The Victory Velo cycling team took home the championship from the recently completed Prairie City Race Series.
Coolest 24hr Race.
Teammates: MatthiasCat: Single Speed Solo OpenFinish 2nd of ? (Fourth overall.)Miles covered: 241.5 Elevation Ascended: 29,400 feet (estimated at 1400 per lap)
A couple things I remember....
1. The pics/rememberances at the top of Knickerbocker climb every lap. I was thankful each time knowing my father has overcome his challenges...and my thoughts were with each of the families whose loved ones were not there in person but in spirit.
2. Seeing my co -pit racer Mary Allen (husband Sean is a stud endurance racer too) tackle her first 24hr race and knock out 17 laps (2nd place) in Team Motley Grinder (Auburn group of endurance cyclists and my adopted riding/training group) fashion.
3. The support from my crew (family, friends, and Motley Grinders) and the shove they gave me at the 8 hour blues mark and after dry heaving in the early A.M. Pepsi and pizza has never tasted so sweet after a good dry heave.
4. Coming into my pit at somewhere past 10 P.M. and seeing Amanda. Thanks for being there! She'd been home taking care of our 11 month old daughter who has bronchitis. She's getting better though.
5. Finding out somewhere around 9 a.m. I wasn't in first and the guy (Dez from Bear Naked Cannondale) was and was just leaving his pit. Think shock and endorphines mixed. I thought I was a lap up on 2nd...LOL what race was I at.
6. At 22+ hours stroking out a pace I didn't know I was capable of to close the gap and catch the guy by the ST. Finding out it was Dez who I've known for about four years and know is very very strong. But had no idea he was racing! Doh! Don't ask it's one of those things where I'm hearing one thing and my pit is telling me another. Lets just say I'm glad I pressed all night, cuz I thought I was a lap up on second place. Disclaimer here: Neither Dez nor I (including our crews) were exactly sure if he and I were on the same lap or he may have pulled a lap ahead. Due to being uncertain we both approached it as we were on the same lap. Given if in the final results I end up 2 down, my pit owes me a lot extra beer for the additional suffering that occurred. ;o)
7. Dropping Dez up the steep left hander on Salt Creek and pressing it to the end of the lap and seeing Dez NO WHERE behind me. And thinking I cracked him!
8. On the next lap, looking back on the double track climb after the pavement and seeing that damn Orange Giraffe on Dez' handlebar. Great come back by Dez!
9. Hitting Salt Creek with Dez on that lap and watching him pick up the pace and grab a passing team riders wheel and having nothing left in the tank to respond and cracked in a way I've never done before. Race over.
10. Knocking down To BASS beers after the race.
11. Going to change and realizing that I had a 4 inch by 6 inch open flesh wound on my arse. Yes it's a painful recovery....but I'm scabbing now....LOL!
12. Watching Jimmyboy be Jimmyboy and put on a good show for the folks and entertain the kids during the raffle, cuz it was apparent non of us were in condition to. Oh and my kid get some free swag from him.My Sycip bikes worked flawless, and my 26 wheel Diesel proved again to be the solid 24hr bike compared to my 29er. Given my 29er was rigid. ;o)
Also, I've been the "bridesmaid" not the bride seven times this year...what's up with that! LOLJeremy and Jay, Robert from Ventana said to say hello!
Dan and Dawn
What is your favorite trail or road to ride? Does anyone have a secret trail that would be fun to explore? Legal of course....
