CTR 2014 - Race Discussion

[mtbcast]

CTR14: Barry Ritchie called in from Salida. He’s nursing his achilles but plans to see how he feels tomorrow before making a decision to scratch or continue! And Mark Caminiti called in from Spring Creek Pass! He’s doing good and ahead of his best time!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/ctr14/

[Gimmearaise]

WOOOW...You all rock! Thanks so much for the support during my ride. I felt the good vibes out there for sure!

Its a bummer I couldn't finish with the pace I started, like jerry said, So much goes into the CTR, its just so difficult to have a perfect run. I felt great, and my training was dialed up to race day.

I had a fantastic ride until the sunset on Wednesday. I got off my bike to stretch my knee/IT band and instantly felt a weird sharp sensation. I knew it was not good, but I still could pedal. As time went on it got worse, and every time my right knee would hit a 45 degree angle it would yell at me.

My goal was to get over Blackhawk pass in any event, then nap and see if the knee felt better. IT DID NOT - One thing lead to another and I was in a big funk around Orphan Butte. I decided I was t0o close to just quit, even with my dumb knee, I pounded some ibuprofen and push on. At this point the trail was a river, I was soaked and getting colder as I reached the ridge.

Once I reached Kennebec, the sun shined my knee hurt, but I knew I could do it. about 5 miles to the finishe, my knee wanted no more, I had to walk every flat/uphill section....SLOWWWWWWW. I really want to thank you all for sending positive vibes, I kept thinking how much the CT wanted to put me down, remembering that I forgot to donate this year among other things. Lots going on in the head, and sometimes you forget the goal...FINISH!

Ill head to Griggs Ortho early next week to get it looked at, I believe is an overuse issues. the pain is neutralized thinking its not a tar, but I'm no doctor.

Thanks for being out there Joe, It made for a fun story. and thanks to everyone I met on the trail. How beautiful a place this is...

Already thinking of my 2016 run

Thanks,

Neil B.

[ayayron]

Neil you're a beast. Congrats man. Heal fast!

[sanjuanrider]

WOOOW...You all rock! Thanks so much for the support during my ride......

I really want to thank you all for sending positive vibes......

Thanks for being out there Joe, It made for a fun story. and thanks to everyone I met on the trail. How beautiful a place this is...


Thanks,

Neil B.

Now that's a true champion. Congrats to Neil - what a great show!
Bummer for those who had to drop - nothing wrong with that in a race like this. Good luck to all those that remain! Looking forward to Caminiti completing his triple crown within the next couple days! Hope everyone stays tuned into the race until the caboose rolls into the finish.

[tomis916]

Is this just a problem for me?

[mtbcast]

Same here.

[tomis916]

I just wanted to congratulate Robert Orr on an impressive ride.  As an older guy, he just took away one of my excuses!  I have others though....

[Done]

I'm guessing that someone closed the wrong one by accident.

Interesting race this year without the usual leaders, such as Jefe, Ethan, Jesse, etc. Good to see Mark C out there though. He seems to have just gotten stronger over the course of a huge summer.

[Platform Power]

Hi Guys, back in Salida. First time I walked (rode) away from a CTR. It is hard, I really love this race...it has become a passion. I ran into Richie and Jim near tank 7. Those men are remarkable. They are two retired firefighters from Minnesota, great dudes with great resolve, I believe they will finish. Caminiti is impressive, he really knows how to take care of himself, and he is kind and helpful to all the other riders. Cullen Barker is on his 2nd in a row, and a badass! The trail is incredible, this race is such a great challenge, I am happy to be a part of it. I learned a lot from my mistakes this year and I will come back swinging next year. I will see everyone in Durango! Thanks Toby and Stefan, Joe Polk, everyone that makes this the greatest mountain biking race on the planet Earth!

[Done]

Caminiti is impressive, he really knows how to take care of himself, and he is kind and helpful to all the other riders.

Just riding with Mark a few times on my first CTR was more instructional than reading pages and pages of blogs. His kindness, enthusiasm and eagerness to share his knowledge is awesome. I find it interesting that those who are the most successful are often those who seem most willing to share tips with others. Guys like Mark, Stefan, Kurt, Jefe, etc. contribute more than they might realize.

[Platform Power]

 I find it interesting that those who are the most successful are often those who seem most willing to share tips with others


On that note: RV Spur Park ~1 mile east of hwy 50 trailhead. hours 8-8 m-s 2-8 on sundays. burritos, tanka bars, candy bars sodas, juice

[Done]

Hi Guys, back in Salida. First time I walked (rode) away from a CTR. It is hard, I really love this race...it has become a passion.

Bummer to hear that you had to bail this year. Oh well, I think that everyone has to do it sooner or later. Getting across the finish line requires a healthy dose of luck, and luck never holds all the time!

[Platform Power]

I feel lucky just being a part of it. Everytime I tow that line in a race, I learn something. In just 4 years of racing mtn. bikes I have a plethora of experience....because I get to that starting line. Never sure where my mind or body will take me after the start... I just know you gotta start to finish. ..........

[Platform Power]

Congratulations to Neil    Thank you for reminding me to donate. I must appease the CTR gods 

[tomis916]

I find it interesting that those who are the most successful are often those who seem most willing to share tips with others. Guys like Mark, Stefan, Kurt, Jefe, etc. contribute more than they might realize.

I agree.  I'm not a racer, but I ride the CT and all the information that is shared helps both racers and not racers - a lot.

[Gimmearaise]

Congratulations to Neil    Thank you for reminding me to donate. I must appease the CTR gods 

Yeah, maybe you won't feel bad not donating...but something will happen. Never doing that again I just want to say thanks again for all of your positive vibes, it did not go unnoticed. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
-Neil

[ScottM]

Sorry about the locked thread. Not sure who hit the wrong one, but I fixed it and merged the new one into this one so all the in race discussion is in one place.

Congrats to Neil on the win and pushing through.  Stay strong everyone else out there!  There are many beautiful (and challenging) miles still to come!

[Johnny_mtb]

Great job Dominic! You get points for being able to leave your hometown and rejoin the race.
Lets go Caminiti - final leg!
And our two Minnesota boys should be arriving at Apple's camp shortly. Keep it up!

[ea82abuser]

Congrats to Bryan Klahn on his 4th place finish, he WAS tracking as Dave Stewart the whole time

[dream4est]

Rear brake dead
Front failing
Still in sec 26
May end up walking???
Lame