Game On!
April 27, 2009 on 4:41 pm | In Mountain Biking | 8 CommentsGearing Up: Cage Aaron established himself as the 2009 GG5K favorite by racking up a time of 4:15 during a practice run last week. Fellow PUMP member Dennis Veatch said Aaron was not really pushing himself and should have a legit shot at a sub-four hour finish.
GG 5K veteran Thomas Mueller posted a 4:45 on Saturday, while Paul Norris completed the run in 4:50 on Sunday. Melanie Norris notched a time of 5:45 during an earlier practice ride.
I’m pretty sure that if someone has a serious mechanical I won’t finish last.
Last Year’s Ride Times: Keep in mind that we have replaced 3+ miles of gravel with a similar amount of challenging single-track. I think the top dogs can break four hours, but we expect overall times to be slower. Check 2008 times at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/27/record-number-of-riders-completes-growlers-gulch-5000
Trail: If you haven’t been down Rush, the Big Wow and the Secret Garden – whether you are riding in the 5K or not – you are really missing some outstanding trail.
The entire ride route is in great shape. I limbed Jekyll & Hyde, JFK, and the Double Down today. I also customized some of the features on Creation. Trust me.
Elevation Schematic: How simple can it be? First you go down, then you go up. Then you do it a bunch more times and return to 465. If you wonder why your quads are burning, refer to the read-out below.
The Route: If you don’t know it by now, that’s a problem. Please save the story about how you plan to ride on somebody’s wheel. We are operating on a take-no-prisoners basis.
We typically refer to the legs as 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the description below, you’ll see that I’ve named them.
- Opening Leg - 465 to intersection with Big Easy to Big Wow to Cut Across Trail up Ridge down Rush left to the Lament up to 312 to upper part of Jekyll & Hyde to 312 at RR grade to top of 313.
- Big Lap - Down Creation to 313 right to Double Down to gravel to Upper KMA down UK across road and down all three Lower KMAs to bottom of Secret Garden left to Lament to 312 to upper part of Jekyll & Hyde to 312 at RR grade to top of 313.
- Little Lap - Down Creation to 313 right to Double Down to gravel to Upper KMA down UK across road and down all three Lower KMAs to bottom of Secret Garden left to Lament to 312 to upper part of Jekyll & Hyde to 312 at RR grade (Note – Same as big lap but you do NOT ride up the 313 hill.)
- To the Barn - RR grade across to JFK to Upper KMA down UK and all three lower KMAs to bottom of Secret Garden. RIGHT turn to Ridge Trail. Left on gravel to 465.
Map: Several people have requested a map. Paul Norris has supplied one that is quite simple to decipher. I’m sure this will eliminate any questions you might have had. Feel free to print the map and carry it with you on the 5K. You can consult it if you feel confused.
Entrants: As usual, we have had several late cancellations. Total is now at 26. Two possibilities remain for late entrants to fill those spots: (1) Local riders who are familiar with the route or (2) You invite a guest and agree to babysit your him or her from start to finish.
Parking: My driveway can’t accomodate 24 cars. Please carpool if possible.
Start: Be at 465 NO LATER than 8:45, ready to rock. We leave together at 9. Start from the top of the hill and you will end up having a long, difficult ride and a DQ by your name.
Support: The support crew will be at Growlers between 8:30 and 8:45 to pick up any supplies you would like them to carry to the corner where the Lament turns right up the hill toward Jekyll & Hyde.
Festivities: The Post-Ride Pub at 465 will be open for business following the ride. Dave, Paul and Mel, and I will be making soup or casserole. If you want to contribute something, wonderful. This isn’t the TDG, so I can’t promise there will be enough food to go around. Bring snacks for yourself. Plan on hanging around until the last lie has been told.
Vortex: Al Hansen is bring five gallons of Fort George IPA. Cup fee is $2. Refills free. If you do not plan to drink Vortex, it’s BYOB.
8 Comments »
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Thanks for the map! I’ll print it off on a 3×5 and laminate it for reference during the ride. Funny.
Comment by Randy — April 27, 2009 #
Just follow the blue line…………
Easy Cheesy
Comment by Paul — April 27, 2009 #
So the blue line is where the tow rope is right??
Comment by Melanie — April 27, 2009 #
I thought we were just able to pick one leg and that was it… WE HAVE TO DO ALL 4!!!!?
Comment by dennis veatch — April 27, 2009 #
seriously though, Aarons 4:15 was a computer’s ‘moving time’, which is still impressive but don’t want to mis-quote.
Comment by dennis veatch — April 27, 2009 #
This is the New Journalism, Dennis. I anticipate what you were thinking when I quote you. Cuts down on all that wasted time with interviews and fact checks.
Comment by Jim LeMonds — April 27, 2009 #
I have contacted the web master to have him mark this map “private” but… “useless” would be a better designation. I Still have not bought that GPS… so lost in GG land is how I will render my sad and old carcass… Lost at GG… Does it get any better than that? r
Comment by Randy Hill — May 3, 2009 #
Randy….
A little help. The far right of the map is Jeep’s house.
The far left is top of 313 Hill….Any questions??
Comment by Paul — May 4, 2009 #