BIG CHANGES IN STORE FOR VT 2010...

Before you get all fired up and get your britches in a knot...there are NO changes to the course this year outside of returning to the 2008 course (and 10pm start) after amazing weather last year forced a major re-route and postponed the race 2 hours.

The two major changes this year are on the administrative side of things - the first being the resignation of Tom Purvis as race director. After numerous years at the helm, Tom decided to pursue a 50mile round trip, cubicle sitting, 9 to 5er (why... we will never know!). With little free time on his hands Tom has decided to use his free time to train for the race instead of deal with its organization which I fully understand and support. With Tom no longer in the shop, Fawn Walker and I have stepped in as race co-director newbies after a quick internship from the Master. So far so good, things have run smoothly but I'm sure there will be hiccups along the way.

The second major change is the addition of an entry fee. The race will now cost a dollar a mile (with no refunds for miles not completed). Since the inception of VT, Shawn Gillis (owner of Absolute Bikes, Salida) has foot the bill for the race including all fees for permits, licencing and has provided amazing spreads at all the aid stations and the finish line BBQ. It was only a matter of time before free was no longer possible. As the race has grown in popularity and numbers over the years it was time to relieve Shawn of this burden. At $125 this is still an affordable race with the fee covering all race costs and any extras going to the local volunteer trail group, Salida Mountain Trails. I was a little concerned at how this change was going to sit with some of our faithful returning riders but all I've had are positive responses which is amazing and a true testament to the quality of people involved in this race. Thanks to you all for your support.

As the snow recedes and the trails begin to melt out, the thoughts of training for VT ramp up. As with any race, the best way to train is to get on the course so...come by the shop in Salida for trail conditions, directions to different sections of the course and perhaps a trail guide. We look forward to meeting the 2010 racers and helping you out as much as possible as you prepare for the adventure that is VT125!!

Cheers

Heidi

Photo Album, 2009 VT125 (110)

Vapor Trail 110

We had a huge weather system pass into the area just in time to totally mess with this year's event. At 9:30 it was pouring rain, lightening flashing all over the valley. We really had no choice but to put off the start from 10 PM to midnight, just hoping that we would even be able to start then!

At around 11:00 PM things looked much better. The rain had stopped and there were even some faint stars thowing through an unsettled night sky.

The two hours between the planned start time and the actual start were nervous and uncertain. Lots of milling around, staring at internet satellite images and scratching chins. It had already been determined that two sections of the course including some of the best singletrack would have to be cut in order to accomodate the later start and uncertain conditions. Lots of us--probably all--were contemplating the practicality of doing the event at all even if it went off. However, all but two of the registered riders did start in the spirit of wait-and-see.

During the first climb to the Colorado Trail, lightning flashed silently on the horizon. Most of us knew that there was another cell in the storm west of us. We all knew it was likely that the conditions we started in could be just a break in the harsh rocky mountain weather.

Then about 3/4 of the way up, it began to rain. Spotty at first, then stronger. Some stopped to put on rain gear, others just turned around and called it a night.

For myself, I just decided to keep going until I got uncomfortable. I was soaking wet from wearing too much clothing from the start. But I wasn't cold. The rain that came down wasn't making me any wetter than I already was. Then it stopped raining again.

When I reached the Colorado Trail I was one of the final riders. Lots of folks were hanging out with the timers and sweep riders. I learned later that half the field had dropped by Aid Station 1. Many dropped without starting the first section of singletrack.

For those of us who decided to wait and see, it wound up being a really great event. 19 of 38 starters finished. Only two riders abandoned after Aid Station 1. And it was a spectacularly beautiful day. The cold snap seemed to have brought autumn to the mountains. Lots of aspen turned, especially above 10,000 feet, and there was fresh snow on the high peaks visible at dawn.

Image created with TopoFusion

The shortened course was 109.68 miles. And there was still 18,200 ft of climbing.

Josh Tostado was the first to complete this recreational group ride. He rolled in at 10:43 AM, 90 minutes in front of Jason Stubbe, who is an incredibly strong rider and veteran of many vapor trail 125s.

Eszter Horanyi was the first woman to finish at 1:14, tied for 4th place overall, an amazing effort!

The complete results are at http://vaportrail125.com/vaporResults.php

Great event this year. My thanks goes out to all the participants and volunteers. Thanks, and hopefully we'll see you next year!

Rain, rain, go away

We're gathered up, trying to start the Vapor Trail 125. The weather is dealing us a harsh hand. At 10 PM there was a full downpour with thunder and lightening. The start was delayed two hours. Midnight. Course will need to be cut down to accommodate the late start and the certain slow conditions.

Still going to happen though. Should be quite the adventure.

Check out vaportrail125.com for results as they become available.

5th Annual 2009 Vapor Trail 125

As of the writing of this, we are 5 weeks out. Some damned impressive folks on the roster for this year, and for the second year we will be riding on the best Vapor Trail 125 course that has ever been.



Here it comes.

One for the History Books

Sorry folks, after my pre-dawn update here on the Sunday of the ride, I was either gone or far too whacked out with sleep deprivation to write anything.

The 2008 Vapor Trail was probably the best ever. I can't thank everyone enough; the volunteers, riders, and friends/families were totally great to work with. There's still some clean-up and post ride work to be done, but the memories are great. I could not have hoped for a better event.

On Sunday morning after I posted here, I drove the drop bags up to Aid Station #3 at Monarch Pass. After I got there I hiked up the Continental Divide Trail north toward Old Monarch Pass to get some photos of the first riders heading in. Here they are, in order that they were riding at that point, a bit more than halfway through the course:



Ryan Hamilton appears through the evergreens, smiling


Kevin Thomas shows up moments later in hot pursuit of Ryan, rockin' a converted SS in tennis shoes with platform pedals


Matt Turgeon 7 minutes behind the first two


Calvin Rickard, all blurry from being up all night


Aaron Gulley, also somewhat blurred


The legendary Andrew Lapkass, the 6th man, half hour behind the first two


Steven Yore two minutes behind Andrew


Jason Stubbe, smiling in front of the sky


Jeff Kerkove grinding his way up highway 50 toward the third Aid Station

Salidan Kevin Thomas wound up finishing the fun ride before any of the others. Proud of our local boy! Check the other results at http://vaportrail125.com/vaporResults.php

Special thanks to Fixie Dave for manning the frying pan and coffee pot at Aid Station #2.

See y'all next year!

And they're off!

A half moon set at the edge of a clear, starry sky as 41 riders headed west out of Salida last night. I had ridden out ahead of them to record their times at the 10,000 foot Blanks Cabin checkpoint, where they would embark on a 12-mile section of the Colorado Trail. As they headed by, I jotted down the time next to each name, shivering as the cold night air settled through my wet clothing. Then I followed them down the Colorado Trail, picking up course markings and checking for a rider who could not make the full trip.

I arrived at checkpoint 2 around 3 AM, ate a breakfast burrito from the Aid Station, collected their sheet of recorded times and then rode back to Salida.

The results as of 3 AM are available at http://vaportrail125.com/vaporResults.php

Now I'm off to check on Aid Station 3. Watch for results as they trickle in!

-Tom Purvis