Race Report: Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge, July 13 2013

Halfway during the last Sunday’s  100 kilometer Carrabassett Backcounty Cycle Challenge, on a six mile climb under the rays of a searing hot sun, I had a revelation.

I now know what a frying egg feels like.

Man, what a hot day to race nearly 63 miles up and down the hills around Sugarloaf Resort and the Bigelow Preserve. But even suffering through the heat and the pain, CBCC is a good race that is gets better with each edition.

The day started at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center at 7 a.m. on a cool morning with clear skies, no hint of what was to come. Racers, in their multi-color jerseys, resembled horse racing…….The white jersey and signature green clover leaf of Qualey Granite/Rose Bike was no doubt the most common jersey and racing colors I saw there (17 in all I believe).  Several racers of Irish heritage from the Boston area also inquired on where to pick one up.

 The race, in its third year, has a great feel. Low key, casual, racers chatting casually.  Though this year, endurance MTB legend Tinker Juarez was in attendence. But at the gun, you take off and though you are panting, gulping for air, heart pounding as if trying to escape your chest cavity, you are treated with some of the best singletrack in the state. The Carrabassett Region NEMBA has done a superb job constructing narrow, flowy trails that wind back and forth the cross country ski trails on the lower flanks of the resort. Smooth dirt, well designed flow of trails, cleverly placed rock bridges made for some fun riding.

I rode for a bit with Erik daSilva, and we came across Dave Hughes of Carrabassett Region NEMBA taking photos, and even while racing, Erik shouted to Dave, “Great job on the trails.”

For me, some 10 miles in, the race transformed into a training ride. The result, mostly, of a five day business meeting in Philadelphia. Too little sleep and too many adult beverages is no way to prepare for a race.

Especially one so hilly. The organizers claimed 9000 feet of climbing; I recorded 5600. Nonetheless, there was a lot of hills to surmount, making for a challenging day. The West Mountain Road, the long dusty, steep road climb in the first 30 miles, seemed to go on forever. And yet the views of the iconic Bigelow Range somehow made it worth it.

The route made a wide arc away from Sugarloaf past Redington Pond and crossed Route 27 to the wider roads and paths of the  the Bigelow Preserve. For a while the woods offered some respite from the heat, but then that climb. Oh, man.  I can’t imagine a frying pan any hotter than how I felt on that road. A racer said to me at the end, as we turned into the woods, “That was a sufferfest.” In the middle of these endurance races, panting, sweating, legs aching, I wonder why I do these events.

But then it was over and we descended down the powerline to one of my favorite sections of the race—Stratton Brook Pond. You walk across several outlets, water up to your waist. Then ride along up and down, up and down this great singletrack, dipping down into smaller brooks, and even riding through a two foot deep pond. This puts the backcountry into the Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge.

And at the 45 mile aid station, another favorite part of these endurance races: the volunteers. At this aid station, volunteers filled bottles for me, lubed my friend Eric Pandiscio’s chain, gave directions to another racer dropping out, handed out salt tablets, Advils, and PB&Js. And just supported and cheered everyone on. This happens at all the aid stations and really, really, really helps when you are suffering.

Then a climb up to the Poplar Hut (part of Maine Huts and Trails) and a long descent back to the valley before an easy stretch along the Narrow Gauge, with beautiful views of the river, with some fun dips into more singletrack. And then an easy climb back to the Outdoor Center. Cheering at the end.  Ah, sweet relief.

The race has improved over its two editions. Finally got the distance right. And the route itself, with the singletrack and climbing over the first 30 miles, and the the more open, backcountry experience of the next 30 is a nice mix.

Room for improvement? Sure. The march up ski lift could be re-routed. As well as the 1 mile out and back. Maybe a beer station at the finish line? But all in all this is a very good cross country, endurance race, with great singletrack, good climbing, beautiful views.

Back at my friend’s house, sipping an adult beverage, grilling steaks and sausage, friends recounting the events of the day, the mud, the mishaps, the mechanicals, I had another revelation.

This is what makes the suffering worth it.

Also, not a bad day on the podium for the local crew:  Josh Lawrence finished 1^st in the  race's deepest category, Sport (40-49), Keith Blanchard finished 1^st for Men's Novice (30-39), Eliza Cronkite finished 2^nd in Women’s Novice (20-29), Erik DaSilva finished 3^rd in Men’s Sport (30-39), Craig MacDonald Finished 3^rd in Novice (30-39), Eric Pandiscio finished 3^rd in Sport (50+), Rich Long finished 4^th for Open Single Speed.  It's also worth pointing out that our Expert/Open Class Racers put up some very good times and were competitive with the other "fast guys" from throughout New England.  Nice work by all!

--Mark Condon