June 25, 2009: Elkhorn Classic 2009…gonna have to go back next year!
Race report by Rae M.
This past week Chad and I traveled 1000 miles to Baker City, Oregon to take on a stage race designed for climbers (ha, not me!) … 4 stages in 3 days. The real fun part of this epic event is the final stage! When most stage races conclude with a crit race that is just enough to put the daggers into the legs, Elkhorn ends with a 102mile road race with 7000ft of climbing. Yes, I said 102 miles and that is only after a 74mile road race (4000ft of climbing), a 11.5mile TT with climbing, and a 6-corner crit race. Great fun!!
The drive took us 3 days, taking it easy and making a few stops to ride a bit. Our first stop was Lee Vining, CA just outside Yosemite National Park. We attempted to ride to the entrance (top of the pass) but the weather turned us around at about 9000ft. Good thing because breathing was rather questionable for me being that we come from 100ft elevation here in the desert! Day two took us to Winnemucca, NV…don’t ask!
We arrived in Baker City to a very quaint RV park where we stayed for the entire race. My family came down from Northern Idaho to share in the excitement of it all…to them, I am sorry (you will know why soon). After preriding some of the first day’s course, Chad and I were very excited for stage one…until we woke up the next morning!
Stage One 73 miles RR: tap..tap…tap…downpour…drizzle…COLD. Yep, raining on the day of stage one! So much for the 75degree, partly sunny weather forecast! One good thing, the rain would tame the groups which it did but only for a short while! Our goal was to make it through feed one (climb one) with the peleton and we both did. Climb two was about 15 miles, 10miles gradual and 5 miles at a much steeper grade. Chad and I hung with our groups about half way through this climb and then “pop” off the back. Chad finished very well riding with a few other Cat 3’s and I finished with another rider who I just had to outsprint at the line…why? she started it so I had to partake!
Stage Two 11.5mile TT: the plan for both of us was to just go out at a good tempo/low LT pace and hold it. The legs didn’t like this idea at all but after a few lashings (efforts before the start) they figured out they better just obey! There was a huge headwind …. on the way back of course, so the downhill was more work than the climb going out. For once I actually enjoyed going uphill more than down!!
Stage Three Criterium (Saturday evening): after a nap, a little soak in the hot tub and some good food it was time for the crit….my favorite! The course was 6 corners and very open, only one tight corner. I wasn’t sure how the group of 80 women (all womens categories raced together for all stages) would start but I was ready. They started fast and only got faster, shelling almost every cat 4 in the first 5 laps! I spent the first half of the race sitting top 10 or so and then fell back a bit to get my bearings before the final 5 laps. I was feeling good and looking up the road for a few riders I wanted to latch on to when I felt the dreaded “slip” of the back wheel. I hoped it was just a slick spot but after two more turns, I realized it was a flat!!!! a flat with 3 laps to go….UGHHHHHHHHH! Chad raced right after my disaster and did AWESOME with the Cat 3’s … he didn’t have any mechanicals or close calls, lucky guy!
Stage Four 102miles … or so we had planned: Sunday morning we woke to more rain, LOTS more rain! After ho-humming for about 30minutes, I started pulling out plastic bags and whatever I could find that would prolong the cold…I know, good luck. Having only one rain jacket and knowing I was dead-set on finishing this stage, Chad offered to be my personal follow vehicle for the 102mile/4climb/7000ft day! Not many riders showed to take on the stage and who can blame them, conditions were worsening! About 20minutes before it was time to start, the officials announced the stage would be shortened to 20miles…10miles out of town and 10miles up to the top off Dooley Mtn for the finish. OK, change is good but I was a bit bummed missing the century stage I was set on finishing! I was only bummed for a short bit…when we took off at 8:30am I had flashbacks of Boulevard RR earlier this year: WET, COLD, WINDY, MISERABLE! 20miles will be just fine, thank you. I stayed with the group until the final 4miles when one of the pro women took off at an insane pace to try to get back the 49seconds she was down. She did it too…plus another 60 seconds on top of that! I tried to hang but the pace and the level of climbing was too much. I finished strong at the top amongst total chaos, got into the truck and headed down for a hot breakfast of pancakes and eggs!
AHHHHHHHH, done but we must return for a rematch next year!
For any of you who are interested, we are going back again and would love the company. This stage race is very difficult (even with a shortened final stage!) and the competition is brutal…but it is great fun! I walked away not remotely close to top GC but with a huge feeling of satisfaction for taking on the challenge and reaching my goals. It goes back to the IE Bikes philosophy…having FUN on the bike! till next year….
