Who's planning on doing the 17th Annual 12 Miles of Hell on a singlespeed this weekend in Lawton, OK? Last year Cameron Chambers finished in 3rd, behind Vet Pro Steve Tilford, on a Vicious Cycles 29er singlespeed. Can he take Steve this year? Let's cheer him on, and represent!
About 9 singlespeeders started together, near the back, and I think Dewayne Norvell (IF) finished first of all of us. Can't beat a mass start up a giant hill with 700 other people! Where did you drive from?
Drove down from Enid in NW Oklahoma. I mostly ride around the Stillwater/Roman Nose, NuDraper trails. That was my first time riding with such a large crowd though. I'd do it again next year, but I'll hopefully be stationed in Phoenix by then (tough I know ).
What kind of setup are you riding? I'm thinking of getting an Explosif frame to build up as a SS.
Drove down from Enid in NW Oklahoma. I mostly ride around the Stillwater/Roman Nose, NuDraper trails. That was my first time riding with such a large crowd though. I'd do it again next year, but I'll hopefully be stationed in Phoenix by then (tough I know ).
What kind of setup are you riding? I'm thinking of getting an Explosif frame to build up as a SS.
That's me in the middle with my four year old Surly 1x1, my brother Todd on the left with his Element (not ss, but he has one at home), and Eric Doswell (edoz on this board) with his Waterford singlespeed. Eric's from Tulsa, and rides the trails you mentioned. I like to give him crap about the name of the Nude Raper trails. Todd and I are from Joplin, MO, and this is my fourth year for the race. We somehow always forget how important it is to stage near the front, but it's always fun no matter where you are. Passing 500+ people on a singlespeed in one day is cool too!
I don't know anything about the Explosif frame, but I've heard good things, and the people on this board are great if you want to post a question for opinions. Good luck with the Phoenix thing!
I didn't mean to be a peee nis about it, but it's just strange...they consider it "hellish" and yet it's about 13 miles and no more than 2000' of climbing, at low elevation is all.
I know the trails might be tech and all, but even if they are the least bit rideable by some of the best riders, that still wouldn't make the race hard at that elevation with that amount of climbing, however.
I should point out that I would have likely NOT won the race, not saying I'm above it either.
yyeeah, True enough. This time of year though, for me(and them prolly) it would be hell. Seems like I haven't ridden in months(and I probably haven't). This is the midwaste afterall.
Actually, I didn't name the race. And the trail isn't one many people would gladly drive 5+ hours to ride, if it weren't for the fact that it's an incredible experience to race with 700-1000 others in a mass start. The 13-17 mile course is somewhat challenging, and some of the grades are steep, technical and loose, but the most difficult part is finding a way around the 500 riders you need to pass because you didn't get your crap together in time to line up in the top 100.
Many of the people who race aren't "racers", so to them, it may be hell. It's an accomplishment to finish, and many people wind up needing medical attention, because it's pretty much bare rock and cactus there.
Here are some sample pics, thanks to Kenny Seals Photography, snagged from his site: http://www.kennysealsphoto.com/. Please support him; he works hard to get multiple shots of nearly every rider there.
I grew up in Lawton Oklahoma, and why I am admitting that here, enforces that fact. Anyhow, all of my family lives in Oklahoma, though not in Lawton anymore. There mere fact that the land is so flat is why I won't move back there. I have been in San Diego for 7 years now and this is where I found mountain biking, SS in particular. Should I ever leave CA, anywhere I go has to have one primary feature, mountains and foothills in which to SS!
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