Grizzly Adam.net» Races

The 2011 Point 2 Point

Grizzly Adam — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:20:28 +0000

The Park City Point 2 Point is one of the most anticipated events on the race calendar. Registering in February for an event in September will do that. Everything thereafter orbits around the race. Eating a pizza in April? “How will this effect my Point 2 Point training?” Racing a cross-country race in June? “I wonder if this will be helpful for the P2P?” When race day finally arrives, the nerves are fried, the brain is mush, and the legs are jelly. At least that’s the danger. So, in 2011 I ignored the constant nagging in the back of my mind. I immersed myself into other events, like the Crusher. I abstained from any significant course pre-riding. I spent the 2 weekends before the P2P racing. It wasn’t until the very week of the race that I let myself focus wholly and completely on the 80 miles and 14,000 vertical staring me in the face.

Of course, ignoring the race all summer was itself evidence of my planning, scheming, and strategizing. In other words, the Point 2 Point is impossible to ignore. Impossible to escape.

But that’s a good thing.

Because the race itself—the trails, the vibe, the celebrity treatment—is worth all the trouble. The bottle wrangling, the gps futzing, the pre-rides and course homework, are all a part of the grand experience. Race day is simply the final exam. And it’s as hard as anything I’ve ever done. Which also makes it equally as rewarding.

My plan for the 2011 race began to take shape immediately after the 2010 version. I made an infinite number of mistakes last year. I set out to correct them. If I had any hope of putting together a complete and clean race at the P2P (no easy task, given the terrain) I knew I’d have to eliminate the unforced errors of 2009 and 2010. My focus throughout the season was on pacing and fueling. I stumbled on a winning formula at the Crusher: Find a sweet spot, and stay there until the final 20% of the race.

Easier said than done.

Which is why I started (where I belonged) in a slower wave, and rode at an easy pace for the first 2 hours of the race. It was a good strategy, except when it wasn’t. I noticed a significant difference in the riding styles and abilities of many of the riders around me. There was a lot of speeding up and slowing down. Bad lines. Braking on uphill switchbacks. And so forth. But nonetheless, the slower, and less urgent pace, was exactly right for me. I rode 2011 infinitely more patient than 2010. It wasn’t until the bottom of the day’s first sustained climb, about 25 miles into the race, that I flipped the switch, and started “racing.”

I passed more than 35 people in the next 5 miles.

When I caught KC Holley, I knew I was in a good place. KC and I almost always end up riding together in endurance races. She is an excellent bike rider, and a very smart racer. I knew that she’d set a solid, consistent pace. And so I stayed with her. We rode together for the next six hours, and encountered less than 10 other riders throughout the rest of the race. The highlight came when I sat up on the Mid-Mountain Trail after a 40 minute push up Spiro. I needed a breather. She wasn’t having any of it:

“Come on Adam let’s rally!”

“I am rallying.”

“I’ve seen rallying, and this ‘aint rallying!”

I shifted gears, stomped on the pedals, and remembered that indeed, we were racing.

All summer long I had schemed about how to finish the Point 2 Point with good legs. The final 15 miles can be very fast. But they can also be a place to absolutely bleed time. The miles are some of the easiest of the entire race, which means they can be covered while soft-pedaling and daydreaming. I didn’t want to soft-pedal. I spent all summer daydreaming. I wanted to hammer.

And so I did.

As best I could, anyway.

I crossed the finish line completely and totally exhausted. I was shaking. I was laughing. I had trouble speaking. I don’t know that I’ve ever raced that hard, that late. It was an amazing feeling. I shrugged off missing a sub-9 by 3 minutes. What is 3 minutes anyway?

Everything I think I could have done differently had a flipside:

I could have ditched my camelbak, but would I have fueled as efficiently?

I could have flipped the switch earlier, but would I have blown up?

I could have waited a little longer to speed up, but would that have only delayed me further?

And so on.

But none of those questions really mean anything. Not right now. Why? Because I’m a 3-time finisher of the Park City Point 2 Point. Because I set a personal best on course. And because I spent the entire day riding the best mountain bike trails on the planet.

And now I’m looking forward to an autumn of joy-riding and ‘cross racing.

However, I must admit that after the race, I promised to never ride the Point 2 Point again… until next year.

Photos by John Shafer. Click here for more from John and the P2P.

2011 P2P Aftermath

Grizzly Adam — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:18:09 +0000

I found my sweet spot. But who knew sweet could hurt so much? Afterward I was all smiles. Sort of:

More to follow. But first, everyone affiliated with the Point 2 Point needs to be thanked. Over and over. The race was—once again—remarkable. Fantastic volunteers, easy to follow course markings, stocked feed stations, and red carpet treatment for all of us that were stupid brave enough to race. Thank you!

I crossed the line at 9:03. I was chasing sub-9 all day. From mile 50 onward, I knew I’d have to dig… and I did. Just not deep enough. But 9:03 is an hour faster than last year, and 13 minutes better than 2009. So, you won’t hear me complaining. Although, you might hear me scheming about how to shave 4 minutes off that result in 2012.

The Sweet Spot

Grizzly Adam — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:50:10 +0000

Endurance racing is all about finding that place where you can ride at a quick pace, without blowing yourself into oblivion. Not to slow, and not to fast. A sweet spot. Of course, that spot is different for everyone. Riders at the front of the race can go much faster while using less energy than those in the back. Nevertheless, to succeed in an event that covers 80 miles and climbs 14,000 feet almost entirely on singletrack, most bike riders can’t simply hammer from start to finish. Those who can are the anomaly and exception.

In the 2010 Park City Point 2 Point, I tried to prove to myself that I could, if only for one day, be an anomaly. Predictably, I failed spectacularly. I have one goal for this year’s race: Find the sweet spot, and stay there until the last 10 or 15 miles. At that point, if I’ve been smart, and maybe a little lucky, I should have the juice to finish strong. To dig a little deeper. To leave the sweet spot. Maybe to even chase golden windows and other fantastical delusions.

But mostly, I just want to be smart on race day. Spin lightly. Fuel often. Smile a lot.

After all, the Point 2 Point is just a long ride on incredible trails. Which is itself a pretty darn sweet spot.

It’s time for the Point 2 Point.

No wonder I’m grinning like an idiot.

P2P Preview (Part 4)

Grizzly Adam — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:22:05 +0000

The home stretch. At last. The only thing between feed station 2 and eternal glory is 22 miles and 3,600 vertical. Oh. Snap.

Segment 6: 22 miles. 3,600 vertical. Garmin connect page. Segment video.

After the grueling (and awesome) riding above Park City Mountain Resort, the feed station at the base of the mountain will be a small slice of heaven. Leaving that point is difficult, because above the feed zone is a steep series of switchbacks knows simply as Spiro. The Spiro Trail is magnificent. Smooth and wide, it climbs through the aspen trees and into the depths of Thayne’s Canyon. Up and up. With 60+ miles, and 6+ hours, in the legs, this climb is one of the day’s most challenging. But it’s the last of the routes long, sustained ascents. It’s not the end of the climbing. But it is the end of climbing for 40+ minutes at a time.

The top of this climb is marked by a right-hand turn onto the famed Mid-Mountain Trail. A newly redesigned section of the Mid-Mountain Trail will be included on the route for 2011. It will be rough, rocky, and soft. But after descending the rough, tight switchbacks from last year’s re-route, the trail turns smooth and wide, and amazing. The great riding continues all the way to the final mile of the race. After coming down one of the best descents in the entire region, riders will be treated to one final 600ft climb, a punch in the gut to be sure. But it’s relatively short, not terribly steep, and best of all… it really is the last climb of the Park City Point 2 Point. The race finishes with a rugged descent into the Canyons Resort, where bratwurst, and a hero’s welcome, await.

Leaving the feed station at PCMR is the point of no return. There is no bailout. No shortcut to the finish. And turning back (against race traffic) isn’t really a great option. Once riders attain the Mid-Mountain Trail, finishing the race is (very nearly, and barring any catastrophic disaster) a forgone conclusion. In other words, regardless of how wiped or tired or delusional you are feeling at PCMR, get back on that bike and finish! The miles are difficult at times, but there are also sections of pure bliss. In fact, it’s quite alright to enjoy the riding in this section. It’s fun! Really.

About 8 miles from the finish line there will be a water station with Coke, electrolytes, and probably some cookies. In both 2009 and 2010, the Coke at this spot was nothing less than mana from heaven. A godsend. A miracle. Let the prospect of a fizzy, cold, Coke pull you up the Spiro Trail. And after that Coke fills your body with sugary energy, let the thought of freshly grilled bratwurst (and maybe some chocolate milk!) urge you toward a strong, authoritative finish.

Congratulations. You’ve done it. You are a Park City Point 2 Point finisher.

P2P Preview (Part 3)

Grizzly Adam — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:59:57 +0000

Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Segment 4: 11 miles. 1,900 vertical. Garmin Connect page. Segment video.

Welcome to The Crux.

From Feed 1 at Silver Lake Lodge, to Feed 2 at Park City Mountain Resort is the heart and soul of the Park City Point 2 Point. These miles are rugged, remote, and demanding. The climbs are sustained, and the descents, technical, narrow, and long. for 2011 there will be an intermediate water station somewhere along the course (I’ve been told it will be at the top of Guardsman Road, at the top of the TG1 Trail) which will be a huge help in keeping riders hydrated during this 30+ mile section.

The climbing begins immediately upon leaving Feed 1. The good news is that the 2011 route features a much more pleasant, gradual climb to the top of Deer Valley. The leg-busting, soul crushing, ascent up the Aspen switchbacks and dirt road have been replaced by sane-graded single and double track. Will this mean faster overall times in 2011? Maybe. But it is still a climb, and riders will have 30 miles and 2,500 vertical in their legs. So, despite the changes, there won’t be anything easy about the climb out of Deer Valley.

After riding the narrow and primitive Bowhunter trail, the fast and flowy Flagstaff Loop, and the tight switchbacks down Team Big Bear, riders will spend a short time on the Mid-Mountain Trail, before climbing (once again!) Tour de Suds and Moosebones. These climbs are switchbacked, and rugged. There are steep grunts, but the overall grade is even and consistent. The climbing tops out at Guardsman Pass, where a water station, and long, twisted, descent await.

Segment 5: 17 miles. 2,000 vertical. 3,800 downhill. Garmin connect page. Segment video.

TG1 is a great descent. However, it’s also very demanding. There are log and root crossings, rock gardens, switchbacks, and narrow, overgrown plunges. The downhill ends abruptly with a sharp, loose and very steep left-hand turn onto the Mid-Mountain Trail. Take deep breath and enjoy the smooth, albeit brief riding on the Mid-Mountain. At this point, the race enters its most technical segment—Johns 99.

Johns 99 is a tight, rooted descent through thick, beautiful Aspen trees. It is, without a doubt, my least favorite section of the course. It eats me alive. But it’s a unique trail. On any other day, it can be quite enjoyable. But on race day, it can be stressful. The good news, it’s not a terribly long segment. The bad news, following Johns 99 is another major climb.

The Steps climb is brutal. There are sections that are exposed, steep, and rugged. There are also sections that are shaded, smooth and pleasant. But after the long, bumpy descent from Guardsman Pass, the climbing will be a rude awakening to your fatiguing legs. The entire climb, including the Apex and Shadow Lake trails, is about 4 miles. And most of the 2,000 vertical in this segment are part of this climb. The climbing tops out at 9,400 feet above sea level. And when that happens, it’s (almost) all downhill to PCMR and cold Cokes, potato chips, and CarboRocket. The descent to PCMR is very fast. The singletrack is smooth, wide, and generally switchback free. It’s also very long, but very fun. It will be some of the fastes miles of the entire day.

Why are segments 4 and 5 The Crux? They are the hardest miles. They come late enough into the day that fatigue and other physical issues will begin to manifest themselves, and if the day is going to be hot, these miles will be hot. The riders that finish the Point 2 Point are the riders that are able to mitigate the difficulty of these 28 miles. And while the miles are difficult after PCMR, those are close enough to the finish that adrenaline, determination, and sheer plucky willpower can see a tired racer to the finish. But just getting to PCMR is tough.

After running out of fluid in both 2009 and 2010, I plan to use a hydro-pack for these segments. Even with the water station, these are remote, nearly unsupported miles. If temperatures are elevated, as they were last year, hydration will be even more important.

One more thing: Yes, these are difficult miles. But they are also very rewarding. Shadow Lake, in the Jupiter Bowl, is beautiful. The high-elevation pine forests and wildflowers will help to distract your aching body and mind from the task at hand. The cascading descents make the constant climbing worth the effort. These miles are part of what has made Park city’s singletrtack famous.

Up next: Segment 6, the final stretch!

P2P Preview (Part 2)

Grizzly Adam — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:00:02 +0000

This is Part 2 of my Point 2 Point preview. Part 1 is here. This section covers the race course from the start, to feed zone 1, approximately 28 miles.

Segment 1: 12 miles, 1,200 vertical. Garmin Connect page. Segment video.

The first 12 miles of the Park City Point 2 Point are in Round Valley. The trail system in Round Valley is rolling, twisty terrain. This isn’t the famous Park City terrain you’ve heard about. The trails are located at the valley floor, and are cut through scrub oak and sage brush. But nevertheless, they are some of the most enjoyable trails in the area. The grin-inducement begins immediately. None of the climbs are huge, but there is climbing.

The best part about starting in Round Valley is that it gives riders a chance to warm-up a little bit before tackling the more demanding miles yet to come. But that doesn’t mean that this section is a stroll in the park. There are grunt climbs, rock gardens and tricky descents to navigate. On top of that, there will be a lot of other riders. Wheel-to-wheel traffic spreads out across the course as 350 riders embark on this 80-mile odyssey. But don’t worry. The first 2 miles are wide, smooth dirt road that will help spread out the field a little bit. In addition, riders will start in waves based on estimated finish times. Don’t panic, and don’t be a jerk. There’s 70+ miles, and all day long, to make those spectacular passes.

One of the most challenging aspects of Round Valley is the view. It’s beautiful. However, nearly every visible ridgeline, canyon, and mountain-top will have to be traversed, climbed, descended, and conquered before the day ends. The entire course is presented in wide-angled morning light. Enjoy the view. But try not to think about the stone-cold reality that the it represents. Just smile, and enjoy the moment.

This section ends with a short stint on a paved bike path. Enjoy it while it lasts, because more rugged climbing is right around the corner.

Segment 2: 8 miles. 1,300 vertical. Garmin Connect page. Segment video.

After an easy 1/2 mile or so on the rail trail, the race turns upward and into some of my favorite trails in Park City. The climbing starts with Skid Row, a series of tight switchbacks that cut through scrub oak, and aspen trees. It’s fast climbing, but is rocky and dusty. Skid Row connects to Lost Prospector, which is a fast flowing circumnavigation above historic downtown Park City. The trail is rocky, and contains some steep climbs, but overall, this is one of the fastest segments of the entire race. However, don’t be fooled. This section contains a lot of false climbing. 1,300 vert in 8 miles is significant. After topping out, riders will descend the Solamere trail, which is very technical. Rock gardens, and tight, dusty, switchbacks lead the field into the Deer Crest neighborhood and to the next segment of trails.

Segment 3: 8 miles. 1,900 vertical. Garmin Connect page. Segment video.

Despite having about 2,500 vertical already in the legs, this is the segment that really starts to feel climby. The climbs are longer. And steeper. But they are wonderful. These trails are brilliant. I love riding them. Despite the elevation gain, the trails are flowy, smooth (mostly) and enjoyable. In many cases you will—like much of the course to this point—be treated to spectacular views of… everything yet to come in the day. But don’t be overwhelmed. The riding in the lower half of Deer Valley is just too amazing to not enjoy. Live in the moment. Ignore the burning legs. Savor the deep pine forests and the perfectly designed switchbacks.

Feed station 1 awaits at Silver Lake Lodge. Refuel. Regroup. And get ready for more climbing, and more perfect singletrack.

The first 28 miles of this race are fantastic. The climbing is enjoyable, if omnipresent. The terrain is varied and scenic. Riding through these areas just after sunrise will be an amazing way to start what promises to be a remarkable day. Spin lightly, eat and drink often, and enjoy the ride.

Up next: Segments 4 and 5. Also known as”The crux.” These sections contain some of the most demanding riding of the entire race. From Feed 1 to Feed 2 is where the Point 2 Point starts to chew riders up and spit them out. Trust me.

P2P Preview (Part 1)

Grizzly Adam — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Park City Point 2 Point is less than 2 weeks away. It’s a big race. 80 miles. 14,000 vertical. And some of the most amazing and hardest singletrack you’ll ever ride. It will be one of the most demanding—and best—days you’ve ever had on your bike. This week I will be posting my thoughts about the entire course, section by section. I’ve raced (and finished) both P2P’s, and have ridden the trails the course uses many, many times. Hopefully I can offer you something of value as you make your final preparations for the 2011 sufferfest race.

The first thing to know about the P2P is that, although it’s not a 100 mile mountain bike race, it requires the exact same mindset, effort, and commitment. The P2P has as much, and in many cases more, climbing as most Rocky Mountain 100s, including Leadville, Breck, and Peirre’s Hole. The high-point of the race will reach 9,400 feet above sea-level, and most of the race is above 7,000 feet. There are no extended stretches of dirt road or pavement. Every mile is hard-earned. Every mile is beautiful. And terrible.

The official Point 2 Point website has broken the course down into 6 different segments. I’ll be using that same breakdown for these posts. There is also a master file available for your viewing and downloading pleasure. If you have a Garmin bicycle computer, I suggest loading the master file onto your device. It may come in handy on race day. For more on how to load tracks onto a Garmin Edge series device, click here.

2011 Park City Point 2 Point Overview

There are many reasons that I keep coming back to the P2P. Most obvious among them is the race course itself. In one race, riders will ride a week’s worth of Park City trails. It’s an entire vacation compressed into one, grueling, taxing, brilliant ride.

The race begins in Round Valley. Home to fast and twisty singtrack that snakes through scrub oak and sage brush, and finishes at The Canyons resort. Only a few miles away from the start line. In-between the start and the finish are miles of variety. Rolling hills, tight switchbacks, deep pine forests, and the most crowded aspen grove (John’s 99) you will ever ride a bike through, interrupt ski slopes, snow-fed lakes, and an unfathomable array of singletrack. The P2P utilizes the very best of Park City’s world class trail system. If you love singletrack, you’ll love the Park City trails.

The entire picture looks like this:

But more specifically, the picture looks like this:

And this:

Throughout the week I’ll be posting information about each leg of the course, and few other things I’ve learned while trying (with only mild success) to conquer the Point 2 Point. I really can’t say enough about how challenging, but rewarding, this event is. I am as proud of my 2 finishes as I am of any other race I’ve done. And I’ve raced events that were longer and further. Whatever your “everything” is, the Point 2 Point will demand it. And that’s the beauty and terror of this race.

Tomorrow: Segments 1, 2, and 3 which cover the first 28 miles of the course, from Round Valley, through the lower half of Deer Valley to feed station 1.

Photo of the Week (Week 33)

Grizzly Adam — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:16:10 +0000

ToU Stage 4 (Photos)

Grizzly Adam — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:00:48 +0000

Stage 4 of the Tour of Utah was a circuit race in downtown Salt Lake City. It was a hurt-fest. I watched in the shade, about 3/4 of the way up the nasty grunt climb, about 500 meters from the finish line. The riders had to climb that hill 11 times.

The stage winner was Javier Acevedo from team Gubernacion. Gubernacion was easily the most aggressive team in the tour scoring 3 stage wins in the 6 stage tour. The photo below is Acevedo’s winning attack on the final climb.

Cruuuuushed!

Grizzly Adam — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:17:43 +0000

All the homework paid off. Finally.

The Crusher in the Tushars has been a near-manic obsession of mine since the day I registered for the race, 3 months ago. But this time, the planning and studying and scheming worked. I had a fantastic day. in fact, I don’t think it could have gone any better. How often can I say that about an endurance race?

Somewhere between the tired legs and foggy mind is the Crusher story. But I do have a few thoughts I wanted to share:

1. The Crusher was the most well executed race I’ve ever seen: The course markings were fantastic. The course volunteers were absolute pros—they controlled oncoming traffic, warned us of upcoming switchbacks, obstacles, and other things that might have impeded our progress, while still managing to cheer us on as we pedaled. The volunteers at the aid stations were amazing. There was an utter cornucopia of choices available at every feed station: chips, fruit (that was cold!) soda, candy bars, and more. The pre-made bottles of EFS and gel flask hand-ups were brilliant. I got off my bike once, and that was to shove as many potato chips into my mouth as I could. At all the feed stations there were people handing up cold bottles and flasks. Grab and go. The finishing experience was… memorable. I’ll elaborate on that below, but a mile of 10% grade was a cruel and beautiful way to end this race.

2. The Tushars are breathtaking. Anytime I wanted to feel sorry for myself, or be miserable, I just had to look up and enjoy the view. Beneath the 12,000 foot peaks of the range are rolling plateaus of natural meadows, pines, aspen forests, and high-altitude lakes. The air was thin, and crisp, and cool. The views in the high-country were even more appreciated considering that we had to climb, not once, but twice, from the valley floor in order to enjoy them. I’ll be back to the Tushars. Hopefully sooner than later.

3. Bruce Bilodeau was the life of the party. Bruce is a local cyclist. He also announces the UTCX races, and was at the Crusher start and finish lines making everybody feel like a rock star. His kick-off at the start of the event—“Cruuuuusshhhherrrrs! Come out to plaaaayyyyy!”—will always be one of my favorite race-day countdowns. It put me in the Crusher frame of mind and eased the palpable tension that had spread throughout the field. After the race Bruce was calling out finishers by name, from the winner, all the way down the line. If you finished, you got a shout out. That might not sound like much, but crossing that finish line was an amazing moment for everybody. To hear your name over the speakers only added to that. Thanks Bruce!

4. The Crusher vibe was tangible. I think everybody out there, from the volunteers to the racers, knew that we were part of something historical. I’m still feeling the post-race euphoria. Although, it’s possible I’m mistaking fatigue for euphoria. But I don’t think so. The Crusher is an instant classic. I hope you have a fast internet connection, and quick mouse-hands, because next year this event will sell out in minutes.

5. The best bike for the event was the bike you brought. During the lead-in for the race the “which bike” question was huge. I was convinced that my mountain bike with 1.9 tires was the perfect choice. But the racers on ‘cross bikes and 34c tires were also certain in their choice. We were both right. That is, the best bike for the Crusher is the bike that each rider was most confident and comfortable riding. For me, that was the mountain bike. But for others, it was a cyclocross bike. The variety of bikes at the start line was another aspect of how unique the Crusher is.

6. I went from tears of joy to tears of pain inside 30 seconds of each other. As I descended down the final paved stretch of Highway 153, I was emotionally spent. Tears trickled down my face. I knew I had done it—I was going to finish this race, and finish it well. But then the course turned upward for one more mile. An excruciating, cruel, horrific mile. 400 feet of elevation gain, from 9,900 feet to 10,300. No switchbacks, no reprieve. Just straight up the mountain. I think that final mile took me about 10 minutes to ride. My tears of joy evaporated, only to replaced by more of the pain and uncertainty that had been so prevalent during the day. But the finish line was right there. I could hear the music. I could smell the food. I finished with a fist pump and a total sense of relief and happiness. It was one of the most satisfying finishes of my bike racing career*.

*I use the word “career” in the most ambiguous, loose sense. Can a hobby really be considered a career?

7. I got dropped by Olympic medalist (in both the winter and summer games!) Clara Hughes. Is it odd that I’m kind of proud of that? Afterward, I mentioned to her that I couldn’t hold her wheel for more than about 1 minute. She apologized. I laughed. In other words, Clara is really cool. It was an honor to meet her, and I wish her the best of luck in her London 2012 pursuit.

And finally, the best moment of day for me (other than crossing the finish line) came during the final switchback on the day’s most difficult climb—3,000 vertical in 4 miles. I rounded the switchback, and a girl, no more than 6 years old, scolded me. “Hey you,” she yelled, “turn that frown upside down!” I laughed out loud. It was the perfect antidote to the pain and self-pity I was feeling. A few minutes (and a cold Coke) later I was flying high.

The Crusher is history. But its future is bright. Be there in 2012. Crush the crusher.

One more thing: Thanks T-Bird! You nailed this one.

Crusher Results
Crusher Photo Gallery by Chris See
My Strava race data

And if you’re keeping score at home, I finished 5th in the 30-39 group, and somewhere around 34th overall.