Race Report: 8-Hour Solo Singlespeed at Bogg's Mountain, 6/20/09

Have a bit different kind of a race report up on my blog at:

www.onegeartwoplanks.com

But in short, 71 miles, approximately 10,100 feet of climbing, 7 hours 14 minutes ride time, pushing a 34x20 gear (29'er).  Good enough for 4th place in Pro/Expert Solo Singlespeed. :)

How do your knees feel?

My knees? They feel absolutely fine.

That's a lot of time standing up and pushing.  I know many of the local single speed riders complain after long steep rides about their knees hurting, and your effort was literally world class.  Speaking or which, are you coming to Durango for the Single Speed World Championships in September?

Gotcha.  When my knees start huring, then I'll know it'll be time to hang it up and switch to gears.  Hopefully not for a long time though.  Gears are for road bikes ;-)

Not coming out to the SSWC in CO unfortunately.  Heck they were in NorCal last year, 2 hours away from me, and I couldn't even make it then.  ha!  You headed there?  Even if not riding, it's one hell of a party, scene, and...freakshow.

Despite the amount of climbing in this race, there was an equal amount of descending as well.  It was a great SS course as there were no really long flats, or long gradual downhills where a rider with a big ring could really open it up.

Here's the link to my MotionBased stats (which slighly inflates the climbing I think) which contains the elevatin profile, etc.: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/8489467

Tinker Juarez competed in the 24 hour solo event and he lapped me once and we saw him throughout the night as I pitted for some teammates who were riding 24 solo.  I don't know how many times I heard people yell "Go Tinker!" and he always, without fail, would turn around and say "thanks".  nothing more nothing less. It was actually pretty funny to try and get him to say thanks.  That guy is a legend and it was great to watch how smooth he is on the bike up close.

Tyrone, That looks like a great race report.

I'm thoroughly impressed with how you bounced back after your injury, but not surprised at all.

I will admit, I love riding my SS.

What gear ratio do you have on yours? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces 

Have a bit different kind of a race report up on my blog at:

 

www.onegeartwoplanks.com

 

But in short, 71 miles, approximately 10,100 feet of climbing, 7 hours 14 minutes ride time, pushing a 34x20 gear (29'er).  Good enough for 4th place in Pro/Expert Solo Singlespeed. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

Tyrone, That looks like a great race report.

 

I'm thoroughly impressed with how you bounced back after your injury, but not surprised at all.

 

I will admit, I love riding my SS.

 

What gear ratio do you have on yours? 

TC......is English your first language?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

 

 

What gear ratio do you have on yours? 

As Rossi pointed out (heh), I had a 34x20 on my 29'er. Others in the race had something similar (i.e. the guys who finished ahead of me had a slightly easier 32x20).

I geared specifically for this race though since there would be so much time and elevation gain involved.

For my normal riding loops, I normally have a 34x16 or a 34x17. (again, all 29'er gears)

(I think your SS is a 26? In which case, you can probably substract 2 from my rear cog to get an estimate of a comparable 26'er gear..I think.)

Have I told you that I have more blonde moments than not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces 

 

Not coming out to the SSWC in CO unfortunately.  Heck they were in NorCal last year, 2 hours away from me, and I couldn't even make it then.  ha!  You headed there?  Even if not riding, it's one hell of a party, scene, and...freakshow.

I live in Durango, so I'll definitely be checking out the action.  I can actually see part of the course from my house.  I'm not a SS rider due to age, weight and the love of sitting down when I pedal, but I know literally dozens of locals who ride SS, and many have all but abandoned geared riding in the dirt.

As for the SS Worlds being a freak show, I have heard stories of the last few year's races. The Durango guys putting it on came up with a description of the race I can't stop laughing about.  They said it is going to be the mullet of racing, all business up front and a party in the back.

That's a pretty good description of the race (SSWC).  Defintely take your camera and have fun :)

It has never occurred to me to race my bike(s), but if I were going to race I'd love to take a stab with the SS.

Here in Michigan where we have hills instead of mountains, the gear ratio is more like 32:16.

I just changed my gearing to 32:15.

You guys are incredible.

Interestingly I found on my local loop that 32x17(26 inch) was the fastest over the entire thing than a 18,16,or 15. I am sure that the best gearing for what ever trail your riding for how ever long riding will be different with so many variables. I rode the same section of trail (about 5 miles) on different but similar conditions days and thats what I got. I would rather not try to guess or go with what feels faster but rather what is faster.

for instance in western pa the common gears for shorter XC racing are this. 29er 32x20, 32x19 The guy who is nearly unbeatable locally normally runs a 32x20. most 26 guys either run a 32x16 or 32x17.

As ty mentioned the guy who beat him actually ran a lower gear than him. I am starting to think there is something to this. especailly on singletrack and not doubletrack/fireroads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA 

Interestingly I found on my local loop that 32x17(26 inch) was the fastest over the entire thing than a 18,16,or 15. 

for instance in western pa the common gears for shorter XC racing are this. 29er 32x20, 32x19 The guy who is nearly unbeatable locally normally runs a 32x20. most 26 guys either run a 32x16 or 32x17.

 

As ty mentioned the guy who beat him actually ran a lower gear than him. I am starting to think there is something to this.

Hey, I got an idea....lets put all those gear ratios on the bike and invent some little thing to switch between them by pushing a lever!

It's been tried?  Never mind!

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfydog 

 

 

Hey, I got an idea....lets put all those gear ratios on the bike and invent some little thing to switch between them by pushing a lever!

 

It's been tried?  Never mind!

hahaha....nice.  saw that one coming!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfydog 

 

 

Hey, I got an idea....lets put all those gear ratios on the bike and invent some little thing to switch between them by pushing a lever!

 

It's been tried?  Never mind!

haha

well I have one of those as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces 

 

 

hahaha....nice.  saw that one coming!!

It never gets old though. Or does it?