Mohican 100
Bash, Browner and I headed down to do this as a "tour", as Bash had described nice trails and a good place to stay from when she ran there. Harps, Logie and Dee were coming down too.
I got enthusiastic permission from the organizer to do it on my 'bent.
We started with a small road prologue. I deliberately started pretty far back and tried not to move too far up on the road, so I wouldn't have to hammer at the faster part of the pack in unfamiliar singletrack. We had read about relentless technical riding, but it turned out to be a gorgeous cruise in prime singletrack. Lots of roots but they were dry. I got in behind a guy who climbed slower than me, but knew the trails really well and just flew downhill. This saved my legs for later. We passed a fair number of riders who got hung up on rocky bits, or had to wallk hills. I only got stuck on one too-tight switchback. There were a couple of steep hills that weren't rideable by anyone, and I could push my bike past some suffering racers. Riders were very positive about the 'bent.
The route to Aid Station 2 was almost entirely singletrack, with a bit of mucky horse trail.
There was also the dreaded "water bar" section, a muddy descent with slippery diagonal railway ties. I rode cautiously over the first ones but a huge cheering crowd encouraged me to ride the mud chute. I almost made it but slid out on the last tie, to much hollering.
I took a bit of time at the Aid Stations, filled up water and was able to eat some fruit, chips and pickle slices. My gut didn't shut down like it does running. AS volunteers were outstanding!
There was some nice fast road riding ahead. Also some massive gravel grinder climbs, where I granny-gear-wobbled past crowds walking their bikes (at my end of the race). Descents were fast, but I held back a bit on sketchy loose gravel sections.
Another singletrack around the 72k mark was a bit tougher. The trail was wet, there were more rocks, and things were slipperier. I had to get off a fwe times and walk some tricky uphill corners that I may have ridden with fresh legs.
More road riding and epic climbs. I finally had to get off and walk part of one as my legs were pretty gassed. Last 10 k was more nice singletrack.
The finish actually came earlier than I expected, and I got a huge reception for a mid-pack ride. The race director got a pic with me, and was very excited that I was the first 'bent in 15 years.
The Kodiak was pretty flawless. Starting further back, I was surprised that I passed more people on steep uphills or rocky technical bits more than the fast road sections.
Logie was on the podium, Crash was 5th woman and way ahead of me *on a singlespeed*!!! No other top 10 woman was on SS.
Harps finished way ahead of me too.
Beer mug with unlimited craft beer refills at the finish! Great ambience.
Browner finished a bit later, looking happy but hot. Bash finished shortly after, but she had a ton of mechanicals in the first half.
I had a lot of fun riding this, and my stomach was better than running ultras. Everyone was very positive about the 'bent, and the lead 100miler riders passed me very politely in the final few km. Some astounding performances out there, but I was happy to chug along and enjoy it.