IRR 4.0: Enter the Heart of Darkness

Year- 2015. Distance- 116 miles (119 ridden). Elevation- 12225+. Riding time: 9:01

The briefest report: We eliminated the COYA version of years past and simply offered up the IRR original recipe and what we called IRR Shortcake which was still over 85 miles and 8400'+ vertical. Largest turn-out on record. Ultra-endurance aficionados Matt Roy and David Wilcox arrive to put their seal of approval on IRR. First year riders actually finish the official route. First year a single speed (hi Matt Giles) attends (does not complete route). Approximate 10% finish rate with roughly 60 attendees. Braintree Gap remains on the route, though this year we started and finished at the Cochran's Ski area.

Bike: Specialized carbon Crux EVO LTD (same as last year) Compact 50/34T crankset and 11-32T cassette with 33mm file treads, still hydraulic disc brakes of course.

Route: A much more relaxed start to the climbing with a smooth 15 mile warm up. Then straight into the squirrel catcher. IRR 4.0 Cochran's start.

If you're paying VERY close attention you'll say "But last year's route was called 'Enter the Heart of Darkness' and that's what IRR 4.0 was called?" The short answer is- yes.