Every year Jared and I did something stupid in college. Pre-dawn bike ride though Cincinnati. Check. 120 mile road race in Colorado on little training. Check. 24 hour race solo with no ultra experience. Check. XXC race after a summer of rehabbing from injury. Check.
Since we both left Damscus, it has been difficult to get together for these grand adventures. We both have done "stupid things" just on our own without the camaraderie of old. So this year I braved this Texas heat and dust and signed up for the 24 Hours of Rocky Hill. Jared has a history of doing well there. I was coming in not having raced a 24 hour race in 4 years.
Things started out pretty good with me leading the men's solo division and Jared sitting pretty in 2nd for the first couple of laps. I put in two of the fastest solo laps over the first two laps setting myself up for the fastest lap award. Unfortunately I paid for the effort and seeded first to Jared after a three or four laps. What I didn't know was at this point Jared's fork was blown and he was riding with a bottomed out fork. After a few laps we were riding together just as we were forced to turn out lights on.
Then Jared flatted. And flatted again. At this point my back and neck were beginning to go (note to self, work on core). So I did what any logical person would do. I went out do another lap (#10). It sucked. I ran off the trail a few times from sheer tiredness. I ran off one time because I simply couldn't turn the bike quick enough. So after what felt like forever, but was really about 2 hours, I dragged my sorry hindquarters back into camp.
By this point the eventual winner had passed Jared and I and wasn't slowing down. I was sore, tired, and dejected. Jacob attempted to get me back out on the bike. Jess even threatened me from afar. No use. I told Jared to take my bike after he dragged in from his 11th lap. I put on some dry clothes and passed out. 2 hours later, Jared walked into camp dragging my bike with him. Another flat. So we fixed it and both decided to see how we felt in the light of day.
Fast forward three hours and I felt like a million bucks while Jared's body was beginning to feel to pain of riding a hardtail without a working suspension fork. So I did what stupid people do. I headed out for another lap. Jared and I had slipped back to 4th and 5th overnight, but we still had a chance of staying in the top five. Until my body reminded me halfway through that last (11th) lap why I had gotten off the bike in the first place. I couldn't control the bike. Off the trail left and right. So I limped it back in and asked Jared if he wanted a go. Not a chance.
Jared and I both finished 11 laps, though by finishing his in 13 hours to my 19 he stayed ahead of me in the overall. Jared too 5th and fell to 6th by the 24 hour mark, but by that point we were enjoying delicious burgers and milkshakes a few miles away.
All in all I had a blast and can't wait for next years race. And maybe, just maybe 24 hour worlds a few weeks before that. Now that would be really stupid. Though maybe next year I will flip my number plate if I get 13.
Enjoy doing something stupid.
