Steve & I headed down to Spokane on Friday to get our pre lap in and set up our pit area for the weekend. The course was in good shape with a few changes made including the addition of Little Vietnam as well as a new section Nelson's Nottingham, which was before the 5 minute hill. The course is a mix of 70% double track and 30% single track with 5 rock gardens but nothing super technical. A total of 24 kms with 1200 feet of vertical gain per lap.
Shaun arrived later in the afternoon and we headed back to our rental place for some dinner and prep work for the race.
Shaun arrived later in the afternoon and we headed back to our rental place for some dinner and prep work for the race.
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| Our place in Spokane Valley |
After having our morning coffee and breakfast we packed up and headed back to the race site. I knew it would be a hard race as Shaun, Steve & I were all unsupported. In addition, there would be some stiff competition with Monilee Atkinson, who was also coached by Shaun and an experienced and great racer. This was also the first time Steve & I would both be racing a 24 solo at the same time. Normally one of us would be in the pit supporting. It was going to be interesting.
I set up my lights and got my clothes ready to go for the night laps. I had filled twenty-five bottles of Infinit Nutrition the night before so I was good to go.
I set up my lights and got my clothes ready to go for the night laps. I had filled twenty-five bottles of Infinit Nutrition the night before so I was good to go.
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| The pit |
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| Shaun & Steve getting ready to kick some butt! |
We made our way to the start line and before I knew it the gun went off and the Le Mans start was on! Steve & I arrived back at our bikes at the same time and then he was off like a rocket and I never saw him again.
The first lap was congested near the beginning but spaced out nicely with the multiple double track sections. I felt pretty good and was happy with my pace for the first lap. I ended up racing another solo girl on that lap and for the next 3. I tried to ride smart and not get too caught up in it as it was still early in the race. But, it was on with the two of us coming through the timing tent under 30 secs apart. I did not see her again until the morning laps.
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| That is a lot of bikes! |
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| Le Mans start |
The first lap was congested near the beginning but spaced out nicely with the multiple double track sections. I felt pretty good and was happy with my pace for the first lap. I ended up racing another solo girl on that lap and for the next 3. I tried to ride smart and not get too caught up in it as it was still early in the race. But, it was on with the two of us coming through the timing tent under 30 secs apart. I did not see her again until the morning laps.
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| Loving the Fate 29er hardtail! |
My first stop was to mount my lights which had to be on by 8pm. I grabbed a layer as well as it was starting to cool off. We had a few rain showers but luckily the dark clouds rolled away and that was all we had for rain.
It was not completely dark for awhile so I just ran by Exposure Six Pack handlebar light for the first night lap. From that point on I stopped every lap to put more layers on. That really was not my plan but it gave me something to look forward to. Also it was getting really cold, you could see your breath. I ran into Shaun a few times back at the pit so we would have a quick chat to check in how things were going. He was doing well and said Steve was setting a good pace. The Elk Valley crew would also come over to make sure I was ok and to see if I needed anything. The Fate was running awesome so all I needed was some lube on the chain and I was good to go. It was great to to have someone checking up on me.
One of the night laps when I came in Shaun was sitting in his lawn chair. I asked him what he was doing and he said" I am just staring at the stars". He seemed kind of out of it but ok so I headed back out. It turns out he went out too hard and needed to take a break for a couple of hours. A few laps later I discovered Steve in the back of our truck with a very blood shot eye. Up to that point he was killing the race and on track for a podium finish. However, when it came to the night he started to loose his vision with all the dust and smoke. Unfortunately he was forced to stop. That was very disappointing.
The last few hours in the dark got tricky with the heavy fog after Strawberry Fields. The morning laps were also starting to get tough and I was feeling beat up. When I came in just before 5:00am I was going to take my lights off but I found out they had to be on for another hour or so. Back out on the course and I was starting to really suffer now and feeling nauseous. I was sure glad to see Steve standing by the pit when I came in. He helped me take my lights off and I shed a few layers. I sat down for a few minutes and had some water and pepto bismol. I was hoping that would do the trick. Steve assured me I was doing well and that the race was now between Monilee & I. The results were showing at that time that I was 1 lap up. So I went back out and tried to do my best.
I started to feel better on the next lap but tired and feeling the legs. Each lap I would check in and I was told I was still 1 lap up. After lap 15 Steve said I would have to make it in before noon so I could go out for one more lap. I was not sure if I had 2 more laps in me but I had 1:45 to get in before noon. As I was riding I felt ok and towards then end of the lap I knew I would make it. I had about 10 minutes to spare. One final check in with the pit and I was told Monilee was now 1st and I would still have to go out again because the results were showing I was between 2nd & 3rd.
I headed back out but it was a very hard lap mentally and physically. I really was not sure if I was chasing anyone or what was going on. I just put my head down and did my best. After about half way into the course I felt like I was the only one out there riding. I barely saw anyone for the remainder of the lap. The sun was sucking all of my energy as it beat down on me on every climb. I finally made it to the final climb before the downhill to the finish. I was sure happy to see Steve & Shaun waiting for me! With 17 laps, a total of 410 kms and 25:29 hours of racing I was pretty much done. They congratulated me and said I finished 2nd. I was happy with the result knowing I raced as hard as I could. It turned out Monilee started to put time into me from lap 15 onwards. She got stronger in the morning and had a great race achieving a personal best on the course. Suzanne, the girl I was racing at the beginning also had a great day finishing 3rd.
It is really hard to understand what goes on during a 24 hour race. This was my fourth solo race and each one brings different challenges. They are all hard in their own way. This one I would definitely rank high on the suffer meter! It has been 2 weeks since the race and the sore legs, swollen feet, and exhaustion are starting to go away. I look back at the race with no regrets and a sense of accomplishment. I had no bike issues so I was able to ride the hardtail for the entire race. It was sure fast and handled awesome in the rocky sections.
I want to thank Steve for getting me through the morning laps, Shaun for his support and encouragement, the Elk Valley pit crew, my sponsors and last but certainly not least the amazing volunteers and other racers who were so enthusiastic for the entire race!
It was not completely dark for awhile so I just ran by Exposure Six Pack handlebar light for the first night lap. From that point on I stopped every lap to put more layers on. That really was not my plan but it gave me something to look forward to. Also it was getting really cold, you could see your breath. I ran into Shaun a few times back at the pit so we would have a quick chat to check in how things were going. He was doing well and said Steve was setting a good pace. The Elk Valley crew would also come over to make sure I was ok and to see if I needed anything. The Fate was running awesome so all I needed was some lube on the chain and I was good to go. It was great to to have someone checking up on me.
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| Pushing into the night with my Exposure lights |
One of the night laps when I came in Shaun was sitting in his lawn chair. I asked him what he was doing and he said" I am just staring at the stars". He seemed kind of out of it but ok so I headed back out. It turns out he went out too hard and needed to take a break for a couple of hours. A few laps later I discovered Steve in the back of our truck with a very blood shot eye. Up to that point he was killing the race and on track for a podium finish. However, when it came to the night he started to loose his vision with all the dust and smoke. Unfortunately he was forced to stop. That was very disappointing.
The last few hours in the dark got tricky with the heavy fog after Strawberry Fields. The morning laps were also starting to get tough and I was feeling beat up. When I came in just before 5:00am I was going to take my lights off but I found out they had to be on for another hour or so. Back out on the course and I was starting to really suffer now and feeling nauseous. I was sure glad to see Steve standing by the pit when I came in. He helped me take my lights off and I shed a few layers. I sat down for a few minutes and had some water and pepto bismol. I was hoping that would do the trick. Steve assured me I was doing well and that the race was now between Monilee & I. The results were showing at that time that I was 1 lap up. So I went back out and tried to do my best.
I started to feel better on the next lap but tired and feeling the legs. Each lap I would check in and I was told I was still 1 lap up. After lap 15 Steve said I would have to make it in before noon so I could go out for one more lap. I was not sure if I had 2 more laps in me but I had 1:45 to get in before noon. As I was riding I felt ok and towards then end of the lap I knew I would make it. I had about 10 minutes to spare. One final check in with the pit and I was told Monilee was now 1st and I would still have to go out again because the results were showing I was between 2nd & 3rd.
I headed back out but it was a very hard lap mentally and physically. I really was not sure if I was chasing anyone or what was going on. I just put my head down and did my best. After about half way into the course I felt like I was the only one out there riding. I barely saw anyone for the remainder of the lap. The sun was sucking all of my energy as it beat down on me on every climb. I finally made it to the final climb before the downhill to the finish. I was sure happy to see Steve & Shaun waiting for me! With 17 laps, a total of 410 kms and 25:29 hours of racing I was pretty much done. They congratulated me and said I finished 2nd. I was happy with the result knowing I raced as hard as I could. It turned out Monilee started to put time into me from lap 15 onwards. She got stronger in the morning and had a great race achieving a personal best on the course. Suzanne, the girl I was racing at the beginning also had a great day finishing 3rd.
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| 2nd place finish with some wine and a cash payout! |
I want to thank Steve for getting me through the morning laps, Shaun for his support and encouragement, the Elk Valley pit crew, my sponsors and last but certainly not least the amazing volunteers and other racers who were so enthusiastic for the entire race!