Flag2GC 2009  – 72 Miles   http://www.flag2gc.com

The Flag2GC 2009 event will go down in the books as one of the more warmer compared to years past.  While not blazing heat, 86 degrees is too warm with the sun beating down on you is too warm for the likes of most.  Arizona’s monsoon season has been non-existent and I was sure that I would see atleast some sprinkles in Flagstaff and or the Grand Canyon.  Nope.  Not a drop.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Oh wait… there were those pesky forest fires!  Yup, forest fires during the mountain bike race.  Awesome.  The forest service had identified some lightening cause fires near Wing Mountain (the start of the race) and near the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  They made the decision to manage these fires vs attack them to put them out.  This made for a smokey ride part of the way.  So, I digress, there were a few clouds….of smoke.

Leg 1

The race started at 7:00am and we were off.  The temperature was in the low to mid 60′s – perfect for riding.  Due to the fires, the first leg to SAG1 was  altered a bit.  8 miles to the east which gave the entire ride course a total of 72 miles.  You should have seen the faces of the newbies (first time riders – or “New Blood” as the Dirtybottom Girls coined it) when they announced the distance 15 minutes before the race start.  Awesome!  The reroute was unfortunate because it took out a sweet downhill single track through the forest section.  Instead, we got a major uphill then a monster downhill on a forest service road.  I checked my odometer and noticed a sustained 39mph.  Terrifying and Thrilling at the same time.  I was not certain my 9 year old bike would stay together but alas, I made it.  Ironically, just as I crested at the hill, Slayer was the next six songs and played during the down hill.  My heart is racing right now just thinking about it.

Kudos to the Dirtybottom Girls, the northern Arizona Marine League Charities group, and all other support staff for producing an incredible spread of food and drinks for the riders.  Totally Awesome!

Leg2

Just before you are thrusted out on to the Mars lunar landscape of miles and miles on the indian reservation, you come down over a lava rock landscape, approximately 5 miles.  Three weeks prior I had dislocated my shoulder in Sedonna plus I noticed the night before that my bike had a crack in the rear triangle so I was not up for killing this downhill.  Lets not forget that lava rocks are pretty sharp so the penalty for failure can be brutal.  If at the very least, you will get a flat if you choose to burn down it.  So, I got past that and moved out onto the Indian reservation.  Not exactly sure how many miles it was to SAG2 but for some reason this year it didn’t seem to take that long. It was very windy and smoke from the forest fires was pretty thick and strong.  By the way, SWANKY – Southwest Area Nissan Klub did a great job of maning the course turns.  These folks were hanging out in the most desolate and isolated places on the course.  You really had nothing to fear if you got hurt or concerned over water supplies.  Swanky was there if you needed them.

Leg3

This leg begins the great challenge of riding uphill towards the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  I’m sure  I will be corrected but the mileage seems like nearly 20 miles.  It is a long haul.  The sun is directly over head.  At the time of arrival at SAG2, its close to lunchtime and you have been burning many calories at this point.  Gotta eat something.  Another great spread of food and drink.  While I was able to get  a PB&J sandwich down, I just remember feeling sick to my stomach the rest of the way to the finish.  Riding nutrition is sneaky thing and will get you if you are not paying enough attention to your intake vs calorie burn.  The trail going forward is a double track with lots of silky fine dry clay sand.  It sucks the energy right out of you.  Oh yeah, don’t forget….you’re riding uphill.  You are treated to this torture or fun til SAG3.

Leg4 – Final stage

So we are only talking about 3 to 5 miles to the finish from SAG3 but you are pretty wiped.  I remember approaching SAG3 and they had this cheering squad there that made you think you had finished the race.  Not quite but it was refreshing to hear their screams and encouragement.  Good Times!  I think at this point it was hour number 6 for me.  I certainly was not in the first pack of riders but I wasn’t in the last pack either.  Right in the middle.  Thanks to the SAG3 team for the refill on water.  Still feeling sick, I think I averaged like 7 to 9 mph.  A lot slower than my initial 14mph avg during Leg1 and Leg2.  Didn’t care.  Just wanted to finish.  And so I did.  At 2pm, I crossed the finish line.  7 hours and 72 miles of butt pounding epic ride.

The finish line

What a great party.   11 kegs of New Belgium brew.  The US Marine Corp had 4 piping hot showers – not kidding.  The USMC was also cooking up a fajita dinner – a fine meal after such long ride.  Its really quite comical to see riders cross the finish line, put their bike, helmet and gear down and then proceed directly for the beer taps.  A few people just left their bikes near the taps all afternoon and into the evening.  As the sun set, the camp fires were started as the temps started to drop.

I don’t recall excatly how much money was raised for the Northern Arizona Toys for Tots charity but it should be noted that all of the energies going into this event are tied directly back to them.  Hopefully this year’s event donations will put smiles on the faces of those kids who need it most.

You can bet that I will be back next year!

Check out some pictures of the event:  http://flag2gc2009.shutterfly.com