I hadn't done any 24 hour racing this year as they wear on you and it takes a very large amount of mental energy and physical energy to complete one of these events. I had completed my biggest race of my life thus far this year; The Colorado Trail Race and didn't have any intention of a 24 hour race never mind a 25 hour race but I soon talked myself into it shortly after completing the CTR.
Pain is temporary...stupid lasts a lot longer.
I have done plenty of solo 24 hour events and I know what to expect. They are fun and they can suck all at the same time. This one didn't disappoint on either.
The race kicked off with a short LeMans run and it was race time. I ran the first few laps at a nice steady hard pace and started backing off a notch knowing it was going to be a long night with nearly 12 hours of darkness. Jamon and Kenny had gone by earlier in the afternoon by me but I wasn't interested in chasing anybody down this early in the game. I kept telling myself to take it easy and get through the night and worry about placement in the morning. You cant control everything and trying to control the race at this point was fruitless.
Night came and I just kept pedaling. Eat, pedal, repeat. It's all I know. I was feeling ok until lap 14 and the Grim Reaper caught up to me. My wrists hurt like hell, my traps, triceps, pecs and everything else was taking a beating from the hard as concrete conditions. Maybe my tires were to firm or my front shock air just not right. Who knows. I typically do not get this way. I came into my pit after this lap hurting for certain and had to put it down for a bit. I was shivering and it was around 5 am. Damn it I didn't want this to happen. Ok,, a short break and I would be back out. It wasn't quite that short but I eventually got back out and completed lap 15 feeling much better. Daybreak was upon as well. Light!!!!
I had no idea what place I was in but went out with a vengeances on lap 16. It was nearing the end of the race so I wasn't sure If I was going out for lap 17 or not. I came into the transition tent thinking I was done. I went over to the tv screen that shows the results and I was standing next to the dude that was in 5th in my class. He recognized me from talking earlier in the night and told me where he was in the placements. I looked at the tv screen and saw I was in 6th place with knucklehead next to me in 5th. I looked at Rex who had just completed his team lap and I said " I'm going back out, tell the tent!!!". No water, no food, fuck it I'm racing mother fuckers!!! Let's get it going. I went out as hard as I could not knowing what I had in the tank but damn I was going for the podium. Sheer adrenaline now. I ripped that lap passing geared racers and completed my 2nd fastest lap on lap 17. 1:05. That lap bumped me from 6th to 4th!!! And nearly came close to catching 3rd place missing out by four and half minutes. That down time after lap 14 screwed me good. But, it's racing and I am happy where I ended up. My 200 mile kick engaged like it can at times. Wow, that was a thrilling end to the race for me. I was high as a kite.
4th place, 17 laps, 221 miles and 17,000 feet of climbing. I'll take that to the bike bank.
I want to thank my teammates and friends for all of the support during the race. Thanks Adam Pace, Paul Adams, Keevin Blue, Pete Eschallier and Rex Robichaux. A big shout out to my sponsor Kokopelli Bike and Board out of Cortez, Colorado!!!!
As well it was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The cycling community is awesome!
I ran the Kokopelli Bike Co 29er ti hardtail with a 32x20 gearing. My go to gearing for all 24 hour racing. It took a beating out there and kept on going. What a product the boys over at Kokopelli Bike and Board are designing.
Here are some pics from the weekend.......
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