October 9th, 2012 10:31pm
When it comes to Endurance races Art MacFarland has done most of the big ones, some more than once. A certified cycling coach and die hard endurance rider, Art MacFarland is knocking off the bucket list of ultra endurance MTB races around the world one at a time. This week Art and his team mate Trevor Bushnell have travelled all the way down to Brasil for the Brasil Ride 2012.
A relatively new endurance race, Brasil 2012 will cover take each team of (2) racers into mountain ranges, valleys and rivers, Chapada Diamantina trials, in the center of Bahia and cover nearly 585 Kilometers of near perfect scenery for the epic race. The races is currently being run From 23 to 29 September 2012.
MacFarland will be summarizing the days events and we will be posting them here as he has written them. Keep in mind that Art is dogged tired and typing on an Ipad then uploading it us.
At this point we need to preface this story by letting you know that we have ridden and raced on teams with both Art and Trevor in the past. Knowing each of these riders and their incredible training regimes and fitness levels makes these reports even more incredible. So I left the spelling as it is so you can feel the pain as he types. One thing we can vouch for, If Arts says its tough, it's is tough..enjoy their ride….
Pre Race - Getting there is half the battle...
Trever and i arrived in Salvador on Thursday afternoon after a three flight trip. There is a four hour time difference so jet lag was an issue for us so we took a nap and then headed to dinner. After we slept for almost 12 hours we headed to do some touristy stuff. On Friday. Walked near the beach, went to a marine museum and just lounged around. Nothing exciting.
Saturday we met the shuttle that would take us to Mucuge at 7:30 amateur the airport. Bus was supposed to take 6 hrs but it took a lot longer than that. We didn't leave until almost 9 am so we didn't arrive until almost 6. No chance to preride the prologue course. We built the bikes, found a room, and got the lay of the land.
Prologue
Today was stage 1, a 19 km prologue. We made e mistake of assuming we knew where we were going and rode for 30 minutes before we realized we were on going the wrong way. Once we found the course we decided to still preride even though we had already ridden about 1 hour. As we started , less than mile from the start, Trever shared off the spindle of one of his pedals. Luckily he didn't go down. So back go the room to get the spare pedals we brought. To make the story short. We ended up riding almost 3 hours and that's before racing.
The Prologue may have been just about 10 miles long, but it doesn't mean it was painful. Full throttle from the start!
The start was interesting. They started us out 2 teams at a time. The team that we started with was not very fast so we quickly moved ahead. As we were going through the same spot where Trever broke his pedal I hit a rock and tore a chunk of the sidewall and the tire went flat in 3 second. We changed it pretty quickly. Around 3 minutes. We got going again and started passing folks. The course had 3 section of singletrack with the middle section having some VERY technical sections and quite a bit of sandy sections as well. I was on a roll passing people left and right, but Trever was having a hard time getting around folks. I stopped a couple of times to make sure he was still there and hadn't had a mechanical When I hit a sandy uphill section (we walked it on the preride) I was feeling strong and rode the thing and moved ahead of Trever. I think this is where Trever pushed too hard getting up the hill and started to struggle.
To get to the last section of singletrack we had ride on the road for about 1.5 miles. Straight uphill - steep bugger. I had Trever hold on to my jersey as I pushed up the hill. Once in the last piece of singletrack. We just had a little more climbing to do and then all downhill to the finish - almost. That's when a mixed team we had passed earlier passed us. Both were strong climbers but had no tech skills. The guy let us go by but the gal was stubborn and would not get out of the way. She even got off and was walking as we were riding. Bee-atch!!! We finally got around her almost at the bottom - a little pissed to say the least.
We finished in 1:20 good for 13th place out of about 30 teams. Twenty minutes behind the master winners. We could have done a 1:10 but tomorrow is another day and the hardest of the race so I'm sure we'll move up. Still 6 days to go.
An epic water crossing makes killer photos and gives racers a bit of a temperature break.
Stage 1 (Prologue)
Date: Sep. 24, starts at 12:00
Start/Finish: Mucugê / Mucugê
Distance: 18,69 km
Climbing: 290m
Day 2 Queen Stage
Things I learned today:
Stage 2 we were told was the hardest stage with a distance of 90 miles and over 10000 ft of climbing. It sounded menacing and it was. The stage started with 10 miles of paved road and then another 10 on a rolling dirt road. We covered the first 20 miles in about 1 hour. We rode with the lead pack for the first 10 miles and decided to back off and be conservative. It's was going to be a long day.
I knew Trever was not having a great day when he started falling off of my pace on the climbs so I started backing off or slowing down at the top of the climbs. We made to the halfway point in about 4 hrs and thought we were doing good time. Not slow, not fast. Steady. The weather was cooperating also with light rain for the first 4-5 hours. I was trying to help by pushing when I could.
This is about when things started to get ugly. Trever was looking worse even though he was eating and drinking we were. We hit the first singletrack which was fun and kept motoring. At about mile 60 we started the most difficult lazy 30 miles. About 10 miles of technical singletrack with tons of steep hike-a-bike sections. This section was called vietnam. By the way I HATE VIETNAM!!
Just before the tough section Trever clipped his handlebars on a rock and did the most amazing endo. It was a thing of beauty. He landed hard on his shoulder and I truly thought he was done. I expected a broken collar bone or damaged shoulder. Luckily he only bruised his thigh, took some skin of his shin (nice memory of Brazil) and bruised his hand. We sat for maybe 5 minutes and then continued on.
At this point I was very worried about Trever. He looked bad so I started taking his bike on the hike-a-bike section and pushing both bikes up the hills while he walked, drank and ate. I was feeling very good. Felt strong. (this is why this race is a two person team event - you never know what can happen and why I know my bike is lighter than his).
Trever is one of the most fit people I know and has done more stage races than anyone I know.e done a few events together and he has pushed and pulled me on more than one occasion so it felt good to be able to repay and I was set on doing everything I could to get him to the finish line. I must say that Trever only got a one month advance notice about this race while I have been preparing for 3-4 months.
We finally made it out of Vietnam and to the last aid station. We got Trever some medical help. They checked his blood pressure, gave him some anti nausea medication and forced him to eat and drink. We were probably there for about 30 minutes. All we had left was 13-14 miles of dirt road, 3000 ft of climbing with pitches up to 30%. OUCH!! We had 4 miles of rollers then the big climb and finally the descent into the finish. I pulled Trever again at the bottom and then the doors fell off. All of a sudden it was me feeling nauseous. I had to get off my bike a few times when it got too steep. At one point I got off the bike, took my helmet off and sat down. Another 10 minutes lost. Cramps started hit me near the top so I had to pedal one legged while still climbing.
For Every climb their is a descend. Its hard to hang on when your wiped out. Focus goes then all hell breaks loose.
Every endurance race has some road portion and riders eagerly draft and save energy as they know what lies ahead.
Top of the hill and 2 mikes to the finish. Relief!! We made it to the finish in about 10:30 hours. Barely!! Trever got two I.V. Bags in him while I found us a hotel (1 mile climb - MOFO). Rode back into town, got some burgers, picked up our luggage, dropped off bags and hitched a ride to the hotel. An exhausting fucking day.
Tomorrow is the XC day so we don't have to ride together five laps of a 4 mile loop. I wonder how much energetic I'll have. At least it should take more than a couple of hours. Stay tuned.
Stage 2
Date: Oct. 24, starts at 6 AM
Start/Finish: Mucugê / Rio de Contas
Distance: 143,56 km
Climbing: 3072 m
Limit time: 11h30
The hardest stage of race, long and technical. The first 30km is almost flat after that it comes to big climbs (KM 40 and KM 70) in the Piatã city. Between Km 70 to 90 it becomes downhill and single tracks. Then, Km 90 to 120 the route goes to the forest (single track) and in the KM 125, the path returns in the hard pack. To finish the day one big 10 km climb.
Stage 3. XC stage
Today was a different kind of stage with what was presented to us,as across country stage. The program said 5 laps around a 7 km loop and we didn't have to ride together. Both Trever and I were still tired from from yesterday - very tired.
We decided to ride by feel. I wanted to do well but wasn't sure how the legs would react. I decided to start fast and see how I felt. Trever was going to do the opposite. Start slow and increase the pace if he felt good.
One of many hike-a-bike sections that are just too steep to ride in an ultra endurance race. This one burns too many matches even if it is only 50 yards long.
We started at 10 am. The start was crazy with 300 racers trying to get the whole shot. The course was a true mountain bike course with fun twisty singletrack, double track, one hellish 50 yard hike-a-bike, a treacherous singletrack downhill and a section of pave on steroids. I had a decent start and did the first lap in about 25-26 minutes, then slowly started slowing down after each lap.
I lost one of my water bottles on the first lap so I had to stop after each lap to fill up so I wasted a little time. I started to get lapped by the pros halfway through my 3rd lap and I started to struggle a bit so I decided to stop "racing" and just ride it out. At the end of my fourth lap I was told that was it. I was a bit confused. Apparently everyone finishes on the same lap as the winner.
Trever managed to pull in 3 laps so we did ok. Not sure how they calculated times but we moved from 20th to 13th. Not bad for a short stage when both of us took it "easy".
Tomorrow is a 80km day so we hope to be done in about 5 hrs. We hope!!
It may have been the XC stage of the race but that doesn't mean it isn't challenging. We have a rider down...in Brasil
After three days of racing these tents are starting to look better and better.
Stage 3 (XCO - Cross Country)
Date: Sep. 25 starts at 10 AM
Start/Finish: Rio de Contas / Rio de Contas
Distance: 35 km (5 laps of 7km)
Climbing: 763 m Limit time: 4h
The result consists as the average time of two riders. There is no penalty for team distance of each rider. The track involves single tracks and urban path. Pay attention of km 5,5 it has a huge downhill and rocky route.
Another tough one. 50 miles with almost 8000 ft of climbing. Last 2000 ft started at mile 40 and ended t mile 43. That's right 2500ft in 3 miles with a pretty steady grade of 20%.
We started off in a nice pace. I could see Trever was feeling good or at least MUCH better than day 2. I, on the other hand was feeling nauseas. I kept burping some guava juice from breakfast. Was having issues eating.
We covered the first 20 miles under 2 hrs so we were doing ok we then hit a 10 mile section of with some pretty technical section which most people were having issues with. We were not having the same problem. It was actually fun. I did realize that there are cool people and assholes everywhere. I flatted on this section, fixed the flat and kept going.
We been hanging around with this couple from Switzerland, Yvonne and Simon. Really nice couple with a great sense of humor. We came up on them and they had stopped on the trail. I came up Simon and has one of those "oh shit, I can't clip out" moments and headed down the hill. Nothing major, just some scrapes and bruises. Trever tried to help and almost fell on top of me. Kind of comical at the time.
We made to the second aid station and it was getting hot. We covered the first 30 miles in just over 3 hours. Still doing ok. Still not feeling well and not eating very much We stayed here for about 5 minutes and then moved on. We only had 20 miles to go. Piece of cake, right?
At this point I was doing fine as long as the grade was less than 5%. If it kicked up and I couldn't spin I was in trouble. Suffering. We expected the last aid station at mile 40 before the start of the last climb. Well,we hit mile 40 and no aid station. The aid station was at the TOP of the hill. WTF?!?! We were almost out of fluids. Trever was overheating. I could hardly pedal. This climb was a steady 20% for 2-3 miles we had to sit down in the shade. We were both pissed. Most of the riders offered water. One in particular who calls me "americano" and truly thinks I speak Portuguese because somehow we communicate, filled up my bottle from his camelback. I' call him "brasileiro". We pretty much walked for about a mile. Neither of us could pedal up the steep grade.
When we finally made it to the aid station it was scorching hot. Phoenix hot we heard it got up to 110 degrees. Brasileiro gave me a cold red bull and I chugged it. He then poured cold water on my head. He knew I was in trouble and was trying to help. About 60 seconds later I vomited the red bull and the last few gels I had taken. The medic saw this and had me sit down while they tried to cool me. Trever was waiting in what little shade there was.
Last 5 miles- why the fuck would they put an aid station 5 miles from the finish. We climbed a bit more. Brasileiro came by me and pushed me for a few seconds. Thank you!!
Finally back at the finish with a 2 mile descent. Back though town to the finish. Took us about 5:45. We were hoping for 5 good news is that we finished. I did find out that Trever gets a little grumpy when he's exhausted.
I got checked out by the medics because my body was burning up for the next few hours but they said I was ok. Just tired. No shit Sherlock.
Tomorrow we have 129 km / 80 miles but the climbing should not be too bad. Thanks for reading.
Stage 4
Date: Oct. 26 starts at 8 AM
Start/Finish: Rio de contas / Rio de Contas
Distance: 81,5 km
Climbing: 2343 m
Limit time: 9h
It's a scenic day as you can see the Barbado Peak the highest point in the northeast of Brazil. First 25 km is almost flat. First climb comes in the km 25 until km 30, then 7 km of single track to Arapiranga city and more hard pack road. The challenge will be the hard climb in the last part os stage with loose rockies.
Maps
Stage 5
When you wake up before a stage of any stage race you ask yourself if you feel good, human, semi human or like shit. Here, after stage 2, we asked ourselves if we felt kind of shitty or totally like shit. After yesterday stage I thought I would feel totally like shit but I was surprised I didn't feel horrible. Unfortunately, Trever was feeling like shit.
We went out slow. Mellow. Get a good warm up. It was almost all dirt roads today. We got with some good groups and kept a decent pace. The course today started uphill from town and then a long descent followed by about 30 miles of flat washboard roads. Not good on a carbon hard tail.
We hit the first aid station after 30 miles about 2:30 hours in. I could see Trever starting to struggle. About 5 miles past the aid station Trever had had enough. He said he was quitting and for me to go on. Well, I couldn't really leave.him so we agreed to ride to the next aid station and decide there. We stopped for a few minutes on e side of the road to recover then headed towards the aid station - i could tell that Trever was physically and mentally exhausted By luck a pick up truck came by. We waved, they waved back. I had to sprint to catch them and ask for ride. They said yes, no problem.
We each went our own way. I took off a little fast - I was feeling good - looking back probably a mistake. You pay for these mistakes here sooner or later. I made if to the second aid station at around mile marker pretty quickly. Next station was at mile 65 but first I had to climb around 3000 ft. I started slowing down a bit. Running out of juice.
Finally made it to the aid station and refueled - btw, I officially hate heed, come and warm water. Aid stations suck down here. 30 km to the finish with one steep climb, one long washboard filled road and finally 15 km on the highway. My ass is raw by now, my knee hurts, my toes were numb, my back muscles were screaming at me. A few rides came by me but I didn't have the strength to grab their wheels.
Finally was able to hold the wheel of a mixed team with 4 km to go and I was so grateful. Made to the finish in under 8 hrs. Not sure if I wanted to ride tomorrow, but I'm feeling better as I type this so I'll give a shot. Tomorrow is 119 km with about 5000 ft of climbing with lots of fire road. Hopefully no washboard, but I would not bet on it.
Stage 5
Date: Oct. 28 starts 7 AM
Start/Finish: Rio de Contas / Mucuge
Distance: 128 km
Climbing: 1750 m
Limit time: 10h
It’s the way back to the first camp base of Brasil Ride. It will be a real challenge stage because the latest efforts in previous stages and the heat of region. After 5km from the start the riders will need attention in 15km of downhill. Until Km 80 there is only two uphills and it tests the athletes going up from 600 meters to 1150 above sea level. The last 17 km is paved.
Maps
Stage 6
Ok, I was wrong, today was not f?&king hard. It was just hard. 76 miles with 5000 ft of climbing....does that sound easy? It was not the most spectacular day for sure. Almost all dirt road. The last 25 miles were same as yesterday's stage. The same climb that I had to walk, so I was a bit concerned before the stage so I decided to be conservative at the start.
Race started at 8 am and it was pretty cool and windy, with some riders wearing vests or arm warmers. I was relieved, a cool day is better than a hot day!! I stayed with my buddy brasileiro for the first 7-8 miles when I saw the only other American at the race Paul Romero on the side of the road. I guess his knee didn't hold up. Another casualty to the this torture ride. Nothing I could do to help.
I was riding alone today and it felt a bit weird at times. Less thinking, less talking, ride by feel. I started feeling pretty good and even started pulling a group. Brasileiro was in the group - finally caught him again - and came over to tell me to stay out of the wind. LOL!! I told him I was feeling good. I also rode with our Swiss friends trying to help the a bit but I eventually rode away from that group.
I rode alone for a while until the climb. I hooked up with the second place grand masters team and another team and rode together to the last aid station. Legs felt heavy on the climb, but I managed to ride the whole climb, not like yesterday when I walked a good portion of it. What a difference a day makes.
Last 20 miles are flat. Half on dirt road, the other half on pavement. There were now 3 teams and me. One of the riders from the second place team was struggling and his partner and another team were trying to help him, so I decided to help out by pushing him or blocking the wind. I did the bulk of the work and kept asking the third team to help out but they never did - dicks!!
When we got 1km from the finish I saw the third team exchange looks and head to the front. I think they wanted to attack after sucking our wheels for 20 miles. I don't think so!! As soon as one of them moved up I blocked his partner from moving up and then moved right next to him. I just looked at him and shook my head "nope, you.re not doing that". When we finally hit the last 200 yards I just blocked them. I knew they wanted to come around me but it wasn't going to happen. I let the grand masters team finish in front of me. They were do happy with my help, they hugging, took pictures with me one of them wants to exchange jerseys with me tomorrow. He even washed my bike. LOL!!!
Tomorrow is 40 miles with the prologue course being the last 12 miles of the race. It'll be interesting how the body does on the same trail after riding for 6 days. My biggest worry is my ass and how it holds up for one more day!!
Stage 6
Date: Oct. 28 starts 7 AM
Start/Finish: Mucuge / Mucuge
Distance: 119 km
Climbing: 1502 m
Limit time: 10h
Final Day - 40 miles till the pain subsides
It's funny how a 40 mile day on the mountain bike sounds like an easy day after being tortured for 6 days. I was told today was going to be fast and it was not a lie. We cruised down the paved highway for 10 miles then onto dirt road mixed with double track and singletrack.
I somehow caught the lead pack which had over 80 riders. I kept moving up until I was off the front. I figured as wasn't killing myself so why not. I was out there for 2-3 minutes, others went by, and I was reeled in by the main pack. One of the leaders even talked to me "you're seat bag is open!". LOL!! Not a seat bag but an awesome strap. I guess they don't have them in Portugal yet (leaders were from Portugal).…
Stage 7
Date: Oct. 29 starts 10 AM
Start/Finish: Mucugê / Mucugê
Distance: 57,91 km
Climbing: 673 m
Limit time: 9h
The stage 7 will have a fast track To finish the 2012 Brasil Ride. Team work is recommended to keep in rolling until you crossed the finish line to receive our deserved medal!
Location: News >> 7 days at Race Pace - Brasil Ride 2012 - Enduring South America
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