Tran Andes Challenge 2012, Chile

Hola familia y amigos!

Saludos de Chile!

Mike and I have just resurfaced safe, sound and still processing our incredible whirlwind past 2 weeks here in Chile...  Our journey continues as we recover from the Trans Andes stage race and settle into a quieter rhythm of training here in the now familiar coastal town of Pichilemu.  We are happy to have the chance to get in some time at the beach here and It is just plain nice to stay in one place for a while and take a breath to catch up with ourselves!

The Tran Andes Challenge went really well!  Despite both getting the flu upon our initial arrival to Chile, we made the drive to the race start in Panguipuilli, 800 km south of Santiago, albeit a little skinnier and more tired that we would've preferred!   This edition of the Trans Andes was a rigorous 6 days, 250 miles and 35,000 feet of climbing through forests, valleys, along side crystal clear lakes and streams - the lush mountainous landscapes were awe inspiring, especially when an active snowcapped volcano or two would pop into view. 

Volcan Villarica, near Pucon, Chile.

We both felt well prepared physically, The training we do for stage races now includes a lot of specific aspects that we had not ever employed when racing any other discipline of cycling.  There are  certainly a lot of dedicated techniques and preparation that go in to being fast as a Mixed Duo team.  Having your mental game in the right place throughout the race is incredibly important and being willing to work together is everything.    

Mike was always so considerate, letting me go in front especially on the super dusty descents.

There is nothing like the experience of racing and suffering alongside someone else.  Amidst the deep understanding we share there are moments of frustration, anger, and a tendency to bicker -maybe because there is just always someone there to hear you complain when you may be feeling the strain of racing...   We've learned a lot of lessons on how to race as a successful Mixed Duo race team and keeping a good perspective and positive outlook (as well as keeping our traps shut at certain times) is imperative to supporitng team cohesion...  We overcame the challenge and rode to 6 stage victories and the overall win in the mixed open category!  We are grateful for this healthy and positive start to our 2012 season!

Team work!!

The event itself is a special experience for sure!  This is our third time racing the TAC and it was once again a well run and enjoyable event.   It was hot and dusty for the most part and the rain we got on 2 of the stages really only settled the dust and made conditions better.  We know from experience that the Andes weather can be rugged so I´d have to say we got really lucky with the mostly sunny skies and moderate temps.  Stages were long and there was a TON of climbing - averaging 6000 ft each day over 40+ miles.    We rode a variety of terrain including many miles of  gravel roads both exciting and fast and torturously slow, some sweet single tracks and through fantastic networks of logging roads - some still exclusively carved by oxen dragging antique trees down the sides of these huge mountains.  The pain came from the hours of sheer climbing often with  e x t e n d e d  stumble up hike a bike sections littered  with volcanic scree or fallen logs. The technical challenges came from the high speeds, ungroomed trails, blinded by dust conditions and in general not knowing who or what was around the next corner.  The Trans Andes pushes everyone's limits but  just when you had really really had enough torturous climbing there are rewards of single track descending encased in a green tunnels with foxglove, fusia and all manor of wild flowers smacking you in the face - at these times the mind would rejuvenate the legs.

6 days, 250 miles,  35,000 feet of climbing...

The first stage was the hardest on both of us!   After being sick, traveling and not riding for nearly a week prior to the event, we started out pretty tired and empty. The first long climb was so technical I did not hydrate or fuel properly and suffered intense leg cramps throughout the remainder of a really long day.  I really thought the last 10 km would never end but  finally in a mix of pain and joy to have survived the day nearly 5 hours, 50 miles and 6800 feet later, we crossed the line victorious.  

An ominous crack of lighting accompanied us as we crossed the river into the base camp at the end of stage 1...

My body felt good on stage two after a little time brushing away some sore legs, I fueled well, ingesting the delicious and power inspiring Clif Shots and Blocks every 30 mins... unfortunately we were tested with a severe mechanical issue late in the race.   All day we ride over millions of sticks, and one eventually flipped up into my wheel and ripped out two spokes in the rear...  My wheel was so out of true it wouldnt spin in my frame.  Thankfully, I did not rip off my derraileur too, and my trusty mechanic was ON it.   One of the many incredible qualities of the NoTubes wheel sets is that they are self tunable.  Even with 2 missing spokes, Mike rigged up/detentioned my wheel (with our handy Crankbrothers multi tool) and got it so it could at least roll with minimal rubbing.  The spokes that were intact were detentioned so much that only a few threads were holding on... if they let go, the whole thing could've exploded.  wondering how it was going to hold up... I nursed it in, very carefully not using any rear brake pressure as it might explode.  We were treading on a thin line and knew we just needed to get back to maintain our race lead.   I had already gotten my hard climbing efforts in for my training, so we just spun it back to camp real easy - and the wheel held!!   Yeah, NoTubes, yeah, Mike!!  Thank you!!!

Smiling post race... The bikes were incredible!

Stage 3  was my endurance day.  I rode within myself and maintained an aerobic pace.  Feeling good and riding the technical with confidence and seemingly much faster... it is a great feeling to know which side of the washed out gravelly fire road to chose as we railed speeds my father surely would not approve of... Views of snow capped smoking volcanos surprised us as we came speeding out of corners - the scenery was astounding.  

Master mechanic Mike at work.

Mike continued to be an incredible support throughout the race - he listened carefully to my pace while always being there to help me maximize my speed.  I drafted him a lot and he lent me a hand come critical sections that really upped our overall pace.  It was amazing to adapt my riding to his higher pace by taking advantage of his draft blocked from the wind but also blocked from direct line of sight off road and at high speed really tested the limits of trust!  Our favorite Duo Pro move (employed to break the will off any would be competitors) is Mike off the bike and running while assisting me, still in the pedals, straight up and over what would otherwise pretty much be considered unrideable climbs, Animal!!! His Strength is obvious but his patience and willingness to be a supporter and teammate is really what makes it work.

I straight up had to call stage 4 my rest day... even though it was 49 miles and 5500 feet of climbing and took us 3:45 hours.  I was really just tricking myself into thinking this so I wouldnt feel overloaded by this beastly 6 consecutive days of riding with out a rest day.  It worked and I was able to push on rejuvinated and more easily able to manage a solid pace on stage 5 and 6  with out digging into too much deficit.

Cold leg soak at the amazing Huilo-Huilo Resort Hotel.

Each afternoon when we finished racing, we could focus on recovery.  I loved the dedicated week of hard training balanced with good food, afternoon naps, yoga, and foam roller sessions.  Evening podium ceremonies were fun and there were always horn blowing contests and buena onda (good vibes).  Huge thanks to Juan Pablo Santiagos for his vision and manifestation of this event, and his awesome staff who helped him pull it off!  You guys ROCK!!

Thanks to our fantastic support team of sponsors we brought the right equipment along for the job and and were able to play out this stage race as we had imagined, hoped and planned it would go.

We couldn't ask for better machines to rely upon for the six days of rugged back country riding than our Seven Sola SLX 29ers equipped with Stan's NoTubes Wheels outfited with Kenda's new and fantastic Slant Six tires! 

All in all it was a fantastic week of hard dedicated cycling with about as much flavor, fun and social interaction that you could ask for!    The experience leaves me quietly full of gratitude to have been a part - it was satisfying just to be able to complete all the stages, let alone win :-)

Wishing you all good health, rides and adventures with friends. 

Que te vaya muy bien!

Mary y Mike

Team KENDA/Seven/NoTubes

Join us next year!!

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