Well….. where to start. It is a difficult undertaking to try and describe what the Warrior Society’s “Vision Quest” means to its participants. Supported by Switchback Cyclery this is not considered a race by the promoters. It is heralded as an event to push a rider beyond weakness and overcome their adversities.
Tinker Juarez takes off from aid station #2 (photo by: Ivan Artates)
Not all listened though! Record times, despite 60 minutes, in pitch dark were set..
Perfect conditions greeted the participants on the 2010 edition of the 56 mile/11,000’ “Vision Quest” and the shorter 44 mile/8000’ little brother “Counting Coup”. Thanks to amazing trail conditions, Southern California weather and the house wives of Orange County cheering, this could have appeared to be a walk in the park. Unfortunately, the competition and terrain were not as considerate, neither was the Poison Oak.
With Jeremiah Bishob, Tinker Juarez, Manuel Prado and Cameron Brenneman present, fast times at the Santa Ana Mountains were on tap. Sid Taberlay might have been a cantankerous addition to this dramatic, true mountain bike battle. None the less, this impressive group of riders took the lead on a fast start early Saturday morning.
Going through the first Aid Station it seemed to turn into a battle between Manuel Prado and Jeremiah Bishob. Barely seeing daylight before the first descent down a treacherous, loose and narrow shoot forced the riders to face their fears…..mainly of crashing down the 1800’ plunge.
Manny Prado, seen here with no chain and a flat, was forced to retire from the race due to mechanicals (photo by: Ivan Artates)
When Manny abandoned with mechanical difficulties at the base of Holy Jim, what was rumored to be two flat tires and a broken chain were ultimately his demise.
Another 3000’ plus climb leads to what is arguably one of the most fun descents in the area. Upper Holy Jim is pure joy of tight technical riding opening up to lower HJ with speeds getting up to the 30s . The brutality soon followed after the last climb of VQ’s transition to the Horsethief’s 1.5 mile Hike a Bike slice of pain. Walked by most, feared by all! The reward for this pain is the thrilling last run down Trabuco Canyon towards the finish.
No awards beyond a feather and bragging rights are given.
1st - JB 4:45 course record. (First time racing VQ. Rode 99% of the Horsethief’s hike-a-bike section)
2nd - Tinker Juarez 5:06 (First time riding VQ with a Scalpel full suspension. No headlight, and was just happy to see “something”)
3rd - Cameron Brenneman 5:15. (Has won VQ in past riding single and geared. New course record for singlespeed)
4th - Doug Andrews age 48, (the man behind GeoLadders.com)
5th - Nate Whitman 5:29. Multiple VQ veteran.
6th - Guy Sutton 5:30 (Fastest Dentist in Socal)
Third place overall, Cameron Brenneman set a new course record for singlespeeds (photo by: Ivan Artates)
Even though these blazing times and battles are an amazing story in their own right, Vision Quest tends to challenge all of us in different ways:
Tales like the one of Calvin Mulder, who in the past has run the course, decided to push his limits yet again. After completing the course on a rigid SS in 16th place overall, Calvin ran the course backwards. Next up for him, riding the Julian Death March on a fixed gear.
Mark Sheets riding on a 24” BMX bike, Troy Sladeck who at 15 years is the youngest VQ competitor.
Have you ever considered what your Vision Quest could be?
Men
1, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) 4.45.12
2, Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) 5.06.34
3, Cameron Brenneman - singlespeed - 5.15.48
4, Doug Andrews 5.18.57
5, Nate Whitman 5.29.37
6, Guy Sutton 5.30.42
7, Tim Zandbergen
8, Eric Schuda
9, Jason Rusnak
10, Ryan Clark
11, Charly Kemp
12, Andy McSorley
13, Craig Ames
14, James Walsh
15, Adam Galland
16, Calvin Mulder
17, Michael Caffrey
18, Marc Kase
19, Jeff Resnick
20, Rob McGee
21, Jens Raz (iRide Adventures/MTBRaceNews.com)
Women
1, Christine Gray 8.09.50
Counting Coup Results
Men
1, Danny Munoz 3.53.47 (course record)
2, John Flagg 4.35.46
3, Rich Merrick 4.44.15
4, Jerry Chen - singlespeed - 4.46.19
5, Sjon McGookin 4.47.35
Women
1, Heidi Volpe 4.57.50
