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Gearing Up For Keyesville 2008
Topics: Keyesville, Kernville, Bakotopia, Bike Racing, 2008
Posted by SlowpOak Wed Jan 30, 2008 16:43:31 PST
Viewed 587 times
0 responses 1 comment Location: Kernville, CA

Gearing Up For  a Return To Keyesville 2008

First timer looks back at last year's endurance race. Sign-up for the big bike weekend March 14-16!



By Ben Oakley, Bakotopia.com contributor

As I lined up with the other racers, I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical weekend bike ride.  There was a palpable tension in the air as my group was asked to approach the starting line.  Meanwhile, the race director worked frantically to organize the herd of mountain bikers by age and ability and to start the groups in intervals of a few minutes, less time than you’d think with some of the riders lining up in the wrong area.

 

“Riders on your mark, get set, GO!” shouted the race director.  And with that, we were off to the raucous cheers of the small crowd that had gathered at the starting line, most of whom were family members of the racers.  Girlfriends, husbands, kids, they had all made the drive up the canyon to cheer on the competitors.  One of the younger spectators, waiting to see a race scheduled for later in the day, held a sign that read, “GO MOM!” 

 

The truth was, in a few moments the starting line would be far behind, and the spectators wouldn’t see any of us for another 40-50 minutes, each of us following the course independently and at our own varying pace.  Since it was my first mountain bike race, I was riding in the “beginner” category with about 9 other riders, although beginner was a term used loosely that day.  Most of the riders had obviously spent some quality time with a mountain bike at one point or another and were riding beginner because they were new to mountain bike racing or were getting back into it after a few years on the sidelines.  Riders in the beginner category are the ones most likely to engage in “sandbagging,” or racing in a category below one’s abilities in order to place higher.  But not to worry, a sixth place finish in a group of ten was proof enough that I was in exactly the right spot.

 

The race course was located in and around the Keyesville campground, which is up the Kern RiverCanyon, adjacent to the Isabella Dam and managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).  It consisted of a long, moderately steep climb, followed by a long, steep descent, with various ups and downs mixed throughout.  The course didn’t lend itself to sitting back and pedaling; in many situations I had to shift gears quickly in order to make quick transitions between climbing and descending.  The trail was only slightly technical in the most difficult areas so newcomers to the sport wouldn’t have much trouble.  And the  race venue was spectacular, with views of the Southern Sierras, LakeIsabella, and the Kern RiverCanyon.  I ended up finishing the race and just hanging out all day at the campground and the Kern River Brewery in Kernville where all racers were given a voucher for a free beer.

 

My racing group gradually thinned out as the faster riders put distance between themselves and the rest, eventually finishing as much as twenty minutes ahead of the slowest.  For a middle-of-the-pack racer like myself, this involves passing a few people, and being passed by a few others.  And even though it’s a sport composed almost entirely of amateurs (all but the top pros have day jobs), it’s hard not to get caught up in the moment and try your damnedest to finish before the others.  But that’s the appeal of the race: pushing yourself to your limits, and performing when it matters.  OK, so it doesn’t really matter, but when you are being timed it’s easier to pretend, right? 

 

Overall, my experience at the Keyesville Classic was more than just a race.  It was the chance to see mountain biking culture up close and personal, with its characters, action, and good times.  And the weekend-long festival is the poster child of overlooked local entertainment, with great racing action featuring elite professionals, live music at the venue, great food and beverages, and a local micro-brewery hosting the weekend’s kickoff party.

Having seen what it’s all about last time, I can’t wait for this year’s event, the 20^th Annual Keyesville Classic.  Come out and see why it has been rated one of the top courses in the nation for mountain biking, whether to watch the pros battle it out, race with the weekend warriors yourself, or just hang out and enjoy the festival atmosphere.  Either way, it’s hard not to have a great time.

 

For more information visit the Southern Sierra Fat Tire Association’s website at:
www.ssfta.com

Story also printed in Bakotopia Magazine, issue 22, 3 - 6 - 08
 

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Comment From: matt

Thanks for the article. I can't wait until I'm shape enough to join this race! I need to get rid of my gut first...hehe.