This was my second year doing this and it was a good time once again. There were some really amazing riders there this year.

I planned on 11 laps in the solo category but unfortunately things didn’t go the way I expected.

Last year I spent too much time in the pit after each lap and that cost me toward the end, so I decided to stick with 5 minute breaks between laps and follow a meticulous food/electrolyte/hydration schedule. The first 6 laps went by comfortably, basically on time, and as expected as I followed my food list. I wasn’t very hungry finishing Lap 7 and went out with only water. Big mistake. I ran out of energy and turned into a zombie on the second climb, struggling to finish the lap. I had to take an extended break after lap 8 to replenish the calorie store.

By the way, Cup-O-Ramen + Chocolate Ensure + Funyan chasers is an awesome pick me up. Lap 9 went by without a hitch. However, the evil butt chaffe had become an almost unbearable problem. It had been bugging me since the 6th lap but now I was yelping on every bump. That long descent on the backside with all the rocks was not hardtail friendly and took it’s toll on my backside..

After a quick break before lap 10, I headed out strong. I would have only 55 minutes to reach the cut-off time. That would be a fast lap for me given the time of day and my condition. After the second climb I knew I wasn’t going to make it. I missed the cut-off by 10 or so minutes. Part of me was relieved….

Anyone have any recommendations for a decent seat for these types of things? I seem to always get “torn up”