Sometimes The Pain of Quitting Can Be Worse Than The Pain of Going On (WEMS 2009 Promo Slogan)

by Tim Ek on July 15th, 2009

Dry and Dusty

The 5th race of the Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series took place on July 11th, 2009. It should be noted that this race stands out among the others in the series due to it’s hellish nature. The venue is known as Levis/Trow. I know, it doesn’t really make sense to this writer either, but after racing it I’ve come to know it simply as Levis (pronounced “Lev iss”) as have all others who’ve rolled through it’s nasty tasting single track.

Headin' into the single track

This course comes complete with two lime stone bluffs or “mounds” that require the rider to twist and turn his/her way to the top, then do the same back down. Levis has it all, complete with elevated bridges, ladders and tight squeezes between rocks the size of small homes. There’s so much more about it that is purely awesome that one wonders what it would be like to simply ride there for fun rather than take years of life and throw them away by racing there.

The race started with the usual run to the bikes and the deeply skilled contingent of riders was off and it was on! Levis has been known to attract a bevy of the Midwest’s best cyclists probably due to the nature of the course. Two of these riders were quickly off the front as one is a full on professional cyclist and another was last year’s 2nd place overall, both serious studs. This is not to say the rest of us weren’t flying, trust me the pace was fast and I was redlined within the first two minutes. Nevertheless, by the start of the second lap I found myself alone in 3rd place. I tried to keep the pace high while realizing I had already put myself behind the 8 ball in regard to my fluid intake. Approaching the two hour mark and I had only put away a half a bottle, that’s not even close to the kind of ounces that should be going in, especially with the heat that had already descended on the day. Soon after this concern seated itself into my psyche I was caught by a couple of familiar faces that are always in the mix. I was greeted with, “miss us?” as they curled through the switch backs to my wheel. I let them pass with no challenge, I knew I needed to settle into a pace that I could sustain.

The laps passed without incident and of course I began to get extremely tired, while I questioned my place on Earth. Typically, these races are 12 hour events, but Levis stands out as a 100 mile effort and relies on the completion of that distance rather than the hands of time. I prefer this style of racing as the finish line seems to be more objective, instead of the ambiguous question of “how far can I go in 12 hours?”.

To my complete shock I came upon one of the familiar faces I mentioned earlier as I was completing the 6th lap and he appeared to be moving very slowly. I wondered if his position represented a podium spot as I had no knowledge of what became of the distant leaders. Experience has taught me that often times these “thoroughbred” type riders often DNF (did not finish) these events due to some calamity befalling them. Therefore, I maintained the thought that “anything can happen”. I concluded that my strategy would be to hang about 50 yards behind this rider through the 7th lap in the hope that he wouldn’t notice me and then make my move on the final lap. However, it was not to be as I rapidly gained on him despite trying to ratchet down my pace. I wondered if something had happened to him, because he was not riding his typical wide open style. I decided to change the plan and pass him with authority, keep the gas on and maybe he’d let me go. I launched passed him and within a few seconds I heard his bike chattering behind me. He had jumped on my wheel once he saw the double guns on my back, he was determined not to let me go. I attacked 4 more times through the 7th lap, burying myself in the process. Each time he responded and was able to hold my wheel. Ultimately, I was forced to watch him ride away as I got trapped behind a slower rider who would not give way. Once I broke free from the lapped rider I sent the signal to the engine room for more power and got not reply. I was completely “popped” from the previous attacks. I held on the best I could through the lap, alone again.

A long day!

A pit was required at the start of the final lap in order to get some calories on board and I was determined to hold steady as well as hold my position. Amy stuffed a zip locked P & J in my jersey, some gels with a 100 degree protein milk shake (mmm, good) and I was on my way. I pulled in the finish 12 minutes back of 2nd place for a respectable 3rd overall among a very deep field for a 100 mile, 10 hour, 4 minute effort.

A special thanks to Evomo, Motortabs, Ergon, Titec, Action Wipes and Tifossi. All played a big part during this race and so far this season. Next up, Blufflands Epic Enduro – LaCrosse, Wisconsin.