Bike

Piney Hills Classic

On September 17, 2022 I raced at Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, Louisiana.

Dirty Dam Race

On September 9, 2022 I raced at the Bodcau Dam in Shreveport, La.

Tux Creek Tussle Recap

TUX CREEK TUSSLE
This is the first event I raced in the Gulf South Regional Mountain Bike Series It was a 10.7 mile, 2 lap race in Saucier, Mississippi.

Rouge Roubaix XX Recap

Six short years ago, Chris Fulton and I trained relentlessly for Rouge Roubaix. Three days prior his house flooded and Chris was out for the opportunity. When Rouge Roubaix announced its return this year, we were all in. We formulated a 4 month training plan. Our number one race goal was to finish the event. The 56 mile, 4 hour cutoff and the 10 hour finish line cutoff seemed doable. We trained in extremely cool temperatures for many months believing the course would be cold and wet. Race day brought warm and humid temperature with a slight chance of rain. With pavement, gravel and dirt, wet conditions could add many different obstacles.

The test began with a neutral start of 4 miles. This sounded good on paper but within a mile the pace was furious and cyclist were stretched out of sight. From zero to 22 mph, our fitness level was tested immediately. Knowing this would be a long day, I reduced our speed and settled in around 17 mph. The main pack was gone and we settled in all alone for a long day to pull and pace ourselves. This continued for about six miles when a pair of strong riders, Mike and Larry, bridged the gap and caught us. We were so happy for company and the addition of these strong riders aided in increasing our average mph. They were super friendly, funny and very strong, pulling from the front.

The four of us took turns trading work until Chris went down hard in thick sand and gravel. A badly scrapped leg and a hunk of skin missing from the backside of his forearm were immediately evident. Bleeding somewhat, Chris was ready to ride. Bike was okay, but twisted handlebars and a bent shifter had to be straightened before we could continue our adventure. Mike and Larry were awesome assisting in evaluating Chris and his bike. Less than five minutes later we were back riding. The course was unforgiving with hills, potholes, gravel and sand. Slowly Larry and Mike rode away from us.

Our first major obstacle was a wooden low water bridge at mile 39. It had been overlayed with 2 x 12’s down both sides longways. Slightly nervous and cautious, we crossed over. With 17 miles still to ride before the time check we had no-one to share the pacing. I began calculating our race time hoping to make the four hour cut off at mile 57. It was going to be much closer than originally planned. Over the next 17 miles we rotated pulls and pushed each other to our limits.

Closing in on the four hour cut off, our next challenge included the Sligo low water concrete bridge at mile 55. So much traffic had eroded my confidence to attempt the approach onto the bridge. Jumping from my bike, I ascended the large sand mound and rode to the opposite end. Off and on the bike again, we exited obstacle number two.

Knowing we were close to the cutoff intersection, race mode kicked in. Checking my watch, only six minutes remained in continuing our quest or being rerouted to the short course which would kill our dream. Chris and I pushed forward with anticipation expecting a time clock and a race official. To our disappointment a left or right arrow arrow sign was all that stood at the intersection. Turning right onto the long course, confused and disappointed with all the work we had put in, there was no one checking. I joked with Chris. “I have good and bad news. The good news is we made it to the cut off but the bad news is, we now have 70 more miles to go.”

Six miles later, began 9 and a half grueling miles of sand and gravel on north fork road. My hands were beginning to ache from blisters, choking the brakes with a death grip. Approaching mile 73, Sheila, Summer, Tanner and Caroline were eagerly awaiting our arrival. Grabbing fresh bottles, we forged on.

Upon completing the gravel section of Raccoon Road we were expecting to see the mile 79 feed zone. Not only was the feed zone gone, but the race course direction sign had been removed. Freaking out I called Summer. “We need help” She instructed us to turn left for 9 miles and call back for further directions. Every mile I called, just to find not service available. Becoming frustrated, my mind and legs checked out and I began falling apart. Knowing we were in trouble, Chris took over the task of pulling. Seeing a church approaching in the distance, I prayed out loud “Lord, please give us cell service.” He answered and so did Summer, texting directions and heading our way. Spotting us stopped, a race vehicle drove up to see if we were okay. He gave us additional directions to our first named climb, “Blockhouse Hill”. A short step light gravel road was just a quick standing pump to the top and back to paved heaven.

As we were flying down the road having no idea where we were going, Chris spotted Tanner jumping from the truck. We had passed the turn to “Big Bertha” our second named gravel climb. One quick u turn and we were back on track. Knowing this as an extended, steep gravel climbing obstacle, I sat up, relaxed and began the ascent.

Not knowing what was unveiling behind the scene, the race director had found Summer, stating, we were being pulled for the course. He had calculated we couldn’t make the cutoff time at 1:30 pm in the afternoon. We still had 3 and a half hours of racing. I would love to know how that conversation played out. She stated we were not quitting and would finish the event. They worked out a deal that if someone escorted us to the finish line that would be okay.

With tired legs and throbbing hands my goal was to attack this second climb without falling. Each time it steepened I tried to stand. The rear wheel fish tailed and I would loose traction. Slowly but surely I managed to find a line and work my way up the 4 mile climb. Chris’ leg cramps had overtaken his body and his day was done. It sucked but the final 22 miles would be mine alone to tackle, I thought.

As I turned onto the pavement, Tanner dropped in ahead of me with Chris and Caroline in the pickup bed. Seeing those smiles and hearing the cheers I pressed on. At each intersection Chris would yell where to turn and what to be aware of. Sheila had dropped in behind me with flashers on, protecting my back. Shortly on, two large dogs ran towards the road and with horn a blowing, Sheila cut them off. My body was suffering but following the taillights of friends, kept me riding. As the miles ticked away, focusing on the perfect line to ride and staying upright was the priority.

I have no idea where time disappeared over the next 22 miles as I chased the pickup. Soon we made it back to downtown and I realized the finish was near. My final finish line fear was drawing near. A 38% grade climb to the finish had my concerns with tired, cramping legs. Approaching the base of the climb, Chris, Summer, Tanner and Caroline were standing atop the hill at the finish line cheering me on.

The sun was disappearing and dusk had taken over the skies. Sheila was directly behind me with bright lights shinning up the hill. My only possible opportunity to ascend the final hurdle was a standing climb. Balancing the bike with screaming legs I slowly rotated the cranks hoping the finish line would soon appear. I defeated the final 40 yards to a new PR of 128 miles in 11 hours and 19 minutes.

It was a tremendous personal victory. Many doubts had filled my mind over the past taxing miles. Things will always be bitter sweet within, knowing the record books will show DNF, finishing outside the race finish cutoff time. Sometimes a finish is still a sweet finish with only your personal friends there to see it.

Races Completed

Event	Date	Time	Distance	State	Place
El Tour De Tucsun	11/23/2003	6:33:29	109	AZ
Cajun Challenge	10/12/2003	5:57:36	100	LA
Americ’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride	06/01/2003	6:01:24	100	NV
Ridgeland Natchez Trace	04/12/2003	5:44:26	100	MS
America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride	06/03/2007	n/a	72	NV
Tux Creek Tussle	06/26/2022	59:55	10.7	MS
Dirty Dam Race	09/11/2022	47:06	10	La	4/5
Piney Hills Classic	09/17/2022	54:28	9	La	9/14