RACE REPORT: 4-FOR-4 AT CA MTB ENDURANCE BIG BEAR

Words: Brian McCulloch
Photos: Wild Glass Photo

It was a great day at the races last Sunday, earning a fourth consecutive win in the CA Endurance MTB Series. And as cool as that was (which I will get into), I want to lead this Race Report with some gratitude… I am so THANKFUL to be a part of the IRC Crew!

The more I race MTB's, the more I am convinced that although fitness is important, equipment, namely top-shelf, durable, and high-performing equipment plays a significant role in race-day performance. So THANK YOU to the IRC crew for keeping me rolling fast!!!

On to the report! 

DETAILS: 40-MILES, 5,000', 2:57 RACE TIME, 1ST PLACE

At 40-miles and 5,000' of elevation gain on tap for the day's race, most of which is single-track, anyone who knows this course would say it is a "leg-breaker". But what makes the Big Bear course even more challenging is that it starts at 7,000' elevation and most of the race takes place above 8,000 as it begins with a 2.5 mile climb from the start-line…

And being as I have never been accused of being a stellar climber, you can imagine there was a little nervousness and apprehension on the start! Luckily the first climb went well and I made it over the top with the three leaders, which I chalk up to two things:

  1. A good warm-up! And…
  2. The fact that my wife spoiled me by meeting me at the top of the hill with a “tall-boy” bottle of 50/50 water and Monster Hydro. This allowed me to start with a half-full water bottle and avoid carrying the weight up the hill! 
    I had to get her ice-cream for that one! 

Fast forward a bit, we rode some fast fire-road, ripped a few downhills on loose Decomposed Granite and then headed to the first single-track section. By that time it was just me and one other rider, a young fit dude who came from the highlands of Arizona to put on a clinic for the California MTB'ers… Not today, I thought. 

I stomped on the pedals and pushed hard for the entire single-track, eventually finishing lap one with a 3min. lead. Anything can happen in an MTB race so I was always wrestling to do two things… Minimize mistakes AND "keep the bike together!" 

I would later find out that many riders ended their days early with pinch flats and tire problems. No such issue for me, it was full-gas racing from the gun, just the way I like it! I knew fueling for this race would be a challenge given all the single-track and technical sectors, and I was right, it was nearly impossible to take my hands off the bars during the race to get food. Good thing I had plenty of liquid calories!

I went on to finish over six minutes in front of second, but it was no cake-walk. 

I was constantly vigilant of those tire-tearing rocks and washed out single-tracks that could send me over the edge of the trail that seemed to come around every corner. With BWR on the horizon, I needed to go hard and keep the intensity high all race long!  After crossing the line in a sub-3hr race time, I warmed-down with a few of our BWC Athletes to get their "tales of the tape" on their races, ate some food, rehydrated, and hit the podium.

NO SOONER HAD I GOT HOME WITH THE FAMILY FROM A DAY AT THE RACES DID SÉAMUS THE NUGGET WANT TO GET HIS OWN RIDE IN! 

So we saddled-up hit the grocery store by bike and got some Thai food on the way home. Racing is RAD and being on the podium is a BONUS, but… Hearing The Nugget shriek, "FASTER PAPA" as we ride down the road numbs the pain in my legs. So there is always time for another ride! 

Until Next Time- Be Safe, Train Hard, & Have Fun!

Brian McCulloch 
Big Wheel Coaching
www.BigWheelCoaching.com 

UPCOMING RACES:

  • CA MTB Series Final Round: Sunday 6/20
  • The ENVE Grodeo (Gravel): 6/25-26
  • The Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego: 7/18 

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