3 Hours of Mesa Verde

12 Hours of Mesa Verde is in its 8th year and is more popular than ever.   Shannon and I have raced this race four times!  We keep coming back because of the super fun course, great vibe, and awesome promoters.  Despite technically being a 'grassroots'  race, it draws some of the fastest racers in the country and sells out year after year with this year being no exception.

Typically, Shannon and I race co-ed duo.  We alternate laps over twelve hours, which means we are each on full-throttle for six hours.  This year we opted for a more manageable 4-person  team which means only three hours full throttle for each of us; hence 3 Hours of Mesa Verde.

Shannon, Dizzy, and I spent the weekend camping in a borrowed pop-up A-liner.  While the pop up was by no means luxurious, camping with heat when nighttime temperature dips below freezing is much more my style!

Our team killed it!  We finished fourth in a super competitive field.  While my lap times were not as speedy as last year, they were respectable for where I am at with recovery.  My body may not quite be where it was last year, however my bike is certainly working hard to make up the difference.  My Pivot 429 carbon dualie is the PERFECT ride for the Mesa Verde course.

Since I don't have many photos from the weekend, here are some of my beautiful bike:

 Pivot 429 Carbon weighs in at 23 lbs 9ounces as pictured.
I am loving the SRAM XX1 1x11 for racing.
My Mesa Verde gearing was 30x11/42.

 I love my Ergon saddle and grips.  With mild post-chemo neuropathy in my hands,
 (okay, maybe not so mild.  When my hands are cold I can't change a flat
or unlock the door to my home), 

having proper positioning and increased support on long rides is imperative

 Stan's NoTubes 29er Race Gold wheels.  When paired up with Continental X-King Protection tires, 

I have simply the lightest most reliable wheel/tire combo on the market

 Beautiful Enve handlebar, stem, and post.....nothing but the best for this 429!

 Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti pedals are insanely light weight, but do not sacrifice a stable platform.  

Side loading bottle cage fits my size Small frame perfectly. 

I run a gel flask holder on my bike.   Don't want to waste time reaching my pocket for fuel!

I should note that Kris at Go-Ride built this bike up for me just before Mesa Verde.
He is incredibly tedious and detail-oriented.
My bikes always work beautifully after he works on them!  

Every time I ride this beast I feel grateful to have such an incredible bike that not only rips races, but is so much FUN to ride!

Soaking in life's grandness from 7000+ feet!

Always smiling on this bike!

So while I love, love, LOVE my 429 carbon dualie, I am pretty excited to get this new bad boy built ASAP!  Not only is it the sweetest color ever, I am thinking sub-20 lbs.  Ridiculous!  Did I mention life is grand?

Pivot Les 27.5 carbon hardtail!