How it could possibly take 6 hours to drive from Altadena to Pasadena is a question to be forwarded to Pasadena Athletic Associationís (PAA) Peyton Skelton. I am simply along for the ride. Typically a back seat driver, this was one instance I simply sat and allowed things to happen without manipulating with a Capricorn hand to guide the process. On this trip to Vail Lake in Temecula, California for the SoCal Endurance 12 Hours Series Finale, I took the wait and see approach.
Payton Skelton--my driver: Banner Moffat photo
If Starbucks is useful for something, I vote for the restroom and water. Itís easy to have a water bottle filled at Starbucks, and I was feeling dehydrated- this the day before a 12 hour race. (Iím foreshadowing here). I never enter a race I donít think I can win, at least not any more, so you can see this is going to be quite an adventure. Lack of preparation, and a 3 hour tour.
Camp--and a cozy one at that. Banner Moffat photo
After a stop at King's Fish House for the Happy Hour Menu, which was incredibly delicious and quick, we were on our way, with an additional stop to Trader Joeís. Predictable. Always reliable. And so SoCal. A few minutes later we arrived at Vail Lake, set up camp, and paid a visit to the PAA party. PAA had over 30 riders on teams and racing solo, and were incidentally my own support crew (Thank you very much!). Lead by current President Corey Keiser, the Club made a great showing.
The PAA club lines up before the big race: Banner Moffat photo
I was fast asleep in my nearly vintage Sierra Designs Summer Moon tent and wrapped neatly in my down bag dreaming of stars when my eyes were zapped open by a loud blast of AC/DC from the loudspeakers at the venue. Really? Is it light yet? Rude awakening indeed! However uncomfortable the awakening was, it was quite effective as I was well on my way the preparing my espresso in fewer than 5 minutes. The few times in my life I have had to wake up to AC/DC will never be forgotten, if that is the goal, you win.
Tonya (me) eventually got kitted up--and in the hunt. Tessa Treadway photo
As I socialized, I was unaware that the start time of the race was fast approaching. Meeting new people, chatting up old friends and reacquainting with acquaintances is a favorite past time of mine. And not kitted up, not having had much breakfast save a cup of espresso, and no food set up, no bottles, not even my bike gone over-- I was in big trouble.
3
Social hour was reaching into my bag of preparation time, and I was left at the start line, barely ready for the start, and far too back to think about getting the fastest time to the top of the hill- even though I think that was a crazy thought I had, who knows, sometimes the body can do some wondrous things. Letís keep it real, though, I am retired, and as such, not in training.
Stephanie Gadreau McCormack was plagued with mechanicals, but finished second--good enough to clinch the series title.
The start of the race took the peloton on a parade lap. It was supposed to be neutral. Neutral. Race. Neutral. Do you see the dichotomy here? As we hit the ìgoî spot, I charged up the mountain. Passing a few, being passed by a few. When we arrived at the real climb, I realized I was going to have to slow down. If I thought I might ride this 10 times I better get to know granny and just spin it out. (granny gear is the smallest gear on the bike). Unfortunately, by the end of the first lap, I knew I was going to have problems. I was dehydrated (remember from last night?) and there was no possible way for me to be able to drink enough at this point to hydrate.
When asked how he felt the race went, promoter Jason Ranoa exclaimed, "I was ecstatic! These were the biggest numbers we've had!"
Record numbers of racers and spectators graced the slopes of the Dam Climb for the final race in the 12 Hour series. The toughest course of the season with the steepest ìdamî climb sent throngs of racers to the side of the trail with the worst kind of mechanical, the human mechanical known as cramping. Riders doubled over in fetal position with full on cramping pain, bikes splayed everywhere:
"Are you ok"
"Cramping! Ow ow ow!"
"Need a Gu?"
"No, Iím ok. Owowow"
A great lesson in, "how to pace yourself."
Great turnout made the racing even better
Ranoa's efforts and enthusiasm have created one of the most friendly and accessible series of events on the mountain bike calendar. So much so that Ranoa gets calls from usual participant Tinker Juarez (Cannondale) and the likes of Chris Eatough, all lamenting their absence from the race. "Dude, I wish I were at your race," says Tinker. And 2010 is luring such riders as Manual Manny Prado and Ben Bostrom of SHO-AIR Specialized. For the big name Pros, the SoCal Endurance series is their pre or post season mileage and party time
.
Corey Keiser, PAA President. Tessa Treadway photo
"My favorite thing is going on the course going through pits hanging out. Everybody was just having a good time," says Ranoa. And truth be told, none other than Jason Ranoa was out on the tough singletrack downhill off the top of the Dam climb taunting me with an audience. I cleaned it that time, thank goodness!
Norberto Oropez and Alvin of PAA. Tessa Treadway photo
I finished the last few hours of the race enjoying the best part of a 12 hour race with SoCal Endurance: in the pits with racers and supporters. It was a fabulous event, and the experience was undeniably worth the "3 hour tour."
 You couldn't ask for better weather for a mountain bike race
I finshed fourth with 7 laps and 70 miles and 7,000 feet of climbing in 9 hours. Stephanie Gadreau McCormack of San Diego won the series, and finished second on the day, only 10 minutes behind first place in the female Pro-Expert Solo division.
As we rolled out of the venue, I could not have been happier about the way I chose to spend my weekend. If you would like to spend a weekend in sunny Southern California riding your bike, I highly recommend the 12 Hours of Southern California series.
INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE GADREAU McCORMACK:
PRO SOLO FEMALE SERIES WINNER
 MBA: Now that you've won the series, what will you do?
SGM: I'm back to training for next year's series and will also be doing more social rides and short weekend trips in the near future.
MBA: Which course was your favorite?
SGM: That's tough because both courses had characteristics that I liked. Racing at Rim Nordic was pretty special because of the altitude and the setting...being in the pines was really cool. Overall, though, I'd have to say I liked Vail Lake (Temecula) the best because the descents are so ripping fast.
MBA: You were only 10 minutes out from the win- at what point in the race did you know you were so close?
SGM: Going into lap 9, I knew Manu and I were tied for number of laps but had no idea until the awards that the margin was only 10 minutes. Initially, I was disappointed but then I realized I'd clawed my way back from a pretty large time deficit and closed the gap quite a bit.
MBA: Your partner and husband Dan was not racing... so what did he do?
SGM: I really think a solo racer is only as good as his/her pit strategy. Since this series was my first attempt at a 12 solo, I knew I'd need some help in that department. Dan graciously stepped up to pit for me in the series, and I can't thank him enough. He kept me hydrated and fed and made sure my bike was dialed. It's so cool to have somebody who can think for you when you're deep in the endurance haze.
MBA: What are your plans for next year?
SGM: The endurance bug has bitten! The 12 Hrs of SoCal series is on the calendar again. Dan will be be trying a race as well, so I'll be pitting for him on at least one occasion...time to pay it forward. Every year I try to pick an event that will challenge me physically and mentally beyond what I've ever done. In that spirit, I'd really love to do a 24 hr solo race and see what I could do out there. Hurkey in September 2010? It could be!
MBA: Any advice for women wanting to get into 12 hour racing?
SGM: If the thought of a solo effort is too daunting, try out the team format to get a taste of what it's all about. I'd done 12 and 24 races on 4 person teams before I ever tried a solo event. Also, staying on top of your nutrition and hydration is absolutely essential for 12 hours in the saddle. Beyond everything, celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. You are doing something special out there!
MBA: How did the race unfold for you?
SGM: I started off fast; the first two laps flew by, and I could tell the pace was a little too much for me to sustain all day. By lap three, I dialed it back but kept attacking on the descents and tried not to lose much time on the climbs. My electrolytes got pretty low around lap four, and I was sluggish but refueled and started getting my legs back. Manu was riding strong, and I knew I had to maintain focus. Riding 3-4 laps in the dark was actually a welcomed change since it was easier to zone out. As the night went on, the course got emptier. Even though it seemed lonely at times, I'd see the lights of riders from high on the ridge and felt like I wasn't alone out there. I had a goal of 8 laps in mind but had plenty of time to do a ninth, so I steeled my resolve and put it all into that last lap.
MBA: Any other notable stories? Did you derailleur explode? (So I heard)
SGM: I rolled out onto lap 5 and about 1/4 mile down the trail, I shifted and my rear derailleur groaned. Mis-shift? I tried again, and my cranks spun with no resistance. It didn't take long to figure out that I had to walk back to the pit. On the way back, the trail was mostly uphill, so I walked most of the way. Luckily, we had a spare derailleur! Dan and our friend Justin worked quickly to get me back out on the course. I lost about 20 minutes between the walk and the pit stop, but I didn't let it shake me.
Quick derailleur fix in the pits may have won the series.
In another mechanical moment, my chain hopped off into my spokes (guess the limiters needed adjusting) on lap 7. It was really, really stuck and despite my efforts, it did not want to be freed. A very kind solo rider stopped to help me and extracated the chain. That's the thing about these sort of races...people are always willing to help out a fellow rider in need.
My favorite moment on course was during one of the night laps. I was plodding up Dam Climb when I looked down, saw the dirt was sparkling and thought to myself, "What the heck?" I realized it was the glitter that had fallen off the BMX Mulisha shirts throughout the race. It was so awesome!
The final moments of the race were memorable, too. I got back to camp and finally yanked my Garmin off the bike. I use a handlebar-mounted light so I couldn't see the mileage (or anything on the screen for that matter) once it got dark. When I saw the mileage I'd ridden, it was such a proud moment: 95 miles...my longest ever ride on dirt.
MBA: Thank you, Stephanie, and Congratulations!
THE 2010 SOCAL ENDURANCE SERIES 12 HOUR CALENDAR IS SET:
23 January: 12 Hours Of Temecula #1, Vail Lake Resort, Temecula, CA
12 June: 12 Hours Of TBD #2, Location to Be determined
13 November: 12 Hours Of Temecula #3, Series Final, Vail Lake Resort, Temecula, CA
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