HBRN8R in Burke VT

We rode the 50k gravel route of the HBRN8R mixed gravel event in the NEK yesterday. I failed to finish the Overland in August and needed to end the season on a high note.

It was mostly overcast and chilly – high of 52 but felt like it was in the 40s. I started off strong with forgetting to check my tires before the start so we missed the start by about 15 minutes. Then my eTap battery warned me it was low despite being fully charged the night before.

I had swapped my 40t chainring for a 36t earlier in the week in hopes I’d have an easier time on the climbs and I definitely did. It sort of feels like cheating, but I stayed on the bike for all but the last half of the last climb, something I’d never managed before.

The first 11ish miles were cruisey, some in and out of local farms and private backwoods. We did a tour of a Christmas tree farm and one landowner raked the path for us. We got a little lost anyway because the 100k, 100k+, and 50mile mtb routes all crisscrossed and paralleled at times.

The big climb of the day was up radar road, but not quite to the abandoned radar site at the top of east hill. The 100k+ guys got to go up that way but said it was overcast, windy, and cold. It was 3 miles with almost 1300ft of climbing. I somehow managed to ride the whole thing, paying attention to my watts and heart rate, keeping both under a threshold I know I can hold for an hour.

Then there was a long, fun, freezing decent (I put my windshirt back on but not my gloves 🥶) and another climb. The insides of my quads immediately started cramping at the renewed effort and I realized I had been sipping water all day instead of drinking electrolytes like I usually do. I mixed up a bottle and drank half of it and walked up the hill for about 5 minutes while the salt, potassium and magnesium made their way into my muscles. I felt better and got back on the bike. We started getting passed by guys on the 100k route and I realized 1) how slow I am and 2) I was glad for being able to finish with people even though I was likely among the last in my own race.

Made it up the hill to an aid station where I finished my electrolytes and mixed another bottle. The last climb was just silly. Steep and my legs were toast. I got off the bike and walked, and then saw that the route turned up through a field, which I balked at. Walked up the field, rode through the woods, got lost again, carried my bike up a ravine through knee high leaves, and ended up in the driveway of the house two doors down from the race venue. Whoops. Tiptoed through, whispered profuse apologies, and then got back on to ride to the finish.

Was greeted with hot apple cider, a big bowl of chili, a bonfire, beers, and limitless homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Other than the 20 minutes of frustration at the end this was an incredible ride and I’ll definitely do it again.

by teenytinyducks