Dear Paul's Dirty Enduro

Dear Paul’s Dirty Enduro,

I am writing to you today to vent my frustration at yet again having my efforts to complete the 100km race thwarted. With three attempts initiated, I have still only completed that damn race once; and on that occasion, finished nearly dead last.

The Tuesday before the event, I enjoyed a four hour road ride in The County, fighting the wind nearly every mile. The next morning, I went for a quick ride with my dear friend Rebecca…on a tandem! Much fun and many smiles were had. From there, myself, Rick, Adam, Sean and Kris made our way to the Ganaraska Forest for a day of race-course marking. Again, good times and many miles in the woods.

Thursday I wanted a day off the bike, so while the others continued marking the various race routes[remember, Paul’s has a 100, 60, 30 and 15km option, as well as a kids race], I stayed near the Ganaraska Forest Centre(GFC) to build a 150m section of single-track trail. This I enjoyed very much and was rather pleased with the result. Friday involved more course marking as well as getting things ready at the GFC for the onslaught of lycra-clad warriors. Saturday was race day.

The weeks leading up to the race I’d been unable to get my focus, unable to really centre my thoughts on the race. I knew it was coming but I was unable to get a real sense of urgency, my mind just seemed to be elsewhere. Despite the kind encouragement of friends–“you need to get your head out of the clouds or your ass, and really get motivated for your race this Saturday.”–I just felt very distracted. Even as I stood at the line early Saturday morning my normal routine of focused breathing and mental calming just wasn’t happening. At about 8:10am, the race was on. That sense of distraction, however, would be along for the ride.

By the time I reached the first feed-zone at the 20km mark, I had stopped twice to pee and once to shed a layer of clothing; it was getting warm quickly. I was an hour and 25mins in and feeling okay; not great, but okay. I just kept telling myself to conserve during the first forty kms, then give’er hell on the next sixty. I knew my friend Bevin was somewhere ahead of me and doing well, but I had to focus on my own race. Then, at about the 30km mark, it happened; SNAP!! My race was over.

Putting a lot of pressure on my cranks to help get up and over a very steep, rooted section of trail, my chain and rear derailleur hanger simultaneously broke. Normally this would not have presented too great an obstacle; I always have plenty of tools and spare parts, including extra chain links and a spare hanger. Like the Boy Scouts say, be prepared. However, in an effort to reduce the amount of gear I’d be carrying with me on race day, I omitted all but essential tools and cast aside all spare parts. Ya, irony, I know. So instead of doing a full repair, I was forced to remove the rear derailleur, shorten the chain and ride the bike single-speed. However, once I started away again, the chain would catch on a larger cog, ride up on that cog and put such extreme tension on the chain that I could barely turn the cranks. I had to stop several times to remove the rear wheel–which was very difficult with all that pressure on the drive-train–reset the chain and continue on. Soon enough the chain broke again. I spent the next two and half hours walking my bike back to the GFC where I checked in and announced that I had DNF’ed [Did Not Finish].

All was not lost, however. As I stood near the start line chatting with friends, a guy who had just started the 15km race came walking back in; his seat-post had broken. Fortunately, our’s were the same diameter post, so I lent him mine and he was back on course. A while later I was asked by Rick to take my 1st Aid Kit and head up the trail against the flow of traffic, looking for someone who had apparently crashed, bloodied his face, and was coming back towards the GFC. Off I went.

As I walked, I was passed by the oncoming stragglers who were just trying to finish. Some had been out all day doing the 100km event, others were simply feeling tired and sore as they limped home. Some experienced riders, many novice riders. I hooted and hollered, I cheered and clapped, encouraging this motley crew to give it their all for those last couple of kilometers. It was great; people would approach looking exhausted and quite forlorn but upon hearing my yelling, would start to smile and seem like they were enjoying themselves again. I got many thanks for cheering them on and got to see a lot of happy smiling faces. It was great, so worth the price of admission. [I never did find that injured rider; it seems that I missed him coming into the GFC while I was getting my Kit]

So, while I was unable to finish my race, I did have a great weekend. I built some trails; I helped a guy finish his race; I encouraged others to do the same. I hung out with dear friends and enjoyed a wonderful ride on Sunday with my girl posse, Alison, Kt and Rebecca. I also raised nearly $1500, for which I am very thankful to you all.

Though I didn’t finish the race, who really knows what is truly good or bad? One thing is for sure; Paul’s Dirty Enduro, you and I have some unfinished business. See you in 2013!!

Sincerely,

Alex Bowling

Isabelle feeling a little sore and dejected. [photo credit Peter Murk]

Alex feeling a little dejected; but then again, who really knows what is good or bad. [photo credit Peter Murk]

Looking towards the start line. [photo credit Peter Murk]

Moments from go time. [photo credit Peter Murk]

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The Ganny; wear your socks or feel the wrath of the poison ivy.

1 guy works, 4 others watch; must be a City job.

Building trail.

Me and my girl posse; bad-ass!!