Getting Ready for the Vapor Trail 125

Last summer I moved to mountain-bike paradise–aka Salida, CO–for one reason; to compete in the “hardest one-day mountain-bike race, anywhere”, the Vapor Trail 125.  Then, I achieved my goal of completing the race in about nineteen hours; 19:10 actually.  While I decided to forgo riding the Leadville Trail 100 this year, there was never any question in my mind; I am going back to Salida for the summer and will compete in the 10th annual Vapor Trail 125.

While I don’t race all that often, when I do, I like to set three goals.  The first goal is always the same: to finish healthy.  Simple enough; ride all night and all day, have fun and don’t get hurt.

Goal two is kinda personal; I want to complete the race in the same time my riding partner, Reilly, completed Vapor last year.  Since he and I have been riding together, I’ve always felt that I’m about one year behind him; that what he achieves one season, I’ll be able to match the year after.  And let’s be honest, I would like to beat his time of 16:49.

Goal three is my best-case scenario, if all the stars align, my best day on the bike EVER.  That goal, is 16 hours.  But I don’t want to jinx that goal, so we won’t talk about it.

Lofty goals, maybe so, but here’s how my twisted little brain figures it all out.

Last year I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  While I had ridden several sections of the race over the summer months, there were many tough sections(they are all tough) I had never even seen.  Now I have a clear idea of what the whole course looks like, I know what’s coming around the next corner, I can visualize every section and how well I can ride each of them   Equally, last year I treated the race more as a very long day on the saddle, just another bike ride.  This year, I’m thinking a bit more aggressively about it; racing versus riding.  With these two changes in mental approach, I am confident I will drop a bunch of time from last year’s performance.

Another important factor will be to spend less time at the aid stations and more time recovering on the bike.  Coasting down hills, soft pedalling while eating and stretching on the bike will cut down on the time I spend sitting around chatting with friends.  Although, you can be sure I’ll stop to enjoy coffee when-ever it is served and will be filling my bottles at each station.  And that brings me to my last bit of strategy.

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This is the Rocky Mountains, where the weather could change everything.  I could be forced to carry extra clothing in a pack while taking 20 hours to complete the race.  In fact, during a training ride on Monday, sitting atop the Canyon Creek Trail (highest point of the race at about 12,400′) we saw Monarch Mountain off in the distance covered in snow!!

Now and until the race starts, I’m focusing on maintaining my fitness while taking care of my body;  easy/short rides while eating well, sleeping lots and drinking plenty of water.  I’ve got “The Plan” figured out, detailing my time-check goals along with a strategy for hydration and fuel.

This summer has been fantastic, lots of big rides and many, many miles.  In about ten days, it will all culminate with my second racing of the Vapor Trail 125.  I am a little nervous, a little excited, but mostly confident.  My body is ready, my bike just needs a little cleaning.  All that remains is to silence my mind then head out and turn the pedals for about sixteen hours or so.  Easy….