From: kc@core.rose.hp.com (Kurt Chan)
Subject: Furnace Crrek 508 
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 17:19:04 GMT
Organization: HP, Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

From the magazine that brings us October race results in December...

PS (Congrats to Eric House)

---------

Furnace Creek 508
Valencia-Death Valley-Twenty Nine Palms, CA 
October 17-18

The Furnace Creek 508-miler once again lived up to its billing as the
toughest ultra-distance open bicycle race in the west.  The race's
toughness comes from 35,000 feet of climbing, hot temperatures, no
drafting, and of course its distance, which means an almost non-stop
two-day ride.

The 29 entrants from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, New
Mexico, Colorado, Switzerland, and Germany were on hand for the pre-dawn
start in Valencia, on the northern outskirts of Los Angeles.  With dawn
spreading across a cloudless sky, Eric House and Chuck Eichstaedt went to
the front with the rest of the field stretching out behind.  With many more
climbs yet to come, most race strategies focused on a gentle aerobic pace
and plenty of refueling from each rider's support crew.

Heading north through Trona at mile 155, the two men's leaders extended
their lead.  Meanwhile, women's leader Muffy Ritz was slowly moving her way
up in the overall standings along with keeping a comfortable lead over
Seana and Hogan.  Both Ritz and Hogan had previously RAAM qualified and
were just out for a hard ride.  Riders believe the race really begins at
mile 202.  At the base of the Towne pass ascent, one climbs 3500 feet in 10
miles [avg 6.6% grade].  Most opted to change their rear wheel to a 39x23
or 39x26 gear ratio for this climb set against the dramatically beautiful
scenery of the California deserts and mountains.

Once over Towne Pass, riders descended over 5000 feet to the Death Valley
floor as the race curved southward through the national monument.  At
night, each rider's support crew followed with lights showing the way.
Night riding was very pleasant due to the minimal traffic and calm, milde
evening.  Occasionally, they could see the lights of competitors' vehicles,
miles in front.  This provided incentive to pedal a more motivated pace to
either keep up or catch up.

As the sun rose in Baker at mile 383, suddenly only 10 riders remained.
This year's high attrition rate was due to stomach problems and various
other heat-related maladies.  At the front, leaders House and Ritz were
only one minute apart passing through Baker.

But in the next three climbs, with temperatures reaching into the high 90s
and the scenery becoming even more desolate, the gap between the two
leaders gradually widened.  Hearing he could break the course record, House
picked up the pace with 30 miles to go to the finish at Twenty Nine Palms.
Finally, 508 miles of climbing and heat to his credit, the course record
was now his, along with qualifying for RAAM 1993.  About an hour later Ritz
finished as first and only woman, as well as second overall finisher.  She
also established a new women's course record in the process.

1. Eric House, 29:54:37 [avg 17.0 mph]
2. Muffy Ritz, 30:54:36
3. Gerald Tessmer, 34:55:55
4. Rick Adolph, 35:23:23
5. Frank Goulard, 35:40:45
6. Ron Shepston, 38:29:27
7. Brian Stark, 40:17:30
8. James Byrnes, 41:25:53
9. Barry Martin, 43:48:36
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.racing