George “Red-Eyed Vireo” Vargas pictured with six finisher’s medals 2006-2011

Just a quick post to announce that I finished the 2011 Furnace Creek 508 “the toughest 48 hours in sport”.  That’s six consecutive SOLO finishes at the Furnace Creek 508.  I was inducted into the Furnace Creek 508 Hall of Fame as Class of 2011.  From my research of the Hall of Fame records I have only seen two racers that have done five consecutive solos, Michael “Alpine Ibex” Emde and me, the Red-Eyed Vireo.  Although I can’t compete  or compare myself to the multi-time 508 Champion, Alpine Ibex,  I did one-up him in only one thing— one more consecutive solo (yes these little things make me happy).

I had a great race.  I had great legs and my nutrition was perfect.  I felt great except on three occasions.  I had to go down for two naps on the exit climbs of Death Valley, Jubilee and Salisbury Pass.  I took a 20 min and then a 30 min nap (approx mile 310).  I just couldn’t stay away (about 1:30am) Then I took about an hour off the bike at the Mad Greek in Baker, time station 5 (mile 382).  I was overheated and puking.  I changed my cycling kit, dunked my head in the sink, sat in the air-conditioned dining area, ate some solid food while my body core temperature cooled.  From Baker to the finish I didn’t get passed by any Solo rider but I do remember passing many riders along the way on each of the three long climbs.  I finished strong actually I always finish strong.  My time was 38 hours 41 minutes which falls in as my second best at the 508.

I have to thank my crew, Lida, Carlo and Jim.  They were awesome!  Even though they were all rookies they performed like pro’s. Whenever, I needed something the vehicle just rolled up and there it was!!   I made a good selection for my crew.  Lida was an excellent crew chief on her first time out.  Even on the drive home they were still laughing and telling stories about me, them and the other crews and racers….that’s a great sign that they worked hard but still  had fun.

I’ll put together a more thorough race report as time allows.

Click here for my results

Click here for the complete results

2011 Furnace Creek 508

George A. Vargas

and my thoughts are: Once more unto the breach…

KING HENRY V:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o’erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O’erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill’d with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call’d fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’

I have been inducted into the Furnace Creek Hall of Fame.  I feat that took five years.  Five Consecutive Solos and one Fixed Gear in 2007.  This year it’s time to just take a ride down memory lane.  I will enjoy my time on the bike and take in the sights and sounds of the greatest Ultra Cycling race I know!!

source

George Vargas
Newport Beach, CA

Furnace Creek 508 Hall of Fame
Class of 2011

And I leave you with this…we race 508 miles over 10 mountain passes for a cumulative gain of 35,000 feet through the Mojave and Death Valley Deserts for a jersey and a medal. Ok that’s the tangible thing but the intangibles of finding out what you are made of are priceless!

You can follow me on the race in many ways 

the 508 website will have a webcast here

My athlete Facebook Page here

my Spot GPS transmitter here  I will turn it one about 6am on 10/8/11 and you should be able to follow me on the race course.

Every year the hardest thing about preparation for the 508 is recruiting and ultimately selecting my support crew.  Recruiting?  Yes recruiting.  What there’s no line of people volunteering to crew?  No there isn’t.  Selecting is also tough.  During the recruitment phase I may receive several volunteers but I have to consider so many things before selecting you will ultimately be on the crew.  I have consider things like:

What is their experience?

What is their motivation for crewing?

What can they contribute to the team?

How compatible are their personalities?

I am proud to announce my support crew for the 2011 Furnace Creek 508.  Lida is an old  friend.  She’s also a triathlete who I coached this season.  She has reluctantly stepped up to be the Crew Chief.  However, I know she will make and excellent Crew Chief because she cares.  Carlo is also a dear friend and an athlete I coached.  He will make a great addition to the crew because he’s just one of the good guys who cares.  Jim, I met through my store.  We have had interesting conversations about ultras and I thought he would make a great addition to the crew.

I’m a total outdoor enthusiast but when I’m not “moving”, I’m an avid
quilter and reader.  I also volunteer at local events when I can and
enjoy doing things around the house and cooking; although I prefer to
bake cookies!  I’ve completed 6 double centuries, 5 Ironman
triathlons, and 6 marathons.  I’ve dabbled in xterra and cyclocross
racing and recently I’ve been enjoying the joys of trail running in
Colorado.  For base training, I do a lot of Crossfit and have competed
in the 2011 Masters Open .

I have travelled around the country and around the world hiking and
biking.  Some of my greater accomplishments include: a 9 month journey
all over the US camping and biking, through hiking the Appalachian
Trail, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekking to Machu Pichu, hiking to
Annapurna base camp and swimming with the sting rays in Grand Cayman!

The next year includes: about 5 or so cyclocross races, a local
Masters Crossfit competition, the Modesto Marathon, painting the
interior of my house, enjoying the training journey with friends for
the Rev 3 Cedar Point Iron Distance triathlon and finish making the
drapes for all the uncovered windows!  And or course – soaking up
Life!

A few of my favorite sayings/mantra’s:
It’s all relative.
Smiling is part of my survival kit!
Stay in the moment, it will change.
Always look good for the photographer.
No peeing in my shoes (hmmm, does George get off the bike to pee??
I’ll find out during the 508)
I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose!

Born July 23, 1972, a Programmer Analyst by profession for First American Corp, lives in Costa Mesa, CA.

A beginner cyclist to say the least, I probably bring the least experience to this team but I am hoping to offset my lack of riding and racing experience with my enthusiasm and dedication to the tasks at hand. George has been instrumental in my own growth as a cyclist and supporting him in this historic endeavor is my own way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation for what he has done for me. I am looking forward to relishing moment while I learn the intricacies of ultra cycling. I am excited to work with a great set of people and forging lifelong friendships. Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing my local hero endure pain and suffering on the bike. It is a a feat that I have yet to see hahahahahaha.

Architect, 68, avid cyclist, sailor/boat builder & mountaineer.  Ultra
cycling, randonneuring, became my passion several years ago after completing
the California Triple Crown several times.  Currently spending cycling time
at the velodrome where team pursuit is event of choice — training for 2012
Masters Championships at state and national levels.

Looking forward to George’s sixth 508 solo adventure!  I hope to bring the
wisdom of age to the crew while experiencing the event as an observer.  I
cannot wait for the sun to go down Saturday night and see it rise again on
Sunday morning while having kept a watchful eye on our rider through the
beautiful hours of night riding.  It is going to be a fantastic voyage and I
want to make it George’s best, most memorable 508 to date — hopefully
breaking the 36 hour threshold.

Jim Kehr
Laguna Beach, CA