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Arrived down at O'Neill on Friday afternoon around 4:15pm with SandyUtah. It was really nice to get there with plenty of daylight; not rushing around that night in the dark or the next morning. We learned our lesson from last year. About 30 minutes later Dusty Bottoms pulled in and we went about our respective race preparations.

The next morning the alarm rang at 4:20am - ouch. We had turned in pretty early, so I actually didn't feel that bad. One thing I concentrate on with early wake-ups before endurance races is immediately getting myself into a cheerful mood. I think it's important to get in a positive frame of mind given the fact that you're going to be suffering all day. So, as I'm sure Dusty and SU can attest to, I was up singing and cracking dumb jokes by 4:25am. :)

Fast forward -------> Start line at BlackStar. Chris Vargas delivered his ceremonial pre-race speech which he ended with, "On your mark, get set, GO!" The 2003 Vision Quest was underway as the large group sped through a very crisp morning air....but not as cold as last year. I had tried to get a little closer to the front this year, not because I was a front running contender, but because there is a substantial number of weekend warrior entrants who tend to clog things up and I didn't want to spend the first mile pushing through them.

The road turns sharply to the left and the climb begins up BlackStar. My plan on all of Blackstar and Main Divide over to the Silverado Motorway was to keep chugging along, but never go redline - the steep pitches on Main Divide will suck the life out of you very quickly and very early. After a few switchbacks up Blackstar I took a gander in the rear view mirror to find Mr. Bottoms pacing right behind me. I greeted him with a, "what's up brah?" and he replied with something like, "this is quite a party." Nice to see Dusty's day at attempting VQ was a now a reality.

By the top of Blackstar I had put a decent gap on a good portion of the field with the insane folks quite a ways out in front of me. I had caught a glimpse of SU a few switchbacks ahead - it was apparent this would not be my day to take him down. It was early and he was dropping me big time. No worries, I felt fresh for the 5 or 6 viscious steep pitches coming on Main Divide and that was what I had planned. I started up the first steep section that eventually passes the famous "golf ball" tower and felt pretty good. I refused to try and blast up it. I stayed calm and pedaled smoothly all the while being sure to keep eating.

I finally crested the final steep pitch on Main Divide starting to feel a bit bushed, but glad to see the Silverado descent ahead. On the way down Silverado I passed a few riders, but then came in hot on a weird corner and laid it down. Nothing major, but I'll count it as my first crash. I got up quickly, realigned the chain and finished the descent down to Aid #1. I think I hit Aid #1 around 2:05, but I can't remember exactly.

At Aid #1 DDawg came to my aid and grabbed my bike, while Macrider's girlfriend Amber ran and got my drop bag. Thanks to both Amber and DDawg in a HUGE way for your help at both Aid stations, really. I swapped out my Camelbak, Hammer and shed my vest and warm gloves. It was still a bit chilly, so I kept my arm and leg warmers on, which turned out to be the right move for me. Out of Aid #1 in about 1 minute and I started up the hellish pavement of Maple Springs.

As I climbed up the pavement out of Maple a few miles I was feeling very positive about my chances of breaking my 6:30 goal. I had finished section #1 without completely blowing up and was cruising at a reasonable pace up towards Santiago peak still feeling relatively fresh. I kept pedaling out of the saddle to keep my legs stretched and to give my crotch a break. I hit the dirt and hooked up with a singlespeeder for a few miles of pacing. His breathing was extremely labored and I kinda felt like he wouldn't keep this pace for too long. He eventually faded as we passed 4 corners.

The climb from 4 corners to the northern downhill tunr went pretty well. I sort of eased up a bit for about a mile, but then really got a great second wind and settled into a great pace. 6:30 was very much a reality. I crested that climb and turned down the downhill for about the mile that precedes the final climb to Santiago Peak. I pedaled hard down this section, really wanting to make some good time here and keep my legs moving rather than coasting. BOOM! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Sidewall blowout. :(:( I pulled to the side muttering obscenities and inspecting the damage. It had all happened too fast to be a pinch.....yup, there's large gaping hole in my sidewall. I pulled the wheel off and removed the tube quickly, then pulled the small roll of duct tape from ym jersey pocket. I've carried this tape in my jersey pocket for 20 straight races knowing that some day I would be glad I did. Saturday was that day. I taped the inside of the sidewall and threw a new tube in and CO2'd the new tube. Bubble. I was in too big of a hurry at that point, so I decided it had to hold. FOCK!

I gingerly continued descending this portion of Main Divide and started the final climb up to SP. I rounded the peak and started down the snowy portion on the back side trying to keep it steady and easy, not to blow the rear bubble sticking out of my tire. Near the end of the snow section my front tire left the obvious rut, slid, then crossed me up and sent me over the bars. As I tried to pop back up my hamstring cramped wildly. ARRRRRRRRRGH!!!! A hiker standing there stared at me in amazement as if I were an alien that had just landed. My day was crumbling.

I safely descended the rest of MD down to Holy Jim, and when I got to Holy Jim, I had myself collected and back in the frame of mind of hitting a 6:40 or so. I made a few quick passes on HJ and descended down past the halfway point. PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! The tape had given way and so had my day. :( I tried to find a spot on the narrow Holy Jim to change the flat....kinda tough. I sat down and calmly went about the tube change. This time I put about 6 pieces of tape over the sidewall rip. A few riders passed and asked if i needed anything and I said, "Yeah, do you have a tire in your bag?" :) It occurred to me at that point that although my goal of 6:30 was a memory, I should gut it out and see if I could break 7 hours with 2 sidewall blowouts.

The rest of HJ went fast as I had more confidence in the sidewall repair this time and I let off the brakes. The creek crossings were less filled than the week before, but I kinda had fun running through the water - the chilly water felt nice. I rolled into Aid #2 in about 4:50 and made all my changes. DDawg helped me reload 2 more tubes and I was off for the final portion of the course.

I was starting to fatigue, but I still felt decent. About halfway up the Trabuco Trail before the Horsethief split I spun out on a rocky section and fell to my left.....into a poison oak garden. Perfect. I instantly sprayed myself with my Camelbak, then as I crested the next hill, I scrambled down to the creek for a scrubbing. No poison oak as of today, so it must have worked. I finally reach the base of West Horsethief and started the march up.

SU and I had decided that the best plan on West Horsethief is to just let it all hang out and use all your remaining energy. It's pretty much the final climb, so you might as well sell it out there. Well, after a full day of climbing and disappointments that's what I did. I actually passed three people on the hike and finished the section much quicker than I would have thought. I refilled my Camelbak at the top of West Horsethief because half of mine was still frozen and I headed down Main Divide for the final climb to Trabuco.

The right hand turn down Trabuco Trail at Vision Quest is one of the greatest things you can experience. That's it. No more climbing. No more suffering. You've done it. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I headed down at a fast clip still looking like I would crack the 7 hour mark despite my troubles. I was a little woozy, but I had fairly decent control. PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Pinch flat in the rear tire. This time I just smiled. I had given in to the immovable force that was bad luck for me that day. I changed the flat in no particular hurry and got back to the descent. About 100 yards later - PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Front tire puncture. Well, at least I get a change of pace with the front tire this time instead. I kind of chuckled too myself as I used my last tube and last CO2 - "This is just one of those days."

I hopped back on the bike and just prayed that I wouldn't blow another tire. I was out of replacements!! As I reconnect with the stem of the lollipop where racers were heading out to the last section, I passed Macrider who smiled and gave words of encouragement. My answer was, "4 fockin flats." He replied as I sped by "STAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN's." This was the first time I didn't get pi$$ed at the suggestion - instead I smiled and said to myself, "Good idea, Mackie." Later I apologized to Mac for not returning the words of encouragement. I guess I was just a bit overwhelmed by the series of events. Sorry again, Mac.

I managed to roll down the rest of the course and get to the finish without another blowout. 7 hours, 17 minutes and 4 flats later I crossed the finish line of my second Vision Quest. I was actually in a pretty good mood when I was done. The important part for me was that I had raced hard and I was pretty much on pace to reach my goal. It didn't happen, but I'm encouraged for the 2003 season ahead after my performance. Less than 24 hours later I had Stan's No Tubes already installed and I was thinking about next weekend's race in Castaic. Live and learn.

Great seeing about 30 socalmtb'ers out there. We collectively had the largest cheering section. It was a great reminder of why Socalmtb.com is so special - we're a unique little community.

KIR