MTB United: November 2008

The Berryman Epic was this past weekend. This was the first year for the event. The idea of long epic type off road races is apparently growing, but I think this was the first event of this type in Missouri. I guess there are two main differences between this type of race and a 6/12 hour type race; you race for a fixed distance instead of time, and there aren't laps just a giant loop. So, no teams and no laps. Just you and 56 miles of trail to cover as quickly as possible. I really liked this format as you get to see much more trail, and it just feels bigger and more journey-like (that's the best I can do). It's one big ride instead of a bunch of mini rides where you see everybody every hour. There's more planning involved for hydration, nutrition, and mechanicals. Anyway, you probably get what I'm saying.

The race start/finish was at Bass River Resort outside of Steelville. The start was 8AM Sunday morning, so Jess and I decided that it would be stupid not to float Saturday, this bein' Missouri and all. We reserved a little cabin at Bass for Saturday night and were set for a stellar weekend. Coach K and ToddandKarenToddandKaren agreed with the plan and met us down there Saturday noonish. We shuttled the five kayaks five miles or so up the Courtois so we could just float back to Bass. What an awesome float. We saw two other boats the entire float. The water was clear and the leaves were brilliant. PB & Js and Doritos on a gravel bar, followed by a little rock skippin just can't be beat. The only thing that would have made the float better was if any of us had witnessed Matt dump his boat 100 yards from the take out. Total submersion.

That night the race promoter held a raffle. There were all kinds of goodies: 3 Redline Monocogs, a giant Park Tool set, a Niterider light system, a Garmin Edge, a Bob Trailer, a bunch of nice floor pumps, and a handful of other things. I wound up with a Park professional floor pump, Karen picked up a Park floor pump as well, Kerry got a Pedros floor pump, and Loreen nabbed a pair of stylin' glasses. There was also free beer and BBQ. After that we went back to the cabin to warm up, prep a bit for the next day, and retire.

It was nice to be staying at the start line, made for a ton of sleep. Race start was pushed to 8:30 to let the sun rise a bit. Got up, had some breakfast, prepped the support bag*, and got dressed.

*There were four support stations over the course that would have water, sports drink, and goodies. Station two and three were at the same location (Berryman Campground). When we registered we received, along with a t-shirt and pint glass, one of those red mesh river trash bags. It had your number on it. You could fill it with whatever you wanted, then the race staff transported those bags to station two/three, and brought them back after the race.

There were 92 racers at the start I believe. Some big names in the region showed up. I guess that's what happens when there's real money at stake. I lined up about mid pack. There was a few miles of gravel road to sort things about before the OT singletrack. There was even a "pace car" to lead the way out. The start was nuetral and mellow. Everyone knew there was plenty of riding to be done. Then the road turned up and the pack strung out. I'm guessing I went in to the woods around 20th or 30th. The OT singletrack is amazing. Everyone needs to ride this stuff. After the first few miles of ST I was in a group of four or five guys that were all riding similar pace. We rode that all the way to the first checkpoint, crossed the bridge over Brazil Creek that was built for the event, grabbed our zipties, and rolled through. (At each checkpoint you received a different color zip tie.) After the climb out from Brazil Creek the group thinned to three or four. Me and one other guy (I think Matt? from Wash U Cycling) pulled away from the rest of the pack, then he dropped me. Pulled in to the second support station and took my time. I fumbled around a little bit with my bag as I packed it poorly. The guys that we had dropped rolled through with just a quick water stop. I watched them go through but didn't worry about it. Back on the trail and I caught up to Todd and a couple DRJ guys. Todd was having some calf issues and was holding back. Rode with the DRJ guys for a bit and caught one of the guys from the earlier group. We rode it together back to station three. The paved climb up to Berryman Campground from Hwy 8 is a killer after 40 miles. Stopped and swapped bottles, half of a banana, a couple pretzels and off again. I was descending out of Berryman campground and a bug landed right on my lip. I instinctively spit it out but it was too late. Stung on the lip by a bee. It swelled up a bit but didn't ever get that bad. Rode a bit by myself, but I must have gotten behind on my fuel or something because I lost all power. Rode that way for thirty minutes trying to sort it out. The eventual women's winner came by on a climb so I grabbed her wheel for a while and eventually got my strength back. I passed her again just in time for the final climb back up to the finishing gravel road section. I put on my ziptie and made a left. Oops, wrong way. I'm glad one guy noticed. That could have been bad. As I went back by I saw the rider I had just passed cresting the hill. There were five miles or so of road left so I made it my goal to hold her off. I did, but not by much. Rolled in to the finish line 24of 92 with much relief. I had a great race, felt good, and no major issues. Couldn't ask for much more. Matt came over and I asked how he did. Mr. Modest gave me the Mr. Modest version. After some prying and talking I learned of what I believe is the story of the day. Matt took fourth overall ($400) / first in the singlespeed class ($150) on a rigid singlespeed , behind four super strong geared riders, one of them a pro road racer. I think he came out of the woods in third but didn't have the gear to keep up with Brad Huff the pro guy. Matt said he came by in full aero tuck like a freight train, thought he was a car coming by. I guess Huff caught the second place guy, Mike Best, but couldn't catch the winner, Chris Ploch. You may remember him as the guy who spun the fastest lap at Burnin'.

I ate a chili dog, hamburger, chips, and drank a Dr. Pepper. We waited around a bit for the awards, the guys got their cash, and we took off. Straight to El Nopal in Sullivan for some more refueling of the Mexican type. Matt sprang for the meal despite our best efforts and protests to stop him.

That was an incredible event. Very well run, especially for a first year thing. The trail was well marked, the support was great, the raffle prizes were worth quite a bit, and the prize money huge. I'll be participating next year, but will be registering ASAP as this thing will, as it should, fill up fast. Scott claims it will be even bigger and better next year. I buy it.

By the way, they do a tour on Saturday for those not interested in racing. Same route as the race, no pressure.

Results

Here's some other internet action I've come across.

http://bradhuff.missingsaddle.com/2008/10/27/bt-epic-omg/
http://stlbiking.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14265
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7266
http://atowncycling.blogspot.com/2008/10/berryman-epic.html
http://leharicotsverts.blogspot.com/2008/10/over-and-out.html
http://cyclingskip.blogspot.com/2008/10/attic-bike-wins.html
http://dwayneg.blogspot.com/2008/10/berryman-epic-08.html
http://kankles.blogspot.com/2008/10/bt-epic.html