Susitna 100 - 2018 edition

Short version 

I got 6th Place! Go me :D

Longer version

Another year another Susitna 100 in the books. See my previous versions here (2015 Su100, 2016 Su100) This was a good one for me. 

When I signed up for the race I set myself some goals. 

• Have fun
• Finish strong
• Keep moving
• 115% of winner time wise
• Race own race don't get sucked into other people's strategies.

I have been training hard for this year's event however, unlike previous years where my only training has been cycling. This year I have been going to a gym (Elite Sports Performance) to work on my core strength. I have also been riding a trainer to try and increase my power for when the trail gets soft. All of this extra training seemed to work for me as I had my best performance at this event ever.

The race

As seems to be the way with this race it started off relatively quickly. Josh (1st Place) and Tim (2nd Place) had set off at a good pace and slowly increased their gap on all who followed along.

Josh and Tim in the distance, following Tom and Nico 

Looking back before saying bye to Megan

Frosty selfie

Around 25min into the race Megan passed me and jumped up towards Nico and another rider. I didn't have that pace in me so maintained my pace and rode mostly with Tom though to check point 1, Laura Fox had caught back up along with Mike Estes. We arrived arrived at checkpoint 1 around 3 min after Megan and 9 min after the leaders.

After checkpoint 1 we get on some really straight trails through to checkpoint 2 at Flat horn.

Chasing 

Smiling

Still straight 

We all arrived at Flathorn around 10 min behind Megan and 18min behind the leaders. Tom took his bike up to the checkpoint (I didn't know you could do that) and that was the last I saw of him.

After leaving Flat Horn whilst trying to eat a burrito I almost crashed on some overflow on the lake. As I rode through the Dismal swamp Laura caught back up to me she had stopped to get water at the checkpoint. The trail was getting pretty soft as we approached the river. Once on the Su the trail was a lot firmer although bumpy. Laura and I set about trying to catch the people in front of us. We passed scary tree and the non racer in me stopped to get a photo.

Scary Tree

Selfie ;-)

As we got into 5*tent camp on the Deshka river we had caught up with Dusty Eroh. He was about to leave before we were ready however, when asked if he wanted to ride with us he said yes.

finally off the river and onto the swamps

Now the three of us started working together to try and catch those ahead/maintain our position in the race. We were sitting 6th through 9th at this point.

We rolled into Eagle Quest having passed another racer (not sure on their name) who was dealing with cramping on the river.

At Eagle Quest we were still around 9 min back on the group in front of us, another quick stop and we were off to Cow Lake.

This is us rolling out of Eagle Quest, thanks for the support Clint!

Swamp miles

Sunset is aproaching

This is fun with only 30 miles to go. 

A reroute this year took us on a trail called Stevies trail, no pictures but It was steep. We dropped onto Red shirt lake then took a right and before we knew it we popped out at Cow Lake. We were now 20min back on the group in front of us.

A little longer stop here to get water and hope that the trail to the finish was solid. We were chugging along pretty well and dealing with the mechanical issue that Laura's bike seemed to have developed. I stopped to put on my light and looked back and a guy called David Berg had caught up with me. I followed him and let him do the work until we caught up with Dusty and Laura. We rode well as a group of 4 when we came across Andy Duenow on the course who was out taking photos.

I stopped to chat with Andy and he asked where Megan and Tom were? I said "ahead of us". He said "nope, I have only seen Josh and Tim riding the course and I have been riding the course in reverse." I quickly started back after the group to tell them we were now chasing 3rd place and really we should get a move on in case the group we had been chasing caught back on. It seems that Megan, Nico and Tom took a wrong turn on the course which is really sad, but it is also part of this race.

We worked well together though the last checkpoint and carried on taking 0.5 mile pulls through the finish to maintain our pace. At mile 98 I was done and could no longer hold the wheel of the riders in front of me, I also really needed to pee. I let my fellow racers battle it out and I pushed on after a short pee break. This years edition was definitely tougher than the 2016 edition though not as bad as my first year.

All done and a little shell shocked - PC Clint

But happy I have finished 

Results vs goals

I achieved all of my goals with the exception of the 115% one. I was 116% of the winning time.

I am so stoked, even if Megan, Nico and Tom hadn't gotten lost I would still have been top 10 which is way better than I expected when I initially signed up. Go me :D

Full results should be at the following link

Holy crap 6th Place

What wilI I do differently next time?

The burritos I took were to big, though super tasty next time I will take smaller ones. My food seemed to work well. I would take more mix for the bottle though and fill it more frequently. My hydration pack worked well but I want a Wampack from Revelate Designs. It was to much of an issue to get the hose out as it is behind a couple of zips.

And finally

A huge thanks to all who put this event on, it is a blast and really well organised. I really couldn't do this type of event without the support of friends and more importantly family. Amanda once again I am eternally grateful for all that you do.

Strava file

Celebrating another successful orbit of the sun

For my birthday I once again got to go riding. This would not have been possible without the simply amazing Amanda who puts up with my cycling obsession. 

This year, I hatched a plan to ride around town at a mellow pace hitting up singletrack, multiuse and the beach if the riding was suitable. I invited a bunch of people along, some of whom are racing/riding the Susitna 100 others who just like to ride. Given this was also billed as a training ride I and some others chose to ride with some of our gear that we will have to carry on the Susitna 100. I should also add this, it was for many of the group, the day after the Frosty Bottom. See my post about that race here. 

We were 7 strong from the house then gained a few on the ride. The riding was a blast, all who had raced the Frosty Bottom were suffering from tired legs but with the warm temperatures, sunshine and smooth trails we had a blast. 

The full crew - Photo Credit Josh Chelf

We rode through Bicentennial park then made our way over to the APU singletrack. 

At the top of the unrideable hill... unless you are Josh. 

Winding our way through the APU singletrack.
- PC - Josh Chelf 

After passing through APU it was onto the singletrack sections along Chester Creek Trail. 

Before we knew it we were at Earthquake park for a beer and food break. 

Lunch stop - PC Oscar

Soon after getting going again we hit up the mandatory I'm a kid Uranus stop. 

This is funny whatever your age right?

Before long we were cruising the beach which was perfect. 

Getting artsy 

Perfect light

Andrew playing around - PC Josh Chelf

The beach was great until it wasn't.... perhaps we should have exited at the bottom of the Kincaid Hill. Oh well what's an epic ride without a little pushing. 

Yer it's kind of rideable.

New trail day  

So that is where they used to dump the cars. 

Pushing bikes is never fun, at least the view is good. - PC Josh Chelf

After pushing up the dune past the old mostly buried cars we were back on familiar trails and soon cruising a short road section before hitting up the frozen swamps between  Sand lake and Jewel Lake. 

Between the two lakes. 

 Another short road section and then it was onto Campbell Creek Trail. 

Riding Campbell Creek Trail. 

From the end of Campbell Creek trail we hit up a little more singletrack, tried to connect via swamps back to blue dot, which is currently a no go. Then it was back over to Ruth Arcand park for a little more singletrack with a view before heading home. 

Sunset with a view

We knocked out the final 1mile back to my house bringing our ride distance up to 45miles. Not a bad effort given the previous days exertion. 

Thanks to Andrew, Andy, James, Jeanette, Josh, Megan, Nico, Oscar  and Tom for joining me on the ride it meant a lot to me and I had a blast.

The cherry on top for this day though was returning home to have a home made cake. Baked by the love of my life, Amanda. Whilst getting to enjoy it with a great group of friends. 

As has been pointed out that is a lot of candles
and probably a fire hazard - PC Amanda

Our route. 

Su 100 my #2 - The fast edition race report

Due to the abysmal winter we have been having here in South Central Alaska and pretty much the rest of Alaska too, thanks El Nino.  This years Su100 course was fast, very fast.  Where as on last years course we ended up walking longer sections at the start and middle, this year there very few walking sections, I think in the whole course I may have walked maybe 1/2 a mile.

Lining up for the start

Me at the start, row 3 I think. - Photo credit Amanda Blades

From the book of faces about the above picture "Mmm? Game face, game face,did I leave the stove on face, do I have enough food face.... Oh there's Nick. Go get 'em, Tiger!" ~ Brianne Irons

The race started off fast on some well used trails out of Happy Trails Kennels (HTK). Martin Buser, owner of HTK, was unable to be there personally this year due to a tragic family situation.  He has been, and remains a huge supporter of the Su100 (happily letting hundreds of people overrun his property for days), and if you would be interested in helping his family out, everyone involved in this race would be very grateful (link to help).  Due to the low snow, the trails were a little bumpier than last year but had more ice in the make up of the trail surface and as such were even faster. 

Paceline

more pace line 

Yes thats a helicopter with someone taking photos of us.

Me and the line ahead - Photo credit Ryan Greeff

And me with the line behind me

Ryan on one of the short pushing sections

Andrew pushing one of the hills, one off all off 

me looking ahead again one off all off

Due to the fast trail conditions after 20miles of racing we were all still in big groups when we arrived at the first checkpoint at Point Mackenzie Road, we actually had to que to get into the checkpoint, I really should plan my bathroom breaks better as I stopped pre checkpoint (Lesson #1).

After leaving the checkpoint ahead of some but behind a train of people I wanted to ride with and realising I may be on my own for a while (last year it was 80miles solo) I tried to put some music on, after attempting to do this whilst riding I eventually stopped and found my MP3 player, the player decided it didn't want to work grrrrrr, frustrated at the loss of time I jumped back on the bike and set off again only to realise I was hungry so I ended up stopping again a little further up the trail to get some food which was reluctant to come out of my bag.  I really should know better and have sorted this out whilst at the checkpoint (lesson number 2 learned). 

I continued along the trail and caught up with Andrew who had leap frogged me whilst I was messing around. 

flat and fast before the turn onto the seismic line

cruising with Andrew

Realising we were riding at different paces I chose to push on and let Andrew ride his own race.

On the seismic line, onto the next people see you later Andrew.

The next two people to catch

I arrived at Flathorn checkpoint just as Marc, Christina, Stephen and Andy Pohl were leaving, I planned to try and catch them up by the finish of the race. 

Me arriving at Flathorn lake checkpoint - Photo credit Oscar Lage

I was also pleasantly surprised to see Chuck and Oscar there who came to see some of the racers, after a quick stop Oscar and Chuck joined me for the ride to the Susitna. 

Chuck and Oscar, Flathorn lake

Chuck and Oscar following me

I caught up a couple of guys going across dismal swamp and then took a comfort break before dropping onto the Su.  Here the two guys I had passed overtook me again, then before I got going again a train of 5 people passed me.  I set off onto the Su river and was very thankful I was able to ride it all rather than like last year push most all the way to Scary tree, I worked really hard to catch the groups ahead of me. 

the seven people in sight

The group of two I caught fairly easily the group of five not so much. 

I seemed to be riding around the same speed then I saw another group ahead of them.  The group picked up the pace and caught up with the other group and their pace went up from around 12mph to over 13mph. I was sure I wouldn't catch them, then some of them took a comfort break after some soft snow, I seized my chance and made it up to them and actual ended up rolling into 5* checkpoint in second position in the group.  A quick refuel for me and I left most of the group chatting and refueling.

Andy and Marc who I rode the next 20miles with

Rolly Creek trail

Willow Swamp Marc setting the pace.

Willow Swamp following Marc

Willow Swamp

Next stop was Eagle Quest where I had my groupies waiting for me, thanks Amanda, Angie and Fiona.  It really lifts my spirits to have them waiting for me, even though I only see them for a couple of minutes. You girls rock.

Fiona coming to see me - Photo Credit Amanda

Kisses for Daddy - Photo Credit Amanda

Another quick stop and I was into the final 40miles, I rode with Andy Pohl and Marc for around 4 miles then were joined by Stephen, Christina and one other.  As we turned on the Big Swamp I took a much better line than everyone and continued my pace, looking back I realised I had dropped everyone.  I continued on to Cow Lake checkpoint at a lower pace thinking I people would catch up with me. Most did, although only as I was leaving the checkpoint. 

Big swamp riding

a steady 10+ mph

Whilst riding on the Su river on my own before I caught up with Christina, Marc and Andy P at 5star tent camp I had been doing some maths and realised if I really tried I could potentially break 10 hours for the ride, I chose not to push the pace too early and see what time I arrived at Cow Lake checkpoint. Just after the Cow lake checkpoint the 100mile route joins the 50km route and the first 4ish miles of the trail tends to get pretty chewed up, its hilly, not well used and then a lot of traffic of all abilities travel through during the 50km race, I had been warned this was the case this year.  Fortunately for me the rim and tyre choice and my light body weight allow me to ride where some others can't without airing down.  I set off at a steady pace and amazingly only had to walk one hill. Between Cow Lake checkpoint and the final checkpoint I passed four people, two of whom rode with me to the finish. 

playing chase the rider

on the way back before the last checkpoint. 

From the final checkpoint I pushed the pace as much as I could to ensure I would make sub 10 hours. The two people who joined me were Gary Baumgartner and Brian Waite, although I didn't learn their names until we finished, yes I was trying that hard.

Gary thanks for the kind words, 

"Nick, thank you for the support!!! You could have finished even faster, but you stopped to give me a salt tablet when I was helplessly cramping and then pulled me and Brian into the finish. You Rock!!! You are my pick for the sportsmanship award.. Thank you.”

I really hope if the situation was reversed you or someone else would do the same for me, what goes around comes around.

Hugs from Fiona, I love this :) - Photo Credit Amanda

That was my Su 100 for 2016 - I finished in 9hours 42min and 17seconds,  which is 5hrs 44min 30seconds faster than last year, I also finished two places higher overall. 

I am super happy with that time!

Could I have improved it?

Possibly 

By getting into and through checkpoint #1 a little smoother and perhaps linking up with some people instead of riding solo for a good chunk from checkpoint 1 to 5 Star tent camp I could have potentially shaved a little time from my overall time however I may also have blown up by riding too fast too early.

My food and water strategy this year seemed to work out really well, I planned to stop as little as possible at checkpoints and only really get water from them, for the time I did I had way too much food however if conditions had been like last year I think my food would have been about right. 

Congratulations and thanks

Firstly congratulations to all the winners your times were seriously fast.  Well done Tim, Megan, Cole, Jan, Dave and Teri.

Next well done also to all who completed the event, even though the conditions were favourable you all rode, skied or ran 100miles which is outstanding!

Finally for the event side, thanks to the organisers and volunteers who make this event what it is, see you all next year.

From a personal side I don't think I can ever thank my wife enough for all that she does to help me with the riding but she does way more than she realises. 

I also wouldn't be anywhere near as comfortable as I am riding these long distances without all the rides my friends join me on, so thank you all! 

Thanks for reading all, Cheers!