After two successful seasons on the NUE circuit (2008, 2012) where I finished third overall on both occasions, I still feel like I have some unfinished business to attend to. While 100ish miles on a mountain bike seems like a milestone rather than a “fun” race distance to me, it seems that the Series has gotten more traction in the racing world that I would have expected. I supposed it is the “accomplishment” factor that draws sell-out crowds to ends of roads nationwide to conquer these challenges of mind, machine, and body. I have never found a way to finish an NUE event without feeling like I was just “surviving” the last 20-30 miles. I expect nothing less when I roll to the line next month to race True Grit in St. George, Utah, but I do have a plan to be as ready as ever!

Flat Rock Ranch is a fully operation 1300 acre Angus cattle and Angora goat operation located just five miles outside of Comfort, Texas. In the heart of the Hill Country, owner Jimmy Dreiss with help of local volunteers, has crafted some of the finest trails imaginable out of the rocky desert scrub. Boasting 27 total miles of trail on two separate loops (lower/upper) the ranch is open for riders 10 months out of the year. While there are a few short sections of jeep road and double track that connect the various sections of single track, this is truly a riders paradise. Dreiss, an avid mountain biker himself, cautions that triple down arrows mean “Jimmy has crashed here at least three times”, but even these sections are fun albeit challenging for even an accomplished trail boss.

Luckily, I was able to pre-run the trails on Wednesday and while the countless switchbacks, limestone step-ups and cobbled sections were impossible to memorize, I was glad to know the general layout prior to the race. After beautiful, mostly sunny conditions all week we awoke to a misty fog that was heavy enough to coat much of the limestone with its characteristic slime. Glasses were obviously going to be a hassle, and while the air seemed dense to breathe the temperature was warm and comfortable. Read more »