So one of us got this hair-brained scheme that we were going to try to ride the Laramie Enduro this year (67miles) at the end of July. Since we had never done a serious ride over 40 miles, it is a bit of a leap of faith we are taking in assuming that we can survive a ride of this length. However, for a variety of reasons, we felt like challenging ourselves on this particular race.
As part of our ramp up to the July 31 running of the Enduro, we decided to do a training ride out at Buffalo Creek to prepare ourselves mentally for such a long ride…as well as see where we were physically. It also gave us a chance to begin tweaking our nutrition intake – so that we don’t bonk 60 miles in. This ride seemed to be a very good test on all accounts.
Route: Our intention was to try to run as close to 60 miles as we could on the trails in this area, but as the day got along and the heat really kicked in, we decided to just do 41 miles for our training. We started where the CT intersects Hwy 126 and rode eastward along the CT for about 10 miles until it hits the road down by the South Platte town site. We then took that road north, and then west until it once again ran into Hwy 126 down by the Buffalo Creek general store (not sure what it is called). On our drive in, we dumped some water in a bush near that point (21 miles into the ride) so that we could re-fill our camelbak’s (since we didn’t have a water filter with us). We then proceeded across Hwy 126 onto the gravel road, and eventually caught the Sandy Wash trail as it begins to climb. We hit Miller Wash trail (double track/fire road) and eventually made our way to the top where it meets the Gashouse Gulch Trail (approximately 29 miles at that point).
Gashouse Gulch was a lot of fun, especially after climbing for so many miles (really since we left the CT at mile 11). But too soon it was over, and we rode down the forest service road a bit, then made a right on Forest Service Road 543 until we hooked back up with the CT. We followed the trail for about 10 miles on the "easy" part of this area’s trails – although after spending all morning in the hot sun this section was a bit more difficult than it is on a cool early morning ride when you are fresh! Once the odometer was into the upper 30’s I could definitely feel the effects of the sun and my so-so nutrition (grapes/power gels/loads of water). My legs were on the verge of cramping up (I could feel them wanting to cramp). This had never happened on any of my previous rides… I believe this can be partially rectified by some better drink mixtures to keep replacing electrolytes at a more even pace (rather than just through gel shots every now and then). I also wasn’t drinking water fast enough given the high temperatures (upper 80’s) – but I felt the need to conserve water since I had no way to refill once we left our cache we left in the bushes. I ran out of water about a mile or two before we returned to the truck!
By the time we were finishing up the 41st mile, I was really getting weary. Given the heat, and the damage I had already done by not drinking enough water, or eating enough replenishing foods along the way, I sincerely doubt I could have gone on to do another 25 miles to give us near the length of the upcoming race. However, it was an excellent training ride for me, and depending on if the race course is less intense (both in climbing and heat!) I might have a chance.
Some observations:
All-mountain (32lb) bikes are probably not the best choice for endurance races! No choice though, as I only have one rig.
I seem to be susceptible to heat moreso than I have been in the past. I suspect keeping fluids flowing is only way to fight this…or carry an umbrella. 
Need to consume more fluids, and better fluids for rehydration and putting electrolytes back into the system
Can’t depend solely on gel shots to get by over these longer rides