Crank Racing : : News

Well, we got to NJ with no real problems and checked in without a hitch. There were two campsites reserved for solo riders at the park. The first one we went to was completely full, so we headed over to the second campsite and met a handful of other solo riders. Two of which gave me the lowdown on the course and the other riders since they had done this race numerous times in the past.

It was good to get an insider's viewpoint of the race and the course since I wasn't able to pre-ride it before the big race. They also mentioned that the four-person team of riders who had beaten pro-sponsored teams in the past had split up and were now attempting solo efforts. He elaborated by saying they were all stinkin' fast and that he had his bets placed on those riders to take it all. This kinda got me nervous since I had come with the hopes of doing well and this guy was telling me that I was going to get my butt kicked.

The following day was met with scattered rain showers and dark looming clouds. We went to the pre-race meeting and didn't really learn too much. Just that the course was "wet and hard" according to the course-setters. The soloists were the last group to be released and I found myself unwittingly at the front of the pack where the "elite" aka "pro" riders were supposed to be. I wasn't too sure where I should've been in the pack but I figured I should say where I was. At the sound of the gun, all the solo riders, about 60 in total, were released.

The pace was that of a group ride, and that's exactly what it was at this point. The first couple of miles were pretty much all uphill (yeah!) and I managed to make my way to the front of the pack. During the first gravel-road-ascent, the top solo riders engulfed the back-of-the-packers from the previous waves. We finally hit the first section of single/double track. It was still relatively flat and nothing to have great concern over. After about 2 miles, we hit the first significant uphill. At this point, pretty much EVERYONE was off their bikes. The elite riders in front of me just kinda assumed their role at the back of the line, dismounting before they even hit the climb. Being the dumb, naive individual I am, I didn't dismount and led a pack of riders up the incline yelling out "rider up" to help clear the stream of marchers. During the first climb I heard "Don't burn yourself out soloists" Heh, I doubt one uphill would really be the cause of my burnout....I *hope*.

I fell into my groove and began to ride with the few soloists that were ahead of me. I managed to keep up with them until I hit a very slick rock and wiped out pretty bad. So bad in fact that I knocked one of my break levers out of alignment and loosened my rear cassette. A little bruised I continued on and managed to fall again going over a very slick wooden bidge. Again, I injured myself but kept on trucking. I've fallen twice and I'm barely one hour into a 24 hour race. This is going to stink if I keep this rate up.

Miles 6-8 were essentially unridable to me. Others were able to do it, but I opted to use these miles as my "get off the bike and work the legs out" section. Muddy, slick rock gardens and a short off-camber root section were found during these miles.

I managed to finish my first lap in just over 1:15. The 2nd and 3rd laps were pretty much the same times, with a few minutes added on for fuel replenishment.

After my third lap, the jingling noise coming from my rear wheel was really beginning to concern me. So when I hit my camp site I told my support person Jen to take my bike to the mechanic tent up at the start while I got my backup bike. When I got to the tent I told the mechanic that my rear cassette was loose and if he could just tighted it up really quick. Upon inspection he told me that the cause for my loose rear cassette was b/c I had stripped my hub. A problem cause my someone over tightening the rear cassette. He managed to hot-swap my rear wheel from my backup bike and so I took off on my Trek with my old wheel firmly attached on the back.

One by one the solo riders that I was riding with began to taper away. And soon I was all by myself. The time was around 6pm and I was just heading out for my first light-equipped lap when the skies opened up and unleashed a pounding rainstorm. This being my 5th lap I had some confidence that I knew the course by now. However, I was going to be super careful during mile 3 which contain about a mile long down hill complete with a couple of chest-to-the-saddle sections. Me and my v-brakes were feeling how the wet and muddy conditions were beginning to affect my braking power. I was almost through a brand new pair of brake pads and I was only aboug 1/4 the way through the race.

At this time I was cold, wet, and my forearms/palms killed. My legs still felt fresh and mentally I was still in tact. The night laps came and went with only one minimal stop coming at around 2am. My butt was super sore at this point due to a nasty case of saddle sores which made it hard to walk at times. However once I hopped on my bike, it was like I hadn't been riding for over 14 hours!

The end of the race was in sight and we were trying to figure out where I was in the overall standings. I seemed as though I managed to hold onto first through the night and currently it was just a matter of how many more laps I had to do to "seal the deal" so to speak. I decided that I basically just had to keep going until I didn't have any more time left. So...finishing up my 12th and final lap I came in finishing at around 11:40am. I still had time to go out for a 13th lap, but my body was pretty beaten up and my saddle sore was practically unbearable. Hanging up my hat, I just sat and waited until noon to see how the final results panned out.

Seeing the final results, I noticed that not only had I won my division by a decisive 3 laps, I had actually been the 3rd best solo rider overall. Placing me above of all but two elite riders. And for all my efforts, I was awarded a plaque that says "First Place Solo 19-29" Very slick!