Blundurd 100 Mountain Bike Event

What, When, Where, Why, and Who

2009-07-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ride BEFORE The Ride: 8 am, July 18th, 2010

What: Now that we have decided on a name it is time to ride. 100-miles. No excuses. Just ride.

When: 2010 tentatively August 8th (Yes that is the same day as Muddy Waters... sorry about that)

Where: Epinette Creek trail in Spruce Wood Provincial Park 2009 parking lot

9 am sharp.

Why: Whatever works for you.

Who: Anyone who can ride at least one unsupported 42 km loop of Spruce Woods

Details: Self Supported. Bring your lunch.

Further Details:

No Entrance Fee
No Licence
No Officials
No Whining
No Map
No Aide Stations
No Medic
No Gears… unless you need them.

Just you, your bike and a 100-miles of sand.

2009 Blundurd100 Poster

2009-07-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

Spruce Wood Provincial Park Information

2009-03-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

With an area of 269 km2, Spruce Woods Provincial Park is characterized by spruce parkland, upland deciduous forest, mixed-grass prairie, open and stabilized sand dunes and riverbottom forest.

Classified as a Natural Park, its purpose is to preserve areas that are representative of the Assiniboine Delta Natural Region; and accommodate a diversity of recreational opportunities and resource uses.

The park will:

Provide nature-orientated recreational opportunities such as hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing in a largely undisturbed environment

Provide opportunities for high-quality intensive recreational developments such as trails, campgrounds, day-use areas and picnic sites

Protect and profile Aboriginal heritage in the Spirit Sands area and the early settlement along the Assiniboine River valley

Promote public appreciation and understanding of the park's natural features.

More Here

CAUTIONS This is a 100-Mile Mountain Bike Event - Training Is Required!

2009-03-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is a document in progress.

I will make changes from time-to-time as is required.

1. You are what you are:
Your buddy might put in 500 km week, but that does not mean you can. Consider your present fitness level, your fitness ‘history’, your genetic propensity, lifestyle, motivation, attitude etc. Construct a program specific to your needs and ability.

2. A 100-miles the day before 100-miler might works for Lance, but your not Lance. Remember to eat well, sleep well and have a lower mileage week just before this event.

3. Racing (any distance) will help build the physical and mental stamina you will need to successfully complete a 100-miles of suffering like a dog in the hot dry heat.

4. Expect Depression. I am not saying you will want to commit suicide. Rather, everyone has a mentally difficult lap. When this happens, I drink a bottle, eat a bar, wait 15-minutes and if I don’t feel better, I drink a bottle…

5. Lose weight. Your fat. Seriously!

6. You can train like a mad man/women, race all season, do resistance 3x a week and stretch your body like a yogi. However, if all you do is 2-3 hour efforts you will not have the mental prep required for over 8-hours in the saddle. Long hard tempos are required.

7. Focus on the recovery. That is when you get stronger-faster-fitter.

8. Your ride should be wide. Narrow rubber (e.g., 1.75) will cut down into the sand. You need some float to traverse sand.

9. Fitness not miles. Fitness (and preparation) will determine how you finish in this event. You can ride a 100-miles a day at 20% of your V02max…. Train slow go slow. Read a book, get a plan, get fit, go fast.

10. Bottom line: Get fit, streamline your gear, train specific, have fun and HTFUP!

Training Suggestions For A 100-Mile Mountain Bike Event

2009-03-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

1. Get a single speed bike and ride it.

2. Develop a periodized training plan, follow it, and get a whole lot faster.

3. Be sure to include resistance training and stretching.

4. Ride the bike you plan to use during this event frequently.

5. If you have never ridden a single speed you need to determine what kind of gear you can push off road, in the sand and up hill for 100-miles. It is probably a lot smaller then you think. A 2:1 ratio is a very common.

6. This is an single speed endurance event. Be sure to train for 'single speed endurance'. Gears make you weak, but you can use them if you need to but…

7. Ride frequently. If you ride frequently then ride more frequently. If your partner has filled for divorce because all you do is ride, and you are using your vacation time to ride/race. Good job!

8. Learn to eat copious amounts of food on the bike. Most racers eat 50% of what they actually need during endurance events. Can you say BONK!

9. Learn to drink more then you ever thought possible. It is frequently 40+ at this event.

10. Do all of the MUTERO events in prep for this event. This, however is harder, and longer, and a lot more fun ;)

Bottome Line!
HTFUP! Seriously!

This is a document in progress. I will make changes from time-to-time as is required. It was listed in no particular order.

Racing a 100 Miler

2009-03-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is a document in progress.

I will make changes from time-to-time as is required.

Racing:

1. Pacing is key!
Avoid being sucked along by the rabbits for they will soon die and rot by the side of the trail. If they can maintain that pace for a 100-miles, they are a much much faster then you, and you should SLOW DOWN! Break the race into laps (4 laps for a 100-miles). Ride conservatively for the 1st half of the race. Then determine if you have enough gas in your tank to ride a negative split.

2. HELLO!
Eat –drink-and-eat-some-more. Have everything prepared, and ready to go before the race. Label everything by lap. Leave your stuff where you can access it during your transitions in the parking lot, but not where a hungry bear can help itself to lunch. This saves huge amounts of time. In 2008 I spent exactly 10-minutes every lap eating, drinking, filling bottles, oiling my chain, and stuffing each pocket with food. That was 50% too long, and a total of 15-minutes of wasted time. Be prepared and organized so you can just scoop up your bottles and food as you precede through the transition area. If you have a friend helping out great (ok hot shot), give them a set of instructions, and please remember to smile and thank them on very single lap for all their help. Seriously!

3. Drink 50% of your calories. You can not possibly eat enough on a bike hammering for 8-hours. Remember this is Ultra Enduance. If you are urinating once per hour you are drinking enough. You need real food including proteins and fats. I personally like some chips at the halfway mark.

4. Don’t get lost. Every year someone get turned around and spends many hours trying to find the main trail. Come out and ride the “Ride Before the Ride”.

5. Blisters are a real possibility:
Problems usually start with your hands, but obviously feet and your butt are suspect. Butt butter is highly recommended. High quality socks and gloves, old broken in cycling shoes (never wear a new pair). Experiment during your training - not at this event. You will thank me.

6. Don't stop – ever!
Unless it is in the transition area, or you have an immediate issue that you must deal with – immediately - JUST KEEP GOING! Create a mantra. Tell yourself that your life depends on your ability to “JUST KEEP GOING”. You need to find ways to convince yourself that this insanity has a purpose beyond your immediate suffering. Coach your pit crew on how to ‘coach you’ during the transitions. We can all use a pat on the back, or kick in the butt once in a while. Motivating words of encouragement can make the difference between dropping out during one of the 'depressed moments' we all experience in ultra endurance racing, and finishing strong… or finishing at all.

7. Bring the kitchen sink. If you can think of it you should bring it. Self supported.

8. Good people.
Don’t ride alone. This is a group thing. Help other racers on the trail whenever possible. Leave no one behind. Make friends and support each other when the going gets rough.

Frequently Asked Questions - That no one actually asked

2009-03-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Q: Will it be an ultra-endurance ‘Race’ or ‘Ride’?

A: Yes. The set distance is 100-miles.

Q: How long will it take to compete a 100-miles?

A: That depends on you. The leaders are usually completing each 42-km lap in just under 2-hours in good weather. 100-miles at that pace is ~ 8-hours.

Q: Am I required to complete the distance.

A: No. Do what you can, do what you want, do what you must. Whatever you do be safe. Have fun. Ride your bike.

Q: Can people from out of Province ride in it?

A: Any one from any where. The more the merrier. I only ask that you wear a helmet, be responsible for yourself, be a good sports person, and respect the rules of the trail. Oh ya, don’t be a liability for others this is self-supported.

Q: What categories will there be?

A: 1st overall male (lowest time – first to complete 100-miles),
1st female overall (lowest time – first to complete 100-miles)

Q. What do we get for winning /completing the event.

A. Nothing, nota, zilch, zip. Seriously, what more could you ask for then a supper hard and very long day on your bike at Spruce Wood?

Q. What time does it start

A: 9 am sharp! If you arrive late, signup and get going (a lap sheet will be on the back of someone’s truck). Best overall time is the winner.

Q. Who is keeping track of the lap times.

A. You are! This ‘group ride’ works on the honor system. There will be a lap count sheet on the back of some truck. Fill it in as you lap.

Q. What refreshments can I expect?

A. You can eat whatever you bring. This is a self-supported event. Bring a whack load of food and water. A 100-miles is a long long day.

Q. What about bears?

A. There are plenty of those at Spruces Woods. Bring precautions, makes lots of noise, and know what to do in the event you meet a hungry bear.

Q. What are the trails like.

A. In comparison, well there really is no comparison, but I would give it least 6 or 7 stars of 5 if you are looking for something different. Think Reach-the-Beach on crack.

Have a question? Leave a post and I will try and provide an answer. Thanks for reading.

Rules

2009-03-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

The rules are simple:

One bike

One gear

One Love

The first One to finish will be

The winner.

You can use gears if you need them but...

2008-11-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

In construction