10
minutes. Ned gladly signed our Specialized water bottles and posed for
a
couple photos. Too bad Allan didn't think of having Ned sign his Epic
frame. D'oh!
Updated results and standings are in Mike's hands and should be posted
soon. Loren is still top dog. I'll ask again, Loren: What size jersey
do
you wear?
-Rich
More Race Reports 
TWW Dominates the 8-Hour Race at Lake Sonoma... Again.
photo courtesy of Rocky Arroyo
Many podiums, schmack talk, name calling, hair pulling, great BBQ, fantastic course, good times with the Billy Cross folks. Did Team
ChinCrackin' meet the challenge?
Billy Cross Racing 8-Hour Team Race
Race Report by Dave McCrimmon
Hey All,
Well the turnout for this 8 hour was less than in
years past. Although they had over 20 Solo riders but
no female soloists.
The TWW Turnout was good:
- Paul Ollerich and Dave Ambrose going Solo.
- Jenny and Julie riding two person.
- Loren, Franck, Dave, and Pascal riding 4 Man.
- Allan and Rich riding two person.
- Mark Ong and a group riding 4 Man.
- Peter and Myself riding 2 Man
Lots of TWW Podiums:
Jenny and Julie - 1st
Loren, Franck, Dave, and Pascal - 2nd
Allan and Rich - 2nd
Peter and Myself - 4th
Mark Ong's Group - 5th
Paul - 8th Solo
What a fun weekend and great Medal Count!
Team ChinCrackin
Peter and I started discussing what each of us were
going to do for this race months ago. It went from
Peter not racing for the season, to us both doing it
individually, to over the last month deciding to do it
as a two man. Well I can now say that I won't do this
race solo, two man is fun and alot of work, three man
would probably be the ticket, and as a 4 man crew
there is way too much sitting around.
Sunday Morning and I go to pick up Peter. Were are
cruising along, me driving like a Grandma, and Peter
has a very worried look on his face. Then comes, aww
Dave could you pull over my front wheel is about to
fall off the car. Well the velcro strap had come off
but I reassure him that its will stay on for now.
He's not buying it but I am looking for a place to
pull off. Back on the road with wheel safely in the
car, I continue to drive when Peter mentions we could
use the fast lane. He then reminds me that he is
going first so he would like time to warm up. Whoops
just got in a zone and totally forgot that we were
racing that day.
The race starts and Peter is off. This is basically
the last time I really speak to him all day. He comes
around in the top 10 and I am off. The first lap I am
riding like crap, I must have almost gone over the
bars 4 times. I pass a few people here and there but
really just reminding myself that I will have to do
this atleast 6 more times. I come around and Peter is
off. This basically is how it continues for all the
way up to my 6th lap. During the race the other guys
tell me Peter crashed 3 times on the first lap. I was
impressed because he still turned a really fast time.
Then a few laps later they tell me he is cramping
really bad. Its really wierd finding out whats going
on with your teammate from other people, well thats
the way it goes for a two man team. Well on my 6th
lap Peter comes in and he looks to be struggling, I
offered to do back to back laps. He accepts and I am
off. I start questioning my sanity as I climb the
first hill. When I start descending the speed just
picks up and I am all smiles, this is topped off by
the photographer being on a fast DH section that I am
moving. I quickly do my cool pose, will see what it
really looks like later, and I am jamming. This lap
feels really smooth but I keep telling myself I have
to do another right afterwards. I pass the guys I
think are in 5th, finally we are back in 4th. Now I
am super motivated. I come around and Peter cheers me
on, helps me fill my water bottle, and then says if I
can get around in time he will go out for our 14th
lap. Well now its time to use the reserves. My legs
are pretty tired on the pavement climb but I have to
get around and give Peter enough of a gap on 5th
place. The photograper is in the same spot so that
motivates me. I start climbing and get near the small
hike a bike section that was rerouted around the tree
when my hamstring reminds me to drink some water. I
shift down, let Pascal (Loren's 4 man teammate) pass
and continue to climb. Upon my return Peter is all
suited up and ready to rock. He blasts out. I get
cleaned up and then head out to the course to cheer
Peter up the climb.
What a great time! 1st place did 15 laps. 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th did 14 laps. 5th did 12 laps. So we really
didn't need to go back out for our 14th, because we
still would have been in 4th but I am glad Peter did
it! Thanks Peter, way to keep me motivated.
Dave
More Race reports
8-Hour Team Race at Lake Sonoma - TWW KICKS A$$ AGAIN!!!
As usual, more "metals" to add to our collection. A great turnout, great weather (low
freakin' 80's?!!! - you've got to be kidding me), and as usual, a great time! If you didn't show up this year, put it on your cycling calendar for next year fool!
Lloyd's great photos!
Race Reports!!!
Billycross 8 Hour Race in Lake Sonoma, June 2,
2002
Funny how I was 'elected' to do the start lap. Since my training
has been somewhat lacking for the past 2 years, I wasn't too keen
on it, but what the heck. So, we line up around 10 and take off
at about 10:10. I hadn't planned on getting close to the front on
the first climb, but I found it easy to end up about 8th into the
single track.
Of course there was the slower guy right in front of me who couldn't
ride anything rough and no place to pass for quite a while. Luckily
I was right in line when we went through the little mud before the
'bridge' since I hadn't pre-ridden, I didn't even know the bridge
was there and almost missed it. After about 12 minutes of doggin
him on the creeks and singletrack he fumbled and I passed. But,
shortly after to come upon someone else in the tall grass who couldn't
cross any of the dips without dabbing. So, stuck again for a while
but then the fire road opened up and easy to pass. Then it was all
me, soon I caught up to Brenton right before the last singletrack.
He's moving good for having a long day to go. I didn't even try
to pass on the climb out and he kept a very good pace to where I
didn't want to. Stand and hammer on the last climb and I'm back
in 27 minutes. Tag your it.
So, we all are hanging around the shade waiting for our turns.
I was really looking forward to a burger, but they weren't ready
for another 2 laps. My second lap felt much faster. No one really
in the way, passing seemed easy, everyone lets you go by now. Still
nice and cool at 12:30. The course now seems very fun. Mostly singletrack,
lots of twisty, rocky, dippy stuff to have fun on. Only about .2
miles of fireroad in the whole thing. Riding in the tall grass is
a hoot. You don't know when the turns are comming. I feel like I'm
riding much better than I should be. I didn't look to closely at
the times of the next laps, but they were 26 or less, so faster
it was.
Lap 3 was the hottest at 3:00 in the afternoon. After which I had
a burger and a beer. This lubed me up for lap 4. The beer relaxed
me just enough to rail the corners. Man that was fun. Now I know
the course, so I let go as much as possible. Still hammerring on
the last lap of the day. Need to fininsh quickly enough to get Scott
back out for another lap. Turns out if Scott had finished 2 minutes
earlier there would have been enough time for yet another lap.
Well, 5 man teams make for a nice 8 hour race. Not too hot like
a few years ago. The course was fantastic. The organization was
perfect. They had lots of food and lots of beer for everyone for
free. At only $30 per entry, I don't think there is any other organized
race that even comes close to these guys. Billy Cross rules the
race promotion scene.
Side note: I ended up staying there over night on Sunday night.
I went down to the lake after the race and went for a swim. After
the long hike back, no other cars in the lot except mine. On the
window was a t-shirt and a note which said 'Last one to leave gets
a free shirt - Billy'. Man those guys are cool.
Thanks, Keith
Here are some past links
2001
2000
1999 Epic
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