Frankenbike 50 (part 2-ride report)

Sunday was a great day, beautiful weather with temps in the 70s. About 50+ riders showed up. This was a very informal ride/race, so there was no packet pickup or registration. We just threw $10 in a box, and got a map. There were all kinds of bikes there, about 50% 29er HT, 40% cross, and a smattering of other breeds, including CAAD9 road bike with slightly nobby tires, cross with flat bar, single speeds, a few 29er/26er FS and my 96er frankenbike.


We started with a neutral roll out for a couple of miles on the road. Then we turned right on to a gravel road. After that came the first climb, and a climb it was, relentless and unending.

 Even when we got to the top, it continued to roll up and down along the ridge. My lack of fitness was apparent right away, my dream of winning crushed (ok, never thought I could win anyways). I just tried to conserve energy, and think about the next 40+ miles to come. At just past mile 15, I came across the first check point right before the first downhill section. A drum set was there to cheer us on.


I took a break to wait for my buddies, but none showed up. After watching a bunch of people stream across, I hopped back on my bike and headed down. I was little anxious to see how my franken 96er would handle the downhill single track. I saw a number of crossers walking down the trail. To my surprise, my little frankenbike handled like a champ. Not only was I able to follow the MTBer's down, I actually passed a number of them. The trail was fairly smooth with a few berms to prevent erosion. I even caught a little air on one of them.

Soon I came out to a road along the valley. My bike shined there again. The skinny tires and stiff frame created an easy rolling road machine. I was able to maintain 20+miles/hr with no issues. Before I knew it, the next climb started(=more pain and suffering). At the halfway point, we went through the staging area again. What sucked about the second half were all the hike a bike sections. They really should have been downhill sections, very steep, barely walkable.

Then the signs began to disappear. Most of us got a little lost, had to backtrack at some point. I missed the last little downhill section. Overall, I had a blast; it was a beautiful ride. My bike did awesome. I wish I had been stronger, maybe next year.

The most incredible thing I saw was a guy riding with one arm on a cross bike with flat bar. I have no idea how he handled the downhills, very strong, incredible!