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June 2008 Team Santa Fe Activities
RACES:
The Ultimate Endurance Race TransPortugal Garmin 2008
Portugal
June 1-8, 2008
8 day stage race, 1000 km,
Innovative full GPS assistance
http://www.supertravessia.com/indexIng.htm
Jan Bear 9% handicap adjusted finish time of 53:19:18 17/48 riders
Kim Bear 21% handicap adjusted finish time of 62:01:36 29/48 riders
Gary Johnson 9% handicap adjusted finish time of 52:03:06 13/48 riders
By Kim Bear
This was to be another adventure for the three of us. It began with Jan preparing
the bikes 2 days before departure to Portugal and having a tire blow up on his
hand fracturing his right ring finger. He ended up with 2 small pins being placed
into the broken finger. Since it was an individual race, he figured he would just
do the best he could. The Trans Portugal Garmin mountain bike race is
structured as no other race we have done in the past. Handicaps are assigned
based on gender and age. By assigning handicaps, then there would only be
one category. Females automatically receive a handicap of 12% and if your age
is greater than 51 you receive an additional 9%. (The three of us are over 50 so
that is the only one we cared about. However handicaps are assigned beginning
at age 36.) I would have the biggest handicap of any racer in the 2008 race.
This meant I would start the race anywhere from 2 hours before the main field to
45 minutes. It was precalculated and I would find out when my start time was the
night before each stage. The field is small at 50 entries so by the end of the race
everyone knows each other. Lastly, the route is not marked; everyone almost
instantly becomes very adept at navigating a course with a GPS Garmin unit.
The race management makes sure that before the start everyone feels
comfortable and even had a practice session pre race to ensure our success.
Pre-Race: We flew into Lisbon, Portugal meeting the friendly race personnel
who would end up taking care of us the whole race. Starting at the airport,
Louize picked us up making us immediately feel like this would be a well
organized race. Louize Hill has the title of "racer relations/logistics" and had
been our only contact up until this point of the race. She also spoke very good
English. Other race personnel, Rui and Marta took us to a restaurant that first
night that served "real" Portuguese food. Rabbit was one of the choices (still had
eyes). The food was very good; I stuck with salmon. We began to meet other
racers who had come from Johannesburg, South Africa; Provo, Utah; Canada
and Japan. The next day we were bussed to the start at Branganca which is
located in the most northern part of the country. It was here that we met the rest
of the race staff which included the race director Antonio Malvar, bike mechanics,
masseuses, course marshals, a photographer, a graphic designer, and a sweep
rider. We would find out that this staff helped out with all of these job titles. It
was not uncommon for 5 or 6 of the staff to be working on our bikes to make sure
we could ride the next day, even though 2 were officially the mechanics. Out on
the course, they all helped in taking pictures of us.
The goal was to ride from one tip of the country, and head to the most
southeastern peninsula town of Sagres over the next 8 days thereby covering the
whole country of Portugal. It was an unsupported race so food and water for the
day had to be carried; it could also be bought from the cafes. Each night the
route for the next day was reviewed including places to get water as well as
areas of concern or caution which helped each rider to plan for the next day. The
sites to get water and food were also marked on routes on our Garmin GPS.
Along the route each day there were checkpoints. These were more for the staff
to keep track of us and were not food stops or aid stations. Even so, they were
always a welcome site on the route.
The Trans Portugal Garmin staff made sure everyone made it one way or
another! Every night we stayed in a very nice place and would be treated to
restaurant/resort food for dinner. We would arrive to the finish line, graze for
food, wash our bikes, check in to our rooms and the staff always made sure our
luggage was already placed in the room.
Day 1: Branganca to Freixo de Espada A Cinta (141 km)
Since I left several hours before the main race field, I felt very alone. We had
been warned about these feelings in the pre-race meeting, but now I got to
experience it. I really liked using the GPS unit. My only mishap was that 10
minutes after I started, it actually fell off my handle bars. I rode back quickly to
find it and made sure the van that was making sure I got off OK didn't run over it.
I had not snapped it securely into its holder; I never made that mistake again. I
looked forward to having the main field catch up with me and this would become
a daily challenge for me. The finish that day was by a castle and we rode on
cobblestone roads. The villages were beautiful.
Day 2: Freixo de Espada a Cinta to Alfaiates (113 km)
Highlights included a big climb which ended up at a castle. Later on in the day
there was a medieval fortress which we rode around on a nice single-track trail.
There were a lot of flat sections and sitting in the saddle was beginning to make
me sore. At the end of the day, the staff would have food for us as the finish line.
We would stay there grazing for long periods of time. The food would include
boiled potatoes smothered in olive oil and salt, lots of breads, cheese and meats.
I began to look forward each day to the banquet of food at the finish line. Today I
began to have thoughts that the handicapped time makes me feel handicapped
and how in the world have I been able to ride back in the states without a
handicap. I thought I was having a good season however being given at least a
30-60 minutes lead on the other women and still having them easily pass me is a
little demoralizing.
Day 3: Alfaiates to Ladoeiro (107 km)
I had a mechanical this day. I stripped my shifter for my back rings and ended up
being able to only use my big, medium and small front rings. It was a big
climbing day and I was glad to at least have 3 choices. The route took us to the
border of Spain. I did end up pushing my bike a lot today because of the
mechanical problem. That day we stayed at a hotel with a great outdoor pool.
My bike got fixed so I could ride on Day 4.
Day 4: Ladoeiro to Castelo de Vide (108 km)
Bike worked great. We are learning that if there is a castle on a hilltop, you are
probably going to finish there. We were not disappointed and ending up climbing
on a winding cobblestone road to finish in the castle courtyard. We then rode to
the other side of the town to stay in a beautiful resort. You could hear the horses
running out in dirt fields by the resort. Jan and I got to stay in the honeymoon
suite. It was beautiful with Saltillo tiles, latched ceilings, a fire place and sitting
area. The dinner was fabulous.
Day 5: Castelo de Vide to Monsaraz (160 km)
This would be our longest day. We started out the day going by a beautiful
reservoir. Then there were 19 fences that we needed to figure out how to
muscle open and closed. Some were easier than others. After the first couple of
gates, it got easier. We finished the 16 km on a rocky trail that was not that fun
so I was eager to graze at the finish line.
Day 6: Monsaraz to Albernoa (145 km)
The route started out with a big river crossing. Jan was actually captured on film
as he fell flat in the river. It felt so good; he took an extra moment to cool down.
This section was flatter and faster, but I still got caught by all the women.
Unfortunately, the leading women just after she passed me had a fall and broke
her collar bone. I was the first one there so got to stay with her until Antonio
came to pick her up and take her to the hospital. I used my trusty "Pedal Queen"
wind jacket to make a "makeshift" figure 8 harness to keep her comfortable. She
was very disappointed as the same thing had happened last year. We were all
very sad for her. That day we stayed at a 5 star resort. The pool was beautiful
and it was by far the best food of the race. They even had oysters in our all you
could eat buffet.
Day 7: Albernoa to Monchique (134 km)
This day had a lot of climbing and it was very hot. One more day!
Day 8: Monchique to Sagres (95km)
Beautiful ride along the coastline with great single track. It was fun to finish on
the beach at the Atlantic Ocean.
This is a great race! It is very organized and it was nice to have all
accommodations taken care of at the end of the day. We are considering
returning in 2009.
Thanks to our sponsors, Litespeed, BTI, GoLite, CamelBak, Leki, SealSkinz,
Dermatone, Boulder Bars, Hydropel, Montrail, CW-X, Polar, Terry, Petzl, Black
Diamond, Bolle, Werner, Suunto, Shain, SofSole, Bike and Sport, and E-Caps.
AdventureXstream 12 Hour Adventure Race
http://www.gravityplay.com/axs/index.htm
Durango, CO
June 20, 2008
Team RHOC Santa Fe, Carl Gable, Joel Krypel, Elberta Seybold, Kevin Ormerod
Support: Phil Ormerod, Kaelin Ormerod
Finish Time: 10:42, 5th of 9, 4 Person Coed
by Carl Gable
We opted for the 12 hour instead of the 24 hour this year. Racing in the
light with good weather conditions was really a plus this year. The orienteering
went smoothly and then the ride of the Hermosa Creek trail was a pleasure.
Lots of high speed technical single track. For Joel it was really his first
ride on a new bike so he had a lot of adjusting to do. Doing the paddle in
the light this year was also a lot more pleasure than pain. Overall the race
went smoothly, no major glitches. Fun was had by all.
New Mexico Orienteers June Event
Doc Long Campground
Sandia Mountain, NM
June 21, 2008
http://www.nmorienteers.org/images/NMOResults20080621.jpg
Jan & Kim Bear DNF
By Jan Bear
It was a great day in the Sandia Mountains, Kim and I brought along our two
daughters and one of their friends for this outing. We decided to try the red
course but knew that we could have a problem as we had to be back in Santa Fe
by two thirty. The course started off with a couple fairly straightforward check
points; at least that's what I thought. The first check point was found but
according to the map I thought it was misplaced by about 100 meters. We then
moved on to checkpoint two and had no problems finding it. After that we
seemed to get a little turned around and after trying to find checkpoint three and
being unsuccessful we moved on. Then time began to become an issue and after
a little more time hiking and finding points we had to quit and head home. We all
had a great time but certainly were not happy with the DNF. As usual the New
Mexico Orienteer's did a great job putting on this event.
Thank you to Team Santa Fe Sponsors: BTI, ThorLo, GoLite, PokerJunkie.com,
Camelbak, Leki, Dermatone, CW-X, SofSole, Polar, Hydropel, Outdoor
Research, Suunto, Polar HRM, Maxxis, E-Caps, Wingnut Gear, Potable Aqua
and Bolle.
To Bone and Back: 40 Mile Relay and UltraMarathon
Idaho Falls, ID
June 28, 2008
http://www.toboneandback.com
Barb Dutrow, 6:39:42, 40-mile solo; 3rd overall, 1/50+ F
By Barb Dutrow
Begun as a relay, this 40-mile race now allows nearly all variations
of distances; solo runners, and 2-, 4-, 8-person teams.
In the full darkness at 5:30am, two hours ahead of the relay groups,
a small group of ultrarunners and two-person team members
began the race to Bone - a very small community (1 store)
about 20 miles SE of Idaho Springs, ID. The course began in town,
made a 1 mile circuit on major streets (deserted at this hour), then
turned onto the two lane asphalt road to Bone. Daylight broke as we
headed east into the rising sun. After five relatively flat miles,
the ascent began. The next five miles steadily climbed from ~ 4700'
elevation to over 6500'. Once peaking out, a spectacular view
of the Teton Mountains greeted us in the distance. The next 10 miles
were rolling hills, some steep, some not. Wildflowers were in full bloom,
cars nearly absent, a windmill farm turning away, and temperatures
hovering in the 50-60s. By 9am, temperatures were rising, cars
arriving, and the last three miles to the turnaround were dirt road
under construction. One ran alone but could see others in the distance.
Once at the turnaround, the race returned. Now cars were beginning to
arrive for the outbound relay teams. Aid stations were packed but
it was nice to see people. Cresting the hill again at mile 10/30 was
a relief, the last 10 miles were downhill or flat which was great
because by now the temperatures had soared into the 90s.
The first relay team caught me about 0.5 miles from the finish.
At the finish line we were greeted by soft serve ice cream, lots
of press, and cheering crowds. I finished third overall, second
female and first over 50.
Thanks to our sponsors, Thorlo Socks for padding my feet.
Training Activities
Via Ferrata
Leukerbad, Switzerland
July 13 to July 22, 2008
Jan Bear, Kim Bear and Gary Johnson
By Kim Bear
This trip became a training vacation with our family and Gary. We found
Leukerbad in 2000 when adventure racing for the World Championship in
Switzerland. This race had prepared us to have to do a rope event called "via
ferrata". This is composed of rebar sticking out of cliffs with ladders and cables
which assist the climber to ascend sheer rock cliffs. The route was cancelled for
the World Championships because of weather, but it was a venue that we had to
return to attempt. In 2005, we were in Europe for the TransAlp Mountain bike
race and stayed over for a week so we could attempt the via ferrata in
Leukerbad. We liked it so much; we came back with our daughters, now 18 and
20. Gary had also been with us the in 2005 and wanted to return as well.
We were not disappointed. The route was opened on July 17 and we were one
of the first groups to complete this spectacular course. It is described as the
longest via ferrata in the world. I have included 2 web links with pictures if you
want more information.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/interests/adventure_sports/offer-Activities_Sports_and_Adventure-Klettersteig-37106.html
http://lca2srv30.epfl.ch/girdzija/Fotos/20070825LeukerbadViaFerrata/index.html
When not exploring the via ferrata we hiked and down trails which lead us to
beautiful waterfalls, glaciers, lakes, and rustic restaurants. We even spent a
morning at the thermal pools of Bugerbad located in Leukerbad. This had 10
pools of varying temperatures, different types of jets, treatments which included
hot mud immersions. We still feel that there is much to explore around
Leukerbad and hope to be able to visit again.
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