Any Cranky Monkeys out there

[Mark Larson]

I rode in the 12 hours of Cranky Monkey this past Saturday and-

WTF was I thinking? Let’s break down my insanity step by step:
1- For my FIFTIETH (50) birthday I decide to buy a bike. The first bike since I was a kid.
2- I buy said bike April 27th and decide to enter a TWELVE HOUR race 2 months later, June 26th
I could stop there but it gets better-
3- The bike I buy is a rigid single speed. I have now learned that in the mountain bike world this configuration is the choice for bikers that want an extra challenge after getting bored with the standard format and years of riding.
4- Having never been to a race, my set up was woefully inadequate.
5- The actual race day just happens to coincide with a heat wave of 100+ with heat index. I could have cancelled, but NOOOO, my bonehead has to acccept the challenge.

That pretty much sums it up. The bad news is that I did not meet my goal. I set a goal of 6 laps or 60 miles. The course was very hard especially for a single speed. Very hilly with many steep descents over rutted loose nasty terrain followed by gut busting hills. With my lack of riding skill and experience I was unable to get the necessary momentum on the downhills to help push me on the uphills. Many of the downhills were very rutted and bouncy and I had somewhat of a hard time controling the bike with the rigid front fork. The bottom line…LONG DAY.

The good news is that I actually made 4 laps (40 miles). At the end of 3 continuous laps I thought I was headed to the medical tent (at mile 7 on the third lap I tried to open some shot blocks so I wouldn’t pass out and my fingers lterally did not work…I almost started crying). I went back to the set up area and, after some food, fluids and an hour of recoup time I decided "what the hell" and went out for another lap. After all, I was already there and l didn’t die after the first 3 laps.

I spent some time after finishing my day talking to some of the other riders. Upon investigation, I actually realized that I didn’t do that poorly. Most of the solo riders are very experienced riders and many are quite literally freaks. When most people found out my level of experience and my bike choice they gave me kudos (or extra space because they feared for my sanity).

The bottom line: Great Event

[fleetwood]

Sounds to me like you did great given all of the circumstances. Nice job! So what’s your goal for next year?

[Mark Larson]

That all depends on how much improvement I can get in my riding in the next year. I think just basic race stategy and race day set up could have gotten me closer to my goal of 6 laps, but is was damn hot out there.

I’m debating about putting front suspension on my bike. I really like the single speed but if FS can help with some control while I’m learning it might help with the steepness of my learning curve.

[BUDDAH]

hey big ups to you for competing, i wanna enter a race ( what kind i dont know ) but its just to challenge myself to see how well or how much i can push myself to ride…. 😄

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