The Hammer’s LT100, Part 2: Bad News Bento Box

09.2.2015 | 12:07 pm

Looking for Other Installments in this Story? Here are links to all the parts published in this multi-part story:

• Part 1: End of a Long Week, Beginning of a Long Day
• Part 2: Bad News Bento Box
• Part 3: Ups and Downs
• Part 4: The Quest for a Cold Coke
• Part 5: A Good Fight

We hit the hard left-hand corner and Lindsey zipped by me. I had wondered when that would happen. This was a good sign for me. I really thought she might put five minutes on me on the first descent. She isn’t one for conversation while riding, so I didn’t attempt to holler at her.

My main objective now was to stay on her tail.

At this point the trail turns to rollers. This is not my favorite part. When I was working with Reba last year, I let her lead out, and I stuck to her wheel. This year, I was tentative on the descents. I always feel like I am holding up traffic.

I rolled through the Carter aid station 3 minutes behind last year’s schedule. Not a good way to start, but I was feeling good.

I ate a GU and started the paved descent, while Lindsey rode away from me. I got into a tuck and pedaled hard, reeling her back in on the pavement as it turned back to a climb. She was eating, and I reminded her that this is where you can make up time by riding consistently. I rode away.

Hagerman and Sugar Loaf

As I turned on to Hagerman Pass road, I spied a fast rider and hopped on his wheel. We were cruising, passing tons of riders. He would occasionally hook on to another rider, but then be anxious and pull away from them. He never looked back at me; in fact, I don’t know if he knew I was there. A few people would hook onto our train, but no one for very long.

We eventually turned onto the Sugar Loaf climb, and my “engine” powered on up the trail and away from me. I settled in for the second big climb of the day. I was still feeling good.

I was amazed at how bright the sun was. We were riding directly into the sun and at times I was completely blinded. I cannot recall another year at Leadville when it has been this sunny in the morning.

I hadn’t been climbing long and Lindsey passed me again. I really liked having a friend so close by. She was certainly motivating me to ride harder! Plus it’s nice to see a fellow “Fatty” kit out on the trail.

As we summited the top of the climb, Reba’s voice in my head was telling me to “pick up the pace,” and I complied. I rolled past Lindsey and was trying to close the gap that existed between the rider in front of me.

Starting the Powerline descent, Lindsey (in neon yellow-green vest) right behind

As I closed in, I asked myself, “What the heck am I doing?” We were cresting the top of the Powerline descent, and I had positioned myself in front of Lindsey…who is a far better descender than me.

What a jerk!

I just hoped I could hang with the rider directly in front of me. SHE was a great climber, I prayed I could hang with her on the descent.

Sugar Loaf and Powerline remind me of a huge roller coaster. SugarLoaf is the huge, slow, menacing climb that dumps you down the terrifying hill on the other side. I held tight to my bike with a relaxed body, took a few breaths and dived down the other side, tight on the girl’s wheel.

I was shocked.

She was picking a great line and I was hanging with her! I was keeping a good distance behind her, and she wasn’t dropping me. I tried to glance behind me, Lindsey was there, but also a safe distance behind.

Flying down the Powerline. Lindsey (at far right of frame) is close behind

This is where we stayed as our little train zipped down the Powerline. I think maybe two riders passed us when the trail opened up, but it was a fantastic descent.

As I approached one of the short punchy uphills on Powerline, I passed a gal in WBR kit pushing her bike up the climb. I was confused and couldn’t figure out who it was, but then it got steep and rutted and my mind refocused on the trail ahead of me.

Finally the trail dumped me back out on the pavement, I sat up and took a deep breath. I thanked the gal in front of me for taking me safely down. She gasped and responded “Was that the Powerline?” I confirmed it was. She let out a yell of relief.

Then a nice guy passed me and thanked me for picking a great line down Powerline.

Wow, we all helped each other out and got safely down! But as I was congratulating myself, Lindsey sped by me. “We need to hurry and catch that group!” she said.

Damn her. I was just beginning to enjoy myself.

No Food for You

As I reached down to grab a Gu out of my bento box, I had the sickening realization that my box was empty. All my GUs had bounced out on during Powerline descent.

Ugh.

I had two emergency GUs in my jersey pocket — Would that be enough?

I turned myself inside out and finally caught Lindsey and her massive train. I told her of my food dilemma, and that I would need to stop at neutral aid at the Pipeline.

She quickly reached into her own bento box and handed me two GUs. What a sweet heart and life saver. I’m forever in your debt Lindsey! This isn’t the first time my bento box has failed me at Leadville; the exact same thing happened a few years ago. I’m not sure why I keep thinking it’s a good idea to use these. 

Riding (Briefly) With Sarah

As I was settling into the pace line, a gal pulled up along-side me wearing a WBR kit. She re-introduced herself to me. It was Sarah Barber. She had won her entry into the race in one of Elden’s WBR contests. She is a darling girl and fast rider. She is a Pro roadie, but doesn’t have as much experience mountain biking.

But to be honest, I was shocked to see her — I didn’t think I would see her out here on the course. She is a machine.

And then she was gone. What should I expect – we were now pedaling down a paved road. As the road made a sharp left turn, I was the caboose on the long whip of riders and the whip cracked me off the back. I corner horribly and didn’t have the strength to pedal back to the group.

Now I was in no-man’s land: no groups I could catch ahead of me, no groups close behind. For a while I had some momentum going and I continued to rocket along, but Lindsey and Sarah and their train were quickly pulling away.

Lindsey (second from front) between the bottom of Powerline and the 

Just as I was starting to slow and start feeling sorry for myself, two riders came up the side of me. This was my chance. I dug deep and caught on. My reward was instant relief and recovery. Riding in someone’s slipstream is the best.

The lead guy was a powerhouse; he never even glanced back. I was sitting third in the train directly behind a really tall dude. I couldn’t have asked for a more comfy seat. This guy pulled us all the way to the transition to the singletrack, leading to the aid station.

Then a really sad thing happened: the powerhouse was pushing it so hard, he and the guy in front of me overshot the turn. I on the other hand knew the turn was coming, so had slowed and continued on.

They, meanwhile, had to make a U-turn and come back; I never saw them again during the race. They were both awesome and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to say thanks.

I rolled into the Pipeline aid station and threw off my oversized Chinatown-Boston-Leadville gloves. It was a bittersweet parting. I was grateful again to Lindsey that I wouldn’t have to find neutral aid for food. I had arrived at the aid station another few minutes behind schedule.

My sub-nine goal was slipping away with every passing mile.