Chicago lodging

Boy I tell ya, the open community atmosphere surrounding solo pit row down @ NINE MILE FOREST RECREATION AREA for the Wausau 24 did not disappoint! I mean, w/the buzz of what is awaiting everyone in the air, it'd be hard not to make good amongst your neighbors for the 2-3 days you'll be sharing together. That was my case w/one Sean Palmer that came up from Chicago, IL for some redemption on the root-snarled boulder garden of a course we'd be battling on. He and his girlfriend were camping just a couple spots down which made logistics easy since many laps would be done in tandem. Using this race as more of an informational trial for the Salsa Two-Four which is my premier focus of the summer, this made giving me the chance to help someone else have the best experience possible very likely. However, I'm going to back up a little.

After renting a Dodge Caliber on Friday morning I'd calmly pack all needed junk and hit the road. Couple weeks prior, Jason Buffington and I discussed via cell phone about setting up our pit together which is always a delight to have a partner in crime during one of these efforts. I've only ridden w/him on a group ride once and was looking forward to spending a weekend getting to know him more. He worked a half a day and then would leave which left me to find a decent piece of real estate. When he arrived, I was erecting a sun shade that Jen sent me down w/to aid in some comfort from the unforgiving rays. Not long after he got out of his car, he'd be mocking me about my anal retentiveness over where to secure the guy lines so to not snag a crank arm on mountain bikers passing nearby. Jason has quickly risen to be a well respected competitor in MTB enduros possessing the ability to vie for the win w/each entry. Being genuinely friendly only adds to this as it became clear Friday evening. Upon getting situated, zip tying our # plates on our bikes, eating some dinner, bearing the brunt of a mosquito blood transfusion while tipping back a New Glarus Spotted Cow which Jason provided we heard the announcer over the speakers echo out that there'd be a social sponsored by Red Eye Brewing Company in the expo area from 8:00-10:00 PM!! We thought, lets save on what rations were brought and go consume those being offered. On the way, the decision to peak at a section of the course was desired in our curiosity. It was brief as my footwear choice was vibram five fingers on crank brothers egg beater pedals. Plus, our palates craved more beer!! The scene was awesome, portable burning units spread around, bistro tables w/stools & bowls of pretzels, AND OF COURSE.....TWO KEGS!!! It would start to rain forcing an early night but it is usually a blessing knowing the long day in the saddle to come. I opted to sleep in the car rather than pitch a tent and this turned out to be just fine. Not only was I comfortable but there'd be no breaking down and drying out.

It never fails, one might think a daunting event such as this would keep a person in his/her sleeping bag until the last minute but 3:54 AM is when tent city began to stir. However, while getting up and stumbling around thru the dewy grass I had the comfort of knowing I wasn't the only person here in this frame of mind. There were people in their chairs on laptops that looked like they'd been awake all night. My flip-flops were challenging to walk in as they were outside in the elements so I went back to my space after chatting w/officials setting up the transition area for a while. Once I returned, Jason informed me that he'd been up since 4 o'clock too. We proceeded to situate everything that will be needed on a table that he brought. Coolers in front to remind us of any potential mishaps w/the trip wires to the shelter. Discussing goofy idiosyncrasies like recipes for a tub of chamois cream would be one of many topics before moving on to nutrition and bike components. I felt compelled and even obligated to give my business to Mickey's Bar & Grill as they brought a trailer where food would be available around the clock throughout the action. Purchasing a egg, cheese, and bacon wrap along w/potatoes sounded really good! Like I stated, this whole race meant nothing in terms of attaining positive results. Seeking out different avenues and how my body responds to them was of greatest interest. Next, it'd be time to pull on the Peace Coffee Racing kit. Already having several ounces of yeti blend from my klean kanteen, couple shits later, I was eager to get the show rolling.

Tradition continued as we got off the line in le mans starting fashion!!!! If you ever wanna see a ridiculous sight purebred runners then check out the beginning of an ultra MTB race sometime. A mass of cyclists striding it out to their machines in stiff-soled shoes for a quarter mile and you'll be laughing!! Anyways, it wasn't long and we were in our elements putting the watts into the pedals. As usual, this loop always has a bottleneck, even though, a good portion of the singletrack is removed for the opening lap. Since I had zero interest in making the lead group I would have to hang out mid pack which came OK as I found myself in the thick of quite a jovial group. We eventually got moving and scrutinizing every obstacle in the way came as utmost important. I try and make notes of hazards early on because you'll be seeing them in many successive laps. My large breakfast w/a high quantity of the calories derived from fat was proving to be counterproductive and I will not repeat this choice @ Afton! I knew it would resolve, just not as fast as a gel. Fortunately, I've got a stomach that can utilize anything for energy w/o being upset. By the second lap, everything was gellin' and I began ransacking my supplies to experiment w/new menu items like pickles & olives, ENSURE, fruit smoothie POWERBARS, rice & pita chips to give you an idea. Shooting the gamut out there was enjoyable as it provided distraction from waves of soreness periodically. My splits of actual riding time were nearly to the second thru four laps. Because of this, boredom was perceived and so on either five or six I chose to go a little more aggressive in the corners which proved to be a mistake.....BUT.....lesson learned! Departing the arid mess of scattered rocks early in the lap I moved back into the woods & BAM!! I don't crash very often but I made up for that in this instance. Man, best I can figure is my rear tire slid wide until it butted up against a root to catapult me. Wangling abrasions from elbow to shoulder was the least of my worries. My right shoulder was not happy and initially I couldn't find my bike either. Apparently, I flung my rid about 15 feet into the brush and it sat on this huge boulder like someone placed it there. No obvious damage but I had to readjust the computer and light mount. I proceeded very slowly for a couple miles to realize the joint was mostly stunned as it improved quickly. Around this time I believed that Sean was putting all his faith into me to get him into the night feeling confident. He'd blown up really early during a previous attempt on this course going in the opposite direction. Sean would get in & out of his pit sooner than my less proficient unsupported self on this occasion. Regardless, he would spin on down and wait for me to guide him w/some choice lines that were working for the both of us. Typically, sunset is a wonderful reprieve from the heat but since the blazing globe in the clouds remained hidden for most of the afternoon it didn't strike down my discomfort as much as I had been looking forward to. Despite the aforementioned, conditions would inevitably turn positive as the night forces everyone to recalibrate their senses while taking our minds off elevated core temperatures that are beginning to decline after peaking. There is something unexplainable about riding in the forest w/lights to navigate. I found ways between, around, & even over debris in the trail that I didn't see when my periphery was greater in expanse. I treated the night as interactive w/those still awake. Trying my best to encourage those near my pit to continue by having a snack, checking equipment functionality, and even packing some of my junk into the car while the race was in progress. Wow, it sure is nice to participate rather than compete in events like these when the opportunity presents itself. A table of laptops stationed in the start/finish area was great to stop in and update myself. Buff' and I would up our positions before the sunrise lap which proved to be an epic one to shed light on(no pun intended)! Fog would appear making it very high risk as I couldn't see a damn thing!! My eyes were so dry from having them open for an entire day now and there is always ~45 minutes when it is questionable whether lights should remain on since this also seems to add more to the crazy refraction taking place in water molecules in the atmosphere. Human brains must undergo chemical influences during moments like this as my sensation to fall asleep on the handlebar suddenly vanished. It's almost like mind says to body, "good morning...lets begin a fresh day again!"

Without further ado, my laps to end the race were paced out just the same as at the beginning. One difference to the conclusion of this 24-hour, I rode beyond the duration for the first time ever. This also was my main goal for this trial. Coming up to the mats I noticed people waiting in a field to cross after 24:00 but I was in good spirits and decided to chat w/an official about whether they were enforcing that rule. He adamantly said, "you can stop now but it'll be a DNF." I thought, fuck that, after seeing the clock tick over @ 23 hours 32 minutes, no way all them 15 x 11 miles would go down the drain. So, I went out on what is surely my final lap. It went fine and breaking down camp after was surprisingly comfortable. Swapping stories in our little sojourn is fun and gratifying. I exchanged contact info w/Sean as he was extremely appreciative for my help throughout which truly came welcome as passing the sands in the glass is half the battle. What's the other half you might ask? Keeping your eyelids open driving home!