24hrs of Cumming Part 2

Lap 3....

Finish of Lap 2

I had noticed Mike Johnson in the pits getting ready to head out for lap 3 about the same time I was. In 100% honesty I was scared of Mike. He has accomplished some major things. I did have a small advantage over Mike on Loop 3. A small group of us had ridden this lap in training a couple of weeks before the race. I knew I could do well on this loop. 

Once we were away from the Cumming Tap and into the fog I road hard. I set myself a goal of riding hard for 1 hour. I bombed the downhills, road a good tempo up the hills and set a nice tempo on the flats. Eventually I couldn't see Mike's light any longer. It was a good feeling.

I came in from loop 3 and was very happy to be holding my second place in the mens race. My pit crew did a great job of getting me in and out. If I had too much time to think I might have sat down and not gotten back up. 

I went out for loop 4. I was extremely tired and was just kinda moving along looking over my shoulder. I couldn't see another light for along time. Eventfully I saw one. I tried to increase my pace but I didn't have anything. 

Finally the mystery light had caught up to me. It was Andy Zeiner on a damn single speed. We talked for about 15 minutes and then I watched as Andy slowly rolled away from me. There was simply nothing I could do.

So now I was the 3rd male out on course and had about 20 miles to go. I think I literally road 18.5 of those miles looking over my shoulder. 

The Finish...Thank God!!

Eventully I made it to the finish line. Got a high five from Steve Fuller just as I was coming across the finish. Kyle took my bike and got me food and something to drink. Sharing this accomplishment with some of my closest friends made it that much more rewarding.

mmmm....Burrito 

I had a great day. Everything went about as well as I could have wished. My friends/pit crew took great care of me.

3rd Place Men

Here is my Strava file from the race: https://www.strava.com/activities/178315328

24hrs Of Cumming

Its been a long time Cumming....

My rolling yardsale

So the big day was finally here. I loaded up the car early and headed to Hy Vee to meet up with Kyle Sedore and Steve Fuller for breakfast. Large amounts of gravy were consumed by all and some last minute supplies were acquired.

At the start ready to go

Made it down to Cumming around 9:30. Got our pit area setup (Kyle, Nate Hicks, Steve Robinson and I). Did some last minute house keeping and it was time for the pre race meeting. After the meeting I grabbed my bike and headed to the start line. Double checked my Garmin and I was ready to go. Steve Cannon (race director) counted us down and we were off. Steve Fuller was off the front followed by Steve Robinson and Sarah Copper.

I settled into a good tempo along with Kyle Sedore. We wanted to push the tempo until we hit the level B roads. We knew that the B roads wouldn't be rideable so our average speed would be hurt from the walking. We hit the first level B with Mike Johnson. I noticed Mike was riding 40 mm tires on his Salsa Warbird which didn't give him much mud clearance. We made it about 8 feet before the mud was to much to ride. Some hike-a-bike down the middle...then in the ditch. About half way through the first level B Kyle yells at me (as he rides by) "Get on your Ducking bike we are leaving!!". He goes bombing down the muddy hill. I jump on with out a second thought. About 5 seconds later I realized I unhooked my front brake (for mud clearance) and I was riding file tread tires. NOT the best mud setup! After the end of the level B road we got back up to speed. Sarah Cooper joins Kyle and I. The second level B involves more walking. The three of us make it to the end of that together and carry on towards the end of lap one. About ten miles out Kyle wants to push the hills a little and I let him and Sarah go.  I roll into the pits and restock my supplies and head out solo on lap two.

My lovely Pit/Pit Crew

Lap two is pretty easy to write about...didn't see a single human...NO one!

I roll back into the pits several hours later to see Kyle standing in street clothes. Get the full report while eating two cheese burgers and thinking about lap three. 

Chesseburger...X2

I load up my bike, down some coffee and head out for my first night lap...solo.