This is a fun, no-cost, event that Victory Velo and the Auburn Running Company organize each year.  It’s so cool that we can gather at our favorite shop, head off behind the store, onto the railroad tracks, and down the famous Western States trail without going through a street light or busy intersection.  This year it’s on Halloween and most everyone is in costume.  This is going to be hilarious running and biking with Spiderman and Raggedy Ann!

After a great group picture we’re off!  I’ve been excited about this event.  I love the downhill trail running and the Clementine mtn bike loop and I think I can win it this year.  Most everyone is out for casual fun but I find some tough competition in a 15-yr-old kid named Zack.  After negotiating the treacherous rock-filled path along the railroad tracks and the steep single-track trail, Zack & I are side-by-side.  He was in the lead but calmly settled back.  He mentions that he doesn’t know where he’s going.  Since there isn’t any course marking, this is an expected dilemma.  I know the way and since we’re similar ability it’ll work out well.  We get to the 2^nd steep descent and I do my best to lead him down without slowing him down.  My right foot got hurt a week ago from descending in a new type of shoe so I’m really trying to baby it now.  Focusing on each launching and landing point so I don’t twist it on a rock.

We make it to the bottom where it’s mostly fire-road along the American River to No-Hands Bridge.  This is where I open it up and try out the speed I’ve been improving at the track workouts.  However, on a sharp turn section my right foot slips out and then catches which hurts the already injured area and suddenly I have to bring it back to a regular run.  I can tell Zack is doing great, he’s hardly breathing.  I tell him the rest of the course, “turn left before No-Hands Bridge up the single-track trail and follow it along Hwy 49 to the confluence, up onto the road and to the bikes”.  He takes the lead and gets to the bikes about ½ a minute before me.

Robin and the girls are on the bridge to cheer me in.  I give my key to Robin and she works on unlocking my bike as I transition.  I get to my bike in 2^nd place and feeling good about the ride ahead.  With everyone cheering I head off to try and catch Zack.  It’s a long climb to the top and with a ½ mi to go I pass Zack.  I’m really pushing hard because I know he’ll probably bomb the downhill and I don’t want to be in anyone’s way.  My main concern is navigating the technical descent myself after being so winded from the climb.  At the top I pray, giving thanks for this Sabbath Day and asking the Lord to protect me through the rocks and jumps.  Here we go..  focus now..  wow, it’s my best descent ever!  Carving through the turns, taking a few little jumps and feeling the front shocks absorb the landing.  It’s an awesome course and it’s downhill for miles.  Going fast and staring at the obstacles ahead leads to watering eyes which blur the vision.  It’s a constant challenge to keep focused, to keep the bike under control and to keep clear vision ahead.  I’m wearing a blue cape that says “VV” for Victory Velo Man.  Dan Tebbs also has a cape.  It would be great to see us and all the clever costumes screaming through this “mtn bike amusement park”.  Finally I’m near the bottom and right along the edge to the sheer drop-off to the river.  With the little jumps it’s key to remember to turn before catching some air, or else it’s a scary flight down the hill.  Crossing the confluence area the Victory Velo friends are cheering and I know there’s just 1 big climb to the finish.  Looking back at the first switch-back I see Zack.  Indeed he made up time on the descent, almost catching me.  I give it all I’ve got steadily climbing the Stagecoach Trail.  Earlier this morning I road my bike through the dark and foggy morning down to the confluence.  It was really cool and surreal as my headlamp made a sword of light in the fog ahead.  Then I ran up this trail to get to the start at the shop.  I reflect back to how awesome that was.  The sun was coming up over the canyons, igniting red and orange swirls in the sky.  The air was perfect temperature and the fog was only hanging around deep in the ravines.  I felt great running and now I think of that feeling on the bike.  I think I can hold Zack off because supposedly we have better endurance when we’re older.  I’m almost 3x his age.  He’s fast and well-trained but for a long climb I think his best endurance is a few years ahead.  Sure enough I get to the top first and see Robin, the girls, and Zack’s dad waiting to cheer us in.  Even though it’s not an official race, it really feels good to get to the top first knowing I went all-out the best I could.

Go Oliver!

Go Kayden!

Go Dan!