Dave’s Bike Adventures

Alex and I headed up to ORAMM to test the legs out prior to our Trans Rockies adventure in a few weeks.  I was also looking to avenge my mechanical troubles from last year and pull a sub 7 hour race time.  The race was sold out again this year at 450 riders so it was another big event … 450 mountain bikers rolling out together is quite a site.

Lucky #7 - a good sign!

The weather was awesome - dry and not too hot (for July in NC).  And the course was in the best shape I’ve seen it in the 4 years I’ve been racing ORAMM.  The Kitsuma and Heartbreak Ridge downhills were mostly clear of blowdown and super fast, and most of the Curtis Creek fireroad climb was very smooth and packed down.  Even all the briers and overgrowth on Jerndon Mountain fireroad were cut down - so no lacerations on the arms - bonus!

It was 70 degrees and sunny as we lined up for the 8 AM start.  Alex and I decided to get towards the front - we knew the pace would be furious up the Old 70 climb but the goal was to hit the Kitsuma trail early enough to avoid the hike-a-bike pileup.

We had an interesting scare a mile or so out - there was a volunteer directing traffic on the way out of town.  But in the mass chaos that is the ORAMM start the dude almost got flattened by the pack of riders!  He was standing slightly in the road and the peloton split around him.  On behalf of the pack I’ll apologize for that one - I hope you made it out of there OK!

I hit the first singletrack of the day, Kitsuma, about 40 minutes into the race.  It starts out with about 12 tight switchbacks as it climbs away from I-40, up and over the top of Young’s Ridge.  I knew I was having a good day when I cleaned all the switchbacks … and later cleaned all of Kitsuma … definitely feeling good!

Climbing Kitsuma

After Kitsuma I rolled past aid station #1 - I was carrying 3 water bottles and my goal was to not stop until station #2.  We then turned into the woods for some more killer singletrack climbing up to Star Gap.  One of the spectators said I was in the top 50 so I was stoked to hear that!  I made Star Gap and then the trail turned for a fun and fast singletrack downhill.  I was feeling the groove and setting a smokin’ pace when I got totally surprised by a switchback, overshot the turn, and went right into the woods!  Luckily I just banged up my back side a bit and was able to hop right back on the bike.

Next up was Jerndon Mountain Fireroad, a rolling flowy overgrown double track section of trail.  In past years it had been overgrown pretty badly which made sighting the trail (especially the rutted sections) tricky and the briers would tear up your arms.  But Todd and crew had this part of the course in great shape this year - the overgrowth was all cut back.

I rolled into station #2 for a quick pit to top off a water bottle for the Curtis Creek climb.  As it turns out I really should have filled 2 bottles as I ran out before the next station.

Next up was the Curtis Creek climb.  9 miles and 2600′ of climbing on the way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  If this were the Tour they’d call that an HC (Beyond Category) climb, right?  About a mile into the climb I see Jim Stranix (a fellow Raleigh area flatlander) come smokin’ by me so fast I didn’t even try to jump on with him.  I just figured he was feeling like Superman and ready to tackle Curtis Creek  (I caught up with him later at aid station #4 - it turns out he thought the Curtis Creek section was "rolling hills" and so was hammering the course).  He got a rude surprise a few miles later when the climbing really kicked up!

Climbing Curtis Creek

(I look way too happy here - must be delirious from the pain!)

Well after about 75 minutes of suffering (I mean climbing) Curtis Creek I reached the Parkway and aid station #3.  It was nice and cool up there!  I would have loved to just rest and hang out, but at 3:45 into the race I better keep truckin’ if I want to beat the 7 hour mark.  So instead of chilling out I do a quick swap of the water bottles, devoured a few orange slices, and took off down the next section.

After a brief fire road descent the route then turned back uphill for a few more miles of climbing back up to the Parkway.  It’s this part of the course where I hit my mental low point every year, and this year was no exception.  The legs were spent, my back was aching, and I was ready to be done climbing.  Thanks to the spectators cheering us on - and to the two gals announcing the "one mile to the Parkway" mark on the climb!  That definitely helped.

Next up I was back on the Parkway and more climbing for about 1 mile.  The weather was clear and there was an excellent view of Mount Mitchell in the distance.  That section of the Parkway is really pretty.

So when does the climbing stop you ask?  Right about now!  What goes up must come down and now it’s payback time - the Heartbreak Ridge downhill!  Heartbreak Ridge is one epic descent.  It hugs the ridge line which makes for some really awesome views of the remote back country as you descend almost 3000′.

I beat my old record down Heartbreak by about a minute and pulled into the final aid station at 5:15 into the race.  I’m stoked at this point as sub 7 hours looks totally doable, and I just beat a train by a few minutes (the bottom of Heartbreak crosses some railroad tracks and several folks got held up by trains).  To top that I also see some familiar Raleigh folks manning the aid station!  Thanks to Cindy and everyone for the first class treatment - I was in and out in a flash!

Next up was the Mill Creek Road fireroad leading back to Kitsuma.  As usual the Mill Creek section was pretty brutal.  By this point the legs are shot, it’s hot, and there isn’t much shade on this road.  So I grunt through that part - telling myself better times are a comin’ as Kitsuma gets nearer with each pedal stroke!

When the final run of Kitsuma came around I thought about walking the switchbacks so I wouldn’t risk the legs cramping/seizing up on me.  But that thought didn’t last long … "This is a MOUNTAIN bike race right?" I told myself.  So I put the skills to the test and cleaned all of Kitsuma a second time.

I was totally stoked as I crossed the finish line with a time of 6:41.  63 miles, 11,000 feet of climbing, great weather, and 3 killer singletrack downhills with 449 other like minded lunatics.  What a day!

Congratulations to everyone else who made this epic journey - especially the great showing from the Triangle area!

P.S. - I think I found a new favorite post-race drink.  The Red Bulls were tasting way too good and after 5 of them I had to quit (and switch to the Highland Ale on tap!)