Last Year's Race

As I explained, this is my second 24 Hours at Big Bear race. If you look at last year's results, you will see Axel Folly and the Mullets with Lap 5 lasting 3:58 minutes. Upon further review, please note there are NO times longer. I have the absolute longest lap from last year. Let me explain.

About 3 miles from the starting line, there is a rock shaped like a turtle shell about 2 feet across. 3 top 4 inches to the right of the rock is a second rock that looks like a knife hand or karate chop, sticking straight up in the air. I slid off of the top of the turtle shell and right into the knife hand and tore off the bike's derailer and broke the chain. I also had a rear flat tire. I was unsure if I could leave the course and return, so I ziptied my bike together, hiked with the bike back to the start finish line and was told I could leave the course, fix the bike and return, I just could not advance while off the course. In other words, if I left at mile 3 I could not reenter and mile 5 and move on.

First, the guys at the start finish line were very helpful and even offered to let me use one of the high dollar bikes from Ellsworth that were there. I realized that I would not want to downgrade back to my regular bike after such a sweet ride afterward so I passed. (This is also why I avoid test driving new cars). There was also a group of mechanics that were giving free service through their church group. They took a look but said there was little they could do.

Luckily one of my buddies, Scott Tyree, brought a spare bike. We tore off parts from mine I needed, like pedals and cages to hold batteries, put them on the spare and off I went. My actual time was more like 2 hours in the dark which is not too bad for me.

The course itself was great. It is fast, well drained and rider friendly. It is not so easy to make this a Sunday afternoon joy ride yet not so hard that we all have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the race (ala Snowshoe).

One of the neatest parts of the course is a section winding through a forest of hemlock trees that were planted in rows. The ground is covered in hemlock needles and it is so quiet it is surreal, especially at night.

Someplace about mile 7 or 8 is a downhill that is a hoot. Somewhat rocky but very rideable. Rest your hand going in because you will be braking alot while on the hill.

The next section gets a bit more rocky and more technical. Some ups and downs where you must pick the right line. There is a table top rock in this area that I walked on my pre-ride. During the night lap, I was on it, over it and past it before I even knew it was there. I then did something very stupid. . . . I looked back. BAM! I hooked my rock handle on a sapling and endo'd so fast, I actualy cartwheeled and landed on my feet. Even the East German judge thought I nailed the dismount.

The last main obstacle between here and the finish line is an uphill that is best described as bouldering with a bike. Hey, I walk it and am not ashamed to say so. On my second lap last year, there was a man who was riding a single man/ single speed division that was sitting at the bottom and said he could not go on. I gave him a gel pack and he said he needed a beer. I asked if he had any beer in his cooler back at his camp site. He said yes. I asked how long it had been on ice. He said since noon on Friday. I asked if he thought that little ice chips were stuck to the can. He said, "Oh yeah." I asked if he thought the beer would disappear in the back of his throat when he drank it. He said, "I get what you are doin. Keep talking." I did and stayed with him until the start finish line. He hung back so that he could cross the line right at 12 noon. I went ahead and finished becuase I was not posting another 4 hour lap.

Here is the deal. Just commit to finishing whatever happens. If I can, anyone can. I would love to see more folks like me in the race. Sure it is a little intimidating. What isn't? But it is very doable and very fun. Don't sit there wondering. Field a team.