Bicycling Magazine November Article

[Harlan]

I thought it would be a good idea to get the word out about 100 mile mountain bike racing. So I wrote an article about them for Bicycling Mag."The Dirty Century" In the final Edit there were a couple of mistakes, not my fault. First, it says that in the Wilderness 101, the pace picked up when we hit the first bit of singletrack. Anyone who knows the race will know that it normally gets fast on the first climb right after aid station 1. This is the result of editors trying to make an article flow.
A minor point but I want my friends and people to not think that I'm that clueless. I told them it wasn't quite right, but they published it anyways. Their prerogative.
Also on the left side is a list of 6 races "we recommend". Not my choices. I'd have put some in there, but I had nothing to do with the list. I'd leave out two of those. The promoters have some improving to do before they get my recommendation. The courses are great but some of the hardest with the highest attrition rates, and people tend to get lost. That among other details that people complain about. There are better run and cheaper courses out there. Actually, I'm rather annoyed that my name might be associated with any race that would disappoint people. There are a lot of great 100 milers that should have been on that list. You can debate that on your own.
If you are curious to know which ones, do your research before entering.
The internet is a powerful tool. I'm not out to break people, only to encourage accountability. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, when my reputation is on the line.

[PaMtbRider]

Nice article Harlan. I think you really captured what appeals to me about the W101. It seemed more like a festival atmosphere than a race. I fall into the category of considering finishing a success, and treated it as an all day trail ride to meet and ride with different people. I would like to try another dirty hundred next year in a different location. I was considering the SM100 since it is organized by the same people as the W101. Maybe I will try your suggestion for the Cohutta 100 in the spring as an early season training goal.

[Harlan]

Same promoter, similar course composition, *****'n trails. I like it more than the 101.

[teamdicky]

Originally Posted by Harlan

I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, when my reputation is on the line.

I've only been in a few magazine articles, but I was always bummed when I read the final product. I don't quite understand what happens from start to finish, but somewhere in there the truth gets muddled. I end up with a bad taste in my mouth that I just can't get rid of.
I remember doing an interview for Charlotte Health and Fitness a few years ago and the "journalist" didn't even take notes during our hour and a half conversation.

I just read the write up on the Santa Cruz Hell Ride in Decline Magazine and found it chock full of inaccuracies and general misinformation. Oh well. I didn't end up looking like a total sh!thead (just a partial sh!thead).

Thanks for the heads up on your article.

[teamdicky]

Alright, they waste 2/3 of a 2 page spread with an illustration, and they give the other 1/3 a one sentence intro, title, and byline.
The written article gets a half page, there are six suggestions for hundies (did the person suggesting them attend any/some/all of them?), and a nice plug for the Cohutta.
All those pages devoted to Critical Mass in the same issue (has that ever been covered before ), and basically a blurb that is supposed to inspire people to try hundies (a race format that is attracting all sorts of newcomers).

Hmmmmmmmmmm...........

I'm obviously biased, but I think back country endurance racing could make for some interesting reading material.

[mud'n'sweat]

Originally Posted by teamdicky

I'm obviously biased, but I think back country endurance racing could make for some interesting reading material.

You would think. There is a lot of interesting stuff going on both physically and mentally that can make for an interesting read to see it from different peoples perspectives. I like reading about stuff that challenges the human body whether I'm interested in doing it myself or not. It's always fascinating to understand what makes people tic during these events.

[jasondean]

This is why I like checking out the racer blogs after events rather than what a magazine edits down. I can get "real" perspectives on races fom everyone from a kick ass racer like Harlan or Dickey down to shleps like me without an editor with a trigger happy "delete" finger or an agenda.

[multiaxial]

Just curious, which 6 races *would* you recommend to a newb like me (did my first 50 miler this year at Dakota 5-O, which was a blast)?

[Harlan]

Shenandoah 100
Wilderness 101
Mohican
Creampuff
Lumberjack
Cohutta
Fools Gold

I know these intimately except for the Creampuff and Fools Gold, but I hear good things from reputable people? IMHO. But there are like 20 100's out there. Ask around. Fish on the Forums for feedback.

[SHEY]

Hey Harlan, liked the article but can see your issues with it. The ones that may never notice will be closer to trying a 100 that before the read, so all in all a sucess even though it feels some what wrong. Thanks for taking the time to open more eyes and minds, I for one will take note of the gesture. See you on the trail soon.

Shey

[multiaxial]

Thanks for the response, Harlan. And thanks for the article too. Looking forward to my first 100 miler next year....just need to pick one!