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I was extremely excited for the 2019 CVBCC 50K race this year. I have raced the 100K twice and the 50K four times. I have come to the realization that I would rather RACE the 50K than SURVIVE the 100K. This was my first race as a member of the Bikeman.com team and I was hoping for a good result. The weather was perfect with sunny skies and temps in the low 80's. The 50K started at 10am with 250 racers. I was lined up in the third row attempting to avoid the inevitable traffic jam when the course turned to single track after a mile or so. The start was fast, but shortly I settled into a group of riders running in the top 25 or so. The first 10 miles were fairly uneventful and I was feeling pretty good, I moved up a few spots when passing allowed. We made it to the widow maker climb (A steep slog along the condos at Sugarloaf). I lost a few positions as we started the descent on the widow maker downhill. The next few miles to the first aid station went quickly, running single file. After the aid station, we climbed the #50 Nordic ski trail (a brutal climb with pitches of over 15% grade) my legs were starting to fade a bit but still feeling ok. Things changed around the 20 mile mark... As I made my way across a mud hole that was marginally rideable, I developed a severe cramp in my left calf. I managed to get back on the bike after a minute or so, but the damage was done. I never totally recovered from the leg cramps, with them rearing their ugly head on every climb forcing me to reduce my effort to survive. The Crommits climb was particularly difficult, but by this point the end was near. So, in the end my result was not what I had hoped for. There would be no podium appearance for me this year. I finished 37th overall and 7th in the 50-59 age group. All of this said, it was a great race on a beautiful day. I am looking forward to the 2020 race and racing on the Bikeman.com team!