Trans Andes Challenge 2013

The Lakes Region in Chilean Patagonia holds many treasures...

It was all there for us once again just as we remembered and just as we had tried to forget; no less fantastic and no less demanding.  Now in it's summer finest - alarmingly hot, dusty, rugged, raw and beautiful - the ancient mountains and lakes that make up the Araucania region of Chile hosts relatively few people, leaving the area less spoilt than most we are privileged to compete in.   

The fifth running of the Trans Andes Challenge gave all in attendance the chance to ride over seldom used roads, single tracks and a first descent or two deep in the belly of this incredibly rich natural region.   It was also a chance for Mary and I to compete side by side for 6 days, 21 hours, 250 miles, 31,000 feet of climbing over unfamiliar terrain and face the challenge as a team. 

Riding with Mary through the Araucaria forest

The T A C is an arduous 6 day mountain bike stage race that requires a combination of fitness and strategies from road and off road racing, as well as a whole lot more to maximize your chances for success.  There are times to sit patiently in a dusty pace line or make alliances with other riders to best manage the effort, and it is an equally good idea to be vigilant and move to the front when you get an inkling that it might be your ticket to enter first into a clear section of single track. 

Volcan Villarica

One of many hike-a-bike sections.  Cyclocross legs paying off...

Mary picks some wild flowers

Our past years in attendance gave us clear insight of how to prepare for what was our fourth T A C.   We diversified our training prior to the event to include a wide variety of cardio and strength building exercise.  The results seemed to be pretty straight forward as both Mary and I could better manage the specific stresses of this style of racing and this allowed us to have our best experience to date.

6 stage wins and the Overall in the Open Mixed Duo
 

Knowing what to bring to the event as far as bike build, spare equipment and comfort items to get the job done right is absolutely critical.  What to pack each day is of equal importance and varies according to stage specifics.  There are of course essentials that you can't do without but it is critical to be a minimalist and keep it light and fast if you really want to try handle business with the best time. 

Below: The perfect machine to get the job done!

Mary and I really focused on working together this year and sharing the common goal of going as fast as possible as a team was definetlhy part of the fun.   We rode pretty silently for the most part relying on body language, verbal and psychic communication to dictate the pace and strategy.  Each day our skills sharpened and we felt more and more lethal as a team.  

In racing as a team it is critical to work with your partner at every opportunity.   Teamwork was at the core of our race tactics and it clearly paid off.   This year heavy winds were a significant factor to the point where we found ourselves taking advantage of drafting tactics even at ultra low speeds. 

The physical requirements aside Mary and I feel we've built a mental callus to the demands of multi 

day events.  Knowing that we can accomplish and recover from consecutive long hard efforts and still tolerate one another at the end of the day has given us confidence to try more of the same...   

Mary and I felt that this race offered up some amazingly scenic, fast and fun filled miles.  If you like to ride your MTB with a good friend, a race like this is an experience not to miss! 

Time for a Siesta! 

Santiagos Productions and the The Trans Andes staff put on another Spectacular event!  It would take volumes to cover all the special little details that went into making this the best edition yet. Check out the TAC web site for more pix and details! 

Salud & good rides!

M n M

Team KENDA - Seven - Stan's NoTubes

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