So, just got back from "riding" the National Hare and Hound in Wendover, Nevada. Let me start by saying, riding 3 times in 6 months, on easy trail rides, is not the way to prep for a 133 mile National desert race.
First off, 133 miles is one of the longest H&H's ever. The average H&H is 70-80 miles, the first loop of this one was 93 miles.
Secondly, unlike BITD or Baja, your pace is far slower, and the terrain way more technical, as they do not have to factor trucks and buggies into the course planning.
Anyway, we got there Friday night, I set up camp. (I was hoping to bring my trailer, but $4 gas killed that idea.) Got up Saturday morning and signed up. The race didn't start till noon, so we had some time. The bike was all ready to go, so I basically just sat around. Unlike other rounds, you cannot pre-ride the start, you can only walk it. I didn't bother as I was just there to have fun.
Anyway, get lined up, banner drops, and I went for it. I have always been a good starter, so I actually was in the clear on the left side, but backed off as I had no idea what was up ahead. I then settled into the pack, and encountered some of the worst dust I had ever seen. I swear, at one point I passed someone at 3 mph, and I was going 3.1mph. It was that bad.
The first loop was one word - fast. Jeep trails, the good kind that are fast, and have embedded rocks, mixed in with silt beds, the longest sandwash I have ever ridden, and some trees.
I was beat by the end of Loop 1, so I took my time in the pits. My buddy Jim came in shortly behind me, so we went out together on the 2nd loop. Unfortunately, I hit the wall. I had to stop 3 times just to drink water and sit there. I was wrecked.
The 2nd loop would have been fun if you were in shape - it went into the trees, had some cool trails, a really long and steep downhill, with riders stopped at various points drinking water.
Luckily, a buddy in the club had broken down, so I stopped to help him. I got him fixed, and we decided to just cruise it in. The best part was the 8 mile long whooped out trail we had to do right near the finish. You had to stand up, and my legs were done at that point.
Anyway, made it, got my finisher pin, and realized one important thing - you cannot just "race for fun." You either have to commit to it and hit it hard, or go spectate.
On a bad note, Josh Morros went down big time. There was a high-speed 5th gear tapped out road, and it had a kink and then a dip in it. 2 guys went down here, one was a Utah local who broke his femur, the other was Josh, who was running 3rd. He is in bad shape. Still unconcious, multiple broken bones, and the prognosis is apparently not all that good.
Read about that here: http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=12818
It's rough sport.
So, I was going to head back down to Cal, but I ended up heading back to Colorado, as I was only 12 hours drive from Colorado, and 2 days from San Diego at that point. I will be back out there in October for the 100s race, etc.
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