Single-speed Popularity Draws Racers to 24 Hours of Big Bear
Bontrager Wheelworks Breaks Five-year Runner Up Streak

HAZELTON, W.V. (June 19, 2005) Rumor of a single-speed backlash drifted over 24 Hours of Big Bear early Sunday morning. Opposite of geared bikes, which often require labor-intensive repair and maintenance, single-speeds--with their one, simple gear--are easier and cheaper to maintain. Perhaps out of boredom for the mainstream monotony of geared bikes, an increasing number of riders are hanging up their multi-speeds and reaching for the simplicity of a single-speed. To prove that single-speeds are gaining in popularity, ten teams entered the Single, Rigid category at 24 Hours of Big Bear with two single-speed women’s teams entered in the Women’s Expert category. More...

Getting "Shown the Door" Courtesy of Tiffany Mann

HAZELTON, W.V. (8:30 a.m. June 19, 2005) There's a fine line between hubris and humiliation--a line that needs to be crossed every now and again. The Big Bear course has held its shape enough so that the confidence racers gain on Saturday can often translate to increased speeds by Sunday. This writer thought she'd hit the course for a Sunday morning lap after receiving intel that the course was dry enough to pull a quick lap. More...

24 Hours of Big Bear Nearly Traveling at the Speed of Sound

HAZELTON, W.V. (6:30 a.m. June 19, 2005) With a total of 13,302 total miles travelled as of 6:30 a.m. EST, racers log in a cumulative 719 miles each hour or, 42 miles short of the speed of sound (761 mph at sea level). The average mph for the race is expected to rise now that a new day is upon us here at Big Bear Lake. The reinvigorating power of daylight will likely motivate riders to pedal just a little faster than at night. The only thing that might slow the pace is some mud patches due to early a.m. dampness but that should dry up by mid morning.

To check mileage in this year's race, visit RealTime Scoring at http://www.grannygear.com/realtime/public/index.php

Shell Game for the Solo Men
Bontrager Wheelworks Breaks Five Year Streak

HAZELTON, W.V. (9 p.m. June 18, 2005) Ernesto Marenchin, last year's 24 Hours of Snowshoe Solo Champion, currently clings tightly to the lead just ahead of NORBA National 24-hour Champion, Cameron Chambers. For the last five laps, Mark Hendershot has rounded out the trifecta of leaders in the men's solo field until Rob Lichtenwalner outpaced Hendershot to slide into third position after lap six. Night awaits the riders, which is often the most decisive portion of any 24-hour race. As the lead gets swapped between racers, morning sometimes forges a new race from emerging leaders. Keep checking back at RealTime™ Scoring for 24 Hours of Big Bear racer updates.

Perhaps ending a five-year streak of getting "skinned" by the Double J Disciples, Bontrager Wheelworks may have actually succeeded in putting the Double J Disciples in the rear view mirror. With six laps completed by each team so far, Bontrager Wheelworks holds onto a :02.29 lead over the current runner-up. This past week the Double J Disciples have wistfully reminisced about the 24 Hours of Snowshoe course where, for five years, they pedalled to first place over a foiled (frustrated?) team Bontrager Wheelworks.

Remember, as we head into the night laps of 24 Hours of Big Bear, race leads can get shuffled like a card deck in Vegas. Stay tuned!

What's For Dinner?

HAZELTON, W.V. (7 p.m. June 18, 2005) Apparently one doesn't need to a reason to prepare a meal abundant with carbs and protein, but a 24-hour race makes a darn good excuse. At the extreme end of the camping area at 24 Hours of Big Bear, Michelle Noel oversees a rack of grilled bbq chicken breast strategically balanced over the campfire and alternately stirs two saucepans of boiling penne pasta. Judging by the volume of food, it looks like Noel expects to host a Viking dinner, but her team is a team of one, solo rider Holly Forsyth. Noel is helped by two assistants (and more?) to furnish a balanced supper including (in addition to chicken and penne with pesto):
-grilled zucchini, portabello mushrooms, red peppers
-grilled corn-on-the-cob
-E.L. Fudge cookies
-and to wash it down: Yuengling, Heineken, and Gatorade

What's on the menu in other team categories:

Solo Quotes from 24 Minutes of Big Bear

HAZELTON, W.V. (4 p.m. June 18, 2005) 24 Minutes of Big Bear took place this afternoon under sunny skies. Racers in five different categories unleashed some muscle on their competition on a 500-yard loop that started with a LeMans-style uphill running start. The race drew competitors from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and beyond to compete for prizes and bragging rights. More...

11 a.m EST, June 18, 2005

Not Even Rain Can Dampen Mood at Big Bear

HAZELTON, W.V. (11 a.m. June 18, 2005) Thursday's persistent drizzle turned into a carwash toward day's end, which left behind some puddles, mud and a little trail slickness. Friday saw racers returning from a spin out on the course wearing top-to-toe mud splatter but still smiling.

"Not bad at all" was the general consensus from riders as the trail drained and dried throughout Friday and Saturday.

One hour to go until the start of the inaugural 24 Hours of Big Bear, the weather is near perfect, bikes are dialed, tuned and lubed, all that's left is to get this race started!

Big Bear Course Map - POSTED

Check out the new course for The 24 Hours of Big Bear. Read all about it on the Big Bear Course Map Page