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Breck Epic - Day 5 diary by Brandon Dwight
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I should have known better. The promoter said stage 4 was the hardest, but in reality, Thursday's stage 5 was the most difficult stage in the Breck Epic.
It started off nicely with a gradual climb up Breckenridge Ski Area. Then we went higher, and higher, and it got steeper and steeper, until finally we had to get off our bikes and hike, and hike, and hike until finally we were at the top the ski area's highest point.
I think we must have hiked for at least 30 minutes. Halfway through this hellacious hike-a-bike section, I thought to myself, this is not mountain bike racing. In fact, this isn’t even a mountain bike trail. What the hell are we doing up here? Then I lifted my head and looked around. The terrain we were on and the view were absolutely beautiful. And, I then it hit me: This is mountain biking. This is what it’s all about. A new trail. A new experience. A new adventure. I think that is what the promoters of the Breck Epic want us to feel and a whether it’s hard or easy, to appreciate the sport and the terrain which makes it possible. They are succeeding everyday.
There are so many trails and old mining roads up here in Summit County. They are everywhere. Trail access for mountain bikers seems like a non-issue, but unfortunately this is not the case. In fact, the Breck Epic is one part of larger mission of the parent organization, The Greenspeed Project. In a nutshell, the goal of this organization is to create a harmonious union between all trail user groups to ensure sustainability, stewardship and responsible use in the backcountry. In fact, proceeds from the Breck Epic go directly to The Greenspeed Project.
Registration for the 2010 Breck Epic is going to open very soon and the promoters are going to cap it at 250 racers. Stay tuned to the Breck Epic web site (www.breckepic.com) for details. If you are considering this as a race to do in 2010, give it serious consideration. Breckenridge is a great place to visit with friends or with family. Yeah, I know, so is Disney World, but there ain’t no mountain biking there!
According to race director Mike McCormack and course marshall Thane Wright, Friday's final stage sounds like the perfect way to end a week of hard riding. Long steady climbs, swoopy singletrack and cold beer at the finish! Well, the beer part may not be entirely accurate, but you never know. Only 33 miles and 5000 feet of climbing to the cooler!
Tonight’s beer is fitting in two ways. One, because New Belgium’s Skinny Dip Beer is made by New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, and they are the same crew who bring you their flagship beer, Fat Tire Ale.
Secondly, I took a “dip” in the creek (with clothes on) after the race today. It feels so good to soak the legs in ice-cold water after it feels as though someone has been beating down your legs with a ball peen hammer all day. But, I digress. Skinny Dip Beer is a seasonal brew from the crew at New Belgium and its crisp, refreshing taste really hits the spot after playing in the high mountain sun all day!
We are running out of ingredients for pancakes, so this is the last day for pre-race flapjacks. Tomorrow it’s back to instant oatmeal. Blah!
Oatmeal Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes
1 c. oat flour
¼ c. whole oats
½ c. brown rice flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 T agave
2 T vegetable oil
2 eggs
¾ c. buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk mix 1 c. milk with 1 T. lemon juice or vinegar)
Mix together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix together wet ingredients. Pour batter onto hot griddle. Drop 10-15 fresh or frozen blueberries onto pancakes. Cook until golden brown.
One more day to go! 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.
