…just a brief review… more later

The Moab 12 hr is a fun and fantastic, well organized adventure race.  Adventure Extreme has a number of races throughout the Utah and Colorado landscape that provide racers with as much challenge and fun as they want.

This was the second time the Wild Hares competed in this event.  Last year, we raced as a 4 person coed and did well.  We placed in the middle of the pack and were happy with our results  This year, Scott and Justin entered the event in the 2-person division.

We had been training pretty hard all winter, rarely missing our 40 mile Sunday morning ride.  We also recently competed in the BHC (bonk hard chill) race in Missouri and did well.  My confidence at this race was moderate.  It is hard to tell with the Moab 12 hr.  Last year, we stood at the line with GoLite and Nike, two of the strongest teams adventure racing has to offer (humbling for me).    This year, I didn’t see Nike at the start, but noticed some familiar faces from the previous year.

Scott and I discussed and decided our race goal was to push hard and keep the leaders as close as possible.   We would rather be in the position of following a couple of teams back, instead of setting the pace… that is, of course, unless we are completely confident that we can keep the lead (out of sight, out of  mind).  We were assuming the top/fast teams would pull away at some point during the race.  Even though we train hard, competing against folks from Colorado/Utah is challenging to say the least.  The altitude change is probably the toughest obstacle… not to mention the competition is world class.  Keep in mind in Nebraska, our largest vertical climb in our area is about 300 feet.  The first section of this race is a 7.42 mile climb up Long Canyon from 3962 ft. to 6117 ft..  Not excruciating, but quite a challenge.

Like many adventure races, we received our maps and coordinates the night before.  There was a designated paddle gear drop the morning of the race.  The race started about 10 miles outside of Moab in a parking lot located off of hwy 279.

After checking in, and lining up, we were off.   About 80 racers in the 2-person open and coed divisions headed on bike down hwy 279 to the Long Canyon road.  Right away, we settled in a few teams off the lead in a comfortable position.  Long Canyon road isn’t the most technical ride in Moab.  I believe it is Moab’s longest sustained climb… it certainly feels like it.

The climb up the canyon is steady and consistently steep.   A few sections are sandy, requiring some riders to dismount and walk.  After ascending Long Canyon, we continued on the dirt/sandy road to hwy 313… ah, pavement.  We put our heads down and drafted well down 313 a few miles to Gemini Bridges Road.

I remember this section, not because it was fast and fantastic, but because it was freezing.   Note to self:  wear full fingered gloves when you race in the desert in March…

Scott and I flew down the Gemini Bridges road… out of control at times to the bike drop section on the top of the Gemini Bridges rappel section.  Arriving at the bike drop,  I noticed the leaders were changing into their running shoes and harnesses and preparing for the rappel.