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May 31, 2014 was a great day to take a bike ride.
My morning started at 4:00am, well actually 3:00am. I woke up early due to the anxiety one gets from knowing that the start of a race is looming in the next few hours. After dressing, downing a cup of coffee and reading through my pre-race notes, I met my support crew in the parking lot to have our final meeting. When we finished, I hopped on the bike and went for a 10 minute warm up spin around town.
By 5:20am the starting line was already teeming with spectators, race teams, support crews and race personnel. As I lined up to start the Dirty Kanza, my adrenaline level was super high. My mind was running through all my checklists again. I was ready. Before I knew it, it was 5:55am and there was over 1200 racers surrounding me, preparing for to start the race. Then, out of nowhere a remote controlled drone appeared and settled in the sky about 50 feet of the ground capturing video of this amazing mass start. Then the countdown… 3-2-1. We were off.
Through all of my recent training I knew that the opening couple of miles were pavement before hitting a right hand turn onto super chunky gravel. Imagine someone scattering the pavement with marble-like rocks, and then imagine what its like when you take a sharp turn on skinny bike tires. My plan was to get into a space in the group where there was enough room ahead of me that I did not have to contend with riders misjudging the turn and wiping out in front of me. The strategy paid off. I made it onto the gravel without a hitch and quickly picked up the pace.
The weather started cool in the mid 60’s with fog and a mild breeze pushing from the southeast – prime race conditions. The course was going to be fast. The only thing I could think was that I should use the mild weather to put some time in the bank. I pressed hard and finished the first 50 miles into Madison in 00:03:18. I felt good despite some minor cramps so I refueled and pushed on.
Leg 2 from Madison to Cassoday was tough. Loads of climbing and the cramps were catching up with me from going out so hard in the first leg of the race. The cramps were building with every climb. I would take some electrolytes to try to fight them off only to be faced with longer and stronger cramps a few minutes later. All I could tell myself was don’t get off of the bike. Fight through it, yell, kick, scream, but keep pedaling. Don’t stop. So that’s what I did. And by the time I reached Cassoday, I was slowly coming off of my Race the Sun pace. So much for logging time in the bank in Leg 1. Lesson learned- next time listen to Coach Lynda’s advice.
Another development during Leg 2 was mechanical issues with my bike. Specifically, my left brake/shifter began sliding downward on the handlebar causing my front break to not work correctly. Potentially hazardous. Additionally, the peaceful nature of the Flint Hills was disrupted for 50 miles by a clicking noise that was coming from somewhere on my bike. Rather than stop and figure it out, I kept riding. Later, my support crew found out that the click was my speed sensor magnet on my rear wheel. Easy to fix. The brakes were deemed not be enough of an issue to worry about so I fueled again and hit the road. I left the Cassoday checkpoint feeling healthy and ready to work hard again.
Over the previous couple of hours, the wind had started to build which helped me to limit time losses in Leg 2. Now those winds were in my face for the next 20 miles. I passed a lot of riders calling their support crews to get picked up. The heat was also building and I was riding in the most remote section of the course. Absolutely nothing around me for 20 miles in any direction- except for cows. This was my favorite section. Remote, backcountry bliss. The numerous heard of cows and I got along for a couple hours while I tried to make up time. Yah! Unfortunately, the cramps were still with me and I had to fight hard to drive up climbs that I would normally tackle with ease. Eat electrolytes, keep riding, keep fighting, and don’t get off of the bike.
I finally found a nice tailwind pushing me through Bazaar and into Cottonwood Falls, the final checkpoint. With only five miles left to ride before meeting my support crew, I had come to the conclusion that I was not going to beat the sun. While you might think that I was devastated, I wasn’t. I was actually at peace with it. Even if I had a quick rest stop, I would have to push a 0:03:00 pace which I couldn’t do on Leg 1 when my legs were fresh and the weather was cooler. No worries though, I could still finish with a sub 16 hour time.
We had to get serious with the bike in Cottonwood Falls. We repaired my sliding break/shifter, scrubbed down the drive train and installed my night lights in preparation for riding some time in the dark. Leaving the checkpoint, I felt motivated to finish under 16 hours.
Only 15 minutes into the final leg, a couple riders and I were stopped by a train. And then stopped again crossing US Hwy 50 by a steady stream of cattle trucks. After riding for 150+ miles in the backcountry, dealing with trucks and trains was pesky and somewhat frightening. I was happy to get through that section and head north back into the Flint Hills. I decided that I would push as hard as I could during the final 25 miles. So I stamped out a 16 mph average pace into a 15 mph headwind all the way back to Emporia. It was exhilarating. In those last miles, I knew that I was going to finish and I knew that I was going to post a sub 16 hour time. The sun set over my right shoulder and I used the final half hour of twilight to navigate into town. As I pedaled up the last hill, my body went numb from a final rush of adrenaline. I zipped up my jersey and turned off my iPod.
Pedaling down Commercial St. was breathtaking. Searchlights were waving me into the grove of waiting spectators – at least 20,000 – 30,000 strong. Cowbells were ringing and nobody cared that I didn’t beat the sun. They were just happy to see me make it back home safe and sound. The cheers were deafening. The starting line was illuminated and the race director announced on the loudspeaker, “ Paul Dennis from Lawrence, Kansas.” I think I screamed as I pumped my fist and realized the accomplishment of finishing this beast with a solid time.
Note: After following the Weight Loss and Base Training Plan, I used Lynda’s 12 Hour PR Solo MTB Race Plan to train for the Dirty Kanza. While I did make some very minor adaptations to the plan, it provided everything I needed to finish a time of 00:15:23. Thank you Lynda for giving me the framework for success!
– Pablo
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