Last year's Men's winner Brent Prenzlow had to pull out due to not being able to recover sufficiently from an earlier accident. He pre-rode part of the new section and knew he wasn't healed enough to go. I suspect Oriflame Canyon helped make his decision easier.
In fact Oriflame Canyon was the monster that was the talk of the day. It reduced even the finest rider into the submission of pushing their bike, as not one rider escaped a partial death march up it. Riders were cursing the ride organizer and many were so wasted scaling Oriflame that it dashed the hope's of many planning on finishing both loops.
A fast first loop in hoping to stay up with front runners almost did in Rick Bienias the second place men's finisher. A crash from a blown tire on the second loop added more misery to an already suffering Bienias.
Guy Sutton, the runner up the last 2 years, rode away from the pack and was 20 minutes ahead at the end of the first loop and almost an hour ahead at the end of the race.
As Guy came into the Fages rest stop on his way out of the 3 Canyon section he was jacked up and the nearest chaser was no where to be seen. A quick refuel and he was on his way back to Julian.
Bruce Wilson won the 50 plus division but Tom Harvey was only 17 minutes back.
Steve Boland stayed steady throughout the day and took the 55 plus division
Hans Dieben gives us all hope for the future as he completed 43 miles at the age of 70!
The ride of the day has to go to Calvin Mulder who not only won the SS division but in the 50 plus age group placing 8th overall! Also impressing was Mark Schoffstall, in the 50 plus age group, riding to second in the SS division and 22nd overall.
A record 26 riders finished the second loop including 2 women.
Tough luck story of the day goes to Matt Kellerman who crashed on Chariot Canyon and was hauled out with a broken collarbone by some 4 wheel drivers. They got him back to the start/finish area where paramedics checked him over. Later on he realizes that he left his pack and keys in one of the jeeps. Frantically he called looking for someone to break into his apartment and get his extra set of keys and drive down from Irvine. The day wore on and Matt kept calling for help. Finally the jeepers returned after discovering his pack in the back of the jeep. Life just got better for Matt!
The women's race was very interesting as Mary Metcalf the race's first year winner looked to be a lock to win it all. Mary led early climbing up Boulder Creek Road.
But first time Death Marcher Shalyn Gates had other plans and was close behind Mary.
Coming out of Cuyamaca Shalyn was in the lead
But only minutes behind was Mary and she followed Shalyn down into the 3 canyon section.
Back at the end of the first loop in Julian, Shalyn was prepping to go out on the second loop as Mary came in. Shalyn got out on the second loop first but Mary was close behind.
Shalyn never relinquished the lead and was the first women out of the Preserve.
Shalyn finished in 9:06 and Mary was close behind at 9:22. They placed 13th and 16th overall!
In the 40 plus women's division it was Katy Woessner taking the day and conquering the entire first loop including Oriflame Canyon. Even after over 10 hours in the saddle, she was smiling and showing off her latest skull and crossbones watch!
Stayed tuned for next year's Julian Death March. There is thought to do a slight course change that promises to be very interesting!