I didnt sleep well and woke up early with the sun, I turned on the heater in the camper and started to get ready, Spare helmet with headlamp, batteries, warm clothes just incase, all pilled in a Tupperware bin.
The start was fast, it was myself, Kiviok, and Hemperly, in the front, the three of us are on the same team and same category, but definitely competitive, by the Single Track, i was third of the three. and held that through this lap.
The trail is fun and fast and Silty, and the first lap was very dusty, I had not pre ridden, and petty much just watched the wheel in front of me trying not to breath all the dust.
I held my position and on lap two or 3, Kiviok decides to turn it up pulling a big gap on jeff and I. Jeff took the bait and started to put it down. I was trying to ride smart and kept my pace,
During the day you hope for night, because it means your getting closer to being done, and once night gets here all you want is the light, 24 hour racing is all about survival. when its only 4pm and your on your 3rd lap, the task of riding all night seems impossible, somehow you keep going, one lap at a time one hour at a time.
I had to take a 45 minute brake at around 4:30 am, because my right knee had been bothering me since midnight, and I had fallen off my bike because I fell a-sleep.. I figured a break was in order, I was still in 3rd place and 4th place was two laps behind me, I felt safe.
when I came in for my break, I noticed Jeff Hemperly's bike was on the bike stand, so I knocked on the van door, and he was inside with a stomach ache. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have taken advantage of this and gone out for one more lap, to get into 2nd place, but my cloudy head took my right back to my camper for a quick nap.
Sunlight came quickly, and I could Hear Lenny, (Solo SS) talking to Dan Durland about how he just checked the standings and if he could get out for a couple laps to maybe get into second place passing me and Jeff, "What!!!" well My helmet was no sooner clicked when Jeff tears out of the van suited up and jumps on his Airborn and halls ass out on the course. me hot on his heels!
Lenny had 8 laps and I had 10. all Ive got to do is get in two more laps and Lenny has no way of catching, Two laps were painful, and once they were done I checked the standings and found that Tim from Back of the Pack Racing was on his 11th lap and probably due any time now, I'm still safe because its only 10am, there is no time for two more laps. 3rd Place Podium.
I roll into the pits to find Kiviok, clean and in street clothes, grabbing the lube, shouting, you've got time, get out there for one more... WHAT? ARE YOU INSANE! Im Cooked! and Im set 3rd is locked up, I'm a happy camper.
Then Kiviok starts spouting some BS about youve got to do it for yourself, to push yoursef to see what your capable of.. Bla Bla Bla! Well it would be cool to get 200 miles in.. out I went with only a bottle of water.... cursing Kiv on the way out of the Pits.
Feeling Great I tore up the first clime and smoothly sailed down the twisty single track, up another climb, then a false flat.. "this may be my fastest lap yet" I thought to myself. Mile 3, Mile 4, Mile 5.... Uh oh! somethings wrong, Im slowing down, Im feeling a bit hungry... with no food I drink water to try to help, but within 1/2 mile Im completely tanked and the following climb of maybe 2% i'm off the bike, head hanging, and walking slowly... completely Bonked! and wondering how Im gonna get out of here.
A rider comes up, She saw me from a ways back and could tell I was in a world of hurt, and yells, "you need Water?.. Food?" "Yes" I shout in my raspy voice, She reaches in her jersey pocket and tosses a Tigers milk bar on the ground, "Thanks" I yell, and she says " Lets Go!, You can Do it" That Damn Tigers Milk Bar was F-ing AWESOME! I walked a bit more then got on the bike, managing to make it to the next feed zone about 4 miles further where I ate an apple, got a bottle of water and tossed a miller extra in my jersey pocket, (celebration for later)
45 minutes to go 6 miles, I think I can do it. 30 minutes later I finished.. Kathryn Grohusky was waiting at the finish line to make sure that half dead guy got the bar she threw on the ground. Kathryn seriously saved my ass.
Final Tally.. For the Solo Single Speed Catagory. Jeff Wood in First, Jeff Hemperly in Second, and Paul Adams in 3rd.
Awesome Race and a great time, I
