Cyclepath Adventure Racing

Hani raced with Team Gaelforce this past weekend at the Gold Rush 24hr race while a contingent of Team Cyclepath provided support crew services. The route took Gaelforce through Stanislaus National Forest where they paddled fiercely, conquered a nasty uphill bike section, and even got some time playing around with the ropes. His race report is featured below.

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Sorry for the bad English ahead of time. I am too tired to spell check and edit

Here are the pictures if you want to skip the details

hani.shutterfly.com

Section 1 - a trek to get 2 CPs. In the pre-race talk, it was suggested that slower teams should consider skipping CP1. Since we were not slow, we went for it. It was a steeeeeeep climb all the way to peak. Not sure how steep, but there was no trail. Just old fashioned point A to point b climb. CP 2 was back down to the lake. At this point, the team was feeling strong. We were even running at points.

Section 2 - Kayak/Trek to get 2 CPs. We kayaked for about 45 minutes to get to the other side of the lake. On foot to get 2 CPs. Navigation was excellent and we made up time on some teams

Section 3 - Kayak - about 2 hours. Caught a team on the way and saw many teams in the transition. Our crew was ready. It was overwhelming. I never had that level of care in a race. It was amazing. Thank you again to the crew.

Section 3.5 - Get the bikes across the river to start biking. It was an interesting twist, but fun. We had to use an inflatable dingy to get the bikes across the river and get our equipment over too.

Section 4 - Bike? We had bikes, but we did not get to use them much. Lots of hike a bike along the river. It sucked!!! rocks, sand and bushes. Oh, well, this is adventure racing. We finally got a chance to ride the bikes until the trail came to the river. We had to walk through. No real good place to stay dry. Back on the bike for a short time.

Section 5 - Rappel = Yes, but no one said anything about ascending. They told us at the pre-race that we will be using an ascender as a “safety” device when we hike up a steep section of the race. So, we start with a 10 fool wall (90 degree section). This was a surprise. All of us managed to get us this section, but we struggled. At the top, we got on the rappel rope and got down.

Section 6 - Trekking/Canyoneering. 10 hours. It was about 5 and it was starting to get dark. Not good. The team chemistry was really good. so we started. They warned us that we would lose the trail. They were right and then the challenge of the river, the canyon, the darkness, and being tired. Everyone contributed. Everyone stayed positive. The situation certainly challenged us staying positive

Section 7 - Short coursed - Biking. It is about 4am now. It is really cold. Freezing. And…we were reminded that we were in the Sierra foothills. Lots of up and down. It seemed like it was more up than down.

Section 8 - The finish line.

A lot happened in the race. It was funny, sad, and scary. I was proud of the team. We stayed together, not just physically, but emotionally. We pushed each other and we also knew when it was time to stop.

All team members were at the finish line still on their feet. We did not take first place, but I am proud that we started the race with 4 people and all 4 people were at the finish line. And…we are better friends now.

THIS WAS THE HARDEST RACE I HAVE EVER DONE!!

-Hani

A former Master’s World Record holder in the Ironman Triathlon, as well as a World Record Holder in the Iditashoe 100Mile Snowshoe Race, Sally has spent the last 30+ years as a professional athlete. She has competed in some of the hardest races on the planet, including numerous multiday adventure races and the Western States 100Mile Run (which she won).

From the time she ran the 1984 Olympic Marathon Trials using her heart rate monitor, Sally has been at the forefront of a revolution in fitness training. Never one to trust in guesswork, Sally combined her Master’s degree in exercise physiology with her experience as a professional athlete and created the Heart Zones Training System.

A founder of the sport of triathlon (and a Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee), most of Sally’s recent races have been performed in her role as the National Spokeswoman for the Danskin Triathlon Series. Sally has finished every Danskin Triathlon (as of 2005, sixteen years worth) dead last, as the “Final Finisher,” inspiring more than 100,000 other women to make it across the finish line in front of her. The year 2004 marked her 100th lastplace Danskin finish in Denver, Colorado on July the 17th.

A prolific author of more than 20 books and 300 articles on fitness and sports, a motivational keynote speaker, and (with a second Master’s degree in Business Administration) an entrepreneur, Sally is committed to helping others improve their health, fitness, and finish by listening to their hearts.

CyclePath Pleasanton invites you to meet…

Sally Edwards
Cyclist, Ironman triathlete, Author

at our

Opening Day
November 4th, 10 am –12 pm

CyclePath Pleasanton
337B Main Street
(rear of BofA building)
Pleasanton, CA. 94566
(925) 485 3218
web: http://www.cyclepath.com 

Cyclepath has been serving the bay area for over 30 years starting in Hayward and most recently our San Mateo store. We are committed to superior service with the broadest of product choices including Specialized, Trek, Lemond, LOOK, Cannondale, Orbea, Calfee, Fisher, Raleigh, and Scott Bicycles. Our new opening in downtown Pleasanton on Main St. sharing the Bank of America building now provides local residents with a premium choice in cycling. Some of our offerings include full bicycle fittings, shop rides, demo rides, and Indoor/Outdoor Group Cycling training with Inspire Fitness.