SBT GRVL 2024 Black Course - not my best day, but worth a pedal

Traveled to Steamboat Springs from Jax Bch for my first SBTGRVL BLCK, left Jax on Friday AM and came back Monday AM allowing my body ‘0’ acclimatization.

Organization, people, activities, town, farmer’s market, race fair/shindig, HLLCLMB, yoga class, volunteers, local restaurants, locals, etc, etc were superb.
My black course race not so much. In fact, the black course did me.
Rode my TopStone Cannondale, knobby 40mm w/ tubes, ate/drank INFINIT nutrition stuff (use code: gavelmauve) and LMNT to get salty and less crampy.
I regret not going to one of the multiple, willing, mechanics that would have taken 15 minutes to tune up my bike after flying in a hard case. They were available all day Friday and Saturday and I did not take advantage of it. Furthermore, during the race each Aid Station and a few other random places sprinkled in between all had mechanics that I, again, passed on. Not sure why, but in an effort to finish faster, I delayed my arrival.
I had a few mechanicals during the race: flat, not proper shifting, brakes rubbing (realized after finish), but had a great experience in rural CO.
First 20 miles to the 1st Aid were smooth. They felt a little tough, maybe the altitude or maybe the brakes but was able to make good time. After the station in the Wahooligan pass I had my first flat, lost my riding partners and the wheels came off shortly after.
Getting to the 37 and 67miles station was tough, but was able to join a small group of about 3-4 and we kept each other company to the halfway station in Hayden.
The toughest 25 miles were after the Hayden Station, the wind was strong from the SE and for the next 25 miles we headed mostly SE and uphill too. During mile 80ish I had to stop, get in the fetal position, puke, question my life choices again, and somehow talk myself out of quitting. (this is the part when I think about explaining to my kids, wife, fam in general and social media).
After the puke and the last bit of uphill, again some race volunteer in a van was just there. Just there waiting for me!!! I really hope he understands that his words and proper description of the miles ahead gave me the hope and encouragement I needed. Sat in his van ate something drank a nasty warm coke and continued.
The mental F**k of this race is that once you enter the ‘champagne’ you do not leave it basically for 110 miles. It all looks beautiful, but it looks the same for a long time. (Does have a ‘Southern Spain’ feel to it. Just south of their Sierra Nevada.)
The last 20/30 miles of the course are ‘earned’, you could say they make you suffer at the front end so that you enjoy some downhills and (defntly planned :wink: ) tail winds. The last two aid stations were nice. One had a teepee to chill for a minute and get shade, both were fully staffed and stocked, I needed mostly ice and got it.
The ride into town was fast, the tarmac and the tail winds helped.
After my arrival, shower and the award ceremony I volunteered folding the barricade signs and breaking up a bit. Went to the room, packed the bike, slept 3 hours and headed to the airport.

Will prob do again, very differently, next year.