XXC Magazine #15

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XXC Magazine Issue No. 15, PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2012 4 Introduction

By Jason Mahokey 6 The Oregon Stampede

By Ryan King 12 12 Hours of Pitch Black Singletrack

By Tim Sybrant 16 Interview: Sally Bigham

By Jason Mahokey 24 Fat Fotos: Farmer’s 3 Hour Fat Bike Race

By Jason Mahokey 34 Interview: Mike Simonson

By Jason Mahokey 43 The Heck of the North

By Chris Gibbs 46 An Excuse To Master The Frozen Commute: The Arrowhead 135

By Eszter Horanyi 50 Gravel Roads & The Violence of Life

By Jason Mahokey XXC Magazine #15 Contributors: Sally Bigham - www.topeak-ergon.blogspot.com Devon Dyreson Bob Foy - www.foyfoto.com Chris Gibbs - www.c5photo.com Eszter Horanyi - www.gooneyriders.typepad.com Tom Janas - www.Sportograf.com Ryan King Jack Kunnen - www.jhkunnenphoto.com Abram Landes - www.aelandesphotography.com Jason Mahokey - xxcmag.com Mike Simonson - mikesimonson.blogspot.com Tim Sybrant XXC Magazine also wishes to thank Alekzandr Benedict, Dave Byers, Heidi Volpe and Ben Welnak for their contributions to xxcmag.com and to the XXC Podcast available on iTunes and at xxcmag.com.

Cover Photo: Tara Jansen (Farm Team Racing) rolls through a winter wonderland at the 2012 Farmer’s 3 Hour Fat Bike Race in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo by Jason Mahokey, xxcmag.com.

Proof and Copy Editor - Alekzandr Benedict Wrenching and bike building expertise - Terry’s Cycles in Alma, Michigan.

Special thanks to JoErin O’Leary and Brennan Mahokey for continued love & support. © 2012 XXC Magazine. Enjoy the words and pics, but please don’t copy and or pass it off as your own.

Because like The Smiths song says... “don’t plagiarize or take on loan, there’s always someone, somewhere with a big nose, who knows and who trips you up and laughs when you fall.”

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Fat tracks in the snow.

Photo by Jason Mahokey

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The Blessings and Curses of Naivety by j ason m ahok ey

In March it will be three years since I first started XXC Magazine.

Three short, incredibly long years. I’m sure that doesn’t make much sense to you, so I’ll explain.

XXC Magazine was born out of my own selfish want to have a magazine dedicated to endurance mountain biking and my hatred of the supposedly-creative-yet-very-uncreative job I had just left in the newspaper industry. I had no business plan or model, just the desire to produce something that I wanted to read, maybe sell some magazines along the way and try, at 37 years old, to finally have something I considered a career.

I thought I knew what I was getting into. Turns out I hadn’t a clue.

Maybe my naivety was actually a blessing, because if I had known what wheels of stress and worry I was about to set in motion I surely would have never started XXC. I thought it would be simple: find articles and photos and create the best mag I can. Offer it to folks for free on my web site and make income off the advertisers that would surely recognize how badass a magazine about endurance riding and racing was and want to be part of it. See? Naive.

It didn’t take long for me to see that this initial “plan” was not going to work. I wanted to abandon the project and pretend like it never happened. Just move on. Problem is, in my gut I knew I was on to something and even with the stress I was putting myself through, I found that I couldn’t give up. I also found that with the release of each issue more and more folks were reading it and appreciating what I was trying to do.

But, the “career” that I thought would blossom was still looking like just a very expensive hobby. (Because racing mountain bikes isn’t expensive enough!) The initial non-plan was scrapped, a new plan was cobbled together and I set out to learn what I could to keep growing XXC Magazine and xxcmag.com. This naivety thing is pretty sweet.

Over the next year or so things started moving quickly. A few advertisers who dug the XXC vibe came on board, the magazine became available for purchase in quality print and digital downloads 4 XXC Magazine

(in addition to online viewing) and I started selling a variety of merchandise online that readers seemed to like. I KNEW I was onto something.

Yet at this very time last year, just days after the release of XXC Magazine #10, I stood in my kitchen on a Friday night venting to my wife about what a dumb idea the magazine was and how crappy my website was. I began formulating an escape plan that would end with the demise of the magazine and my taking a job in the fast food industry. I was almost at peace with the idea of ending the magazine... at least until Monday morning. I’m not sure what happened over the next two days but that Monday morning I woke up, ditched the old website and blog, and started designing a better one. I had no idea what I was doing. Being naive rocks!

But I wasn’t done. Over the year I decided to focus on trying to make the magazine look better and, as often as I could, I reinvested in the magazine by offering photographers and writers more than just schwag and thank yous for lending me their talents. I started to post more content on the web site and created a huge calendar of endurance events. In the past year I started taking more photos, shooting more video and even let my friends Ben and Zandr talk me into doing XXC podcasts.

As I enter year three of XXC Magazine, I’m now 40, I still don’t have a business plan, I still don’t get a paycheck, I’m still not sure I have what most folks consider a career, I still have no idea what I’m doing and I’m still naive. But along with racing and riding, I do get to be creative everyday while covering what I think is the greatest sport in the world. So… maybe I do know what I’m doing?

Thanks to the readers, contributors and folks that believed in me and in XXC Magazine over the past three years. Here’s hoping for another three years of blissful naivety.

Jason Mahokey XXC Magazine

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The Oregon Stampede Words & photos

by Ryan King

Oregon’s Wasco County isn’t a place you want to be when the mercury pushes triple digits. Aside from some scattered stands of scraggly pine that cling to often-dry streamsides, there is no shelter to be had from the sun except in the shadow of an abandoned church or grain elevator. Though the early fall weather is typically mild, the forecast for the second running of The Oregon Stampede had everyone worried. Expected highs for September 10, 2011 teetered around 100 degrees with cloudless skies and scarcely a breeze. Only a masochist with cruel intentions would choose these conditions for an endurance event. Portland cyclists are a hardy bunch - well accustomed to adverse weather - but west of the Cascade Range the toughest season is the chilly and perpetually wet winter. Many Portlanders take great pride in their ability to suffer through the long, dark winter miles and emerge in the springtime steeled for battle.

However, on rare summer days when the mercury creeps into the high nineties many of these selfstyled “hard men” can be found seeking shelter from the sun in air-conditioned movie theaters or under café umbrellas sipping iced coffees rather than spending time in the saddle. The heat brings on an uncommon brand of suffering for which most Northwestern cyclists are largely unprepared.

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The potential effects of these uncommonly high temperatures were blithely arrogant, but all would be put to the same trial.

After passing under a railroad trestle less than a mile from the showcased less than three weeks before the Stampede at the 2011 Rapha Northwest Gentlemen’s Race. On August 20 - the hottest day start, the grade increased and the washboards of Old Moody Road of the summer - 28 teams of six riders took to the roads in pursuit seemed to aim straight up toward the clear, blue sky. Many riders of glory. The level of attrition was unprecedented as the soaring without the rubber volume and low gearing to conquer the steep, temperatures opened cracks in the armor of all but the strongest loose incline were obliged to dismount and push their machines riders. Only seven squads were able to muster the strength and will until the slope relented. Dramatic views of the Columbia River to conquer the 10,000 feet of climbing and finish the 130-mile route gorge far below provided satisfying proof of the nearly 1,000 feet of together. No other official records were kept, but at least one of every climbing already accomplished. From the viewpoint at the top the three starters was unable to finish. Given that the Gentlemen’s Race road turned south, away from the river and into the rolling hills of traversed many tree-lined, shady roads in the Coast Range, passed Company Hollow towards the town of Dufur. Spirits soared as tires through relatively well-populated areas and provided emergency traced their line along the smooth, well-worn gravel along Easton medical support for those in need, the prospects for Stampede Canyon, even as the sun rose in the sky and pushed temperatures riders looked bleak. There would be no cameramen on motorbikes, steadily higher. Forty miles into the day, riders descended into Dufur no first-aid personnel, no roving Sprinter van to offer a free ride on for a stop at Kramer’s Market. This first refueling point comes at an the barren, isolated gravel roads connecting widely scattered farm early but crucial junction in the route, just 15 miles before entering the White River Wildlife Area. towns in north-central Oregon. There The crux of the route, the White would be no entry fees, checkpoints, “The brief interval between River Wildlife Area is more hunting aid stations, or broom wagons, only reserve than wildlife refuge and is a 127-mile loop with 9,000 feet of sleeping bag and saddle crossed by an unmaintained, nearly climbing, 60% dirt, no shade or shortcuts, and a golden spur for the would be the only time on this unmarked network of dusty OHV roads full of embedded rocks, sandy winner. Full commitment, proper preparation and strong determination day that anyone in the group ruts and steep grades. This seven-mile stretch of rugged terrain forces riders would be required to finish. would be remotely chilly. to choose a line – and their steed for “Unless you bail within the first the day – more carefully than would 30 to 40 miles, you might as well just One hundred twenty seven otherwise be necessary. Bikes with do the whole thing,” said VeloDirt wider tires had a distinct advantage kingpin and Stampede organizer miles of hot, dusty, treeless in the deep sand and goat-head rocks Donnie Kolb. Three weeks after roads awaited the thunder but many skilled riders on purebred registration opened for the 2011 road machines were able to safely Stampede, Donnie had reached his of rubber hooves.” navigate the terrain that would have 75-rider field limit and had a lengthy been better suited to mountain bikes. waiting list. Photos and stories from the inaugural edition had circulated widely and interest was Not all escaped unscathed, however. Rob Tsunehiro was the victim high. However, fear of the heat kept many registered riders away, of a particularly nasty tumble on a steep, rocky descent that left flaps especially those with the torment of the Gentlemen’s Race still fresh of skin and lycra hanging from his left shoulder and blood dripping from his elbow. His indomitable good spirit helped him push in their memories.

Just before sunrise on September 10, 2011 the group of 51 hardy through the pain to finish. The jarring terrain and strenuous climbs souls crawled out of their tents and wiped the sleep from their eyes. also pushed many poor souls over the edge into heat stroke territory.

They ate quick breakfasts of oatmeal or granola, slugged down their One rider was seen emptying a bellyful of margarita-flavored shot coffee, gathered supplies, strapped on cycling shoes and met in a blocks into the roadside dust. A witness remarked that the energy field near the mouth of the Deschutes River just before 7:00 AM. chews “still had 90-degree corners on them!”

The greatest reward for braving the wilds of White River was the The sun poured into the river valley and began to take the chill out of the morning air. The brief interval between sleeping bag and saddle final stream crossing that offered a chance to cool off and rinse away would be the only time on this day that anyone in the group would some of the crust of dirt, spit, salt and blood accumulated over the be remotely chilly. One hundred twenty seven miles of hot, dusty, first half of the day. After a good sousing in the chilly creek water treeless roads awaited the thunder of rubber hooves. The second and drifting through the last few sandy corners, the exit from the Wildlife Area onto delightfully smooth pavement was a delight and running of the Oregon Stampede was about to begin.

The varied terrain of the route brought out an eclectic mix of relief. The most difficult dirt section and nearly half of the day’s miles bikes and riders. Though cyclocross bikes with medium-width were completed. But the sun was now high in the sky, water bottles tires and wide gear ranges were the most common mounts, every were nearly drained and the 12 mile stretch of pavement into Tygh style of machine from full-bore carbon road racers to steel-framed Valley would prove much more difficult than it ought to be.

The Hen’s Nest in Tygh Valley is a popular stop for motorcycle adventure 29ers were present. Riders dressed in everything from shiny, matching team kits to stained cutoff shorts and plaid button- tourists exploring the surrounding country highways. A group of ups. Some stuffed only the essentials into jersey pockets; others roughly a dozen burly, bearded, leather-clad motorcyclists sipped mounted handlebar bags and panniers to carry supplies for the day. their tallboys and looked on the dusty band of skinny, sunburned After Donnie gave a quick briefing, Aaron Schmidt - VeloDirt co- bicycle riders with a mix of confusion, derision and sympathy. White conspirator and founder of VeloDirt Racing Development - led the River had taken its toll and our soldiers shared war stories of flat group out of the campground at twenty minutes after seven. The tires, high-speed crashes, cramps, vomiting and immense suffering. pack rode together onto the Biggs-Rufus Highway in good spirits. Even after a break in the shade and fortifying themselves with food Some knew what was to come, some were blissfully ignorant or and drink, the next stretch of road would prove to be the breaking xxcmag.com

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“The heat brings on an uncommon brand of suffering for which most Northwestern cyclists are largely unprepared.�

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“One rider was seen emptying a bellyful of margaritaflavored shot blocks into the roadside dust. A witness remarked that the energy chews ‘still had 90-degree corners on them!’ ” point for many riders.

Sherar’s Bridge Highway, paved with the blackest tar, is a completely exposed, sun-baked ribbon of two-lane state highway. Running through the rocky canyonlands outside of Tygh Valley, it winds its way to the banks of the Deschutes and then up an infernal climb out of the river valley to the rolling plain above. The burning midday sun caused legs and brains to sizzle like fajita meat on the cast-iron skillet of asphalt. Riders in dire states of dehydration and delirium shared a tiny pocket of shade created by a small rock outcropping on a steeply side-cut hillside. The road teased riders with switchbacks as it wound higher and higher up the canyon into the sun. Much to the chagrin of those finally gaining the top, this cursed slice of tarmac offered no reward for the debilitating effort required to dig out of the 1,600-foot hole carved by the Deschutes. This is no mountain and there is no summit or subsequent descent promising free speed and a cooling breeze, only a rolling series of false-flats on the long and grinding road to Grass Valley.

Donnie knew that this climb would come at a difficult point in the day and that supplies of water would likely be running low, so he 10 XXC Magazine

drove to the top of the climb with ice, water and adult beverages in a cooler to bring aid to the lucky few who made it to the top during his stay. The seeming foolishness of the day’s endeavor was summed up in an interaction with a local motorist on Sherar’s Bridge. A petite octogenarian pulled over next to Donnie’s car, rolled down her window and said, “You fellas are crazy, it’s a hundred degrees out here!” Yes ma’am, these fellas are a special breed of crazy indeed.

“Is there anyone else coming up the climb?” Donnie asked in response.

“Yes, but they are stopped and looking like they’re going to throw up!” Many riders teetering on the verge of total collapse were restored to life by the oasis created in the shade of the open hatch, but the break couldn’t last long. Nearly 15 miles still had to be covered before the final store stop in Grass Valley.

The Grass Valley Country Market was the final opportunity for riders to stock up on water and fuel before the final 30-mile push back to the campground. Some were already in a celebratory mood and were seen purchasing bottles of booze from the well-stocked shelves of liquor and stashing them away in hydration packs for later

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consumption. Others stoked the fire with tasty deli sandwiches and homemade potato chips. Jason Britton devoured a cheeseburger that he declared the best he’d ever had. Many who had made it this far might have thought that the worst was over and that survival was now assured. Despite the falling sun, the final 20 miles of dirt would prove to be a decisive testing ground that would soon be littered with the dead and dying. The effects of the day-long march had already taken hold. It was too late to repair the damage and the soft, unmaintained track known as Sayrs Road forced riders to the limit with tricky corners through sinking sand followed by abrupt, punchy climbs.

Once-strong legs were paralyzed by cramps as a result of these hard efforts. The pain inflicted by the brutally steep, loose climb to the top of Gordon Ridge forced many riders off the bike. The screams and moans of suffering echoed across the hills as riders dipped into their deepest reserves to keep moving, pedaling or not. With a grand view of the valley spread out to the north, the sense of relief after cresting the final significant climb on the day was terrific. All that lay between the remaining riders and a cold beer on the river’s edge was the dragon’sback descent on the loose gravel down Gordon Ridge, followed by a blazing fast four mile bobsled run in the waning afternoon sun through Fulton Canyon on the smooth tarmac of OR-206. Crouched low over their machines to slice through the slight upcanyon headwind, the speed, thrill, rush of wind and joy of accomplishment were a well-deserved rewards for the day of struggle and toil.

After a brief salutary ride from canyon bottom into the setting sun along the mighty Columbia River, the sturdy souls who finished in daylight returned to the campground to find a scene of triage and disarray. Nearly everyone who had stayed behind was out on

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the roads picking up shattered riders. Some of the rescuers were obliged to make multiple trips back to the scenes of destruction, returning with vehicles packed full of casualties. Less than half of the registered riders were able to finish the complete route. Some - like the contingent from Team Beer – chose not to ride nearly 130 miles in these conditions and had set out on a shorter course. Their hard work and uncharacteristic good judgment in the 100-mile “Team Beer Oregon Stampede Challenge” was rewarded with the high honor of tasting the first pints from the iced-down keg of delicious IPA provided by Burnside Brewing.

As all potential timekeepers were forced into medic duty, precise records were unobtainable.

We do know that Nelson Snyder defended his 2010 title and earned his second spur after nine hours of riding, giving him one for each boot. India King took home her first ladies’ spur with a time of 11:30 after a long battle with Cristina Mihaescu. Riders continued to trickle into camp through the twilight hours and into the dark. According to the best count, 21 riders were able to finish the 2011 Stampede and tip their glass with pride and satisfaction.

With exhausted legs stretched out in the grass around the campfire, surviving riders shared stories of travail and triumph while they enjoyed hearty meals and hoppy beverages. Before long, eyelids grew heavy and the campers retired to their tents to settle in for a well-deserved rest under the starry sky.

VeloDirt is expanding the 2012 calendar and will host four rides, with the Stampede moving to early June. Check out www.velodirt.com to keep up with the latest news.

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12 Hours of Pitch Black Singletrack

by Tim Sybrant

It’s getting dark out. It’s time to get ready to ride. Lights charged and ready, check. Helmet, check. Bike placed across the bridge, check.

Eight o’clock hits and it’s on! A mad dash through the field and over the bridge to the bikes, lights on, and the race begins. Okay, only twelve more hours! Yikes, what did I get myself into?

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The Pitch Black Singletrack 12 hour night endurance race is the event. It’s put on by The Capitol Off-Road Pathfinders (CORP) and The Viking Biking Club (VBC) out of Madison, WI and is held at the Camrock III bike trail in Rockdale, WI. The event is based at Heather’s Bar and Grill which is conveniently connected to the trail network at Camrock III and a friend to the local mountain bike scene.

This was the third year of the race and it has seen success – about 75 racers have attended each year. The VBC is best known for how much fun their events are; that was my draw to this event. I found it very inspirational to see some of the really good racers. However, the VBC’s relaxed, just-have-fun-and-ride-some-bikes atmosphere made it possible for regular riders like me to take part in this event as well. The race follows the Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series format including three, six and twelve hour events for solo, duo or four person teams, as well as a high school category.

The trail is Camrock III. It’s about eight miles of singletrack nestled in the small country town of Rockdale, WI, about 25 miles east of Madison. This trail is great because it offers something for every style of rider. The network has a little bit of everything: fast

Photo: Devon Dyreson

open prairie, tight and windy through the woods, gnarly, rocky, root-filled technical up and down, fast downhills with bermed corners, log rides and rock features galore, elevated wooden features and bridges, all passing through a diverse sample of Wisconsin’s vast array of natural beauty.

From the moment I pulled into the lot at Heather’s the energy was great. Trail prep work had taken place throughout the day so a bunch of friends of mine were around. We got together and started setting up our tents and fire pits. Our team decided to ride two laps at a time so we could rest longer in between laps. I volunteered to go first. This was my first race ever and I didn’t know what to expect.

I’m not by any means the fastest rider, but I live for doing crazy stuff and know the trail well. I figured what I lacked in speed and endurance I would make up for with familiarity and guts. Most of my riding is urban freeride and just this summer I started riding dirt – mostly dirt jumping and downhill with the occasional crosscountry.

From the get go it was madness! There were bikers everywhere, in front of me, behind me, around the corner from me. Since it was night and everyone was lit up you could see where everyone around you was in tight, winding sections of trail. I was amazed at how fast some guys were. Also, honestly, I was amazed that only a few people passed me.

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It turns out trails look different at night when you ride them in a route that is backwards through some sections. I recognized some parts and almost always knew where I was in the big picture, but the ground in front of me was all new that night! After my first lap, riders were a little more spaced out which was nice. By the end of my second lap I didn’t see many other riders at all.

My first two laps were a pretty standard night ride at Camrock III. I pedaled hard up the hills, took the small hits and rode the berms hard like I normally do there. It was a nice night to bike. I did cramp up a little bit in the beginning through the toughest part of the course. Luckily, the second half of the course was the fast and flowy section. After the first few tough miles it turned into a nice cruise.

Tired and done riding for the moment, I changed, grabbed a beverage, took a spot in front of the fire and rejoiced in the completion of my first two laps. That may sound silly to some, but it was a huge accomplishment for me! I figured I should get some rest and stay warm so I climbed in the tent, turned on my little heater and rested. I would have to ride again at roughly four o’clock in the morning. Although I tried, I couldn’t sleep. Not for a second. Then the rain came.

Photo: Devon Dyreson

There had been a sprinkle in the air throughout the night but at about three o’clock in the morning, the sprinkle turned to downpour.

I couldn’t wait to get out and ride in it. By the time my teammate was done getting soaked the rain had stopped and I was granted the gift of riding the most majestic two laps of my life. This particular trail is known for being a sponge. It soaked up the water and left the trail nice and tacky; my tires were sticking like glue and it felt great. I was ready this time, had my tire pressures dialed in and the trail was fresh in my mind.

Most would not think so, but it proved true: the best riding conditions were between four and six in the morning in the woods of Rockdale after a rain. It reminded me of being in a jungle or tropical rainforest, except for the cold. Not being much of an outdoorsman, I don’t often see the inside of the forest this early in the morning.

But now I know that something magical happens. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe the beer, but probably just what I’ve been missing all my life.

There is one particular section of this trail that is rather open, fast and flowy, and has a width of dirt with short, green, leafy plants immediately on each side. These plants were the brightest color green I have ever seen in my life and I will never forget the minute it took me to bike through this section. When my lights lit up the path in front of me it was like carving across some mystical foreign XXC Magazine 13

“I love mountain biking at night because it is like being in your own little world that only exists where your lights shine.

Nothing else matters at that moment.”

Photo: Devon Dyreson

planet radiant with unusual natural life. The fact that I was hauling ass on my bike made it that much better!

Everything was silvery and shiny and the greens had never been greener, the reds never redder, and the earth brown never so pure.

All the colors were intensified as if I could see that the forest was full of life. I had never experienced the natural environment in such a way and I will never forget how alive it made me feel.

I do lots of night riding, but not at four in the morning. Normally I go out right after sunset. Night riding is so much fun because you can only see what is right in front of you. It forces you into a zone and makes you one with the trail. Disaster can happen if you lose focus for even a second. I love mountain biking at night because it is like being in your own little world that only exists where your lights shine. Nothing else matters at that moment.

By now I was pretty much all alone in the woods at night with just me, my bike, and my lights for two hours. Or was I? Nope. I wasn’t.

I only had one close call with nature in the form of a little brown creature wearing a mask, just chilling in the middle of the trail when I flew around a downhill corner. I yelled and the raccoon scattered up the back side of a tree and peered around it as I biked past, my head not even a foot away. Not only was the raccoon lurking, but there was a VBC checkpoint way out in the woods.

It was really cool and motivational to be roughly three miles out in the middle of the woods and hear a loud stereo pumping out some jams. Coming through the dark, I saw the checkpoint all lit up with a disco ball, Christmas lights and everything. I was cheered on and encouraged by a few of my close friends who volunteered to staff it when I rode through on my first two laps. It wasn’t until my last lap that it became an oasis. They had all the essentials: bacon, Twinkies and PBR! At this point I could feel my legs starting to get weak with every climb and the cold was beginning to set in. I hadn’t consumed many nutrients throughout the night and had heard that the bacon was crisp. I made it there and ate a few pieces, and also more Twinkies than I had eaten collectively over the last ten years. This was just enough to get me through the last few miles. My teammate was 14 XXC Magazine

ready and waiting; a high five and he sped off. I was done. I rode about 28 miles that night, which is more than I’ve ever ridden crosscountry. I didn’t do that great in comparison, but I rode my hardest and had a damn good time doing it.

I pushed my body to its limit that night and actually felt like I was going to die for a little while after I finished. Like a zombie, my body was systematically shutting down. I climbed in my sleeping bag and just lay there. I couldn’t even move. I vaguely remember hearing the announcement at the end of the race, or maybe I dreamt it. When I finally had the energy to move, the race was over and teardown was in progress.

I staggered up into Heather’s for her special all-you-can-eat breakfast and ate about four plates of food, then went back to sleep.

When I woke up again everyone was gone, except a really tiny turtle crawling right outside the door of my tent. That morning was so peaceful, lying there with the rain just trickling down on the skylight of my tent. The sense of accomplishment was intense. I rode harder and longer in worse conditions than I ever had before. Moments like these take us out of ourselves and make us feel truly alive.

This is a sport for the individual. Not for most, not for fame, not for fortune, but because it feels great to do it. To see only a handful of bikers cranking out lap after lap in the cold and rain, with only the guys at the table counting laps to know they were doing it, shows the true passion that’s abundant in this sport.

Pushing my bike and body to their limits in dangerous situations creates a wonderful feeling of freedom from thought. This is about as close as I can get to my eternal goal of the peace of ultimate simplicity, when thoughts cease to exist and only reactions take place. That feeling is ultimately why I ride the way I do and when I do. Night time endurance racing is one of the best ways to experience this because you have to push yourself as hard as you can for a long time and your mission is simple: go forward. There’s no time for thoughts.

It’s just you, your bike, and what you can see.

For more information and complete results from the Pitch Black Singletrack race visit www.madcitydirt.com and www.wemseries.com. xxcmag.com

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16 XXC Photo: Bob Foy,Magazine www.foyfoto.com

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The #1 ranked UCI Women’s Marathon Mountain Bike racer in the world: England’s SALLY BIGHAM of Team Topeak-Ergon.

I’ve been reading Sally Bigham’s blog for a couple years now and have had it in the back of my mind for months to ask for an interview. I could say it was her laundry list of marathon and stage race wins, podium appearances and her 2011 UCI Marathon #1 ranking that made me want to interview her. (Believe me, those things didn’t hurt!) But what finally pushed me to ask was reading comments on her blog and seeing her shivering on video after the cold, rain soaked 65 km Adamello Bike Marathon in Italy last September. “Throughout the course there were some excellent singletrail descents, including steep, narrow switchbacks; rocky singletrails; and rooty sections, all of which were made more technical due to the rain.

I really liked the course in the dry, but I loved it in the wet.” And, “It was really good fun actually. I really enjoyed all of the downhills and the rain made the downhills more technical and more fun.” Yep, that did it! I sent an email request was to Team Topeak-Ergon and then to her as I anxiously waited for the chance to do a Q&A with the top (women’s) marathon mountain bike racer in the world. She was up for it! I made up my list of questions and in between the holidays, travel and training the following email interview was done.

Interview by Jason Mahokey Photos courtesy of www.Sportograf.com & BoB Foy, www.foyfoto.com

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XXC MAG: You had a season filled with marathon and stage wins and podium finishes, and finished the season #1 in the UCI Marathon rankings. That is some season! What were the highlights for you?

BIGHAM: Winning the Cape Epic was awesome. I’d read about it in a magazine when I first started mountain biking and I said to my boyfriend Dave: “I want to do that race.” At the time he thought that I was crazy! To go to South Africa and finish the race was great, but to win it was really special.

XXC MAG: Along with the marathons, you also had success at some stage races this year: 1st Women’s Duo at both the Cape Epic and the Andalucia Bike Race and a 2nd place solo at Trans Germany. What are the challenges in preparation, racing and recovery for stage racing vs. racing one day marathons?

BIGHAM: Stage races are definitely more complicated and success depends heavily on good preparation, tactical racing and quick recovery. It’s important to have as much prepared beforehand as possible because this saves time during the race and that means you can spend more time with your feet up. I plan carefully everything that I’ll need throughout the race including clothes, food, spares, and race nutrition. I’m lucky because I have team supporters who help with preparations before and during the race. Racing tactically is important too: it’s a long race and consistently good stages are needed for an overall win – one bad day could mean game over. Unlike one day marathons, recovery after each stage is critical. As soon as the stage has finished I drink a recovery shake, shower, eat and then get a massage. The rest of the day is spent relaxing and eating as much as possible!

XXC MAG: Do you find yourself preferring one form of endurance racing over another or do you just enjoy both for different reasons?

BIGHAM: I love the challenge, the atmosphere and the adventure of stage races. Just thinking about them really excites me! I also like racing with a team partner because it brings a whole new element to the race: communication and understanding are critical otherwise the partnership would break down. It’s so nice to be able to share such an incredible experience with someone else. I also love one day solo races too because the result is 100% down to me. It’s nice to have a season mixed with both types of races.

XXC MAG: What first drew you into the endurance race scene?

At what point did you know that you wanted to make endurance XC racing your focus (marathons, stage races, etc.)?

BIGHAM: For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to do more, go further. One of my earliest memories is a walk with my dad when I was five or six years old. It was winter and it was snowing. We went for a walk in the forest and around a reservoir.

We wanted to go further so we walked 12 miles to my Grandma’s house. It took hours and my mother was worried sick about where we were! Everyone was amazed that we’d walked so far. This sense of wanting to push the limits has always stayed with me, whether it was running or horse riding, I always wanted to explore and go as far as I could. One day about six years ago I had a running injury, so I decided to take Dave’s MTB and ride as far as I could.

When I got home he asked why I’d ridden so far. I didn’t know why; it’s just what I do. That day marked the start of my MTB endurance racing, which began with 24 hour solo races. In 2009 my focus turned to marathons and stage races because I wanted to go places, see things and explore on my bike. Short, lap-style XC races just don’t have the same appeal.

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“In 2009 my focus turned to marathons and stage races because I wanted to go places, see things and explore on my bike. Short, lap-style XC races just don’t have the same appeal.”

Photo: www.Sportograf.com

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“Winning the Cape Epic was awesome. I’d read about it in a magazine when I first started mountain biking and I said to my boyfriend Dave: ‘I want to do that race.’ ”

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XXC MAG: You’ve raced marathons all over the world: the UK, Europe, South Africa, etc. Is there one country or venue that you just love to race and look forward to racing again? Whether it’s because of the course, the terrain, the people...

BIGHAM: The one race that I wouldn’t like to miss is the Cape Epic. I love everything about that race: the terrain, the heat and the distance all make it really challenging and the local people, especially the school children, come out and sing and dance along the race track. It’s such a great atmosphere. I also love riding in continental Europe, particularly in the mountains (Alps and Dolomites).

Hearing the sound of cowbells really spurs me on and the views are breathtaking. When the going gets tough I always try to make sure I take a look around and appreciate where I am.

XXC Mag: Your season finale at The Roc D’Azur race seemed to be a tough, hard earned win. The race was filled with gusting winds and multiple crashes. Tell us a bit about that race.

BIGHAM: Haha, yes, it certainly wasn’t an easy finale! I did find myself questioning why on earth I was doing it at times during that race. However when things get tough for me something just seems to “click” in my head and I don’t want anything to stop me. I’d won the race the year before and it was the last UCI race of the year so I was hoping to win it again, but when I crashed early on I did think that it could all be over. I lost the front wheel on a steep singletrack descent where the small rocks were like little marbles. I never look at my injuries; if I can still pedal then I keep going. I could see blood 22 XXC Magazine

running down my arm so I knew that I’d need stitches. From then onwards – about three hours or so – all I wanted to do was cross the finish line. It was a tough few hours; the course is pretty technical with lots of technical climbs and descents and some steep hike-abike sections. I did pretty much have a sense of humor failure when the wind blew me off my bike a couple of times while traversing a high ridge. I also got blown over when I was scrabbling up a hikea-bike section with my bike on my back. I got my foot stuck in the rocks when I was right in front of a photographer. Not a good look!

XXC MAG: Would you say that race (Roc D’Azur) was the most technically and physically challenging race you did this year or does that honor belong to another?

BIGHAM: The Roc D’Azur is certainly a challenging race and the windy conditions (plus my crash) added to the drama, but without the bad luck that I had then I think that the most physically challenging race was probably the Grand Raid Cristalp in Switzerland – it’s pretty technical in places too. It’s a spectacular mountain race and it took me just under eight hours.

XXC MAG: What motivates you during a tough race? Is it just the competition or are there other things – like thoughts of relaxing with a nice glass of wine after the race – that help get you to the line? Ha! BIGHAM: I very rarely think about relaxing afterwards! Often it’s only when things get really tough that I get totally focused. I guess it’s because you can only think about what you have to do then; it’s not possible to think about anything else. One of my very first races

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“I never look at my injuries; if I can still pedal then I keep going. I could see blood running down my arm so I knew that I’d need stitches.

From then onwards – about three hours or so – all I wanted to do was cross the finish line.” was a 24-hour solo. When the weather was good during the first few hours I had time to think about what - and why - I was doing it! But once the rain started and the mud stopped the wheels from turning I didn’t have time to think about why I was doing it anymore; I just had to get on with it. Time actually went faster then! I don’t like to start something that I don’t finish and I know that I would punish myself if I DNFed – that would be worse than the pain of the race!

XXC MAG: Give us a bit of insight into your training. Do you use a coach and/or a power meter? Do you ride more on the road or dirt? Where do you tend to train the most? In the UK, or do you head to sunnier climes during the winter to get the pre-season training miles in?

BIGHAM: I have a fitness coach and I follow a structured training plan. I train using power (SRM) mainly on the road on my mountain bike because I like to train in the position that I race in. I love to ride in the UK but during the winter it’s much easier if bad weather is taken out of the equation. For that reason I spend the worst of the winter training in the Canary Islands, Spain.

XXC MAG: Do you follow any sort of specialized diet or nutrition program in your training?

BIGHAM: I have a wheat intolerance which can be a bit of pain, especially when I’m overseas. Otherwise I eat whatever and whenever I want. I love food. J When I’m on the bike I have a specific nutritional routine: one gram of carbohydrate per kg of body weight per hour. I get this from energy drinks, bars and gels. After training and racing I also drink a recovery drink. I’m really lucky because I have a great nutrition sponsor (Torq) and I genuinely love their products so I never struggle to get enough carbs. I spent a long time searching for natural products that don’t contain sweeteners or artificial flavours. Torq are all natural and they taste great.

XXC MAG: What about on the bike nutrition? Any favorites or ones that folks might not expect?

BIGHAM: My favorite energy drink is Torq pink grapefruit flavour, which I add Elete electrolyte to. I love Torq pineapple and ginger bars, Torq rhubarb and custard gels, and Torq mint chocolate recovery shakes. I’m also really enjoying the new Torq Vanilla flavour energy drink at the moment – it tastes just like “milk bottle” sweets that I used to eat as a child.

XXC MAG: Who are some of the competitors that you race against that you respect? Who do you see on the line and think, “oh yeah, this race just got kicked up a notch?”

BIGHAM: Definitely Pia Sundstedt (Finland) – European Marathon Champion 2011 and Esther Süss (Switzerland) – World Marathon Champion 2010. They’re both really talented, super strong, and race really smart. They’re both my targets this year!

Interestingly, Esther will be my partner in the Cape Epic. It’s going to be a tough race but I’m really excited about riding it with her.

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XXC MAG: Are there any up and coming marathon racers that we should watch for in the near future?

BIGHAM: In November I rode with a Swiss girl, Vivianne Furrer, who was studying English in my hometown. She’s only 19 and relatively new to the race scene, however she is stubborn and will never give up. She’s a lot like me. We would ride for four or five hours and she would just keep on going and never complain or stop (unlike Dave!). I think she has the potential to do really well.

XXC MAG: On more of a local/regional level, what do you think can be done to get more women interested in riding and racing?

BIGHAM: I think that a lot of women, unlike men, are selfconscious and worry that they might not do well. I felt like that when I first started racing. It’s quite an intimidating sport. I think that there are lots of really talented women who are too nervous to give it a go – just look around at spinning classes (that’s where my cycling started). Perhaps some low key women only races would be the way to go?

XXC MAG: If a junior level racer approached you and said they wanted to become a pro endurance racer, what bit of advice would you give them?

BIGHAM: The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy training and racing. Becoming pro is something that came very gradually for me, and I think that it is often the same for most pros.

You’ve got to get the results first and then the teams and sponsors follow.

XXC MAG: From what I’ve read and seen some of the Topeak/ Ergon team will be making use of the Canyon 29er in 2012. Will you be on one?

BIGHAM: No, I’ve given it some thought but I’ve decided to stick with 26 inch wheels at least for this year. Perhaps I’ll give the bigger wheels a go in 2013 – I think that for Marathon and stage races they could be good for me.

XXC MAG: Mountain biking has now been in the Olympics since 1996. Do you think we should start soliciting the IOC to add the Marathon format?

BIGHAM: Oh yes! That would be awesome. Please do!!!!!

XXC MAG: What are your goals for the 2012 season?

BIGHAM: I want to be healthy and have fun riding my bike in beautiful places. Winning some races would also be great.

XXC MAG: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to XXC Magazine and good luck in 2012!

To read more about Sally Bigham’s 2012 racing and training visit www.topeak-ergon-racing.com and her blog at www.topeak-ergon.blogspot.com.

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fatfotos

Off the bike and having fun behind the camera at the Farmer’s 3 Hour Fat Bike Race in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Words & Photos by Jason Mahokey

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affling on whether to go to a race or not is nothing new to me. I have spent many a night before a race on the fence, listening to rain and wind pelt the house or reading weather reports calling for snow and cold temperatures at start time. Still, almost always, I find myself inexplicably hurling my body toward the race like a deranged moth to a painfully fun flame. On the night of January 13th I found myself waffling once again, but this time it was different. This time, I was deciding whether I would drive almost two hours in the snow to WATCH a race.

Spectating? Yep. Not in the NASCAR-track-infield or beergutted-NFL-face-painter senses of the word, but in the beer-gutted, I-really-want-to-check-out-the-Farmer’s-Three-Hour-Fat-BikeRace-at-the-Versluis-Orchards-near-Grand-Rapids-Michigan sense of the word. My plan was to go down, take some photos, try to shoot some video and see what might be the first dedicated fat bike race in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

At 10 A.M. Saturday I was off and trying to make the noon start.

As I sped over ice- and snow-packed roads heading towards Grand Rapids, I couldn’t help but feel like William H. Macy’s character Jerry Lundegaard in the opening moments of the movie Fargo.

The main difference: I was heading to a fun fat bike race, not a clandestine meeting with murderous thugs.

I pulled into the orchard parking lot with about 10 minutes to spare. I poked around the pit area for a few minutes and it was clear at the start that a ton of folks have caught the fat bike bug. I was hard pressed to find a pair of skinny tires. While talking with Nate Versluis, one of the hard-working Farmer’s race directors, he mentioned that out of the 80+ racers only about four were on regular “skinny-tired” mountain bikes!

After a quick loop around the pit area (and a stop at the Salsa Cycles tent to check out the army of demo Mukluks the crew brought from Minnesota), I started making my way through shin deep snow toward the course. I wanted to find a good location to catch the start.

The large pack of fat-biked freaks (I mean that in the best of ways, of course) was gathered at the start. A quick countdown and the Duo racers were off with Solo racers about a minute later.

It’s hard to describe the sound of 160 3.8” tires rolling over crisp, packed snow. It was sort of like one super-sized piece of Velcro being set free. It was cool.

The race, like most multi-hour lap events, was simple: complete as many laps as possible of the 2.5-ish mile course in three hours.

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Most laps wins. After the pack passed I gathered my gear and set off walking the course, snapping pictures, shooting video and having fun in the snow.

As much as I was enjoying exercising the right side of my brain, it was clear that the folks racing were having way more fun. I have never seen so many people smiling while racing. Then again, they may have smiled once and it froze in place. Who knows?

As the race went on the smiles did become a little less frequent and the amount of frozen snot and sweat on racers – and me – increased, but the racers continued to pound out laps through the snow-covered orchard and I continued my picture-taking journey.

With my camera batteries now dead from taking over 400 photos and several minutes of video in 25 degree weather I found myself back at the start/finish line, talking to the Salsa guys and regretting not having worn something a little more water repellant for kneeling and slogging around in the snow.

Dan Jansen (Farm Team Racing) won the Men’s Solo race with Dan Korienek not far behind. Craig Gietzen rounded out the Men’s Solo Podium. Danielle Musto (Salsa Cycles) took the win followed by Tara Jansen in the Women’s Solo. In the Duo team race the Priority Health Pugs Division team took the win followed

by Founder’s Alger Racing and Team Troll. Yeah, there was racing going on, but truthfully there was a fun vibe to the event that overshadowed the competitive aspect. As the Farm Team’s Nate Versluis said to me just after the start of the race, “it’s all about having fun in the winter time.”

Next year’s Farmer’s Fat Bike Race is already set for January 12th, 2013. For more information and full results visit farmteamracing.com. To view the 2012 race video produced by XXC Magazine visit vimeo.com/35109138. As for me, I now face the happy dilemma of saving my pennies and joining the fun-loving fatties next winter or investing in some extra camera batteries. Hmmm…

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“I have never seen so many people smiling while racing.� xxcmag.com

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Photo: Abram Landes, www.aelandesphotography.com

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THE Simonster In 2011, Michigan’s Mike Simonson (A.K.A. the “Simonster”) finished 4th overall in the National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE). His season included a 4th place finish at the Cohutta 100, a 2nd at the Mohican 100, and 3rd place finishes at the Lumberjack 100 and the Wilderness 101. That’s impressive to say the least, especially considering he has a full time job as a mechanical engineer.

What’s more impressive is his quick recovery from a serious crash at the Shenandoah Mountain 100 that very well could have ended his life. The list of injuries he suffered from that crash includes multiple fractures to neck and back vertebrae, another at the base of his skull and a deep arteryexposing gash in his neck. XXC Magazine talks to the “Simonster” about his quick recovery, racing and his goals for the 2012 season.

By Jason Mahokey

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XXC MAG: I have to tell you how great it was to see you back racing so soon, first at the Peak 2 Peak in mid-October and then the Iceman a few weeks later. Can you tell us a bit about the recovery process leading up to your return to racing and how you and your body reacted to it after such a horrific crash?

SIMONSON: Oh man, the first couple weeks, everything connected to my spine was sore, especially in the morning. I pretty much had to sleep on my back, but I’d roll over while sleeping and find myself in a world of pain when I awoke. Sleep was terrible. However I was pretty determined to get back outside doing something as soon as I could tolerate it. The doctor prescribed Percocet, the heavy duty shit, so I’d drop a couple of those and go for trail runs with my golden retriever Buddy just to get me moving and out of the house. People had to do a double take when they looked back and heard a guy with a neck brace yelling “on your left.” The neck felt great during the hikes, but the pain medicine would eventually wear off, so I’d have to re-dose at night, which is probably why the pain was the worst in the mornings. I went back to work after two weeks and I was running the stair case in the parking garage to stay in shape and burn some calories. It wasn’t long before I was back on my bike. I think it was four weeks after the accident. A little premature from my doctor’s perspective, but I made the executive decision and went for it. A couple years back I geared my entire diet around low inflammation foods. I never really thought it made much of a difference, but perhaps that was part of the quick recovery? All in all I think the fact that I got out right away and started exercising again made the biggest difference in the recovery. I think a lot of people with traumatic injuries sit around and wait for the pain to go away before they get active again, but sometimes I don’t think it works

like that. It’s the rebuilding of the muscles and tissue and getting the blood flowing that eventually makes the pain go away. I’m pain free now and I have my full range of motion back, so I must have done something right.

XXC MAG: What did your doctors think about you racing again so soon?

SIMONSON: The doctors were surprised at how quickly the bones healed and how strong my neck muscles were. I went for an appointment five weeks after the injury and the orthopedic surgeon wanted to give me the green light for “riding” after another two weeks. Peak to Peak was one week away… He just said come back if it hurts. I haven’t seen a doctor since.

XXC MAG: In 2011 your main focus was on the NUE series and up until your crash at the Shenandoah 100 you were having a fine season: 4th at Cohutta, 2nd at Mohican, 3rd at Lumberjack and 3rd at the Wilderness 101. To what do you attribute the success you had in 2011?

SIMONSON: I guess I attribute it to all the hard work and dedication over the last 10 years. I think it all adds up over a long period of time till you finally have it all figured out. These races take a lot of experience. Just the road trip is enough to take your average American down for a week let alone the actual race. Knowing where you’ll need a feed and how much, what the course dynamic is like, how fast to take a descent. Some things you need to experience two, three or even four times before you get them right. Like at Wilderness this year… I learned the hard way over the years that I had to run a bullet-proof bike. I also upped my training hours by doing an 80 mile round trip commute to work and back. That made a huge

Photo by Jack Kunnen, www.jhkunnenphoto.com

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“I’m not one of those guys that can just pull a race out of his ass. I have to train like I’m going to race and show up totally prepared to get all the way to the finish.” difference in keeping me lean and boosting my endurance. And of course all the support from the sponsors and my wife Michelle who has to deal with all my crazy-ass shenanigans.

There are several challenges for competitive cyclists living in Michigan, like the cold, snow and ice of the long winter and a real lack of long sustained climbs. Somehow, you, along with others like Christian Tanguy and Danielle Musto, continue to podium at major endurance races. Can you share a bit about what your off-season training is like and how you deal with those limitations?

SIMONSON: A ton of work goes into my off-season. I’m not one of those guys that does well with time off. During the week I’m doing a lot of plyometric weight training on my lunch breaks to build strength. This year I also got a hold of a Cycleops indoor spin bike which gives me all my power stats. I’ll do specific intervals at target power zones after work a couple times a week. Then I just go for it on the weekends and try to rack up as many hours as I can tolerate out on the hilly dirt roads. I’m lucky this year to have Scott Stewart, my old protégé, in town who happens to be a damn good climber in the pro roadie ranks, so just having him around is going to be a big help.

The winter elements are tough to deal with. Of course if it’s below 30 degrees everything is frozen and dry. I’ll throw some big 2.4” knobbies on my beater bike and very skillfully navigate around the ice. It really isn’t as bad as people think… maybe it’s even enjoyable sometimes. There are a lot of tricks you learn over the years to keep yourself warm: the hands, toes, crotch, and ears take special care. In the end, it’s that internal, stop-at-nothing drive that gets me through the cold winter training. I don’t know why or where it comes from, it’s just there, and if I try to ignore it, I will just be miserable.

XXC MAG: A lot of folks outside the state of Michigan (including me before I moved here) tend to underestimate the mountain bike scene here, since there are no mountains to speak of. I was shocked at the amount of riding and racing to be found. How would you describe the riding and racing to an out-of-state racer?

SIMONSON: I think it has to do with the people who forged the trails back in the day. There are lots of really cool trails and places to ride all over Michigan that were set up years ago and are still continuing to be forged. There are also races for everyone. From the Tailwind or Fun Promotions series, all the way up to the biggest MTB race in the country at Iceman. We’re lucky to have race promoters that push for grassroots, national, and even international level races, so we get to see the sport at all the levels. We still don’t have a Pro XCT or World Cup, but hey, who knows? Maybe one day. Then there

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are the people who have led the way in keeping the competition level high for a long time. I think that’s what forms a competitive scene: the guys who stay fast for years and years. As newcomers enter the scene they learn quickly and the competition grows and grows. We all feed off each other’s motivation and stand on the shoulders of the veterans, and before you know it you have three or four guys from the scene filling in podium spots at a national level.

XXC MAG: Along with all the riding, racing and training you also maintain a full time job. How creative do you have to get in order to find time to train?

SIMONSON: That’s a huge challenge and one that can get out of balance very easily if you get too obsessed. I love riding to work and back. My commute is 40 miles one way, so to do it every day is almost impossible, although my record is three straight weeks in a row of not driving in once. I racked up 100 hours and close to 1,800 miles in those 21 days. I think I went manic for a month there trying to ride out a demon. I also run stairs in the parking garage at work and do all my plyo workouts there, or the new tower, which is taller.

Sometimes I have to elbow people out of the way, so I only go there on Fridays. I get people from my office to go with me. They love it, and it’s really uplifting to see other people getting psyched about getting in shape. It’s like a little support system and we’ve started to motivate each other. Some days I don’t want to go, but I’ll get an email from someone who wants to go and that’s all it takes. I get every other Friday off working for the D.o.D, plus all the holidays, so that really helps me get to the races. My next move is the smoke shack out in front of our building that nobody uses. I’d love to set up my trainer in there. We’ll see – that might be pushing it a little too far.

XXC MAG: Many folks deal with lousy weather or a lack of time for long rides with high intensity workouts, but it seems, at least from what I’ve read on your blog (mikesimonson.blogspot.com), that you are still out there pounding out big miles through the winter. What are some of the pros/cons of intensity vs. volume for you personally?

SIMONSON: For me personally, I’ve found that I need the high volume, especially for the 100 milers. I’m not one of those guys that can just pull a race out of his ass. I have to train like I’m going to race and show up totally prepared to get all the way to the finish.

100 milers are a different style and effort than the faster XC distance stuff. Sometimes it’s not just about how fast you can punch it up a 20% grade for 10 minutes. Maybe you can only give 90% of what the

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“In the end, it’s that internal, stop-at-nothing drive that gets me through the cold winter training. I don’t know why or where it comes from, it’s just there, and if I try to ignore it, I will just be miserable.”

fastest guys are doing up a steep climb, but if you can keep dishing out that 90% for seven hours, and don’t let them get too far away, you’ll wear them down. Just ask Chris Eatough how many times he hunted me down in the last 25 miles of a hundred. The intensity is necessary too. There are several efforts in a hundred where you need to go XC pace for a while, so you still need to be able to go fast to stay engaged in front of the race. XC races are a great way to tune up the speed, so I like to do three or four in a row every weekend before I can say I’ve got myself fully tuned. For me, that’s the best way to get the intensity up.

XXC MAG: Do you work with a coach or do you self-coach?

SIMONSON: I’ve pretty much coached myself over the years. I read a ton of books and articles whenever I can and try to apply what I think I can manage into my training. There’s a lot of information out there. Some of it’s good and a lot of it’s just bullshit. I try to pull out the good nuggets of info when I find them. The 100 mile mountain bike distance is rather new. It’s not like XC racing and it’s not quite like 12 or 24 hour racing either. And it’s not like Pro Tour stage racing or one day classics in the respect that there aren’t 120 guys to draft all day or a team to protect you. So the preparation isn’t the same either. There are many similarities, but it’s not the same thing. So I like to take the best training info I can gather and try it out. I also find the best sources of that info are from the guys who are actually racing and doing it the best… that is if they’re willing to share with you. The best coaches are the guys who are beating you.

XXC MAG: How did you get into bike racing? When and how did you realize that endurance racing was what you loved to do?

SIMONSON: I got into racing doing BMX back in the day, and when I went away to college, I sort of realized that sport was going to be a little too dangerous. The endurance racing just started out with my desire to be fit and in shape and I always loved riding my bike. But of course I had to take it way beyond that. I fell in love with races like the Iceman, Chequamegon and Ore to Shore. They were the biggest and best MTB races within driving distance. Since I’ve been racing, all the big XC races have been out west, so getting to

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the next level in XC meant flying out west, which of course was way out of my budget. Then came the NUE. At first I did the Lumberjack and failed miserably. Its four lap format still left something to be desired. It just felt like a really long XC lap race. I think it was the first time I did Mohican where I got a real sense of what these races were about. Then getting out east for Wilderness and Shenandoah was a huge eye opener to the kind of awesome terrain that’s out there. I’ve been hooked on them ever since. The “one big loop” format is my favorite.

XXC MAG: What are some of your race goals for 2012?

Goals? I guess not to kill myself in a race. Seriously though, I would love to be on as many NUE podiums as possible. And I still haven’t given up on getting back on the Iceman podium again. That would be huge. But regardless of getting on a podium or not, I just want to be satisfied with my race. I want to finish and say, “I trained my ass off, I didn’t crash or mechanical, my body was 100% optimized, and that was the best I could possibly do.” And if that’s good enough to be on a podium, then that’s just an added bonus. I think that’s all any of us really want.

XXC MAG: The word on the trail is that Christian Tanguy will be scaling his racing way back due to a work assignment and that Jeff Schalk will not be racing in 2012. Other than you, who should we watch in the 2012 NUE series?

SIMONSON: Based on last year, I would say Josh Tostado, Chris Beck, Brandon Draugelis, Drew Edsall, Carey Smith, Robert Marion, Brent Prenzlow and Chris Peariso to name just a few. I’m sure I’m missing some names. Who knows who else will come out of the woodwork?

XXC MAG: Speaking of the NUE series, the series is up to 12 races in 2012 and another six are proposed to be added in 2013. What are your thoughts on the size of the series now? Could it be too big?

SIMONSON: I don’t know the answer to that question. I guess time will tell. The more races we have, in more places, will give more opportunities for guys to compete in the series who don’t have the means to travel. I think that’s great. It gives people national exposure

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to help get their names out there and grow. It makes it a true series where aspiring cyclists have a fair opportunity to go toe to toe with some of the best.

XXC MAG: Who are you racing for in 2012?

SIMONSON: Rochester Bike Shop is the main sponsor. They’re located right in downtown Rochester Michigan. CPA Crossings is also supporting the team. Notubes will be back on board for 2012.

They’ve been a great sponsor for the last few years, very professional operation, and they make the fastest wheels out there. The plan was to roll on a Trek 29er for 2012, but I haven’t heard back from them yet, so the bike sponsor is still up in the air.

XXC MAG: I often see racers asking the question what is the “best” bike for endurance racing: hardtail, full suspension, 29er, 26er, etc.

If you could just have one bike in the stable for your racing what would it be?

SIMONSON: The full suspension 29er is pretty hard to beat for the hundies. I think my Superfly 100 weighed just under 23 pounds with the Notubes wheels and SRAM XX kit. It’s even better now that they’ve implemented the thru-axles front and rear. That will really stiffen things up. The full suspension is flat out faster and less fatiguing on any sort of rocky descent. But of course the 29er hardtail comes in at 20 pounds and, with the stiff rear end, it climbs much more efficiently. The hardtail also allows for two bottle cages which can be a big advantage in the hundreds. With the high volume tires they have now-a-days, you can get the 29er hardtail to roll pretty smooth on the rough stuff. You still have to be very careful on the

descents not to flat or mechanical. The rear wheel will take some harder hits. But at the end of the day, for endurance, I’d give the 29er full susser the nod, just for the added rear tire protection and the overall reduced fatigue associated with the bumps.

XXC MAG: Can you give us the lowdown on your 2012 race bike and your set up?

SIMONSON: Again, not sure what bike I’ll be on this year yet, but I’m hoping the Superfly 100 with the front and rear thru axles with the full XX kit and Notubes Crest wheels. There are so many great bikes out there. The new Salsa titanium frames might be a nice choice too. I’m sure you could get five seasons out of one frame. Or if all else fails, you might see me out there on my $99 aluminum commute frame. If you ride in Michigan, you’ve seen it. Granted a little heavier and less sexy, but I’m sure it could get the job done if it has to.

XXC MAG: Thanks so much for taking the time. Good luck with your training and your 2012 season!

SIMONSON: Thanks for the opportunity to voice myself. So much hard work and dedication goes into competing at a high level in this sport, and it’s awesome to just get a little piece of recognition every once and a while. I always say I have the utmost respect for anyone who shows up and finishes some of these races. I look forward to meeting and chatting with all of them in 2012.

You can read more from Mike Simonson by visiting his blog at www.mikesimonson.blogspot.com.

Photo: Abram Landes, www.aelandesphotography.com

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WORDS & PHOTOS

BY CHRIS GIBBS

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There are endless miles of scenic country roads in Minnesota, and a growing group of dedicated cyclists are taking full advantage of them. Jeremy Kershaw is one of those cyclists. Jeremy is so dedicated to riding remote country roads that he organized an event in Duluth.

Called the Heck of the North (HOTN), it’s a cycling event that covers 100 miles of some of the most beautiful gravel roads in northern Minnesota. Jeremy explains what is behind the name “The name is a play on the famous French one-day classic Paris-Roubaix known as ‘The Hell of the North.” The inherent nature of that ride has an element of humor running through it, and I wanted something that continued that theme.”

Apparently “heck” has some northern Minnesota connotations, too. It all started when Jeremy rode two similar events: the Ragnorak 105 in Red Wing and the Almanzo 100 in Rochester. “The feel of both of those rides was something special. Grass-rooted, competitive without attitude, and lots of friendly faces. Plus, I thought it was an ingenious use of country roads out in the middle of nowhere.”

Inspired by these two events, Jeremy knew he had to create something similar up north. So, the process of studying county maps, driving endless, remote gravel roads and riding them over and over began.

There are many things that set this type of race apart from other cycling events: they are free, there are no licenses required and very little goes into promoting them. A donation jar is used to cover fuel costs and volunteer help whose main job is to make sure everyone is accounted for at the end of the day. Like other similar events, it is advertised via a blog site heckofthenorth.blogspot.com and word of mouth. “We fly below the radar of most organized cycling events and publications,” says Jeremy when asked what makes this event different from other cycling events. The environment surrounding the HOTN is also unique, featuring dirt and gravel roads in remote

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areas. These areas are so remote that motorized traffic is nonexistent. The riders are ultimately left on their own to navigate using what Jeremy calls “field notes,” a set of cards with odometer readings and arrows prompting the rider which way to turn at road and trail intersections. “Typically, they are fairly easy to negotiate,” Jeremy explains. “But as the riders get more tired, and as the sun goes down, there are many stories of missed turns and backtracking.” The riders are repeatedly reminded that they are responsible for themselves.

There are no sag wagons (vehicle support on the course), very few volunteers to offer support, and, given the nature of the race, very little of anything at any given time. The participants may offer support to each other and the safety of the riders is always foremost when dealing with emergencies, but the golden rule is, “YOU are responsible for YOU.” Other ethical considerations and rules for the HOTN include: • Be a GREAT representative for cycling. Be courteous and outright nice to folks you see along the course. Both the world and Duluth need more cyclists.

• This is a self-supported ride. You may assist another cyclist and take aid from one as well. No other support is allowed except for obvious medical or emergency needs.

• You are responsible for getting home. This will be a remote course.

Expect gravel, dirt, paved, rocky, grassy, logged and otherwise rough terrain. Have a rig that you know you can stay comfortable on for over 100 miles of this type of travel.

Anyone can take part in the HOTN. The event attracts cyclists of all breeds - road bikers, mountain bikers, cyclocross riders and anyone who would like to test their physical endurance on a long,

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“The riders are repeatedly reminded that they are responsible for themselves. There are no sag wagons, very few volunteers to offer support, and, given the nature of the race, very little of anything at any given time.” challenging course in northern Minnesota. The goal may be to finish first or simply to finish. There are no qualifying events and entry is gained by a lottery pick from postcards sent to Jeremy with the cyclist’s information. Postcard entry is common among these types of events. “The cards have turned out to be one of the funniest elements of the event. They get very creative,” says Jeremy.

The lottery style entry gives everyone an equal chance to ride in the HOTN and it helps ensure that there is a good mix of entrants, fast and slow. Numbers are limited to preserve the feel of the event and to help prevent the ultimate chaos of too many riders with too few volunteers.

Putting on an event like this does not go without stress. Jeremy progressively becomes more worried as the race goes on until everyone makes it back to the start safely. He does not carry liability insurance and says, “I really have no interest in being sued. I know it is unlikely, but I try to limit my chances the best I can.” As for the

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popularity, in last three years the HOTN has had a waiting list of riders hoping to get their chance to ride the gravel roads of northern Minnesota. “I think we are really on to something with these gravel road events in the Midwest,” Jeremy adds. “The interest in them has caught a lot of organizers off guard. I think it is spiking a resurgence in cycling in general, in the functionality of strong steel bikes, and a recognition of the non-racing, cycling community.”

Recently it seems like there are more and more orange signs that say “Road Work Ahead,” as gravel turns into pavement. So races like the Heck of the North may have some obstacles to overcome in the future. But the enthusiasm and dedication of cyclists like Jeremy Kershaw, who continues to seek out remote country roads in the middle of nowhere, will keep the postcards coming.

To see more of Chris Gibbs’ photos from the Heck of the North, Arrowhead 135 and others visit his website at www.c5photo.com.

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an excus e t o master the fr ozen commute

By Eszter Horanyi Photos by Chris Gibbs

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“You’re going to freeze your tail off.”

“The only reason to go to International Falls is to go to Canada.”

“Why?!”

It was 6:55AM on Monday, January 31st. As I stood on the start line of the Arrowhead 135, just shy of the Canadian border, I had to laugh at myself. I mentally reviewed all the reactions I got when I told people that I was heading to the “Icebox of the Nation” to race my bike 135 miles on the historically coldest day of the year.

People stared at me in disbelief, wondering if I had completely lost my mind. See, I live in Crested Butte, CO, one of the greatest ski towns in the nation and January is meant for skiing, not for pedaling a bike. Winter is meant for hanging the bike in the garage because it’s far too cold to ride outside or, if you’re a bike rider with no alternative winter sport, spending entirely too much time on the trainer watching bad television. While I like skiing, I love riding and I didn’t want to stop pedaling in the winter. I also wanted to minimize my time on the trainer. So, I cooked up a plan to achieve both goals and signed up for the Arrowhead 135, a snow bike race on the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail from International Falls to Tower, MN. I first heard of International Falls because of its moniker, “Icebox of the Nation.” Growing up, I had spent winters skiing in Winter Park, CO, which is adjacent to a town called Fraser. Fraser also claimed to be the “Icebox of the Nation” because of the frequent cold inversions that blanketed the valley. I was intrigued by the legal battle between the two towns in the mid-90s because I couldn’t really understand why a place would want to be known for its cold temperatures. According to Wikipedia, in 1986, Internationals Falls paid Fraser $2,000 to stop using the Icebox name. In 1996, while trying to stay warm, International Falls failed to renew its trademark on the name and Fraser immediately jumped on the opportunity. The two towns engaged in a heated - or frozen - legal battle and on January 29, 2008, the US Patent and Trademark Office declared International Falls the frigid winner.

As a lover of the desert, warm temperatures, red sand and tank tops, I didn’t think my travels would ever take me to the Icebox of the North. Minnesota wasn’t exactly high on my list of places to visit.

Minnesotans are intensely proud of their cold climate. While their counterparts in Colorado speak of ‘schralping sick-pow’ over drinks at night, Minnesotans talk about how many feet of snow they shoveled that day. While Coloradoans talk about 300 days of sunshine, Minnesotans take pride in their cold, gray days that make xxcmag.com

them tougher than most. They are a burly breed of people and not one with which I would pick a fight. Personally, I like to tell people that I’m solar powered.

Standing at the start line, I was, in fact, not freezing as the Minnesotans I had met said I would be. The temperature hovered around 10 degrees Fahrenheit and the day’s high was forecasted at 27 degrees. I even made the last minute call to ditch one pair of socks to account for the warm temperatures. If anything, I was afraid of overheating and getting rained on. I also found myself confused at people’s lack of enthusiasm over International Falls. During my short stay, I quickly found plenty of reasons to like the place. It had much the same character of the Gunnison Valley: a small town with quirky people who embraced a cold, harsh environment. They had a leg up on my home: there was a Dairy Queen in town, and the race organizers had the foresight to place a Free Mini Blizzard coupon in the race schwag-bags.

Standing there in the dark, I reviewed the answer to the most frequent question I received while preparing for the race: “Why?” I didn’t even own a snow bike. Why would I possibly sign up for a snow bike race in a place that was colder than my home, during a time when residents of Crested Butte are either busy skiing or escaping to the desert to flee the never-ending winter? Wouldn’t Single Speed Arizona be a more logical choice for a mid-winter training goal? While there were a multitude of reasons I signed up, they all boiled down to two overarching themes: one emotional and one practical.

The emotional one: Arrowhead 135 scared the living daylights out of me. Would I be able to live through it? The practical one: I live eight miles from town and I was sick and tired of driving to work in the winter. I wanted to commute by bike, but without an event like the Arrowhead looming, I knew I’d find plenty of excuses not to buy the required gear and not to get out on the cold mornings.

I attacked my preparation with great gusto, largely because I didn’t want to lose any fingers or toes to frostbite and I didn’t want a DNF because I hadn’t figured out how to stay warm. Barring mechanical disasters, I knew I could pedal 135 miles. With enough clothing, I knew I could withstand -40 degree temperatures. As long as I didn’t get drugged with Ambien, I knew I could stay awake for the duration of the event. But could I pedal 135 miles, while carrying enough clothing to withstand arctic cold, fast enough that I wouldn’t have to XXC Magazine 47

“I had mastered the art of riding in the cold and ridden to work every day. I had mastered the cold demons that scared me and in the end, that was what mattered to me. Racing was just a chance to showcase the work that I had done.” pull my bivy gear out to sleep on the side of the trail? What if I ran into a pack of wolves? Or a moose? Or even the Yeti?

Preparation for this event was not just about riding fast; it was about survival. Initially, the thought of preparing for an event where a single mistake could have dire consequences made me a little bit giddy, but my enthusiasm towards the event waxed and waned on a daily - or even hourly - basis. My testing ground was my 45 minute commute to work in the mornings. Each warm, successful ride bolstered my spirits. When I made an incorrect clothing choice or tested out a piece of gear that wasn’t up to the task, every frozen finger or toe sent me into a panic. There were many times that I busted through the doors of the Crested Butte Nordic Center halffrozen, half-crazed. On the worst morning, my boss had to unbuckle my helmet for me. I had to invoke every ounce of self-control not to scream, lest I scare the Nordic skiers away as my fingers thawed under warm water in the bathroom. I had moments of panic after coasting down to Crested Butte proper from Mt. Crested Butte at 30 mph when every rational brain cell told me to find the nearest building to escape the cold. Instead, I found the steepest hill I could and pedaled as fast as possible until my body started generating heat again.

As the event approached, frozen toes in the mornings and moments of panic decreased from a daily occurrence to a weekly one. While I knew that my six hour rides in 36 degree Crested Butte sun weren’t going to be representative of the conditions I was likely to find on the Arrowhead Trail, I was cautiously optimistic that I’d be able to pilot my Fatback from International Falls to Tower.

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The proverbial “they” say that life is about the journey, not the destination. Arrowhead was no different. I lined up in the second row of bikes at the start line, breathing deeply to keep my nerves under control, my headlamp set to low to save batteries. I reminded myself that I was riding near sea level instead of at 9,000 feet, that the race was going to take me over sixteen hours, and that there was no singletrack to race for. “Don’t be stupid,” was my last reminder to myself as the gun went off and we shot past the starting line to tackle the first nine mile straightaway.

Anything could have happened in those 135 miles. I could have suffered a race ending mechanical. I could’ve gotten sick before the event. The airline could have lost my bike. I could’ve had a complete mental breakdown during the 13 mile straightaway in the middle of the race. In the end, it wouldn’t have mattered. I had mastered the art of riding in the cold and ridden to work every day. I had mastered the cold demons that scared me and in the end, that was what mattered to me. Racing was just a chance to showcase the work that I had done.

That I had a fast, nearly flawless race and was never cold were just a little bit of frosting on a giant piece of cake.

Eszter Horanyi did indeed “master the cold demons” by winning the 2012 Arrowhead 135 Women’s Class in a time of 18:18:00 and setting a new Women’s course record along the way. For full results and more information on the Arrowhead 135 visit www.arrowheadultra.com.

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Gravel Roads and The Violence of Life Words and photos by Jason Mahokey

Recently I was sifting through a couple years’ worth of photos that I’ve taken while out riding dirt and gravel roads. I was amazed at the number of photos I’ve taken that, to be honest, are a bit disturbing.

Many feature grizzled animal remains, abandoned furniture and burned out vehicles. I found myself questioning why the hell took them. Yet, I continued looking at them just the same, remembering the rides and imagining what stories of violence, brutality and carelessness must lay behind the subjects.

In a 1985 episode of the BBC’s South Bank Show painter Francis Bacon (1902-1992) spoke of his often disturbing paintings as being “images of realism” and the “violence of life.” I won’t say anything as grandiose as Bacon in an attempt to justify including this series of photos in XXC Magazine, but there is something to be said for the contrast of a ride’s beauty and the “violence of life.” Technically they are not the greatest photos, but they bring back memories of rides and provoke thought and emotion (at least for me). When one is -creating anything, that can be more than half the battle.

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See you after the thaw.

Photo by Jason Mahokey

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