Barn Burner was a blast! This was a relay race that took place near Flagstaff, above 7000 feet elevation, on a 20+ mile rough dirt road loop. It was the first race that I teamed up with my girl L.A. and what a team we turned out to be!Leaving Phoenix in the early morning hours we left the summer heat behind and arrived at the venue just as the sun was coming up. Temps were much cooler up here in the mountains and pines near Flagstaff, and the terrain was red dirt and lava rock. We picked a parking place, registered, and I lined up for the LeMans style start.
The start was CROWDED! People were pushing and shoving as we were herded down a long corridor of race tape to where our bikes were parked. Hundreds of us were off and racing and it took several minutes to reach the dirt road where I could finally begin some passing. I teamed up with several other fast racers and we made time sharing the lead and our slipstreams. Coming into the barn where we had to dismount I found my teammate, Lee-Ann saddled up and ready for her hand off. I handed the baton and she was off! We were in great shape going into our second of 4 laps. I had come in among the top 10 on the first lap and LA had a killer lap time on the second.Unfortunately I was caught hiding in the shade as she finished her lap, missed her coming through the barn, and she spent over 5 minutes searching for me for the hand off. This cost us second place and we slipped into 3rd or 4th.
Desperate to regain our podium spot we decided I would do the remaining two laps back to back...that was about 5o more miles on top of the 25 I had already done. Lap 3 went great but during lap 4 I hit the dreaded bonk zone.
To compound matters...the skies then opened up and began to pour. Temps dropped more than 20 degrees nearly instantly and the dirt road turned into a river in spots. I was freezing, bonking, losing my shit as I limped into the finish for the 3rd time to claim 4th place in the co ed duo.
Eventually I was able to get warm, then the sun showed itself just as our good friend Stephanie came in. LA and I enjoyed our free beer, the great company, and some time with our dogs in the mountains as we waited and waited for the awards.
Turns out we earned a couple of real cowboy belt buckles for finishing in under 9 hours. Great times were had as we mingled with the other racers of Arizona.
As always I have Trek bicycles, Bontrager parts, and Dales bikes to thank for my success. I also need to give a shout to HUB EVENT PRODUCTIONS and Mike Melley. Mike and Co. was a big help getting us to the event and with registration, would not have been here without them! Thanks, Mike!
This race officially ended my season. I have been doing some low key road racing for training, short track, and group rides in the Phoenix area.
My next planned event is actually another duo relay race with my most awesome girlfriend at the 12 hours of Papago in December. Should be a great time!
