The event was held at Camp Merrill in Dahlonega, GA (~2 1/2 hours from where we live in Greenville, SC). We originally planned to stay in a hotel on Sat evening but last minute (like Friday morning around 10am) Karel decided that he wanted to gravel ride on Saturday to make a weekend of it. Luckily, our athlete Bryan was driving down on Friday from Charlotte so it worked out perfect that Bryan could pick Karel up on his way and Bryan had a two bedroom VRBO booked until Monday morning (we ended up staying in the house and cancelled our hotel room).
Karel and Bryan rode 43 miles (4 hours) on Saturday in Dahlonega on some of the gravel course and I went for a long run (13.5 miles, 1:51) on Saturday and then made the 2 1/2 hr drive around 1pm.
We've been a bit sad and anxious after hearing from the vet a week prior that Campy's kidneys are declining but we felt good leaving Campy with my mom for the night so that he could enjoy some quiet (cat-free) time with his grandma.
The VRBO was on a farm and it put me in the best mood to be around Katie the donkey and all the horses. Karel made pasta for dinner and we went to bed around 9pm. I didn't sleep well and we woke up to pouring rain.
I had been checking my Epic Weather App and although it was originally showing 90% showers for at least 2 hours, the rain chance dropped and it looked like it would be light rain for an hour or two and then we would have clear skies for the rest of the race.
The event started at 8am and we left our place around 6:45am. We had a bit of drama leaving our place as the gate wouldn't open so we were stuck - until Karel managed to take the gate off so we could get our cars out.
The course was very hilly and the gravel was perfect - not too chunky. There were some dirt sections that were slower but nothing compared to the Saluda mud fest that we experienced a few weeks ago. The scenery was incredible with so many waterfalls, mountain views, tree canopys and farms. I was in my element and I felt like I stayed in a mentally good place throughout the entire ride.
To help me fuel for 91 miles, 7:24 hrs and almost 11,000 feet of elevation gain, I consumed the following:
- 1.5 liters in my USWE hydration pack with almost 720 calories of a new formulation from INFINIT nutrition (maltodextrin and fructose formula that is not out yet, 90g carbs per serving).
- 2 x 28 ounce bottles, each with 3 scoops C30 berry (90g carbs per serving)
- 1 mini can coke
- 1 bottle Heed at the last aid station
- 2 bars (~420 calories total)
- 2 packages Power Bar Chews (420 calories)
Karel also enjoyed the ride. He wished he was able to keep up with the front riders but he's often limited by his back. Thankfully he didn't experience any leg/hip cramping in this race which is a big deal for him as he is often limited by cramping in his hips. He rode most of the race by himself so it was a mental battle for him at times but the incredible scenery and knowing this was a great training day for his upcoming Oregon Gravel Grinder in June helped him power on until the finish line. He absolutely loved the fast long gravel downhills. He finished in 6 hours and 46 minutes and placed 14th overall.
