An opening day of rain transformed a technically easy stage into a black diamond challenge: pay attention or slide out! Each kilometer was loaded with speed scrubbing mud, pedaling downhill was often essential. Any extra bodily energy was used to maintain body heat, but extra energy was scarce.
“This wasn’t in the brochure” one racer told me – but having such an intense first day to set the body’s baseline of expectations will translate into an energetic nitro boost when the weather clears, and the local nomads are signaling for sun! Another racer told me “I don’t know why I do it”, I invite you to stay tuned to this blog as I interview racers about that question and more and also for my perspectives on racer and event morale. This is going to be an incredible 10 days!!