The Ranger – Gravel Enduro
The Ranger race report June 9 2019
Beautiful weather Amazing course. 35.92miles, 2:59:04 moving time, 4934feet elevation, 210 estimated average power according to my Wahoo Element Bolt. Tough course lots of climbing but great vibe, food, people, and great causes. The gravel enduro sections where imho, literally impossible I had to run sections of them they were short brutal up hills on class 4 roads with muddy sections. I could not focus on racing during these but the overall race was great training for the upcoming Senior Games National road race in New Mexico on June 19th. I could not have asked for better preparation, at lease more enjoyable.
As we wound out of the venue the clear skies and beautiful weather made for beautiful views of Tunbridge and the surrounding countryside. By the time we rolled out of the fairgrounds, I could already see that the lead pack had gained a quarter mile on the main body. I think this a fantastic feature of these events that pro, amateur, casual, and even first-time cyclist can join in and have the event they seek. After the event I learned that one of my town’s Police Officers had participated and that was his first ever cycling event, he was energized by it and would like to return.
I’d planned my bathroom stops carefully but not carefully enough and was forced to stop early for a bio break. The perils of some of the medication that I’m on. I had the pleasure of riding with Andrew Lint’s for a while who was on his customized Gravel Enduro bike. GU nutrition drink tabs and capsules served me very well during the event.
Early on in the race I seems to trade back and fourth with two other women competitors of very similar ability who were fierce climbers. I gained some ground on the descents due to my body mass being higher at 170lbs, they were back on me on most climbs up to mile 20 or so when I was able to get the upper hand on endurance and traded that for a group of 3 men whom I was with for the remainder. These gents were strong young riders in their 30s with very nice gravel bikes 5 or 6 pounds lighter than mine. I skipped rest stop 1 feeling that I’d onboarded enough water a fuel for half the race, this turned out to be correct. Rest stop 2 featured some amazing homemade bacon, cookies, watermelon, beer shots, and water. At mile 22 just before the rest stop I downed my salted pickle juice and Roctane tablet and this turned out to be excellent timing and I enjoyed an excellent recovery. The views of the countryside in this ride are incredible on this course when it opened up I had to relax in the saddle a bit and take it in. Some of the folks who live along the route were cheering riders along and I feel like some of the course went onto private property so kudos to those land owners if that is the case. Specifically, some of the class 4 sections past right next to fences, barns, and emerged from private driveways.
The Schwalbe G-One Bite tires performed perfectly and I was able to ride all the terrain except for the deep mud that most had to walk. I had full confidence on blistering downhills and corners. I ran my pressure at 45 in the rear 40 in the front, which I think might have been a hair high. Going into the final climb around mile 30 had me feeling pretty strong given the situation, but my legs were seriously feeling it. I encountered a friend who appeared to be struggling and I encouraged him and we raced each other up over the top of the hill and down the final miles into the fair grounds. We laughed as we weaved our way through the hot sunny hay fields searching for the best line. The Ranger is an awesome event I’ve enjoyed it two years in a row and plan to return next year.
The vibe, food, cause, course, energy, etc. I love everything about this event. The only negative was that they band playing at the venue was dangerously loud and I had to leave the venue early, I was left with a serious headache and was unable to socialize well with folks. Guess I’ll put ear plugs in my bike tool box for next time. Important Note: As a Combat Veteran and a person who has suffered hearing loss, I am more guarded and sensitive about my hearing in this regard. The band who were playing “Sensible Shoes” are excellent talented musicians, they were simply way too loud, I know that others held this opinion and the organizers of the event has responded positively.
I very highly recommend this race to every level of cyclist as you can make out of it what you wish.
-Roxy Bombardier
