Monday, July 28, 2008

Quote from winning Cannondale 24hrs team

Each of the solo rider's efforts pales and eclipses anything the team riders did, ours not the least included. We rode 27 laps of the 10 mile course, 4 more than the next fastest team...but I'll say it again: That's only seven laps each...and with 2+hours between each effort. I can not imagine doing that race solo. Matt Ohran, who competed in the 1999 event here in Canmore gave it a go in the solo category again in 2008. Conditions, physical effort, pace and old man time took the better of him and he also retired by night fall. These are tough cookies racing solo.

6th in the World (in my age category)!

Hey Guys,

just got back from Canmore last night. It was an epic journey. We arrived in Canmore Thurs. evening got set up and went for some eats in town, then called it a night because the drive and getting all the logistics for the race (2 days worth) ready. I passed out for 11hrs which was great because I think that is what my body needed. Friday morning, my pit crew member Darren (awesome guy and single!) and I prerode the course. From previous years the course grew around 8kms. Last year it was 14kms and this year 22kms including the solo course. I had to go to meetings around the race, then we went to Calgary to grab a last big meal. All you can eat sushi and Korean BBQ-it was awesome!!!

Sat. morning, I felt really tired because I was so restless. The weather looked great and was expected to be great for the whole weekend (boy, was I wrong!). We went and got some McDonald's (only the best!) for breakfast and then headed back to the race to get ready.

I was pitted next to Wendy S (60+ current world solo champ) a real inspiration for the sport! Actually, all the racers and people that we around were awesome! Before I forget, special props to the person from Florida who rode with me during the night and motivated me when the times were extra hard. Great work all racers, would gladly do it again!

We had to run a km, then do a another 7km prologue lap into Canmore and then climb back up to the Nordic center. Day went well, I was going at my own pace, riding everything clean, feeling good. Then 4pm rolled in and a large drum was heard from the sky. I was thinking in my head, no %@*!!!!! way! The clouds opened up and it was wet until the end of the race. This doubled my lap times and really pushed my spirit. I rode in the rain soaked roots and rocks (not very well) and hiked a bike many time over the weekend. By 4:30am I was super soaked and could not keep warm. My pit crew (Lissa and Darren) did all they could to motivate me and keep me fed and warm. But I had to take a nap, I was not sure how I would feel after and if I would continue when I got up. All the rain, walking, slow paced finally drained me. The weather was a factor for everyone. Even Tinker J. had to call it quits because of all the mud on the course (mud in the eye scratched his retina-hope everything is alright man! You passed my three times-that's awesome!!). Man the mud covered my gear and myself. During the downhills (the safe ones) I would just close my eyes because the mud and grit would sit right on your eyeballs. Luckily, I completed laps safely. For those who the ambulance had to come in, I hope everything is alright.

7:00am, I feel the warmth of the sun. and I get up, my wife says, "you goin out again?" I answer quietly and unsure, "Yes, I feel okay could you get me some new shorts?" So, slowly I got up again, put on my gear, grabbed a swig of Pepsi and a GU (man, I must have eaten around 30 Gui's!) and headed out for my last dance with cold, slippery, wet and intimidating course.

I rode until 11:45am and could not go out again because I would not get in before the 1:00pm deadline. I was greeted with cheers from every spectator and also a special greeting from the event organizer who shook hands with every racer and said something unique to that person about there performance. This guy is a real tribute for the spirit of cycling, I know that there are many haters out there for this venue... But do not get caught up in the venue or format; because in the end for all endurance racers we have the same common achievement, motivational moments and inklings of wanting to quit because of all the suffering-but we never do and we always come back for more. It may the the 24 HOD or a epic ride with your buddies, it don't matter; save the energy for the trails and change the negative into a positive.

Thus, I finished my first 24hr event. Finished 6th out of 14 riders in my category and 3 laps out of 1st place. It was awesome and I would do it again. Would I change anything about the whole experience, nope.

I will be adding pictures as soon as I get them from my pit crew member.

One last shout out to my wife Lissa. Thanks for showing your grit, determination and patience. The whole experience could not of happened without you there. You are the epitome of the word "wife".

Cheers!