Huffmaster Hopper 2021 Race Report from Eric W

This was my first Hopper and the longest gravel ride I have ever done, only having purchased my gravel[capable] bike used at the start of the pandemic. Knowing I had a good mix of BBC folks to commiserate with I was eager to give it a go. Feeling in reasonably good shape from riding a great deal I lined up with the 30-39 crew, knowing I was 7’ish months away from being in the 40-49 crew.The group rolled away from the start at a civil pace until the first right heading north on Mc Dermott Rd. and into our first set of semi-deep gravel. The group picked up the pace a considerable amount and quickly the 2x became two separate single file groups on opposite sides of the gravel. Choosing the correct group we jutted up ahead and into the first set of 90-degree turns when the road turned back to pavement. The chase group caught and eventually passed us and being on the wrong end of that, our now smaller group of 8 had to play catch-up. We ended up rotating through and eventually caught the larger group at the left turn 162 at the stop sign.We motored away into the twists and turns and slightly undulating terrain just as the lead group of 40-49 riders caught up and ended up splitting our group in their turbulence. Again finding myself behind the wrong wheel, the lead group slowly pulled away. My heart rate had been at Threshold for close to 90 minutes at this point and I didn’t want to push to catch up so I stuck with the group I was with to catch my breath. Once we hit the first real gravel climb I set off and made up a little time, cresting the top and feeling confident on the descent to the feed zone.Swapping bottles and refilling pockets, plus downing a Coke, I got on my way on the dirt roads. Caught up with @Ellie and we rode together for awhile, hitting a few climbs and descents. I picked up some water from an ad-hoc watering station by moto support and began my climb up the last gravel climb. Cresting the top and starting my descent it was clear the turns were off camber, sharp and full of deep gravel and dirt. I came across a rider with a seemingly broken collar bone. This caused me to slow a bit. The bottom of the descent was deep gravel and I met up with @Eleanor Wiseman and @Dan Leaverton. Getting through this section we hit the road and headed East. A big cross wind made the last 6.5 miles difficult and tiring. Settling in with a few others we all got through it with revived energy knowing only a few miles until the end.Crossed the finish and my calf cramped up something fierce. I somehow was able to get off my bike without falling, sat down, kicked off my shoes and found some muscles I didn’t know existed – adductors. Apparently these inner thigh muscles are used to stabilize a rider and given the extensive gravel balancing and fish-tail corrections, I used these over the 88 miles more than I ever had before. Two days later and my calf cramp is gone but the adductors are still very sore.But overall, worth it. 26th out of 50!

Race Report from Eric W