WarHawk Cycling: September 2014

Saturday, September 20, 2014

2014 Fool's Gold 50 - 100 MTB Race

2014 Fool's Gold 50 - 100 MTB Race

2014 Fool's Gold 50 - 100 MTB Race
Traveled on Friday to Dahlonega, Georgia for the 2014 Fool's Gold 50 - 100 MTB Race. Had reservations at the Super 8 hotel near downtown. Two double bed room for about $65, wasn't too bad. Only just a couple of miles from the race start. After check-in I took a short ride along the Chestatee River. There were people panning for gold. One person said he had panned all day but he had found a couple of flakes of gold. Went to the Montaluse winery where the race start would be to turn in my race waver and pick up my race packet. Filled up my drop bags that would be delivered to the half-way point sag stop. I put two bottles of Muscle Milk protein drink in my bag to drink at half-way. Headed back to Dahlonega for dinner and ate at the Piazza Italian restaurant. The food was very good. I highly recommend the honey, walnut, goat cheese bruschetta appetizers. Back to the hotel to get set up for an early morning race start. On the way to the race in the morning I stopped at McDonald's for three Egg McMuffins and two coffees. The 100-milers started at 7:00, just as the sun was rising. The 50-mile start was at 7:30. I settled in slightly spinning up the long gravel road climb to the top of Winding Stair, then bombed back down the rough, rutted Winding Stair gravel road, taking a hard left at the bottom into some sweet, flowy roller coaster single track. I was making great time and felt great. Stopped and ate a Clif Bar Builder's protein bar and was drinking Hammer Perpetuem and plain water. Made it to the half way point at sag 2-3. Drank my Muscle Milk, took some Hammer Endurolites, then climed up Bull Mountain and flew back down the other side, leaping easily over each hump and gliding over the rough sections on my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR having no problems keeping my feet on my flat pedals, gripped with my Vans shoes. After the creek crossing, I paused for a moment, at mile 30. The lead group of the 100 mile racers passed me with Tinker Juarez in second place. Made it back to the 2-3 sag stop, refilled my bottles, then kicked it on still making great time. Stopped at an ice-cold, refreshing creek crossing and soaked my feet. Made it to the finish, still feeling great with no cramps, no mechanicals or flats. It took me 8 hours and 20 minutes to finish the 50 miles. A great day on the bike. Huge thanks to www.mountaingoatadventures.com for putting on a great event. Really appreciate all your hard work and efforts in this wonderfully supported event.

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