Is anyone here racing the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, CO on July 4th?
I’ll be in 40+ solo, and looking for a fellow trainerroadie who will have a support crew at the base. If I could use your spot to safely keep my hydration vest until the end of the race, please let me know. Beer/candies will be on me.
For the context: the race is 2 laps, 25 miles each. So, it’s really convenient to swap the hydration pack between laps. Except that race organizers do not provide a “drop bag zone” (unless I’m missing something).
Aid #4 is basically the drop zone for those doing the full pull. Everyone pretty much leaves their bottles for the second lap right after the finish as you make the left turn. You’ll see it in the morning when you go to drop your stuff off.
I’ve done this race probably 10 times, live in Breck and I’ve never run it with a pack. I’ve put two bottles on my bike with 90-110 grams of carbs for lap 1, grab a water bottle at one of the aids, took a few gulps, dumped the rest down my back. I stash two other bottles right after the finish. Hop off, swap bottles, maybe a dash of lube and settle in going up Boreas. I’ve never had a support crew for it.
Having a bit of fomo and the start list for my age group is pretty small but mighty (expert 40-44). I’m doing KowTown Gravel again though.
this is the way! the 3 times i’ve done it, I would put 150-200g of carbs in each bottle, then snag water handups at each aid station for a quick gulp and toss the bottle at the trash can. Man, I miss Breckenridge.
Don’t want to sound like a jerk, just trying to be waste-conscious. What happens to those bottles? Are they like cycling bottles, or just costco-plastic? Are they being reused or recycled or what?
Your choice is not any worse, man! I’ve done the inaugural Kowtown, and man oh man I loved that race. Had to skip last year due to injury, and was planning to race it this week. But family schedule didn’t align with that, so I was “forced” to do F50 instead. We can’t do them all, can we?
Local bike shops donate normal cycling water bottles to Westy (the founder of the race) and now to Town of Breckenridge through the years. They get repurposed every year. There is a huge crew who sweep the course and pick up any trash left behind.
This race is run very well and there will be dedicated people at each station picking up trash/water bottles to ensure none get lost in the wilderness. This race and community are huge stewards for recycling and eco-friendly. When you get close to an aid station, you’ll hear volunteers asking if you want water or mix or chews. They’ll hand you everything so you don’t have to get off. They won’t hand your stuff if you drop it off at an aid station though. That’s on you. If this race wasn’t eco-friendly, it would have been canceled years ago. As long as you drop your trash and bottle before leaving, it’ll get picked up and put in trash or recycling.
The bottles get re-used each year.
I hold onto my bottles through the event and the only bottle I would toss back would be a water bottle they give me. If I want it longer, I toss it in my jersey pocket and toss it at the next aid station. I’ll drop my two used (personal) bottles after the finish, grab my new ones, then after the race go pick up my first two bottles to bring home.
Just wanted to thank everyone for tips and insights. My frame only fits one bottle, so I ended up with the following strategy for the day:
400g of carbs in my 2L hydration pack. Practically a big gel tube on my back, haha.
200g extra in a reusable gel flask just in case. Never used it.
Only swap water bottles at the aid-stations as necessary to always have something to wash that sugar down.
The day wasn’t hot (quite the opposite), so I didn’t crave water too much. Used 2 or 3 bottles, can’t remember. It all worked out great. Will have to search for excuses for my poor performance somewhere else, LOL.