4th National 24 Hour Challenge

This weekend I was able to partisipate in my 4th National 24 Hour Challenge (N24HC). The first 30 miles were the easiest but as I sprinted for the first check station, I broke a spoke without realizing it. Coming out of the station I was about 100m behind the leaders so I chased for about 5 miles. No success. Bummer. And about this time, I could hear that spoke wipping around beating the paint off my bike. That hurt. I was now riding with another follow-up group and didn't want to loose them so I called my support crew (Beth and Dad) and told them I needed my backup wheel that I had left back at the start/finish. So when we turned into the 70 mile check point, they were still 15 minutes away and I waited for them.

With the new wheel and fresh supplies I started out alone. Most of the faster riders were well ahead of me now. At 95 miles the heat was taking it's toll but I kept packing the 'ice socks' running water over my entire body and drinking as much as my stomach could take.

At 120 miles I took a 15 min break and a 'washcloth bath'. Then it was to the medium (22 mile) loop. After the first I was cramping real bad and I took a sodium/potasium drink + 2 full bottles. Then hit the road with Eric and Dale. Finally I had caught them. But 5 miles into it, the over-drinking hit me hard. I could only do about 16 mph. To their credit, Dale and Eric pulled me through. Great team glue guys. Thanks.

After the second loop, I was in pretty bad shape so I went to see the chiropractor on site. I showed him my cramp locations. He adjusted my pelvis and told me to get hydrated. I hadn't uranated in 8-10 hours. Bad sign.

When I went back to the riding, I decided to do the night loop and had to wait for 20 minutes for it to open (7:15). I felt surprizingly good and started to click them off 4 at a time with a 10 minute break. I happened upon Tom Scott and we were together for about the next 90 miles.

Around 3am, I could feel my entire body stopping. I stayed with it for another lap but then had no more to go. I was done. I'd found my limit - at 289 miles. It was a good ride.

Today (Monday) I feel pretty good with very minor numbness. I plan to ride to work tomorrow so I can get the rest of the kinks out.