PCPP Race Report

I really wasn't sure what to expect from the Park City Point 2 Point (PCPP). I had ridden some of the course in June but not the first 20 miles, the Shadow Lake loop, or the last climb in The Canyons.

The Start - Round Valley

I was feeling good, and I was not that nervous. I really was looking forward to a great day riding some of the best single track trails around. I had a good crew lined up to help me along with my Dad, Wife, Sister, and for the first time my kids.

At the start the temperature was perfect, but I knew that would not last for long so I didn't wear any arm warmers, vest, under liner, etc. I was positioned at the front of the 8-9 hour group. When the 7-8 hour group moved up I and some others got right on the back of their group thinking this was how they would stage up. Come to find out the race organizers made the 8-9 hour group wait in the background until the 7-8 group left. So I knew I wouldn't finish in 7-8 hours but I didn't have to worry about any bottlenecks in the race now.

The Round Valley portion of the race was some of the most fun I have had racing. The course was fast and the turns were nice and quick. I ran into a few slower riders and I passed them up feeling quite good. I was glad to not have arm warmers since I was already heating up. When I crossed back to the start my Dad yelled to me as I passed him that I was only 6 minutes off of the "Open" Pro riders. Wow! I am feeling good, I hope this keeps up all day.

(My kids waiting for me at Silver Lake)

I had settled into a good rhythm and was happy with my pace of riding. I wasn't having anyone pass me and when I would come upon another rider that would be my carrot. I didn't try to exert too much energy in passing but rather kept my same pace. I didn't want to use all my energy in the first 1/4 of the race.

Deer Valley

The Round Valley and Deer Valley trails were incredible. I really had a good time riding them while trying to remember to eat and drink. I really wanted to not have any stomach issues today and was very cautious to make sure I was eating at least every 45 minutes.

I blasted down the dirt road into Silver Lake (and then realized how Aaron missed this small loop last year) with so much speed I missed the cones and over shot the corner for this little micro loop going into the Silver Lake aid station.

I was great to see my family and my kids at the aid station. The kids have never been to any part of a long race except for the race finish. When I stopped they all had words of encouragement and were trying to help my Dad get my supplies and get me going. A quick high five of all the kids and I was off.

At this point I was still feeling alright, but really not sure about this big huge climb ahead of me. I could hear my kids and Dad yelling to help me up the forever long hill as I slowly climbed up in my granny gear. Passing Sly Fox giving $1 hand ups always brings a smile to my face. I was fine climbing until the single track spit us out onto a steep dirt road. Here my legs had what was the first of many cramps for the day. I really couldn't believe that I was already getting cramps this early into the race. I maybe would have expected them towards the end but not now. I quickly chewed up 2 endurolytes and the cramps went away for awhile.

Then the sun started to get warmer. It was not too bad, but yet as the sun started climbing higher into the sky there really was not anywhere you could hide from it. The occasionally shade from the trees provided some shelter, but before too long you were right back out in the heat. It was at this moment while still climbing out of Silver Lake to the to of Deer Valley that I realized I was not racing anymore. I was riding a long trail and it was being timed. I knew I didn't have the legs with the cramps or the energy to finish as quickly as I wanted. So I settled into a more comfortable pace and kept pedaling on.

Nail Driver - Bow Hunter - Flagstaff

The upper part of Deer Valley was still some of the best part of the race. Here was the first time the trail finally pointed down a little bit. Not really enough to give you any type of recovery, but enough to get you excited again to ride. But I was encountering a new problem. The stomach issues were coming back and I really didn't want to eat or drink anymore.

I really am not used to riding during the middle of the day. Most of my training rides happen between 4:30am - 10:30am. The heat of the sun (I heard it was in the upper 80F) was taking more out of my body that I was used to. I was trying to force myself to eat and drink, but it just wasn't working. But I still kept pedaling.

PCPP Leg 2

After Deer Valley you have to head towards Park City and my energy was zapped. As I was going down the "Town" trail twisting through the quakies I kept telling myself that this trail is really fun when you are not tired. I then had to climb up to Shadow Lake and really had no idea how far and how much energy I would lose on this climb. The cramps came back and I became slower.

After Shadow Lake there is the longest descent ever, which is bitter sweet since you know you just have to climb back up. All I could think about was getting to the Park City Aid Station and sitting down in a chair and having a Coke. I was so exhausted that I was worried I was going to crash going 35 mph+ downhill. I kept telling myself to concentrate and get down the mountain. It was disappointing to not be able to really enjoy the downhill since you are so tired.

Park City Aid Station

Here is where I went into my darkest part of the race. I really didn't want to get up out of that chair when I sat down. Of course my wife and kids were all telling my to get up and keep going. Rick and Nick were also both there helping me with Cokes and also encouraging me to keep going. I really didn't have any motivation at this point to keep going. But you always must finish what you started so I continued on. If you want to see what the dark pain cave looks like than look here at some pics that Rick took.

Spiro

Of course once you start pedaling again you feel better. Or is that the Coke working? Anyway I have never been so thankful for the shade of trees climbing up Spiro. It felt so nice to be out of the sun. And contrary to what most people think of the mid mountain re-route I really didn't think it was that bad. Of course it helps to be on a full suspension bike and half of the re-route was downhill so I was able to pump through it and gain some speed. I was leapfrogging with a single speeder on this part. He would pass me on the uphill and he would quickly scamper off the side of the trail when he heard me coming on the downhill.

Secret Aid Station

I totally thought the secret aid station would be at the Red Pine Lodge, so I was pleasantly surprised when it showed up 1 mile before the lodge. I took up a chair and had another Coke. One of the aid station workers asked me what the best part of the race was so far and I told him "this chair and Coke." Sam showed up and passed me as I thought I was going to have to throw up. I couldn't decide if that would make me feel any better or not and it wasn't coming so I pressed on.

The Canyons

The Canyons part of the race was my most favorite. Here you were finally able to get some really smooth fast downhill trail. Ambush is probably one of the better downhills around going through trees. I still need to look at how fast I went down this section because it was a blur and almost the only fun of the whole race. I passed 4-5 people on the downhill alone.

The Finish

I kept expecting another hill to be around the corner as the finish approached. It seemed as though this race was all climbing and very few downhills. As I worked my way around the very confusing poles, gates, tape, etc. to the finish I could hear the crowd. I stood up and sprinted for the finish. I could hear the cheers from my Dad, Wife, and family. Right before the finish line I saw my boy reach his hand out to give me five and I tried to steer over to him and just missed his fingers.

9:25 was my finishing time. 67th overall and 13th in my age group. Not bad for really taking a beating in this race.

It was great to have pushed through the pain and darkness. The heat made this race one of my hardest yet. If it would have been cooler weather I think many of us would do much better.

I had been dreaming of this cold Cherry Coke for awhile.

My Daughter picked up this umbrella and it was nice to talk about the race in the shade at the finish.

Thanks to everyone who helped me in the Park City Point 2 Point. Very hard race.

The Point to Point is a very well organized and well run race.

Incredible trails, just wish the sun and heat would have been less.