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Are you looking for a new way to challenge yourself on the bike, but don't think you are quite ready to jump into the hard-core world of racing? Try an epic!
Also known as endurance racing, it takes the laid-back atmosphere of a friendly group ride or century and applies it to a timed format. There are a variety of types of people who participate in these events. Some race to win, but most just do it for a demanding but rewarding experience.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel up the hill to Ice Lakes Lodge in Soda Springs and participate in the Tahoe Sierra 100.
My dad, who traveled in from Pennsylvania just to do this race, and my girlfriend Allie both participated along with me. What a crazy day! I was delirious and cramping by mile 30 but somehow managed to finish strong.
Allie came face-to-face with a 1,000-pound wild bull, and had hallucinating visions of a magical monkey sitting on a tree stump. My dad got two flat tires early in the race, then counted 65 people he passed before he finally finished.
The best part of the day was when it was all over and we got to share our tales over chicken burritos and horchata at Taco's Jalisco.
So if you decide to enter an epic race or ride, please, do not do so without some training beforehand. You will regret it.
With that said, epics push the body to its very limit, and can be some of the most gratifying events. Convince your friends or riding buddies to tag along, and you can punish yourselves together.
Check out the following information on some of the best epic races and rides in the Sierra:
• Chickadee Underground Series (chickadeeunderground.blogspot.com): This isn't exactly a sanctioned race, but it is always extremely challenging and a ton of fun. The series usually consists of three or four events per year, which include mountain, road and cyclocross disciplines. The courses are guaranteed to sample some of Tahoe's best trails and roads.
• Tahoe Sierra 100 (www.globalbiorhythmevents.com/2009-tahoe-sierra-50100): Participants have the choice of riding a 50-mile or 100-mile mountain bike course, both of which explore the remote areas of Desolation Wilderness and the Western States Trail. This is a rugged course with a lot of climbing, but the awesome scenery makes it well worth it. Be sure to check out the other epic events in the Global Biorhythm Events series.
• Everest Challenge (everestchallenge.com): Why is it called the Everest Challenge? Because you will climb a total of more than 29,000 vertical feet (the elevation of Mount Everest) during the two-day event. Day 1 is 120 miles, Day 2 is 85 miles. You are given the choice of entering a race division, or a citizen's “fun ride” division, where your time and placing are not a factor, and completion of the event is the goal.
— Team rider Nate Freed is the author of this week's Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing column. Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing is a Truckee-based cycling team focused on racing and local bike advocacy. For more information, results and upcoming events, visit www.cwcracing.org.
Also known as endurance racing, it takes the laid-back atmosphere of a friendly group ride or century and applies it to a timed format. There are a variety of types of people who participate in these events. Some race to win, but most just do it for a demanding but rewarding experience.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel up the hill to Ice Lakes Lodge in Soda Springs and participate in the Tahoe Sierra 100.
My dad, who traveled in from Pennsylvania just to do this race, and my girlfriend Allie both participated along with me. What a crazy day! I was delirious and cramping by mile 30 but somehow managed to finish strong.
Allie came face-to-face with a 1,000-pound wild bull, and had hallucinating visions of a magical monkey sitting on a tree stump. My dad got two flat tires early in the race, then counted 65 people he passed before he finally finished.
The best part of the day was when it was all over and we got to share our tales over chicken burritos and horchata at Taco's Jalisco.
So if you decide to enter an epic race or ride, please, do not do so without some training beforehand. You will regret it.
With that said, epics push the body to its very limit, and can be some of the most gratifying events. Convince your friends or riding buddies to tag along, and you can punish yourselves together.
Check out the following information on some of the best epic races and rides in the Sierra:
• Chickadee Underground Series (chickadeeunderground.blogspot.com): This isn't exactly a sanctioned race, but it is always extremely challenging and a ton of fun. The series usually consists of three or four events per year, which include mountain, road and cyclocross disciplines. The courses are guaranteed to sample some of Tahoe's best trails and roads.
• Tahoe Sierra 100 (www.globalbiorhythmevents.com/2009-tahoe-sierra-50100): Participants have the choice of riding a 50-mile or 100-mile mountain bike course, both of which explore the remote areas of Desolation Wilderness and the Western States Trail. This is a rugged course with a lot of climbing, but the awesome scenery makes it well worth it. Be sure to check out the other epic events in the Global Biorhythm Events series.
• Everest Challenge (everestchallenge.com): Why is it called the Everest Challenge? Because you will climb a total of more than 29,000 vertical feet (the elevation of Mount Everest) during the two-day event. Day 1 is 120 miles, Day 2 is 85 miles. You are given the choice of entering a race division, or a citizen's “fun ride” division, where your time and placing are not a factor, and completion of the event is the goal.
— Team rider Nate Freed is the author of this week's Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing column. Cyclepaths/Wild Cherries Racing is a Truckee-based cycling team focused on racing and local bike advocacy. For more information, results and upcoming events, visit www.cwcracing.org.
