Hypno Toad

Agreed, I don't feel worthy to ride bikes after seeing what she's doing!

revcp 

It was a tough race. I trained for cold and was beaten by warmth. The trail was messy, messy, messy, like riding in mashed potatoes. Next year I will be making two gear changes: a better wheelset that will allow me to run the 2-3 psi that people who were staying upright were using, and wider handlebars that will make my bike a bit less twitchy and more able to keep a good line. The race started at 7 am. I hit the second checkpoint, 75 miles, at 2 am, having walked my bike for a significant portion of those 17 hours. I was actually feeling fine physically and mentally, but the biggest downhills were coming up in the next 40 miles and I just wasn't confident that I wouldn't crash and burn on that sloppy trail. Next year!

Hypno Toad

Thanks for the post! Was 2016 your first AR135?

revcp 

Yep, my first. I was set to go in 2015, when conditions were pretty much perfect, but because of an illness in the family I couldn't do it. Looking forward to colder and snowier conditions next year.

Hypno Toad

I hope to see you up there in a year or two.

revcp 

Nick Bain

well did you guys see eachother?

Machka 

A friend of mine from Manitoba did this event this year.

Hypno Toad

I didn't get there this year, it'll will take another year or two to get the gear together and cold-weather training.

We won't be getting any more cold-weather training this year; it's been 60F for 4 days in a row in Minneapolis. Today will be one of those classic February thunderstorms

Good thing climate change is a Chinese hoax, otherwise these conditions would scare the ***** out of me.

revcp 

It was a bit warm, but the trail didn't soften till around 7 pm. I can attest to how solid the trail was earlier. I went down around mile 75 and broke five ribs. I made it another 25 miles, but just couldn't keep going. I was bummed.

Hypno Toad

It's been 5 years since I started this thread, countless riding friends have completed the AH135, and I keep saying 'next year'. I'm starting a hardcore commitment for 2021 AH135. I've got my budget/equipment list going, time to look for end of season sales on stuff I'll need in 12 months!

Good friend and photographer, David, just posted pictures from 2020 AH135 - these pics inspire me!

revcp 

I've been away fro the AHU for a few years now because of family scheduling challenges. Looking forward to getting back to it in 2021. Let me know what kinds of things you're looking for. I regularly poke around in sales and used sites and may be able to direct you to some things you're needing.

Hypno Toad

Awesome, thanks for the offer. I'll let you know.

Hypno Toad

It's back for 2022, starting on Jan 31 .... and this will be my last year watching from the warm of my house, I'll register for the 2023 AH135!

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/0...ter-this-month

rumrunn6

that's today!

what a great composite photo on that website

Hypno Toad

Live tracker is so fun to watch from my warm office! I've added 'favorites' to my riding friends up there this year.

Arrowhead 135 2022 live tracking app by trackleaders.com

rumrunn6

was wondering if they had live trail cameras but this is cool. quite the spread from 1st to last or is that because some are on skis & others on wheels? I'm guessing wheels are faster?

Hypno Toad

Yes, the fatbikers are the fastest and are the first wave to start. Even a fast skier is starting a few minutes behind the bikers.

My riding buddy (Kate) is up there supporting riders, she reported that Chase is first to check point 1, he's the rider that finished the 2021 DAMn in just over 12 hours (averaging just under 20 mph on 242 miles of gravel). So pro team is gonna sign this kid! (Chase is not riding with a tracker, there are a few that aren't using trackers).

This is Chase in the night of The DAMn ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/22199535-post30.html

rumrunn6

oh interesting! & what astonishing human performance & endurance. wonder his & your arteries look like!

Hypno Toad

Screengrab from Kate's FB post ... clearly a warm AH135!

This is checkpoint 1, riders at the head of the race are averaging 9mph and faster.

Hypno Toad

Chase is something inhuman ... or at least something completely different from me (& he's younger than my daughter)

For my part, I know I have strong cardio from my genes. My mom, brother, grandfather and I all have very low resting heart rates ... like we need to warn nursing staff if we're spending the night in the hospital cause they freak out seeing our low heart rates. That and I just ride a silly amount of miles.

MinnMan

I am surprised that some aren't using trackers. I was looking for a buddy in the livetrack and he isn't there. I was thinking that he didn't start but maybe he just doesn't have a tracker. I wonder why some would choose not to?

Chase is a total beast. He finished 3rd in the Gravel Worlds this summer, 14 seconds back from Colin Strickland. Also, I have a (Midtown) friend who is just beyond awesome and Chase beat him by half an hour in the DAMN.

Hypno Toad

I thought trackers were required on the AH135, but it appears a number of riders are without tracker or having tracker tech issues.

rumrunn6

fat bike racing should be an Olympic sport!

Hypno Toad

I'm having a hard time focusing on work ... watching my friends on the Arrowhead!

Sveta (5 time finisher of the AH135) is a great and strong rider, but she DNF'd at CP2 (halfway), she said she was struggling with the mental gremlins.
Justin and Murray are riding together, Justin has raced and finished a number of AH135 ... and I didn't talk with him before the race, but I think he's supporting Murray on her first AH135. They left CP2 at 1:00 AM
Sean left CP2 at 2:00 AM ... waiting to see his check in at CP3

27 riders have finished in the first 26 hours
Chase finished second place, and based on the information I've seen, he appears to have added 20 bonus miles to the 135 mile course.
Matthew was the fastest overall and rode without support ... finishing in 14:22 ...