Crusher in the Tushar

Runs with Scissors

Runs with Scissors

iMTB Hooligan
Have you ever signed up for something, only to ask yourself later "WTF was I thinking???" Well, this is that kind of thing July 11, 2015. Beaver, Utah. This will be my second shot at it. 80% of the race is above 8,000 feet elevation. It tops out at almost 11,000 feet elevation. 70 miles, 10,500 feet of vertical gain. I dare you. Only 200 slots left...

<a class="postlink" href="https://tusharcrusher.athlete360.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://tusharcrusher.athlete360.com/</a>
 
I am sooo signing up for this one! I used to live in Colorado (15 years ago), so I'm totally used to the altitude. And just last week I rode nearly 3000 vertical feet without bonking or cramping. I have the perfect bike for it - a 30lb 26er with a 160mm fork. I'm in! Oh crap - registration is closed!

I've ridden the trails around Brian Head and they were spectacular - although that was in 1997. Not sure if that's where this course heads - probably not, as Beaver is 60 miles from Cedar City.

Oh and unlike Beaver Creek CO, Beaver UT does not have a liquor store named for its town. Too bad. Missed opportunity for sophomoric play on words that sells lots of t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats and glassware.
 
herzalot said:
I have the perfect bike for it - a 30lb 26er
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...

Surely you jest, Hertz. I went last year with a 31-lb hardtail, and managed to do 62 miles and 6,500 feet. The altitude killed me. I did not do the "Col d'Crush" since if I had I'd still be climbing back out. This year, however, I may man up and try the whole thing.

Keep an eye on the site. Transfers from dropouts will be available beginning April 1.
 
'tis true. Not only am I the self-appointed fashion police for IMTB, but I am also the resident smartass - usually at my own expense. In this case, those who know me understand that I am as likely to sign up for 10,000 feet of climbing as I am to sign up for a glass-shard chewing competition. I have mad respect for those of you who can and do put in those numbers, it's just not how I am wired physically or mentally.
 
There are no similar altitudes within a reasonable distance. Closest I can get is to go up to Big Bear and up to Onyx Summit - and even that tops out at 8,200 feet. I figure I'll be doing the GMR - GRR - Baldy chairlifts a few times too. And probably up to Crystal Lake and hopefully even up to Angeles Crest via 39.
 
I was just curious... I see some guys who swear by high altitude training, and some who say they can handle it without any adjustment issues. I've never ridden that high, so I have no idea personally... I'd love to give it a try someday.


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I have a 68 mile, roughly 9,500 ft elevation gain route, but it's all asphalt unless I use Monroe TT for part of it (which I've never done but really want to). It goes from Boulder Springs Rd just above Foothill, up GMR, down back side, across East Fork, up 39 to Crystal Lake, and back down 39 - which is an absolute blast; 13 miles downhill at speed - back across East Fork, up the back side of GMR, and back down to the start. I've done that twice on the Mamba, and it hurt.

Most folks here are anti-asphalt, which is fine, but I find it useful even on the MTB to get in the ultra long climbs I need in preparation. Here's the route <a class="postlink" href="https://www.strava.com/activities/156428555" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.strava.com/activities/156428555</a>
 
Faust29 said:
I was just curious... I see some guys who swear by high altitude training, and some who say they can handle it without any adjustment issues. I've never ridden that high, so I have no idea personally... I'd love to give it a try someday.
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I really have no business talking about preparation for a long distance, high altitude event, but I do have a keyboard, so that makes me qualified...

I did quite a bit of riding at Big Bear early last summer (yes, a bit of climbing - not just lift assisted) at 7000 to 8000'. I went to Colorado in July and stayed in Avon (8000') and Breckenridge (9000'). I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11000 feet. I was well acclimated from my four or five Big Bear trips.

Please note - none of my rides at any of the above locations included more than 2500' of climbing in a day - but that really doesn't apply to you freaks of nature. My point is - Big Bear trips helped me prepare for high altitude riding.
 
Wow... That is exactly the type of ride I'm trying to build up to.

Herz and I will be up there in a couple weeks to give it a go!
 
herzalot said:
Faust29 said:
I was just curious... I see some guys who swear by high altitude training, and some who say they can handle it without any adjustment issues. I've never ridden that high, so I have no idea personally... I'd love to give it a try someday.
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I really have no business talking about preparation for a long distance, high altitude event, but I do have a keyboard, so that makes me qualified...

I did quite a bit of riding at Big Bear early last summer (yes, a bit of climbing - not just lift assisted) at 7000 to 8000'. I went to Colorado in July and stayed in Avon (8000') and Breckenridge (9000'). I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11000 feet. I was well acclimated from my four or five Big Bear trips.

Please note - none of my rides at any of the above locations included more than 2500' of climbing in a day - but that really doesn't apply to you freaks of nature. My point is - Big Bear trips helped me prepare for high altitude riding.
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That settles it. I have to go back to Big Bear in the summer... And 2,500 in a day is a respectable number. I can vividly remember not being able to do 500 without oxygen.
 
herzalot said:
I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11000 feet. I was well acclimated from my four or five Big Bear trips.
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Let me clarify, lest the people who actually can ride 11,000' in a day misunderstand. When I said I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11,000' I meant between those two altitude levels, NOT accumulated altitude in a day. The fact that Faust says he struggles to gain 500' at altitude - I'd have to see that to believe it!

:wave:
 
herzalot said:
herzalot said:
I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11000 feet. I was well acclimated from my four or five Big Bear trips.
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Let me clarify, lest the people who actually can ride 11,000' in a day misunderstand. When I said I had no problem riding between 9000 and 11,000' I meant between those two altitude levels, NOT accumulated altitude in a day. The fact that Faust says he struggles to gain 500' at altitude - I'd have to see that to believe it!

:wave:
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I don't think any of the regulars misunderstood you there Herz, none of us would have ever dreamt that you'd ride that much elevation gain in a single day :)
 
Herz,

I should have been more clear... I can vividly remember struggling with 500 feet of gain at low altitude, and a long ride was 5-7 miles. It was just 3 short years ago that I pushed the scale close to 300 pounds. When I ride Live Oak, I still remember all the places I used to stop on the way up- usually one pedal stroke shy of a heart attack.

I'm still on my "push the envelope" journey to see what I can do, but I know I like the long distance stuff more than the bombing downhill stuff.

But, if you want to go ride RWS's Strava death march... ;)
 
Faust29 said:
... but I know I like the long distance stuff more than the bombing downhill stuff... ;)
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There's always the Tour of Long Beach in May <a class="postlink" href="http://www.touroflongbeach.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.touroflongbeach.com/</a> Less than 2,500 feet elevation gain
Big Ring Century in June <a class="postlink" href="http://teamfaithquest.org/big-ring-century/big-ring-century-2015/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://teamfaithquest.org/big-ring-cent ... tury-2015/</a> 5,000 feet or so elevation gain
Cool Breeze Century in August <a class="postlink" href="http://www.cibike.org/cool-breeze.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.cibike.org/cool-breeze.html</a> 7,000 feet elevation gain on the double metric.
Or, if you want some beautiful scenery there's the Grizzly Century in October <a class="postlink" href="http://www.grizzlycentury.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.grizzlycentury.org/</a> 10,000 feet elevation gain and a gravel grinder section to boot.
 
Thank you for those...

My son and I did the Big Ring last year for his first century, and we had a good time with it. Long Beach and Cool Breeze also look like a good time... I would probably be tempted to try one of those on the hardtail. But the Grizzly looks painful! I will keep an eye on that one. :D

I will probably get my kid back to the Big Ring, and maybe to the others, but I'd probably have to go it alone with the Grizzly!
 
If you decide to do the Grizzly, let me know - this will be my third year and there's no way I'd miss it. The 11 miles down Beasore Road to Bass Lake is an absolute blast. I attempted it with the hardtail last October, and would be willing to do so again. Was going to do the gravel grinder section but the mileage and climbing caught up with me. I ended up with 73 miles and only 7,800 feet.
 
Runs with Scissors said:
If you decide to do the Grizzly, let me know - this will be my third year and there's no way I'd miss it. The 11 miles down Beasore Road to Bass Lake is an absolute blast. I attempted it with the hardtail last October, and would be willing to do so again. Was going to do the gravel grinder section but the mileage and climbing caught up with me. I ended up with 73 miles and only 7,800 feet.
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I will keep an eye on the Grizzly, and will let you know... The Julian Death March will probably be around the same time, and I'll have to choose. The scenery looks nicer in the Grizzly, though...
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Have you ever signed up for something, only to ask yourself later "WTF was I thinking???" Well, this is that kind of thing July 11, 2015. Beaver, Utah. This will be my second shot at it. 80% of the race is above 8,000 feet elevation. It tops out at almost 11,000 feet elevation. 70 miles, 10,500 feet of vertical gain. I dare you. Only 200 slots left...

<a class="postlink" href="https://tusharcrusher.athlete360.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://tusharcrusher.athlete360.com/</a>
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Hi, relatively new to this forum, though I did manage to make the cut on one of Mikie's Ride Reports (Malibu Barbie's ride or something like that).

Anyway, I've also signed up for Crusher and am having the same WTF moment. Can you give some more details on bike choice, pedal choice, etc.? I'm undecided on the bike. Have a C-dale Scalpel 29 and was wondering how badly I'll get destroyed riding a full suspension bike. Option 2 is a cyclocross bike, but the gearing might kill me. Any thoughts, words of advice, etc are appreciated. I've been combing through photos trying to see if anyone went full suspension. Oh yeah, I also have no illusions about being competitive. I'll be riding to finish, like so many other events I enter.

Thanks,

Eric
 
Egress91506 said:
Anyway, I've also signed up for Crusher and am having the same WTF moment. Can you give some more details on bike choice, pedal choice, etc.? I'm undecided on the bike. Have a C-dale Scalpel 29 and was wondering how badly I'll get destroyed riding a full suspension bike. Option 2 is a cyclocross bike, but the gearing might kill me. Any thoughts, words of advice, etc are appreciated. I've been combing through photos trying to see if anyone went full suspension. Oh yeah, I also have no illusions about being competitive. I'll be riding to finish, like so many other events I enter.
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Eric, Welcome!!!! I've done this ride/race exactly once, and I managed to get to the KOM spot at the top of the Col d'Crush. I watched Levi Leipheimer come up about 5 minutes later. I did not...repeat did not....descend said Col d' Crush as I would never have made it back out of there. I ended up with about 6,500 feet of elevation gain, and about 67 miles because I rode the 17 miles back to town from the finish line. (I highly recommend this, btw...17 miles all downhill. I hit 44 mph).

The whole bike/tire debate on the Crusher is handled at <a class="postlink" href="http://tusharcrusher.com/which-bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://tusharcrusher.com/which-bike</a> much better than I can do it. And if you haven't seen it yet, there is also Grizzly Lisonbee's recap of the whole thing at <a class="postlink" href="http://grizzlyadam.net/2012/04/2012-crusher-guide.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://grizzlyadam.net/2012/04/2012-crusher-guide.html</a>. Again, much better than I could do it.

Having one experience under my belt, I will state without reservation that a full squish bike is not needed, and the extra weight would only be a hindrance. You'll be riding (read: CLIMBING) pavement and fairly good fire roads. The Col d'Crush, however, from what I've heard, cannot be climbed standing on the pedals. If you want to take a cross bike, throw a MTB cassette and chainrings on it.

This year I will be on my Giant XTC Advanced 1. Not sure how much difference it will make. What it boils down to is how much you train, and how badly you want it. It is, after all, mostly above 7,500 feet, and it is 70 miles, and it is 10,500 feet of climbing. And that last unholy, unspeakable mile will make you want to cry. There is no shame in doing so.

Best of luck on your attempt, and again, welcome aboard!!

**Edit** My brother and I get there on Thursday before the race to try to acclimate somewhat, and take a ride across the valley and also up to the first turn in Beaver Canyon. I recommend doing that also. The altitude is a killer; anything you can do to acclimate helps immensely...and in the immortal words of someone or other: No matter which bike you bring, at some point you'll be very, very wrong!
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Egress91506 said:
Anyway, I've also signed up for Crusher and am having the same WTF moment. Can you give some more details on bike choice, pedal choice, etc.? I'm undecided on the bike. Have a C-dale Scalpel 29 and was wondering how badly I'll get destroyed riding a full suspension bike. Option 2 is a cyclocross bike, but the gearing might kill me. Any thoughts, words of advice, etc are appreciated. I've been combing through photos trying to see if anyone went full suspension. Oh yeah, I also have no illusions about being competitive. I'll be riding to finish, like so many other events I enter.
Click to expand...

Eric, Welcome!!!! I've done this ride/race exactly once, and I managed to get to the KOM spot at the top of the Col d'Crush. I watched Levi Leipheimer come up about 5 minutes later. I did not...repeat did not....descend said Col d' Crush as I would never have made it back out of there. I ended up with about 6,500 feet of elevation gain, and about 67 miles because I rode the 17 miles back to town from the finish line. (I highly recommend this, btw...17 miles all downhill. I hit 44 mph).

The whole bike/tire debate on the Crusher is handled at <a class="postlink" href="http://tusharcrusher.com/which-bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://tusharcrusher.com/which-bike</a> much better than I can do it. And if you haven't seen it yet, there is also Grizzly Lisonbee's recap of the whole thing at <a class="postlink" href="http://grizzlyadam.net/2012/04/2012-crusher-guide.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://grizzlyadam.net/2012/04/2012-crusher-guide.html</a>. Again, much better than I could do it.

Having one experience under my belt, I will state without reservation that a full squish bike is not needed, and the extra weight would only be a hindrance. You'll be riding (read: CLIMBING) pavement and fairly good fire roads. The Col d'Crush, however, from what I've heard, cannot be climbed standing on the pedals. If you want to take a cross bike, throw a MTB cassette and chainrings on it.

This year I will be on my Giant XTC Advanced 1. Not sure how much difference it will make. What it boils down to is how much you train, and how badly you want it. It is, after all, mostly above 7,500 feet, and it is 70 miles, and it is 10,500 feet of climbing. And that last unholy, unspeakable mile will make you want to cry. There is no shame in doing so.

Best of luck on your attempt, and again, welcome aboard!!

**Edit** My brother and I get there on Thursday before the race to try to acclimate somewhat, and take a ride across the valley and also up to the first turn in Beaver Canyon. I recommend doing that also. The altitude is a killer; anything you can do to acclimate helps immensely...and in the immortal words of someone or other: No matter which bike you bring, at some point you'll be very, very wrong!
Click to expand...


My goal for this year is a couple road centuries, Rwanda, Catalina, and the Julian Death March again... Next year I would like to go for something bigger, like the Crusher. After reading this post, though, I may just go back to sitting on the couch and eating donuts! Good God, this sounds brutal. I wish you both all the best, and I can't wait to read about your pain. :D
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Egress91506 said:
[snip]

Having one experience under my belt, I will state without reservation that a full squish bike is not needed, and the extra weight would only be a hindrance. You'll be riding (read: CLIMBING) pavement and fairly good fire roads. The Col d'Crush, however, from what I've heard, cannot be climbed standing on the pedals. If you want to take a cross bike, throw a MTB cassette and chainrings on it.

This year I will be on my Giant XTC Advanced 1. Not sure how much difference it will make. What it boils down to is how much you train, and how badly you want it. It is, after all, mostly above 7,500 feet, and it is 70 miles, and it is 10,500 feet of climbing. And that last unholy, unspeakable mile will make you want to cry. There is no shame in doing so.

Best of luck on your attempt, and again, welcome aboard!!

**Edit** My brother and I get there on Thursday before the race to try to acclimate somewhat, and take a ride across the valley and also up to the first turn in Beaver Canyon. I recommend doing that also. The altitude is a killer; anything you can do to acclimate helps immensely...and in the immortal words of someone or other: No matter which bike you bring, at some point you'll be very, very wrong!
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Thanks for the information. I sort of figured full squish would suck. I guess I'll start riding the CX bike on stupid climbing rides and see how it (me really) does. I've already changed the gearing somewhat in anticipation of maybe using it on the Belgium Waffle Ride. I do plan on getting up to that part of Utah a little early and maybe sneaking in some riding in Brianhead. Regardless, I fully expect to suffer.
 
Mikie said:
Eric!
Rock on Buddy!
Glad you be here...
I hope we ride again soon 8-)
Mikie
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Definitely ride together again. I'll try to come up with something that doesn't require you to drive hours. Maybe some Tapia loops!
 
Faust29 said:
Runs with Scissors said:
Egress91506 said:
[Snip]

My goal for this year is a couple road centuries, Rwanda, Catalina, and the Julian Death March again... Next year I would like to go for something bigger, like the Crusher. After reading this post, though, I may just go back to sitting on the couch and eating donuts! Good God, this sounds brutal. I wish you both all the best, and I can't wait to read about your pain. :D
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Those sound like solid goals. And the best part I find from training and doing those kinds of rides is sitting on the couch the next day eating donuts. That's how I spent Sunday!
 
Definitely ride together again. I'll try to come up with something that doesn't require you to drive hours. Maybe some Tapia loops!
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You can ALWAYS talk me into some Tapia loops... It's like going to Magic Mountain and choosing between all the awesome Rollah Coastahs!
 
Runs with Scissors said:
If you decide to do the Grizzly, let me know - this will be my third year and there's no way I'd miss it. The 11 miles down Beasore Road to Bass Lake is an absolute blast. I attempted it with the hardtail last October, and would be willing to do so again. Was going to do the gravel grinder section but the mileage and climbing caught up with me. I ended up with 73 miles and only 7,800 feet.
Click to expand...
I'm in for the Grizzly 100. I will be doing Baldy on my full squish 29er soon.
 
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