In true fashion, this race recap is approximately a month and a half late. Better late than never! This was my first attempt at the 210-mile Pine Island Gravel Odyssey, formerly known as the Gold Rush Gravel Grinder in Spearfish, SD. I had done the 28 Below Fat Bike race in Spearfish Canyon that the same great race organizers put on. So I knew that we would be in good hands. For this event, we found a great little loft AirBnb in downtown Spearfish. Highly recommend it for couples. It was approximately 3-4 blocks from the race start, which meant Emily could sleep in a bit longer before her 70-mile race, and the truck could stay parked.
Looking over the race course I knew I was in for a long day. Unlike our last race in Grand Marais, see that review here, sunshine and beautiful race conditions were on tap. Race Directors Perry Jewett and Kristi Jewett stated the course was one of the fastest they had seen in years. EXCITING!
Pre-race tradition meant pizza the day before. Just down the block from our stay was a place called Atomic Pizza. Check out this menu! We were plain and went with the Pepperoni Tony.
After pizza, we had a racer meeting for all that were signed up for the 210. In total, I believe there were 29 registered. Again it was stated that the course was looking fantastic and that we would be out in the middle of the Black Hills National Forest with very little cell reception if any in parts. Here is what the route looked like.
Thankfully they allowed four checkpoints along the route where I could have drop bag support. I was given three different bags (one checkpoint was the same) that I could fill with bottles, nutrition, or whatever I felt that I would need at that checkpoint. This allowed Emily to completely race her race, and for me to still have support out on the course. While I did lose time to the other competitors doing this, I find it much more enjoyable to be the captain of my own ship. And to know that someone isn't out there waiting on me hand and foot.
My bike, bags, and gear were prepped and my alarm was set for 3:30 AM. Race start was scheduled for 5:00 AM. I always like to get up well before my start time to ensure my body can um, do its thing, and that I have plenty of time to fuel up before leaving. The hardest part of this race was getting my 3 drop bags to the start line without crashing. I was successful and celebrated internally. At the start line, I received my SPOT tracker from Perry and I was all set. A few final checks and it was GO time. KUKKOKIEKUUUUU! (That's me trying to type Perry's Rooster noise) PEDAL POWER!
I believe there was about a 5-mile controlled leadout. Right after that was a steady climb out to the abyss. Jake Aisenbrey put in a solid dig into this first climb. I looked at my watts and read a consistent 450. I knew this was not sustainable for me and that I needed to race my race. Just behind me was Kae Takeshita. Jake continued to slowly pull away. Kae stuck near me for a while but I soon started to distance myself. This would be the last I would see of Jake, but nowhere near the last of Kae. The route was absolutely stunning. The only obstacle was the sporadic cow pie and at times the producer of such pie.
I was blazing at a good pace and felt fantastic. Only one slight wrong turn occurred before I learned exactly how I wanted to use my Garmin 1030. Just before checkpoint 1 however, I found myself exceeding my own personal speed limit down a hill and corner. I soon found myself off the road, splitting between two large rocks, and then jumping back onto the road. It looked like a scene straight from a Chevy Chase vacation movie. I said out loud to myself, "That's enough of that (expletive)." After that ordeal, I came rolling into checkpoint 1 (mile 69) feeling good. I found the drop bin with no issues inside and swapped out my 3 bottles for 2 more, and refilled my Camelbak with water and nutrition. I would later regret only taking two of my bottles rather than three. I departed checkpoint 1 without any sight of 1st or 3rd.
On my way to checkpoint 2 the heat started to come up. Which in turn made me drink more. I had miscalculated exactly how long I thought it would take to get from checkpoint 1 to checkpoint 2. I soon found myself milking my bottles and Camelbak a little too much. Around mile 112 I knew I needed to slow down and take it as easy as possible before I could regroup at mile 123 and checkpoint 2. I was not acclimated to the measly 80-degree temps and could remember exactly what it feels like to endure heat exhaustion. Soon my bottles were empty and each time I took a drink from my Camelbak I felt like it was my last. Thankfully, it lasted until checkpoint 2.
When I arrived at checkpoint 2, I asked where the drop bag support box was. A crew member for another rider stated that he had not seen it! I looked around in a daze and couldn't see it myself. I was confused and bewildered but wasn't about to waste a second on wondering why it wasn't there. I went into the store and bought all the items I needed. While at the checkout, I saw that crew member supporting Kae who was in 3rd just behind me. I knew it was going to be a race for 2nd. I walked out of the store and after dumping water on my head looked to my left. There it was. The drop bag support box sitting on a bench. I'm sure a look of confusion went over my face and as I looked at the crewmember to tell him I found it, Kae took off. No time to discuss. I rifled through my drop bag picking out what I needed and dumped one last cup of water on my head. It was time to get moving.
I slowly brought myself back side-by-side with Kae. I wanted to see how she was feeling. She stated that she was warm as well. I knew she was going to outclimb me because I had started to cramp up at this point. But I also knew that I weighed more and could gain considerably on the downhill portions. This is what I did. The next downhill I gave it everything I had taking a few risks to help build a gap. I was able to keep a small gap until checkpoint 3 where I found the drop box immediately. Sitting right in front of it was a couple enjoying a beer. I asked politely if I could squeeze behind them to get my goods. "Are you in some sort of a race," they asked. Yes, I replied, a 210-mile race. Remember we are in the middle of nowhere so please insert your own accent for the couple. "Oh damn! What place are you in?" Second I replied. Gotta go! and I was off.
Kae did a fantastic job of keeping me thinking and looking over my shoulder. Just when I thought I had a good gap I would see her behind me. What a mental drain that was! I continued to ride hard knowing that the final few miles were all downhill and that I could really put a gap in. Unfortunately by this time, my stomach had caught up with me. So much to the point where my breathing was affected. I had stopped eating and wanted to throw up. I knew if I did that though that I would lose any nutrition I still had in my stomach and that I needed every gram. Oddly enough, I dry heaved, and something shifted. By the time I hit checkpoint 4 I knew I had plenty of water. And I couldn't eat. So I skipped it to save time.
My last hurdle of the day was the logging trail road. I forgot about the fist-size rock and at times two-foot tire ruts spoken about at the pre-race meeting. This was draining on the already exhausted body. And apparently draining on the gear as well. Thankfully my tires held up but my saddle bag did not. The stitching tore and it was hanging by my Seatpost tie. I made the decision to just rip it off, unpack the contents into my frame bag, and continue forward. All while moving of course.
Finally, the downhill came. I flew through Spearfish Canyon on the home stretch. It felt amazing! At this point, my stomach was back and I felt overall very well. I came across the finish line in 2nd an astonishing 55 min. behind Jake. WHAT AN ANIMAL! Perry and the crew were there as well as Emily to welcome me in. I was handed a burrito which I accepted with open arms. Just 17 minutes behind me was Kae. What a competitor! I then found out that she had raced Unbound just the previous weekend... Motivator.
Next on my list was a good shower and even more food. Over 200 miles on the bike with almost 12k of elevation makes for a long day. My total (gun time) was 13 hrs and 27 min. My moving time was 13 hrs and 6 min. Meaning that I only spent roughly 21 min. off the bike. Off-the-bike time will destroy your overall performance and placing. I always try and maximize time on the bike no matter how slow I may be going. Overall if you only have the budget, time-off, or desire for one gravel race next year, highly consider this one. You won't regret it!
Special shoutout to the race organizers, Emily for your support, and of course the sponsors back home. Berry Fast Bicycles, Taste & See, EXIT Realty Adam Foland and his team, Madison Family Dental, Sunshine Foods of Madison, and Stemper Autobody.
Without them none of this is possible. We are still raising money for the Semper Fi & America's Fund! Thank you all for your support!
A trip isn't complete without a delicious acai bowl!
Mathew Wollmann
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