7th June
2:35 p.m. One Lap Down : It's all that I expected and more! The course is faster than on my pre-race practice laps, and the downhills are super-fast and super-fun. It's' really hot, I went thru 128oz of fluids on Lap One, and that seemed like it's not enough.

Coming into this race, my strategy was to ride everything I can and walk the stuff that's going to cost me too much energy over the long term. That's working ok for me so far.

I was expecting to do 2:10 - 2:15 laps. Lap One took 2:33, which considering the run and ceremonial lap, is close to where I want to be. I walked more than I thought, but it's good to be over-cautious in this heat, I'll wait until the cooler night before I exert myself more. Overall, I'll stick with a conservative strategy. I don't want want my last ultra race to be a DNF!

My first real bike race was the 24 Hours of Canaan. I think it's fitting to end my mountain bike ultra racing days here at Big Bear Lake, the successor to the Canaan venue.

Stopping at the media trailer for
a quick blog entry.

5:54 p.m. Trying to Stay Cool : My second lap was a near disaster! I was overrevving it a bit, and had a mechanical at mile 8 - my deraillieur got stuck with the thick, drying mud still slopped on parts of the course.

Resigned to the fate of mechanical gremlins, I just continued on and deliberately drank fluids and electrolytes, but I couldn't ever seem to get enough in. I pretty much bonked on the last climb! I was cross-eyed for a full 20 minutes. When I saw the "mile 11" sign, I knew it wasn't far and so I turned it on, with the prospect of food, fluids and replenishment on the horizon. I'm looking forward to a better third lap!

11:20 p.m. Psychedelic Nights: Night fell and it got pretty crazy out there! The big descent on the back side was really hairy, even with the very bright NiteRider lights I'm running.

Maybe the heat haze just hit me a little bit late, but out there on the twisty, curvy, labrynthine course it was a pretty psychedelic scene. The interplay of turning bikes and the way their flared headlamp beams reflected off the trees and rocks was pretty wild! Adding to the amusement park theme was all the bumping of elbows and limbs from passing riders, or from riders being passed by me - just like bumper cars. Like the park ride, though, nobody meant any harm. It's just hard to avoid getting jostled around on this technical course.

Into the night, it's still hot and its humid out there. And I'm still taking in lots and lots of fluids. I'm so ready for a fast lap! I've been wanting to do one all race, but one thing or another trips me up.

All I can do is keep on going. It's still a blast, but I might take one of the test-ride Suzukis for Lap 5!

8th June
11:00 a.m. It's over!! I've finished with my riding in the 24 Hours of Big Bear Lake. It was a lot of fun, difficult at times, and always chalengeng. This was my first time racing at Big Bear Lake, and I come away with a great appreciation for the design of the course and the difficulties it presents.

I take my hat off to Laird Knight and his staff for a great race that enables me to be competive and challenged at the same time.

I'll come back here for fun, but it's my last solo race. I'll be glad to come back and race on a team sometime. I'd like to express my appreciatin to Suzuki, Ellsworth, Infinit Nutrition, Nite Rider and the other sponsors for making it possible for us to have fun out in the woods. I wish more companies would understand what a great sport mountain biking is, and what dedication mountain bikers have to companies that support their sport.

Hats off to everyone who raced and everyone who helped out. It was a special experience for me and really explains why I love mountain biking.

Our thanks to Sal who reliably came into the media trailer to dictate his blog reports. Sal finished the race first in the 55+ age group, and at the time of writing was 10th overall in the Men's Solo division.

MENU OF REPORTS
USA Today race blog
Dirt Rag race blog

Men's Solo
Women's Solo
Men's Expert
Duo Pro
General race reports
The Vibe

Big Bear Event Home Page Click Here >>>