Breck Epic 2015 - Breckenridge, CO 9600 ft. in elevation

Breck Epic 2015 - Breckenridge, CO 9600 ft. in elevation

Stage 4: The Aqueduct; 41.3 miles and 6,282 ft. of elevation

Ok.  This is epic.  And quite possibly one of the hardest mental races I have done on my bike.  It is not a race of technical/singletrack skill, but rather a race testing the wits, experience, preparedness, and ability to endure on top of having skill.  (which I am clearly lacking in a couple areas) Stage 4 made me cry.  For real, I cried.  The word was out last night that this stage would hurt.  I think it became obvious to everyone that this might be a tough stage when reading through the course description and the second climb of the day is appropriately named Vomit Hill…oh, but that is only the second climb of four considerable climbs of the day.   I actually liked Vomit hill, but that seems to be the trend for me; I don't mind the early climbs, it's the punch in the gut climbs at mile 35 that crush me. 

 There are still highlights of the day though…one highlight, as always, are the incredibly talented and fun people you meet and get to connect with in a different way than you might with most of your good friends.  This picture features Sara Sheets and Evelyn Dong both leaders in their categories of open women single speed and open pro women respectively.  Kelly and I got to ride a portion of our race together today prior to vomit hill and it was so fun to chat and cruise some fun descents together.   I really love having other inspiring girls out there.  

And probably my favorite highlight of the day…. beer and doughnuts aid station at the top of Vomit Hill thanks to Ffej, Coach Miller, Karen Jarchow, and Devon.  Ffej, Jarchow, and Devon are getting some great photos/video and I am so thankful to our dedicated beer supplier Coach Miller for picking up the can of Ranier as I finished the last couple swigs of what Dax left for me.  Ffej was all excited about the doughnuts and so was I, although I only saw a photo of them…I think I was too focused on the beer in the moment.  These supporters ROCK…definitely needed on days like today!

So I cried today. It was after the 3rd significant climb of Keystone Gulch Rd to West Ridge trail.  I was giving the climb everything I had at this point and once we got onto single track it was rolling and I fumbled.  Dax was behind me as well as a couple other dudes.  I jammed up about 3 people, but I was exhausted and just couldn't muster up the energy to push through the little rock uphill portion.  So I apologized, hopped off my bike and immediately could sense Dax was frustrated with me…well after the race he explained he was frustrated with the guys on our wheel, but it came out on me in the moment.  And I couldn't handle that so I just cried and said I am doing the best I can.  I know he didn't mean it, but you are so vulnerable during these races, they can result in some unravelling due to the level of endurance required.  I also understand that his position to follow me all day is just as hard as my position of pushing myself as hard as I can all day.  He could rip through what I am riding so fast and ride his own clean line, but he is patient and supportive for hours on end.  Regardless, we kissed and made up by the end of the race.  

Great results for Kelly Boniface today - she not only finished in third today for the stage, but she managed to work her way into third for the week overall!! That is super exciting and I think she has podium on the brain after finishing 4th last year.  I love this podium of women - all incredibly talented and deserving spots!

Dax and I continued to widen our gap with another win today.  I think we are now about 30 some minutes ahead of second and third.  But we are still working our tails off every day, riding as hard as we can and keeping ourselves humble. 

And our carborocket provider found himself on the podium today.  He just began the second round of the three day option called the epicurious.  So psyched for Brad Keyes with carborocket…way to work the event and then show up to crush!

I had to throw a shout out to Coach and the "Radio" Cam because Coach supported with beer today and then rolled on to Boulder for some Yeti work, which allowed for some time to catch up with the Radio over a beer.  Coach and Cam were part of our 24 hour Old Pueblo "Team Fun" and it was f@#$ing fun! 

Finally, a finishing photo that sums up how we wrap up every night here at the trailer.  Manhattans and ice cream, Phish food to be exact.  It is our secret to success and happiness.  Highly recommend.  Please, if you are reading this, cross your fingers for a safe and mechanical free day for us tomorrow.  The Wheeler stage is Dax's nemesis.  He ended his race 2 years ago with a punctured lung and earned a dislocated shoulder last year although he was still able to pull off an overall win by finishing the 6th stage despite his injury.