Jen Hanks is currently riding in 3rd place at the inaugural Breck-Epic in Breckenridge, Colorado. Jen is an experienced endurance and cross country mountain bike racer who has completed both the Transalp and Transrockies stage races. Join us as she shares her experiences each day of the Breck-Epic.
Today I finished the 2009 Breck Epic. I am officially a BMF (Bad Mother F’er)!!!!! I thought from the course description that today’s route would be a bit more straightforward than the previous two days. I also figured that race promoters would want to end the 6-day race on some rippin’ singletrack, which of course we did.
Being the last day of a 6-day mountain bike stage race, there was no reason to conserve energy today. That was apparent from the start as racers charged up Boreas Pass to the singletrack. There was a slight bottleneck when we transitioned from road to singletrack climbing, however I had no problem getting around a few racers allowing myself to peg it as hard as I could go. I was actually familiar with this part of the trail because it had been used in the Prologue on Day 1. We climbed more relatively smooth singletrack and came back out onto Boreas Pass Road where the Firecracker 50 course goes into singletrack. We then climbed the rest of the way to the top of Boreas Pass. For the first time in 6 days, I found myself with another racer on the road. We worked together trading pulls to the top of Boreas Pass. I was a little bit quicker through the feed zone at the top of the climb and got to enjoy a clear trail for the first of two super-fun downhills of the day. This downhill ended all too soon and then it was a gradual 10-mile climb up the other side of Boreas Pass Road. I wasn’t so lucky this time and found myself alone fighting an annoying headwind to the top. At the top of Boreas Pass, I was greeted by Larry from Squirt Lube with a beer. I thought it was a bit premature for me to celebrate as I still had 10-miles of downhill before the finish. I had also been riding really hard and probably would have vomited. I cruised down Boreas Pass Road waiting for the final singletrack downhill. There was still a pretty strong headwind so there would be no coasting. Finally, the last bit of singletrack. I let it rip as fast as I could as to enjoy my last little bit of Breckenridge glory.
Overall, I could not be more pleased with how my week of racing went. I accomplished all three of my goals which included having loads of fun, no mechanicals (thank you Revolution for helping my bike run perfect), and racing my very, very hardest. It was just an extra bonus to finish third in my category!
I would like to thank race promoter Mike McCormack for putting together such a spectacular event. This was truly a first class event and it was clear every day that a lot of heart was put into making it special. I am honored to have been able to share my daily experience. At the finish today I told Mike that I was a bit sad that the race was over and that I would not be able to race again tomorrow. While it is true that I enjoyed every minute of the past 6 days, now that the caffeine has worn off, I feel that I am ready to sleep in!
I would also like to thank all of the race sponsors. Their support of this event has helped make it such a wonderful experience for the racers. Special thanks to Larry Grossman with Squirt lube who lubed my chain at almost every single feed station as well as the neutral feeds who supplied me with endless bananas and oranges (my favorites)! I’d also like to mention how well the course was marked. I am known to take wrong turns on trails in my own backyard. I never questioned that I was heading in the right direction all week. Truly AMAZING!
While I am thanking people, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me to win one of the blogger’s grants. Special thanks to my Salt Lake City Revolution Bike shop team, my Granite School District co-workers (who are very dedicated voters), as well as the rest of my non-biking friends and family. Also, I would like to thank my coach, Monica Cazzetta who somehow comes up with a training plan to prepare me for these events while working a full-time job. Finally!!!! thanks to my husband and in-laws for spending their vacation helping to support me all week as well as my hound dog (Gordon) who patiently waited for me to finish every day.
Now the only thing up for debate is which one of us (me or my husband) will get to do this race next year!
Late addition to post: The post race party last night was fabulous. It was held at an amphitheater right on the river. The food was delicious and even though I am sick of stuffing calories in my mouth I wanted seconds. Dale Pale Ale also provided free beer. The raffle was the best I have ever seen. Everyone went away with something cool. Some of the highlights included a custom Spot frame who my new friend Jens scored!!!!, $1000 Crankbrothers wheelsets, and super cool long boards. I scored an Easton carbon seatpost and handlebar, Frisbee, and socks.
