The Moab Report

I thought I'd throw one last post out there regarding this year's 24 Hours of Moab. I'll try to fill you in on how the laps went down, how I felt, and what was going on inside my head.

Saturday morning 8:30ish, I roll out of my comfy slumber in the trailer. After a breakfast of oatmeal, banana, coffee, oj, and blueberry muffin, I make sure all my lights, clothes, gear are organized. I start getting ready around 11am (I think). I'm pretty relaxed and try to contain the excitement, the anticipation, the emotions.

Noon on Saturday. Still pretty relaxed, even in the midst of hundreds of racers lined up for the chaotic start. The cannon goes off and the herd of racers make the run around the juniper bush and back to the bikes. The race has begun.

The first lap was pretty hectic, as it always is. Everyone is pretty caught up in the excitement and chaos and several riders seem to forget that this is a 24 hour race. I manage to do a pretty good job of staying out of trouble and riding my own race.

Laps 2-3 were pretty similar, just keep plugging away. At the end of lap 3 is when I started thinking that it wasn't going to be too much longer before I was going to have to start fighting through some stuff (physically and mentally). I know it sounds early to be having those thoughts, but you can't help to think about how many more hours you're going to be riding.

Lap 4 felt pretty good. It was my last lap before I had to hook up the lights and get ready to take on the night. I honestly had know idea what place I was in at this point. I didn't care either. I was riding well, riding my race.

Lap 5. Nightfall came quick. I got in about a 1/4 of my 5th lap before I had to turn on my lights. It's bitter sweet when nightfall comes. You know you're that much closer to finishing, but in order to do so you have to fight through the night.

Nightfall is when the race really starts. It's when you have to fight the demons that are trying to get you to bag it, it's when you have to overcome the urge to stay in the comfort of your camp, it's when you just have to get on your bike and start another lap.

My night laps are a blur. I do vividly remember the cool air on my face. I remember really struggling on one of my night laps, crashing while riding up a rocky section on the backside of the Butte. I remember lying on my back after that crash and looking up at the stars in the night sky and thinking I'd better get my ass up. If I continued to lay there, it may have broke me. I wasn't hurt, but the demons were starting to slip in and I couldn't allow it to happen. So I got up and kept riding. I also remember I felt a LOT better the next lap. Somewhere in the night, I took another spill on a tricky downhill covered with baby heads. I banged up my thigh a little, but it could have been a lot worse. I was immediately back on my bike this time and finished the lap pretty strong. I also remember finishing a lap that I started around 3am and my wife Sharon telling me that I got over the 3am hump. I remember the trees and bushes along the trail taking on lifelike shapes (one was my mom with a camera, one was a guy in a white robe, one was a cyclist changing a tire), I remember seeing a man (that I'm certain didn't exist) walk across the trail in front of me. I also remember my parents and Sharon getting up after each of my night laps to get me food, and keep me company. I remember seeing my dad standing by the fire late in the night or early in the morning.

Sunrise lap. Arguably the best lap of a 24 hour race. I started mine around 6am. I dedicated this lap to my grandfather for his birthday. I remember looking up at the sky as the sun started to fill it full of colors and knew my grandfather was smiling down on me. Most people get a boost when the sun comes up. You know you're on your home stretch. I finished that lap and knocked back some oatmeal and coffee. Damn that was good coffee.

I still didn't know what place I was in. I think it was after my next lap that my parents told me that Clint had called to tell them he saw I was in 9th place. I remember saying "I'm racing". I had time to do two more laps. I sucked down a red bull and took off again. My next lap was pretty fast. I was getting faster and most of the others were logging slower lap times. I remember passing several solo riders on that second to last lap and they looked haggard. They would ask what lap I was on, was I going for another. "Yeah, I'm going for another. Are you?" Most said, they just wanted to get through this lap. I passed a couple of solo riders that looked pretty good though. I didn't want to talk to them, I just wanted to ride. I didn't care what they were doing. I was in my 23rd hour and wanted to finish strong. I was psyched to think I'd probably getting a top 10 finish.

11:40ish am Sunday morning. I stopped briefly before my last lap. I ate something, a banana I think, and drank another red bull. I knew I was going to have to dig deep for this lap. Red went out with me on this lap to follow behind and keep me company. Somewhere along the way, I must have passed a couple of riders. Some may have decided not to go out for another lap. I'm not sure exactly how it played out. I finished that last lap with a strong time. I finished the race strong. I felt good. I felt like I had just ridden my bike for 24 hours, but I felt good (all things considered). My parents and Sharon went to check the final results while I took a shower and collected myself. When they came back and told me I came in 5th, I was stunned...and happy! I had ridden my race and done well. Things just clicked.

Thanks again for every one's support. I love you all!

It takes a village...

The 2007 24 Hours of Moab is in the books. It almost doesn't seem possible. After months of training, planning, and preparation, the race has come and gone. As I sit here, still tired and sore from the race, it's hard to really look back on it and reflect. It usually takes a little while for things to really set in after a race like this. What I do know is this: It was an amazing experience. Not just the race itself, but every aspect involved. The event and venue is amazing but what made it so special for me was all of the support that I got from family and friends. To say that I raced this race solo is a misnomer.

My parents drove hundreds of miles to be there for me, to support me, to keep me comfortable, to do absolutely whatever I asked of them and then some. My wife took time off of work and sacrificed some of her time and energy to be there for me (not only during the race, but in the months leading up to it), to keep me going, to support me. My brothers Gant and Clint were calling me before the race and touching base with my parents during the race to check up on me and my progress. My friends Red, Spiro, Karen, Brian, and Dan (who was also racing solo) were there cheering me on. Red and Spiro kept my bike in great condition and took turns waiting up for me throughout the night. Sysco let me pet him and gave me a few wags of the tail. I received numerous calls and emails from friends asking about the race. I could go on and on. My entire support crew was amazing! I didn't have to think about anything except riding my bike. And ride my bike I did.

I ended up getting 5th place in a field of over 60 riders, some of which are elite. My goal was to settle in, stay consistent, and keep riding. I broke the course up in to different sections so I could have a few moral victories on each lap. I became extremely fond of mile 3, mile 6, and mile 12. Mile 3 meant I was almost done with the first rocky, unforgiving climb. Mile 6 meant that I was about to go behind Prostitute Butte and start the backside of the course. Mile 12 meant that I was almost to the home stretch and I knew that I would be able to see the "base camp" soon. I was also pretty fond of solo row, where we had our camp/pit set up. The camp site meant I was about to re-fuel, see my crew, and chalk up another lap. Keep riding.

So now what? I hadn't really thought too far beyond Moab. Now that I've come so close to a podium finish in only my second 24 hour solo race, I may still have an itch. Will I scratch the itch and do some more 24 hour solo races? I don't know. Right now all I want to do is wrap one of my numb hands around my wife and the other around a cold beer, sit my numb butt on the couch, and relax.

Hit It!

It's 216 miles to Moab. We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

That's right. It's go time. The bikes are dialed in. The lights are charged up. The gear is packed and I've got lots of pb&j. It's time to hit the road. Red has staked out a spot for us on solo row. All I have to do is show up, set up, and get ready to ride. I'm psyched. The last couple of weeks have been long weeks. I've been ready for this weekend to get here, but thankful for the few weeks of recovery time that I had following my surgery.

Physically, I think I'm ready. No doubt that I could be better prepared physically, but I feel good. Mentally, I know I'm ready. In a race like this, I think that being mentally prepared is key. Honestly, I think the surgery helped in this aspect. I'm going in to this race with a different frame of mind now. I can't really explain it, nor do I want to try.

Up until now, I've been really keeping my emotions and energy in check. Now it's time to slowly start to open the gate and feed off of the excitement. Two days and counting...It's on!!

Seeing as how this will be my last post before the race, I have to give some shot outs. Mom and Dad, it means the world to me that you're making the long drive out to Moab to support me. You never seize to amaze me. Your love and support through the years have made me who I am. Clint and Gant, my brothers, my best friends, you two are my heart and soul. Thanks for the love and support! Sharon, my love, my wife, my life. I couldn't do this without you. You gave me that little push that I needed to commit to this, knowing that if I was committing to this it also meant you were committing to it. You're amazing and I thank God every day for bringing us together. Red, Spiro, thanks for coming out to support me. G Love...what can I say? It's good to have crazy friends! Dan, you silly s.o.b., I'm glad to have a partner in crime. I look forward to hearing you singing and talking gibberish at 3am! Amy and Holly...I love my sistas! And little Lila and Clara, every time I think of you I smile! You all are my crew and you kick more ass than Chuck Norris! Thanks!!

Finally

Finally I am inside race week. I'm ready. I am so ready! I can't wait to get out to Moab and get this party started. I feel good, I feel strong, I feel ready! I have a few loose ends to tie up this week which should help me not to get too comsumed with thoughts of the race: shop, check the lights again, pack up my gear, dial in the back up bike, eat, ride a little, rest a lot.
As of today, there are 57 registered riders in the men's solo division. Several of which are elite. I'm looking forward to banging heads with all of them. I'm ready!

Doing Rad

This is my brother Clint given me the thumbs up. I can only assume he's wishing me luck in the upcoming race. He's pretty rad...as if you couldn't already tell.
Speaking of rad, I did a wheelie last night. How do you get more rad than that? I'll tell you how. Do two wheelies...and that's exactly what I did.

What's not rad? Getting up at 5:30am to ride. The actual riding is pretty nice. It's the getting up part that sucks. The last couple of days, I've done just that. I start in the dark with my lights on and about 45 minutes later I turn the lights off and welcome the sunrise. It's been a beautiful sight watching the sun come up over the low clouds. The sky turns crazy with colors and the fall colors and snow capped peaks light up. It definitely makes it worth getting up so early. I'm already looking forward to that sunrise lap in Moab. It's the 10 hours or so before sunrise, the dark lonely laps in the night, that I'm not quite as excited about. But, in order to love a 24 hour race you have to love the crust of it too.

Reality bytes...

Sometimes when reality hits you in the face, you have to hit it right back. I got hit with it on Saturday. I was on a road ride and it was windy as hell. It wasn't an easy ride and I wasn't feeling as good as I thought I should at this point in the game. Then it hit me. I'm in for a really long 24 hours come Oct. 13. Granted, anyone who does a 24 hour race solo is in for a long 24 hours. Fact of the matter is though, I'm not as strong as I would be had I not had my surgery 3 weeks ago tomorrow. HOWEVER, these things happen. Life happens. I'm happy with the way things have turned out. So, I'm hitting back. Like I said, these things happen. I'll just have to dig deeper, ride harder, suffer more, and most importantly enjoy it even that much more and be thankful for the opportunity to be there racing.
And you thought skinny, lycra clad, bike racers weren't tough. (evil laugh)!!

Ridin' it Jedi style...

I went for a night ride on Tuesday evening. It wasn't planned (no lights). I commuted to work. Got out of work late. Forgot a file I needed for an early mtg. at a real estate office in Carbondale. Got just outside of Aspen. Realized I forgot the file. Turned around and went back to the office to retrieve the file. Started the ride home again. I rode for about 30 minutes and then the sun went down and it started getting dark fast. Fortunately, most of the ride home is on a bike path. However, I've been having to dodge more and more piles of bear scat on the path lately. So, I was having to keep a close eye out for any big, steamy piles on the path as well as the big, furry critters who leave em on the path. I was singing outloud most of the ride and that's enough to scare off any creatures of the night, so I wasn't too worried...plus, I was using the force!

Got home. Ate. Went to bed.

Autumn Bliss

I poached this picture from velonews.com

It pretty much sums it up for ol' Floyd.

What a let down. Nuff said, case closed.

As for me, I went on one of the best rides I've had in a long time last night. The route was nothing spectacular, I've ridden it several times before. It's not a bad route, it's just not what most would call spectacular. What made it such a great ride was a combination of things. Being back on my bike and feeling stronger (sort of) was encouraging. The fall colors, the fact that the sky was glowing with crazy shades of pink, orange, blue, and red, the cool fall air, the fallen leaves crunching underneath my tires, and the fact that I was getting to share all of this with Sharon all add up to a great ride!!

Dog Days

The dog in this picture seems to be on the same training program that I've been on this past week. I've just been resting, trying to get my body back to normal. I did get on my bike Sunday and again on Tuesday. Sunday was an eye opener for me. My legs felt like they were dipped in concrete. My brain is thinking, "what they hell is wrong with you guys? Spin those pedals, push it, let's go, we've got a big race coming up!! WTF?!" I wanted to turn around and go home, but I pushed on. I loosened up after 10 minutes or so and the rest of the ride was ok. Tuesday's ride was better. My legs were still heavy, but I felt stronger. Afterwards though, I felt like I had been on my bike for about 8 hours as opposed to the 2 hours that I rode. So I've decided to take it easy for a few days and see how things go this weekend. It's been killing me not to ride. I go into the garage at night and tinker with my bikes, I check my lighting systems, I organize my riding gear, I tinker with my bikes some more. "Hi, my name is Wade and I'm a bikaholic."

It's a good thing Dan-O is soloing Moab this year too. I might need him to sherpa me around the course a few times. The dude has more energy than Cornholio on cookie dough.

I can't have a post titled Dog Days and not give a shot out to pero numero uno. What up Sysco! You're my boy!!

Perspective

It's important to keep things in perspective...it's difficult to do so at times, but it's important nonetheless. I've had a slight bump in the road that leads to Moab (or anywhere for that matter). And because of it, my training has suffered. My body is not 100% (far from it right now), and therefore, my mind is not 100% either. I have big expectations for Moab this year and regardless of the circumstances, that has not changed. I should probably re-evaluate things, but I can't. I'll just have to dig deeper, try harder and suffer more, keeping it all in perspective. I will take comfort in knowing that had things gone in a different direction this past week, I would be in an entirely different world of hurt and Moab would be the furthest thing from my mind. So I'm going in to Moab feeling grateful for the opportunity to be there, grateful for the pain, the suffering, the joy, the triumph, the entire experience. All the while, keeping everything in perspective!

Family

First and foremost today (and everyday), I have to recognize my family. Thanks for all the love and support. I wouldn't be half the person I am today without you!!

Alright. Feeling good. Last week was a good week. I got in a lot of miles and I'm feeling strong. Sat. was a pretty damn good day...big mt. bike ride in the morning, a motorcycle ride in the afternoon, and then the first annual Newsom shrimp boil (which was a flying success). Great riding, great food, great friends, and great weather.

This is going to be a pretty busy week for me, so I'm having to cut back on the miles this week. No biggie though. I'll ease off this week, then have two really big weeks, and then taper the two weeks right before the race. Hopefully I'll go in to the race feeling rested and ready. That's the plan.

Blink

This week's Aspen Cycling Club race was a mt. bike race on Basalt Mt. A fast, fun race. I rode well and finished in 4th after duking it out with teamate Joel. I'll spare you the details, you can catch the premier on Oct.1
Feeling strong and psyched for these next couple of weeks to come and go. It's starting to get pretty chilly in the mornings which makes it a little more difficult to get up and going for my early morning rides. I'm definitely rocking the knee warmers, heavier gloves, shoe covers, vest, etc. I love the autumn riding though...just have to make sure to wear the bright clothes so I'm not mistaken for a deer. Yep, it's deer season. You gotta love all the "welcome hunters" signs hanging from the liquor store windows. That's a good combo, guns and booze!!

On a more important note, my thoughts and prayers go out to Tara Llanes. Tara had a horrible crash at the Jeep King of the Mountain finale in Beaver Creek. She is recovering from 7 hours of surgery to try to repair damage to her spinal cord that has resulted in below the waist paralysis.
Please visit http://www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com/

Peace!

A Gear for the Ghetto

My boy Dan-O has decided to take his training to the next level. He is now riding through the ghettos in Salt Lake (are there really ghettos in Salt Lake?) and taunting the pit bulls. Hell of a way to get in some speed work. Good on ya Dan-O! Hope you're not wearing the good chamois on those rides...just in case.

As for me, well, it was tough as hell to get up and on the bike this morning. One of those mornings I guess. I did drag my ass out of bed an get going though. I don't think I woke up until about half way through my ride when I looked up and the sun had just crept up over the mountains and everything looked like a painting. It was beautiful and it made me feel a little better about getting up and getting on my bike...aside from the fact that I can't afford to miss a day of training right now. Moab is getting close!

PS. Adam Craig took the Single Speed World Championship in Sweden this year. He was sporting a Magnum P.I. mustache and tight cut off jean shorts...you gotta be fast to pull that one off. Next year's SSWC is in Napa, CA. I might have to add a single speed to the quiver of bikes!

Ashcroft - S. Hayden Road Race

Last night's Road Race went well. I felt sluggish at the start of the race, but as time went on I started to get my legs back. 7 of us got away off of the front and we all continued to push the pace. We settled in for a while and then the attacks started flying. There were 3 Hub riders, 3 Basalt Bike & Ski riders, and one poor chap sporting a 7-Eleven jersey. I think the lone rider must have known his fate because he was launching attack after attack trying to get away from the rest of us. His attempts were fruitless.
The finish came down to the seven of us lining up for the sprint. I put myself in good position and was able to come around a few riders at the line to take 3rd place.
On a side note, while I was warming up a bear cub crossed the road about 30 yards in front of me. It was pretty cool. The little guy was pretty curious as to why there were so many bikes out and about. We just had to keep an eye out for momma bear who must have crossed the road in front of the cub because we never did see her...which is a good thing!

PS. Jane Fonda Sucks!!

3 in 8

Yesterday and today are rest days. I was originally planning on keeping with the one rest day per week routine, but I was really dragging this morning. Normally I would just fight through it, but today I gave in. I have another race tomorrow and I want to be somewhat rested going in to it. It's not a high priority race, but it will be my 3rd race in 8 days and I'm feeling a little sluggish. So that's how I'm justifying taking today off from the bike.

I wonder what Sysco is doing right now. Sysco's my dog and my little homie. We've been through a lot together. He's been there for all of my 24 Hours of Moab races! I may have him as a guest blogger sometime so keep your eyes peeled for that one.

Mom, if you're reading this, congratulations on your retirement! You deserve all good things and then some! YOU KICK ASS!

The weekend...

was good. The race on Saturday went well. It took a while for things to develop, but once they did, things heated up. After a couple of silly, non-threatening breakaways early in the race, two riders went out hard about half way through the race. The chase group consisted of about 5 riders. Myself and another teammate were in that group. One of the two out front was also a teammate, so we were not working to catch up but the other 3 were. Regardless, the chase group caught the two lead riders with about 10-12 miles to go in the race. Shortly after we caught them, I decided to give it a go. I dropped the hammer and buried myself up a climb. Only one other rider was able to stay on my wheel. We had a sizable gap over the other riders, so we began working together to open it up. The gap continued to grow and the two of us knew we were away for good. As we got closer to the finish, we started jockeying for position for the sprint. I got myself in good position, but was unable to pass Max, aka Johnny McHuge Legs, at the finish. The kid has a wicked sprint! All in all, I was happy with the race. It was another beautiful day in the mountains.
I was pretty beat Sunday and not real motivated to ride. Sharon had agreed to ride with me for awhile though, so that helped get me going.
I'm feeling strong and motivated. The training is going well. 7 weeks until the race.

Stinger

The title of this post serves two purposes.
1. To plug one of my sponsors, Honey Stinger. Try it! It's great stuff!
2. Because I had one sticking out of my neck last night! Seriously, how many times can one guy get stung by a bee or wasp while riding his bike? I'm up to 4 this summer. This one got me good...right in the neck. After the innitial pain from the sting, I had to laugh. Last weekend it was my upper thigh. A few weeks before that, my shoulder. Before that, my arm. This really is getting comical. You hear that bees and wasps, I laugh at your venomous stings. HAHAHAHA! Just kidding, please stop stinging me. It really does hurt.

Big road race tomorrow (Missouri Heights RR). Looking forward to it. I'll try to keep the rubber side down tomorrow.

Man Down

A friend of mine once told me that when cowboy gets bucked off of a bull really hard it's called getting chili-whopped. Well, last night I got chili-whopped. I was riding my bike though, not a bull. Nonetheless, I got chili-whopped.
Last night was the Rim Trail Race (part of Aspen Cycling Club's Town Series Races). It's a fairly quick mountain bike race with some wicked single track. I was riding well and had finished the last climb. I'm bombing down some single track and take a right hand switch back when my front wheel washed out on me...BOOYAKASHA! Next thing I know I'm head first in to the dirt. Yep, chili-whopped! I got up looked to my right and saw stars, looked to my left and saw my bike with the handles bars completely cock-eyed. I tried to bend them back, but no luck. I rode the rest of the way down with both my head and my handle bars a little off. Oh well, such is racing sometimes.
The drive home was interesting. I was still pretty foggy from the wreck. It was almost like being drunk and just wanting to sober up...not a great feeling. I almost pulled my car over and called my boy Red to see if he would pick me up on his way home from the race. I was contemplating this for a while I guess, because the next thing I knew, I was pulling into my driveway.
I got up early this morning and got back on that bull. The ride this morning was tough, but I love being out in the early morning on my bike so it was nice. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. I truly am blessed to live in such a beautiful place and to be able to do the things that I love doing. Even if it means a few minor concussions along the way!

In It...

The purpose of this blog is for me to have a place to come to write down my thoughts while training for another solo attempt at the 24 Hours of Moab. I raced it solo in 2004 and logged 11 laps (each lap is 15 miles). 16 laps won the solo division...that's a lot of miles in 24 hours. This year I suspect that it will take a really fast 17 laps (maybe even 18 laps) to win it. Chris Eatough, 6x 24 Hour Solo World Champion is supposed to show up this year to dish out some pain. All that being said, I may have just given you the impression that I'm going to win. Not the case. I'm a realist, sort of, and I know I'm not at the same level as the professional riders who are fortunate enough do this for a living. I am also a competitor though and it is mountain biking. So you never know what might happen over the course of a race, especially a 24 hour race. For me, this is a race to test myself, to come face to face with my soul, to push myself (physically and mentally) to what I think might be the limit...and then keep going.
8 weeks until race day (Oct.13-14, 2007).
On a side note, I have to thank my wife Sharon for helping me pull the trigger on the race. You Rock!