Last weekend I raced in my first 12 hour solo mountain bike race. This race was short compared to my usual 24 hour races but I think it may have turned out to be just as hard, if not harder. My 24 hour nemesis Greg "Caveman" Parham was there to defend his title and I knew he would be gunning for the win. On the start line I saw some familiar fast faces... Adrian Barron, last year's unofficial winner and all around bad ass was lined up to race along with fellow Cycle Progression rider Justin Calland who I knew could throw it down. Nathan "Wink" Winklemann was there, but I assumed he was doing the 6 hour race. I was wrong. Wink went on to win the race in solid fashion on a single speed no less.
The race was fun at the start and due to the cold icy weather started an hour late. The LeMan’s start kicked off at 9am with freezing weather and a strong south wind. It did not feel like the race was being held in Texas. There was snow all over the ground and some of the trail that was covered by the trees was entirely white and packed like dirt. The pace for the first couple of hours was fast. I saw Wink walking backwards with a broken bike right from the start and I could not find Greg on the course and figured he was in front of me. Justin was on my wheel talking to me the first couple of laps and that was nice to have a teammate and friend with me. I didn't realize it, but with Wink and Parham behind me (mechanical at the start) I was in the lead for the first 4 or 5 laps of the race. I knew Wink was behind me and I saw Greg was back in the pack so I took advantage of that situation and kept the pace hot.
Wink rode up to me after a while and I could see he was fit and gunning for the win. This was a different Wink than I encountered last October at the 24 Hours of Rocky Hill. We talked a bit but his pace was a bit much for me and I settled into my own race, now in second. I knew Greg and Justin were close behind and lucky for me Greg's wife Colleen would post times for him on a white board and I could see where we all were each lap. I was about 7 minutes up on Greg and another minute or so on Justin who was in fourth place. I saw that Greg was putting in HUGE efforts to close the gap and I started to see him through the trees. I knew it was bad when I felt a wheel behind me in the pasture section of the race and there he was waving at me with that familiar grin. This was lap 10 of the race.
Greg and I talked about the race and finished up lap 10 together. I could tell he was not feeling well, or something was wrong. I was not sure but I was thinking he had to really push hard to close the gap and that effort took a toll on him. It turns out his knee was the issue. We stuck together for lap 11 and lap 12 keeping each other company and talking as we rode through the trees. He told me he burnt all his matches and didn’t want to risk hurting his knee for what seemed like second place at best. He pulled the plug on lap 12 and told me to go on electing to fight another day. He was a classy competitor and continued to help me during the rest of my race and even found me a beer when the race was over. Thank you Greg and Colleen, you rock.
I was feeling good when I left Greg on lap 12 and decided to push on. I was riding a tempo pace keeping each lap within a minute of each other. I saw that Justin was riding a strong race and had picked up his pace on lap 12 and 13. Going out on my 14th lap I decided to pick the pace up and see how I felt. I felt good and made up 5 minutes on third place. At this point I had about a 15 minute buffer over Justin in third and knew we only had three laps left in the race so I was feeling safe. I also knew I could not catch Wink in first place and settled in for a 2nd place overall. I was happy about my result and rode my slowest lap of the race on lap 15 when I had light troubles and could not get the light to turn back on in the woods. It was pitch black and I could not see my hand in front of my face. I could not get my nightrider light cable plugged back into the battery until a racer stopped and gave me a light. I wish I knew who that guy was, I want to thank him. I could not get anyone to tell me how much time Justin made up on me, but I was hoping he did not make up the 15 minute gap. Justin did blast out some fast laps on lap 15, 16 and 17 to close the final gap to 9 minutes. I was really impressed with his effort, and I also knew this was his first 12 hour race also. I know we will all be seeing more of Justin around in the endurance race scene and I congratulate him on his awesome riding.
When I finished my 17th lap, I was ready for the race to be over and drink my first beer of the year. The quick pace in the beginning took its toll on me and I was worn out. When I rolled across the line after 11 hours and 24 minutes of racing I was excited to see my girlfriend and her son sitting under the canopy cheering with smiles on their faces and of all things a cheese plate sitting out ready for the picking. They are the best race support and I truly look forward to seeing them each lap as I come through to restock on food. The title of the race was 12 Hour Solo, but this is hardly a solo effort. I could never do this without the support of my friends and family and I honestly don’t think I want to. They not only pack up and come out to support me at the races, but also put up with my silly training schedule. This was a much needed confidence boost for my training and I am really looking forward to the 2011 season.
See you soon and stay tuned for more race updates!
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