The 12hrs, No Wait - 6hrs of Tsali

First let me say to the riders that were injured in paticular the one that was severly injured my well wishes for a speedy and full recovery. While I don't know the specifics there was a rider who was injured on the second lap that required a Air Evac. All told I believe they had to take 4 ambulances out on the trail in the first six hours of the race. As for my weekend I headed up to Tsali on Friday with the family we got up to the resort around 5 pm and checked in I dropped the family off at the cabin and headed up to preregister. I drove up to the park and once I got up to the registration site began to realize that the set up was going to be somewhat of a logistical challenge. So realizing that it would be a good 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile hike up hill with any equipment and family members in tow I prepositioned the pop up and some other equipment. Figured to be at least one trip up in the mornig and then the trips back down at the end of the race to get it all back at the end of the night. Anyway race day was beautiful! Wheather was perfect I did forget my sunglasses(left them at the resturaunt the night before)and a few other odds and ends but at least I had the bike and my riding shoes! Had nice stroll up the hill from the start line always fun watching them team racers sprint up the hill fighting with each other to see who gets the bike first. Anyway by the time I got to my bike and headed up the hill it was like I was on a Sunday ride out by myself. Well my first run down the first hill was interesting since I hadnt preridden the course I had no idea what to expect but it was a rocking ride! I came around the right hand turn into the section with the jump and saw the first casualty of the day, a 12hr solo rider who wrecked on the jump and was getting assistance from the EMT's with what appeared to be a race ending collar bone or shoulder injury. Turned out to be the shoulder and he was at the pop up right next to mine. From there I started to find out how much fun this course was, The downhills have great flow with AWESOME banked turns and the climbs were a challenge but weren't so rough the killed you right off the bat. I started picking off riders about halfway thru the course which wasn't a big deal since I am sure I was dead last off the start but it felt good anyway. Ran the first lap at about a hour went up the feed zone back to the pop up and took a 5min breather which was my plan for the day to do each lap with 20min breaks after every 3rd lap. The second lap I was running a little faster since I now had a idea of the course layout but as I approached the first downhill again this time there was a EMT at the turn before the jump warning of a ride down on the track. This time the individual was unconcious and bleeding he didn't look good I rode on but with the image of that in my head was a little distracting last I heard he was doing ok and was awake and responsive but didn't hear anything other than that. Any way my next three laps took me to the 6hr mark and if I had to compare this course to anything local it would be a faster flowing version of Dauset and a Kick Ass ride! However due to the afformentioned logistics and the cost of the lodging arraingments I called it a day at the six hour mark and packed up the tent as it was it took 2hrs to get everything together and get the family moved out couldn't imagine trying that at 11pm at night with everyone else doing the same thing. All in all if it works out that I can be stateside for the event next year and the weather is as good I would be willing to do it again, just arrainge to camp at the park this time. While disappointed in not completing the 12hrs as planned it was a enjoyable weekend and I rode away in one piece so I am happy with that and will look forward to this weekends race at Dauset. So if your out there I will See You on the Trail!