Litzendorf Marathon

Drove north an hour or so for a Ritchey sponsored 80k marathon race just outside of Bamberg.  They call the area “little Switzerland”, with some decent hills.  Climbing for the race was listed at 5000ft, enough to take notice, probably not enough to help me.  We got there a little late, by the time I picked up my packet, strapped on the number plate and transponder, I had about 15 minutes to get to the start.  Still no kits for ’09, so I threw on an old chupacabras jersey.  I’ll throw a couple of “borrowed” photos up.  The camera died so there are no good photos.

The warmup  consisted of a downhill ride to the venue, to find a massive crowd lined up that stretched way back.  I was probably the last person to line up.  I asked a guy if everyone here was racing the 80k, and he said yeah, but the 40k guys were also lined up and had the same sendoff.  So I estimate there were between 400-500 people between me and the starting line.  Wonderful.  Lesson 1.  Get here early. 

By time I got to the starting line, the clock read 4 minutes and some change.  The first few kilometers were on city streets and bike paths, there was limited passing going on.  A short climb allowed some, but then a long forest single/double track section began that was a little slick due to the rain the day before.  Very rideable.  But not for this crowd.  You know, for a bunch of people that really dig full suspension bikes, new sidis, and beef tires, they ought to put more emphasis on learning to ride their bike over twigs and pebbles.  Everyone was walking.  Nothing you could do but get in line and walk a few more k.  By then I knew the lead pack was atleast 10 if not 15 minutes and putting more time in for every step I took.  Revisit lesson 1.

Finally it opened up and stretched out, and I settled into my pace.  Spent the next few hours just passing people, letting the 29er rip the forest road downhills.  The race was 2 laps, each 40k, so I skipped the feed zone knowing I would be picking up cytomax from Gavin at the half way point.  Just before that though, a stretch of forest was in complete shambles, muddy for a good 200 meters.  The GEAX Barro Races and I made it through the entire way without getting the shoes muddy.  Passed a many of people pushing their bikes, who have a granny gear.  I didn’t see one person ride that section. 

So through the feed zone, refueled, and hit the first section of muddy singletrack again, but this time I was by myself.  Again, passed people who were not even attempting at riding it.  What’s worse, is they don’t move out of your way, they have never heard of the one riding the bike has priority over the douche pushing the bike.  So I would come as close as possible and gently nudge them off the track.  My bike, nothing pretty to look at, drew some stares before and after the race, and I would guess it would have to do with the swollen wheels.  Well if riding a 29er through mud and short technical climbs right by those walking doesn’t sell the 29er thing here, I don’t know what will.

Second time through I did stop at the aid station to help myself to some orange slices, cookies, and two new water bottles.   Rest of the lap was uneventful.  This time the finish wasn’t a guessing game, and I clocked in at 3hours 37min.  Looks like that put me in 87th and a good 45min down from the winner.

After the race, we stopped at a trout farm where we got to feed them.  The kids really liked this.

Stopped at a roadside stand and picked up fresh spargel, a white asparagus grown under the soil.  It was a perfect complement to the mahi mahi. (No, not bought at the trout farm)