"I thought I would give a quick race report on the High cascade 100 that Randy, Scott and I did last Saturday in Bend, Oregon. First of all I think it was the funnest racing event I have participated in except for Crosstoberfest. It was fun to me because of the great trails, the scenery, the support, the weather conditions and the attitudes of the other riders. The event was very well organized and had tons of support. At the finish was a full barbeque including beer that were provided.
The race consisted of 3 loops; a 42 mile loop around Mt Bachelor, the ski area and the Alpine Lakes; a 44 mile loop (they called it the epic loop) on the north side of Mt Bachelor that crossed a couple ridges and led to the base of Tumalo Falls where a 13 mile climb started an ended right at snow level and passed through incredible high alpine meadows; a third loop consisting of 13.5 miles that led towards Bend and came back. All loops began and ended at Wanoga Snow Park on Century Drive about 3 and ½ miles north of the Sun River cutoff road. There is plenty of room for camping or RV’s at this location. There were two big food/water stops and an aid station on the first two loops and one at the start of the third. You only need to provide your own food and water at the beginning of loop 1. The stops also included mechanics who lubed chains, changed flats or did whatever was needed. I had my bike lubed 4 times and drive train adjusted once.
The course consisted of about 3 and ½ - 4 miles of pavement and about 4-5 miles of unimproved dirt roads. The rest was single track in great shape that included everything from rock drops, stream crossings, switchbacks, smooth winding trails, pumice, all types of descents and climbs. The promoter advertised 12,500 feet of climbing but it really didn’t feel like it except on the Tumalo Falls climb. There were numerous fast, flowing and long descents to make up for the climbing.
The start line was quite different. It was dark at 5:15 am and was about 39 degrees. People were a bit quiet and not talking much about was ahead of them. I was stressed immediately when I discovered that my front tire was flat at the start line. I filled it and made it about 3 miles up the road before I had enough light to change. Then my big air can and valve broke. I was last place at the first turn, mile 3. Things quickly settled in after this point. It helped tremendously when the sag wagon told me not to panic in that there was 97 miles remaining. By the time I met up with Scott about two hours in, I had passed about 150 people. I thought I may be in trouble though so I started popping Endorlites that another racer recommended. Good news, they worked. Or it may have been the 6 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, one entire watermelon, two pro bars, bag of beef jerky, one gel pak, three cliff blocks, numerous cookies, bagel, several bananas and 200 ounces plus of fluid.
I thought about the race one loop at a time otherwise it was overwhelming, at least to me. I knew that if I could make it over the big climb at Tumalo Falls that I could finish the loop and then make it through the last 13 mile loop. The last loop ended up being the hardest. I feel apart with about 8 miles to go. I didn’t bonk though. I was just tired out, sore and totally done.
I think it helps to have someone you know at some of the stops or planted at various spots on the course to cheer. Lisa did this and it was always a welcome sight to see her. It is easy to drive or ride to many portions of the course.
In conclusion, this really isn’t a race unless you are attempting to be in the top 10. You have to find your rhythm and a pace that you can maintain all day. I was just “riding” on a course in beautiful country at a much lower heart rate, eating and drinking as much as I could. I think Randy was racing though. He would not talk to me at the stops and would take off without saying good-bye. We all used Camelbacks and one water bottle. The race provided water bottles pre-filled at the stops or you could fill up Camelbacks. I highly recommend this next year to anyone on the team."
Tom at the start:
Tom at mile 50 or so:
