Thanks to Mick Walsh for this report on the 2009 Race Across Oregon:
***** *****
Well, this last weekend’s race was one I have been looking forward to all season. I raced the 517-mile Race Across Oregon as part of the 4-man relay team Koenig’s Kronies.
We were a mix of ultra rider Chris Ragsdale, bike racer Mick Walsh, randonneur Brian Ohlemeir and recreational cyclist Ian Luttrell. Our crew were Eric Vigoren Mike McHale, Ian’s friend Miles Matsen and the team’s legendary namesake….Urs Koenig.
Ian Luttrell gets in the zone for his rotation. Image courtesy Chris Ragsdale.
A lot of organising and planning went into several pre-race meetings and enjoyable dinners getting to know each other. Finally the big day arrived and we all made our way to the start at Hood River.
Our goals for the race were to have fun and ride hard first, then try to win the 4 man team division. We knew that a win would also mean a course record as race organisers George Thomas and Terri Gooch designed a new course for 2009.
The Co-Ed Coasters 4-tandem team had a highly engineered contraption for shuttling their bikes. Image courtesy George Thomas and Terri Gooch.
Friday afternoon at the host hotel, the Best Western Hood River Inn, was a hive of activity with everyone rushing around setting up cars and vans including a 4-tandem team with a custom built tandem rack in the back of a pick-up. Bikes had to be readied too: We made sure we had the right lights and reflective tape in the correct places. We managed to pass vehicle and bike inspections. Urs and Miles made the trip to Safeway to buy supplies for riders and crew; we were going to be out there for at least 24 hrs. There were 8 of us to be fed, not to mention gallons of water to drink in the expected hot temperatures.
After a hearty dinner we were off to bed to try to get some sleep. The solo racers left at 5am but we didn’t start until 9, so we had a relaxing morning before heading off on out adventure.
The race started out with a parade led by George Thomas, up a stinkin’ hill in the spirit of RAO! After 9 miles George pulled off and away we went! Chris did our first leg. Brian was next, then Ian, and finally me. We expected Chris to be first at 17 miles, but I knew a couple of racers could stay close to him. We were pleasantly surprised when there was no one in sight when he arrived, and had about 6 1/2 minute lead on the Grundel Bruisers 4-man team. Brian was looking good on roads I’m familiar with from the Mount Hood Cycling Classic, and he had a smooth tempo on a never-ending climb. My first pull was after the Cooper Spur turn-off. My legs hurt from all the standing around the previous day, but I had plenty of opportunities to feel better later 🙂
Mick Walsh getting ready for an exchange and having a blast racing his bike. Image courtesy Chris Ragsdale.
Our vans were set up great. All we had to do was just hand off the bike after each pull, hop in the van and take off the shoes. There was an always-stocked cooler dispensing ice-cold water, and I had Hammer Heed and Perpetuem right there, along with Endurolytes and Anti-Fatigue capsules. We also had some gluten-free snacks and Hammer Bars on hand. We were never short on food or drinks and our van crew Mike and Eric were persistent in asking if we needed anything. How could you not ride as fast as you could?
This looks scary: Wind turbines on the race course. Image courtesy Chris Ragsdale.
We took 15-20 min pulls each, and with 4 guys that was plenty of time to recover. At the first time station, 70 odd miles in we were ahead by 14 mins and it continued to grow throughout the race. We just had to focus on maintaining our pace, hope nobody got sick, and try to catch the oh-so-impressive Kenneth Philbrick who was ripping it up in the solo division.
I hope to one day do this race solo, but when we were passing the first of the solos after about 200 miles, I thought it didn’t look like fun at all–riding 10mph in 90 deg temps, with 300 miles to go. It was amazing to watch some of them, especially Sandy Earl who rallied and made the official finish before 5am Monday.
Night riding was fun with the car headlights making visibility safe. We saw many deer, some elk, a bat, owls and I met a young Coyote that didn’t seem to know what to do! Luckily all the wildlife kept their distance and we survived the night.
I think I got two or three 10-15 min naps, and sometimes I was hardly able to keep my eyes open right before I was due to ride, but once on the bike I was fine.
We eventually caught Mr. Philbrick on the 10 mile climb between Service Creek and Fossil, and although he was going a lot slower than we were he looked to be in control and riding smoothly. It took us about 375 miles to catch his 4-hour lead. That’s one tough solo rider!
Chris, tongue hanging from his effort, exchanges with Brian. Image courtesy George Thomas and Terri Gooch.
It was great to see my wife Martha as I finished my pull into Maupin, and she leapfrogged us as we went up FR44 near the finish where Ian’s parents showed up.
I got to take the last pull up to the Cooper Spur Resort (thanks guys!). It didn’t seem so bad, but maybe I am just used to being under pressure when racing up there. We all rode together for the last mile or so up to the ski lifts and the finish, which was nice.
George, Terri and their daughter Amelia were there to give us our finisher’s medals, and Martha had some drinks and snacks for us.
Koenig’s Kronies celebrate at the finish area. Image courtesy Chris Ragsdale.
Our finishing time was 26 hrs and 27 mins. All in all it was a great experience with a great bunch of guys. I suggest you try it sometime! If you’re in reasonable shape it is not sooo hard on a 4 person team, yet still challenging and fun. I was super impressed with Kenneth, of course, but Chad Swanson had a great ride in his first ultra event. The tandem team, yes a 4 tandem team(!!) impressed me too. I must say I worried that they had bitten off more than they could handle, since some of them had only started riding last fall!! They finished in 34 hrs.
And if you want to try ultra racing on a smaller scale to start try the Ring of Fire 6/12/24 hr TT in Maupin, OR on September 12.
Next up for me: the Cascade Classic
Cheers and have a great Summer 🙂
