Burke Mountain Hill Climb 2010 (M 40-49)

Burke Mountain Hill Climb, East Burke, VT. 2,096 ft of climbing, finishing at 3,220 ft. 13.4% average grade, some steep ramps, hairpin turns, and an extended “wall” section at 24%. Fast flat start, then up, up, up. “Unrelenting” is an apt description. While half the length of Mt. Washington, the 13.4% average vs. Washington’s 11.9%, a difference of only 1.5% grade, may not seem like a lot, that actually works out to be 12.6% steeper

Ranked in “The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike)” as the 50th toughest climb in the US, a Category 1 climb, 4th hardest mile (14.8%) (#1 is App Gap East at 15.9%), #1 steepest climb (min. 2 miles) at 13.4%, and is similar, although twice as long as Alto Xorret del Catí, featured in Saturday’s Vuelta stage 8. (But, to be fair, Burke isn’t at the end of a 100+ mile race under a sweltering sun.)

I drove up the day before, a jaunty 3.5 hour, 195-mile ride, to get a look at the hill, and to pick-up the registration material. The race is organized by the guy who organizes the BUMPS hill climb series; however, I found this race to be the least promoted/sponsored/staffed/organized of all of the races that I’ve done so far – certainly the smallest, at 75 racers, and maybe that’s the reason for the lack of sponsors/more low key approach – or is it vice versa? (Examples: no signs directing cars into the parking lot; only two painted markers on the road (3 miles, and “last corner”); the T-shirts were still at the printer on Friday when I registered, and the waivers weren’t ready – so I had to come back to the reg table on Saturday. Not a big deal, as there were no big crowds, but it was definitely a smaller affair all around. Partly perhaps, as it didn’t appear to be a fund-raiser for any organization as the other races have been.) Not to say it was poorly organized or run, it wasn’t, and the post-race lunch and awards were quite nice, it’s just toned down a notch from the other races.

Anyway, I drove the route a couple times to get the feel, and it was most definitely sobering. Grabbed a bite at the Tamarack Grill at the Burke Mountain Base Lodge, then checked in at the Village Inn of East Burke (exactly 1 mile from the race start). I found that the room they’d given me was 1/2 of the top floor, and had three beds and a fold-out futon. I could’ve slept half our team here. Free wi-fi and a communal kitchen on the first floor – AND – a biker’s shower on the ground floor, so that riders can shower after checkout time, etc.; also, a hose for cleaning bikes and a place to hang & dry them – HUGE mountain biking area with the Kingdom Trails. Very reasonable price, too, only $90 + tax for the night for the room.

I settled in and reviewed the course map, write-ups, and former BRC teammate, and fellow climbing crazy, er, enthusiast, Neal Heffron’s notes from his race here last year. (“Don’t go out too hard and fast!” was his advice that was etching itself on my small brain.) The race didn’t start until 10, and I wanted to get there a bit after 8, so that meant a 6:30 wake up pour moi, hence a 10:30 bed time. I popped a Tylenol PM at 9, popped open a half-bottle of Mumm’s Cordon Rouge Champagne (a nice, dry wine with notes of pear, walnuts, crisp red apple, and warm toast), popped Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed into my laptop (nothing like ridiculously fun Canadian werewolf flicks for pre-race entertainment), and popped half of an Ambien at 10:30 for lights out time. (Mind you, I don’t recommend this regimen for the kiddies, but over time one develops a method that works for one’s self.) (And, comparing notes with Neal post-race, he agrees on the half Ambien, but not on the rest. What he has against Champagne is beyond me. Jacques Anquetil would’ve certainly endorsed my methods.)

As per usual, the Ambien lasted about six hours, and I woke up around 5:40, nearly an hour earlier than planned/desired. Laid about for a while, then got up to stretch. The kitchen didn’t open until 7, so I got everything set before then. Strolled downstairs to make my usual oatmeal, and ran into a guy from Walpole who recognized me from Wells Ave from the weekend before. My atomic racing stripe sideburns and BRC jackets are an unmistakable combo, apparently. Also bumped into a fellow BUMPS rider and his wife – Dan and Janine – almost expectedly – we keep staying at the same motels/hotels/inns the night before the races. Small hill climb racing world.

Finished my oatmeal, foregoing the peach blintzes and bacon that was offered for breakfast, and drove over to the race start. There, I met up with a couple of my Canadian climbing buddies, Alain and Ron. Two of Ron’s daughters made the trip down with him, and would be up at the top of the mountain, along with Ron and Alain’s cars so that we wouldn’t have to ride down. (Yes, Bicycling Magazine may have judged it to be one of “America’s Best Descents”, but riding the brakes for 3+ miles down tight, twisting, damp roads isn’t my idea of a great time…27 miles down Mt. Lemmon without touching the brakes, sure – this, not so much.)

Got in a good warm up on the trainer in the parking lot, locked in on my routine and the tunes on my iPod – such that I completely missed Neal riding by and saying “hi.” Was as prepared as I could be for the steep, steep, steep bits, without having ridden the route before. Went with the Cervelo R3 “Hellclimber,” using the 26T ring, with the rear brake removed. Helmets were optional for the ascent, but I wasn’t going to risk it. Wore my short-sleeve BRC skin suit, forgoing carrying the gel flask or anything else. Went with a 1/2-filled water bottle, just in case, due to the very high humidity.

As we lined up for the pre-race rollout, Alain gave me his prediction for my finishing time: 27:15. This was based on a combination of factors, weights, and calculations. That sounded pretty good, and his predictions have been fairly accurate so far. I was aiming for 27 to 30 minutes, targeting an average of 270 Watts. Based on my 30 min. average of 264 W at Equinox and estimated 255 W average at Washington, I figured that holding 270 for 27-30 minutes was doable, and I’d done it on Okemo. Of course, never having ridden this climb meant that there was a factor of the unknown, too, despite driving it and having studied Neal’s notes. But, 270 seemed reasonable.

The day was overcast, very humid, in the 60’s, with very little breeze until near the top, then a cross/headwind. Roads were damp from overnight rains, but the pavement was clear of debris. Good pavement on the climb, with only a few frost heaves. Fair amount of mid-lane cracks, heaves, and rough stuff on the first 3/4-mile of open road before turning toward the toll road.

We rolled down from the parking lot to the start banner on the main road. (Much better/safer than the Okemo “neutral” rollout down the steep driveway with the sharp right hand turn (with gravel) at the bottom – where people attacked early – well before everyone was on the main road.) Anyhoo, I lined up in the second row, with my wheel between the top two placed BUMP riders in my age group, Charlie Casey and John Bayley, and behind Erik Vandendries from 545 Velo – he’s one spot ahead of me in BUMPS, and has finished one spot ahead of me in the past couple races. Was getting set to race, focusing, getting my Polar and PowerTap set, when the rider next to me started chatting – nice guy, he’d invited me to join his network on LinkedIn – but getting asked about my work background and hearing what his girlfriends is doing in the minutes before a race just isn’t what I need to be doing. That definitely threw me a bit.

We got the 10 second countdown, then “Go!” Slightly jumbled, I fumbled the clip in and got passed immediately. As Neal had warned me, it was a Fast, Fast start. I jumped and hammered. I wanted to stay with the leaders but not blow up. But I have to say that I was a bit skittish of the helmetless riders. I was boxed in, but wasn’t as aggressive moving up as I’d normally be, as I was worried about clipping one of the lidless riders. Rough roads and people hammering with starting nerves isn’t a great combo. I powered on through with a bit of artful dodging. The pack spread out pretty quickly and a gap opened to the first 25 or so riders. I was watching power a bit, but mostly trying to close on the leaders. The pace seemed high for first 1/2 mi +, and I opened a gap on group behind while trying to close on the leaders. One guy (in a pink and blue kit) whipped past me at this point and joined the leaders, the last of whom were 10-15 seconds ahead of me, the front riders being 30-40 seconds up. I couldn’t match the speed/power to close the gap. I knew that I’d come up on them once the real climb started, but could see that the group was already stringing out.

Did the first mile in 4:20-4:50, with the steep stuff starting at the end of that mile. I was with the back of the lead group as we started the second mile and neared the toll booth – which meant that 2.1 miles remained, and that the wall was coming up in a few tenths. I was passing some riders at this point, and was thick in the group, but was mostly just focused on my own riding. Fair amount of shifting and standing. As we got to the base of the wall, I could see that there was a race clock set up mid-way (and at the halfway point of the race). At first, I thought it was showing the gap to the first rider, at 1:15, but then realized that it read 11:20, etc., giving elapsed time. I think I passed it at 11:40 or so. Really slogged it out on the wall – out of the saddle, and just grinding. Pretty tough and very slow going. Definitely tortuously painful. Near the top of the wall, I saw the pink and blue-kitted rider who’d zipped past me earlier off of his bike and walking up the hill. (And there’s your example of the danger of going too hard at the start and blowing up on the steep parts.)

At the end of the wall, the grade eased some – if 11-13% is an easement, but the number of turns and ramps seemed to increase – more turns than shown on the maps. Very tough to get a rhythm, unlike Washington. Kept slogging, but was having a tougher time of it – my windpipe was feeling it, as were my legs. Micro-mini brain battles going on: I wanted to keep up the power, but had to keep digging to do so; at a couple points, the “I don’t care what my power is, I just need to breathe and don’t care if I get passed” thoughts surfaced, and I had to stuff them down. Tough to rally after the wall. (And it shows in the file: 275 W avg. through the wall, and 265 W after.) The sections of 14 and 15% with ramps of 16, 20, and 22% are seriously challenging and disheartening. “Unrelenting” is the best word for this climb.

At one mile to go, there was a bagpiper, which was a nice touch, with the mist swirling all around and the clouds behind her. I passed the top woman BUMPS rider, Kristen Gohr, who told me to “Go get ’em.” Nice to get that encouragement – I’ve chatted with Kristen at a number of the races so far. She and John Bayley set a tandem time record of 1:06 going up Washington in this year’s Newton’s Revenge, and she was attempting to set a woman’s record for this climb (and did). After passing Kristen, I chased down, albeit slowly, a few more riders, and could see more ahead of them. The trees thinned a bit here, and there were breezes coming at us over the last 3/4 of a mile or so. The cool air was actually nice.

I passed a couple guys here, and one stayed on my wheel. I tried to accelerate, but he came back. I could hear him behind me at times, but didn’t want to look back. I was just trusting my hearing. If he had he had enough power to whip past me or something, more power to him, but I didn’t see that happening. I was looking for the 3-mile marker on the pavement – that’d mean 0.3 miles to go, which was where I was planning to kick it hard. It seemed that there were far more turns/ramps showing up than I remembered from the drive. Really suffering holding off the rider behind me, trying to dig to rally and catch the guy ahead of me – who looked to be Erik V. Finally saw the 3-mi mark, and tried to kick it up, but didn’t have a lot to give. Got out of the saddle and pushed. Didn’t want to get caught, and wanted to close on Erik, but didn’t have enough legs nor real estate left.

At the “Last Corner” marking on the road, I knew that meant 0.1 miles left – really pushed hard here, but saw Erik nearing the line at that point. So, I just tried to leg it out and not get passed. Lungs were absolutely burning. Heard a few shouts of encouragement from Janine and from Ron’s two daughters. That helped. Nice to get some support even if I didn’t look up to see them. Powered as best I could, and dropped the rider on my wheel. He finished 4.3 sec. behind me, and I finished nearly 20 seconds behind Erik V.

Crossed the line and was immediately asked if I needed any help. Wasn’t ready to fall off the bike, but must’ve looked it. Thankfully, the parking lot at the top was plenty big so that we could circle around on our bikes to spin out the legs. I didn’t get an exact count of how many riders were there, riding in circles when I joined in, but it looked to be less than 10. Just circled around, doing a li’l chatting for a while as it seemed to get cold and misty (or maybe that was just me getting cold and misty).

End result: 8th place overall, 4th in my age group, at a time of 0:26:29.61. (And, just found out, that this moved me into 10th overall in the BUMPS series, and 4th in my age group…behind John, Erik, and Charlie. Pretty sure that I won’t be able to catch any of them, but with one or two more good results I should be able to hang on to a Top 5 spot in my age, and maybe Top 10 overall.)

Thoughts: Not bad – I hit the targeted 270 W avg., which was also the 20 min. avg. power – so I was able to hold it at the same power for an extra 6.5 minutes. Equaled the 20 min best that I set on Okemo in June. Not sure that I had much more to give today. The lungs/heart/windpipe felt like post-Arizona time trial condition – pretty raw and toasted.

This was a good lesson in both physical and mental toughness. Need to work on both. The constant grade changes and turns were tougher to deal with than I’d expected – but, now that’s in my book. In addition to gaining overall strength – which will come with more work – I continue to need to develop that ability to “rip open my rib cage” and really gut it out (hmmm, maybe watching werewolf movies the night before isn’t the best idea…maybe). Getting better at pedaling through the pain, but there are still those fluctuations and mini-breaks that I have to overcome. Not easing up, not giving in for a second here and there – getting to that point will help. Again, better than earlier this year.

Happy about not getting passed on the climb. Not so happy about not being able to closing some gaps; like on Erik V. He finished 2+ min. ahead of me at Washington (and 12 min. ahead of me at Newton’s), so it’s a bit encouraging that I was within 20 seconds; however, he’s still someone who’s better than me right now. Ditto the other John and Charlie. They’ve beaten me regularly, and are ahead of me in BUMPS. At this point, they’re stronger, and definitely more experienced. I think I’m close to being able to climb with them – John finished 1:26 ahead of me, and Charlie 35 seconds. So, not horrible, but still a gap. Maybe part of that is the gearing at the start with the flat, low grade, but it’s also because they’re probably stronger – or I’m not confident in my ability to go harder/deeper at the start – Newton’s, Washington, and here I got dropped by the leaders early. Something to look at and chat about/work on, I guess – how hard can I go for how long without jeopardizing my power for the duration? Next week and Kitt Peak in AZ the following weekend are both TT’s, so I won’t have a pack start. Maybe one more mass start hill climb, if I do Alan Clark on the App Gap in October.

Nice post-race sandwich buffet lunch – some of the freshest bread I’ve tasted. Good to chat with Neal and some of the other riders – many of whom I’ve gotten to know during the series. Lots of note swapping on the race, prepping for the next one, comparing times, and the all important discussion of gearing…how small a ring up front and how big a cog in back, along with the inevitable “How much do you weigh?” question. (You can almost hear the gears churning in heads as they attempt to calculate your power to weight ratio.) One good story came from the award ceremony – turns out that the eventual winner dropped his chain near the top and that the second place rider told him that he’d not attack – and he didn’t. The second place guy waited for the leader, then the two of them went at it. The chain-dropper winning by nine seconds. Pretty darned sporting if you ask me. Take that, Alberto.

Overall, fairly happy. Had a good time. Learned a few things. Onward and upward, ever upward.

Oh, and the drive home was a somewhat leisurely four hours with a stop in Lyndonville for a double espresso and a venti no-foam latte, and then another stop at the NH State Liquor Store to stock up on Champagne (going broke with all of these Champagne-buying opportunities going to and from all of these hill climbs). So, 7.5 hours of driving for 26.5 min of racing. Yeah, I’m not sure if that math works out too well either.

A few pics from the trip are on my Facebook