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Breck Epic - Day 4 diary by Brandon Dwight

By Brandon Dwight
Published: Jul. 9, 2009
2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Only on race day.
2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Only on race day.
Photo: Brandon Dwight

So, for the last few days I have been blabbing on and on about how much fun the Breck Epic is and how great the courses are, right? Well, today was a different story. Today’s loop was long and hard. There were no smiles while winding through smooth, twisty singletrack like days prior. Instead I was grinding my teeth and begging for mercy.

It seemed as though no matter if we were climbing, traversing or descending, the course was rough and bumpy. At one point, as I descended an extremely rocky and root-laden section, I almost had to stop because my arms were completely numb. We rode so far out into the backcountry there were portions of trail that looked like they had not been ridden all summer. And, at one point we were so high we had to traverse a large snowfield, too.

For the last couple of days, the finish area has had more of a festival-like atmosphere, with everyone cheering each other in and giving high fives, but today was different. Everyone was just happy to be finished. This stage truly gives the Breck Epic its epic status.

2009 Breck Epic, day 4: In the end, I was spent.
2009 Breck Epic, day 4: In the end, I was spent.
Photo: Brandon Dwight

It’s funny what the anticipation of a tough stage will do to your normal race-day preparation. Take me more example, I have been getting by just fine on Clif Bars and Shots all week, but I got nervous and thought that wouldn’t be enough so I went out and made Nutella and banana sandwiches for the race. In the end I only ate half of one and ate more bars and gels. Prior to the start I bumped into Russ Kappius, who is leading the men’s duo category with his son Brady. Russ had gel flasks filled with pickle juice. He heard because of its potassium and sodium content it virtually eliminates cramps. I said, “Well, yeah that is if you don’t throw it back up first!” No word yet from Russ if he kept it down or not.

Stage 5 looks like another doozy. Thirty-five or so miles and 6000 feet of climbing up and around the Breckenridge ski area. Apparently there is a very long hike-a-bike section near the top and on the tail end of the course we get on a public bike path. Mind you, this is a public bike path that will NOT be closed to the public! I wonder how many rollerbladers I’ll have to dodge?

2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Another post-race reward.
2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Another post-race reward.
Photo: Brandon Dwight

Because the fourth stage was a true Colorado backcountry mountain bike experience, today’s brew review tips my cap to Durango, Colorado. Like Breckenridge, Durango has some of the finest trails anywhere and a mountain biking history and culture like none other. Ska Brewing has been making fine handcrafted beers since the mid-nineties and the True Blonde Ale is a staple in their deep line up of great tasting suds. I’m sure I’ll put down a few of these in September during the Single Speed World Championships.

Today’s race called for a special treat and this morning before the race my wife whipped up her soon-to-be-famous Turbo Cakes to get me ready for a long day in the saddle. I eat these a lot during cyclocross season.

Heather’s Turbo Cakes

2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Turbo cakes!
2009 Breck Epic, day 4: Turbo cakes!
Photo: Brandon Dwight

¾ c. brown rice flour
½ c. buckwheat flour
1 T flaxmeal (optional)
2 T maple syrup or agave nectar
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 T. canola oil
2 eggs
¾ - 1 c. skim, rice, soy or almond milk.
2 whole bananas
½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or more to taste)

Combine dry ingredients, mix well. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Stir wet ingredients into dry. Let batter sit for a few minutes. You might have to add more milk as this batter tends to thicken upon sitting. Drop batter onto hot griddle. Before flipping add thinly sliced banana and blueberries to uncooked slide of pancake. Flip the pancake and the banana and blueberries will cook into the cake.

Once again, thanks for reading!
Brandon Dwight lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife Heather and chocolate lab, Oban, and is part owner of Boulder Cycle Sport. He is also the founder of Doperssuck.com. His sponsors include: Scott Bicycles, Crank Brothers, and Clif Bar.

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