Decorah Time Trials Recap

Trusted Steed Ready to Depart!

Well another year is in the bag for the annual Time Trials.  This year's was an interesting year as the course was much shorter than it has ever been in the past, only 6 miles, but definately enough climbing to make the 6 miles absolute Hell.

So the weather this year was not bad considering it is not only the annual race but it is the annual crappy weather weekend. Woke up on Sunday to decent temperature considering, 32 degrees, but very windy.  Got to the starting line very early, around 7 a.m to set up my tent and wait in order to select my time.  Setting up the tent was as much work as the race as the wind blew it down multiple times before finally staying up.  It was worth the trouble as I will explain later.

Got to the selection of times and as in the past I was able to get the first time out of the gates.  This year didn't matter as much as the trail conditions were very good, tacky, yet fast rolling.  After selecting my time I went on a quick pre-ride with Ogara to get a lay of how the trails were. Again very good considering it rained the day before, yet rideable in all areas.

After pre-ride, I ran home, across the river, and got the final bottles and items needed to compete.  Back to base camp where I had set up a trainer to warm up on.  This was probably my best idea as it was very cold and windy outside and I knew a good warm up was going to be needed.

Warm up for 30 minutes prior to my 10:00 start time listening to the pre-race meeting while I continued to get the legs loose.  Time had come and into the starting tent ready to depart.

Race Overview:  Well the race started up Ice Cave Rd. where after about .2 miles went straight into the woods and straight to the sky.  Climbed up the hillside for climb number 1 dismounting on the second hill as I had found out it was faster to run my single speed up this than try and grunt it out. Got to the top and road the top sections of Captains and Upper Mothers Day very fast and at the timing I had hoped.  Got down to the bottom of the bluff again to be greeted with the second grulling climb back to the top.  Ran this again as it was faster and saved the legs a little. After almost passing out from depleted supply of oxygen, able to roll down to Luther XC Trail and down the fast yet scary Randy's.

Gus White- Drunken Heckler

Greeted in Death Valley by the heckling and drunken banter of the Unicorn and off up the 3rd and final climb in my books.  Again got to the top of Rocky Rd.  and was about out of oxygen!  Down Freds,  to Death Valley again and more heckling.   Finish less than a mile away and I laid it all down as fast as I could go.  Dismounted a couple of times to run hills I have never run due to my left cleat pulling out the entire race.  Through the finish line and finally time to relax.  Didn't know how fast I had gone until 13 minutes later the next person came through the line, started in 1 min intervals.  Had a good feeling waited for results though to celebrate.




Final Results:  1st Overall out of 67 riders,  34:23.23 for 6.1 miles.  $150 in my pocket  Good Weekend!  Defending Champ!!

Post Race Return to Death Vally for Annual High Lifeing!

WWE meet Decorah Time Trials- Death Valley Entertainment

All I have now, go ride your bike!!


Photos Courtesy of Greg (Don't know last name) and Julie Shockey