Z
Zonic Man
Guest
Well, the race started out INTERESTINGLY
to say the least. When Team MTBR-1 (aka Number plate 420) was doing their LeMans start, I was walking down the aisle of Sacramento Memorial Auditorium graduating from school. Following the graduation the family went over to a nice restaurant, got the grub on, said the requisite roasting things in various speeches about me, and spent good quality time together.
Immediately following dinner, Suzy and I RACED home to an already packed car. We hopped out of our dress clothes and into more appropriate attire for the 3-hour drive down to Laguna Seca.
After 3 Red Bulls and a half a can of Copenhagen, we arrive at the 24 hours of Adrenalin. Oh, what a site at 11 in the evening, hopped up on caffeine and ready to ride! I was SOOO fired up.
Suzy and I quickly hooked up with the team, emptied the car, pitched the tent, and I put on the appropriate bike clothing for my scheduled 2 a.m. lap.
We head over to the staging area, where I am instructed on what to do. You see, Im a total 24 hours rookie. Hell, I had only done one other night ride before, and that was basically on a dirt bike path. Here I am going to be RACING at night on an 11 mile course. Whooo boy.
So all of a sudden, they yell, TEAM 420! and I see Mike round the corner into the staging area. He passes me the baton, and off I go!
The course starts (after the bridge) with a mellow climb up . middle ring stuff. Then there was LOTS of fast, rutted, bumpy as hell singletrack then a nice meandering climb up to hurl hill then TONS of SWEET downhill, then a LONG ASS climb back out. I swear, the climb felt like forever! (It was really only about 3 miles, but FELT long at 2:45 a.m. after the day I had.) When I reached the top of the climb (where the sea otter dual slalom is) I gave out a loud WOOOOOHOOOO knowing it was all downhill from there. I rushed into the staging area, and heard some teammates yell out Jed, is that you? from the staging area .I hauled ass around the campground/course area, and came in to pass the baton to beautiful Laura, who was off on her lap. I checked my time and did a respectable 1:02 in the dark, out of my car, with no preparation. I wasnt pleased, however, I wanted to be under an hour.
Off to sleep for 3 hours, up for coffee and another lap.
My morning lap was good I did a 57 minute lap and took about a 1-2 minute break to talk to a friend of mine at aid station number 3 before the big climb.
I was pleased as punch with that.
All in all my 24 hours experience was freaking AWESOME. Major props go to Forrest and Richard for their 51-minute laps on DH bikes. Thats just sick.
HUGE props go out to MTBR-2 Singlespeed, who took home 2nd place in the 5 man division all on SINGLESPEEDS. You guys are SICK! Seriously tough good performance. Are you guys sleeping like ALL day today or what? Mark Weir, you are one sick mofo. Still a rammer though. Guys, his laps werent 41s . they were 40s! Holy S!
Special Props to Gina as well, for her 3-lap performance. That was great!
Camaraderie was there, the racing was there, the fun was there.
Im glad I was able to be a part of next year Ill be there for the FULL deal!
Graduation with family.
Before my first lap. I'm nervous!
Coming in off a night lap
Pooped
Morning lap finish. Suzy doesn't know how to pan too good.
Hanging out.
Immediately following dinner, Suzy and I RACED home to an already packed car. We hopped out of our dress clothes and into more appropriate attire for the 3-hour drive down to Laguna Seca.
After 3 Red Bulls and a half a can of Copenhagen, we arrive at the 24 hours of Adrenalin. Oh, what a site at 11 in the evening, hopped up on caffeine and ready to ride! I was SOOO fired up.
Suzy and I quickly hooked up with the team, emptied the car, pitched the tent, and I put on the appropriate bike clothing for my scheduled 2 a.m. lap.
We head over to the staging area, where I am instructed on what to do. You see, Im a total 24 hours rookie. Hell, I had only done one other night ride before, and that was basically on a dirt bike path. Here I am going to be RACING at night on an 11 mile course. Whooo boy.
So all of a sudden, they yell, TEAM 420! and I see Mike round the corner into the staging area. He passes me the baton, and off I go!
The course starts (after the bridge) with a mellow climb up . middle ring stuff. Then there was LOTS of fast, rutted, bumpy as hell singletrack then a nice meandering climb up to hurl hill then TONS of SWEET downhill, then a LONG ASS climb back out. I swear, the climb felt like forever! (It was really only about 3 miles, but FELT long at 2:45 a.m. after the day I had.) When I reached the top of the climb (where the sea otter dual slalom is) I gave out a loud WOOOOOHOOOO knowing it was all downhill from there. I rushed into the staging area, and heard some teammates yell out Jed, is that you? from the staging area .I hauled ass around the campground/course area, and came in to pass the baton to beautiful Laura, who was off on her lap. I checked my time and did a respectable 1:02 in the dark, out of my car, with no preparation. I wasnt pleased, however, I wanted to be under an hour.
Off to sleep for 3 hours, up for coffee and another lap.
My morning lap was good I did a 57 minute lap and took about a 1-2 minute break to talk to a friend of mine at aid station number 3 before the big climb.
I was pleased as punch with that.
All in all my 24 hours experience was freaking AWESOME. Major props go to Forrest and Richard for their 51-minute laps on DH bikes. Thats just sick.
HUGE props go out to MTBR-2 Singlespeed, who took home 2nd place in the 5 man division all on SINGLESPEEDS. You guys are SICK! Seriously tough good performance. Are you guys sleeping like ALL day today or what? Mark Weir, you are one sick mofo. Still a rammer though. Guys, his laps werent 41s . they were 40s! Holy S!
Special Props to Gina as well, for her 3-lap performance. That was great!
Camaraderie was there, the racing was there, the fun was there.
Im glad I was able to be a part of next year Ill be there for the FULL deal!
Graduation with family.
Before my first lap. I'm nervous!
Coming in off a night lap
Pooped
Morning lap finish. Suzy doesn't know how to pan too good.
Hanging out.
