I never would have guessed that I would be participating in a mountain bike race even so soon as a year ago, much less a 24 hour race, but there we were at the 24 Hours of Moab race venue Friday afternoon staring across at the landscape and mass of tents, campers and RVs.  We were in the middle of nowhere with thousands of other racers, support crews, vendors, race oragnizers, supporters and EMS with the wind howling and the fine Moab red dirt blowing.  While crunching the grit in our teeth, we successfully got our base camp set-up.  The canopy with tarp sides was no match for the dirt.  Dirt was up, down, into, and on everything.  We weren't quit prepared for this kind of challenge.  We managed to get some dinner and headed for the tent.  We tried to settle down for some much needed sleep but the wind continued to push the dirt up the tent fly, through the tent mesh and settle onto our sleeping bags and our exposed faces.  At about 2AM, we gave up, pushed the dirt aside and climbed out of the tent into the pick-up.  Our F350 has proven its worth several times, and this was one of them.  We got a couple of hours of light rest as the wind continued to tear apart the tent landscape outside. 

 

Saturday AM came too soon and the wind and dirt was worse.  A cold front was coming through along with cold temps and a chance for rain and snow during the wee AM hours of the race.  This was the 24 Hours of Moab and the show must go on.  It was crowned the year of the wind (luckily no rain or snow).  After much discussion, Brad decided to start for Team Billy Goats.  The start was a Le Mans start, which meant about 360 starters would run about 1/4 of mile to their bikes and then mount and start the first lap.  I had thought about starting but the thought of 365 riders on bikes battling for position was too intimidating for me.  Brad lined up with all of the other race starters and battled it out.  He kicked butt and posted the fastest lap of our group.

 

Our race order was Brad, Shirley, me, Lynn, Heather & Jeff.  I headed out on my first lap right before 4:30PM.  I was nervous but had a goal of a 2 hour lap.  The 24 Hours of Moab course was known to be sandy, technical and tough for a 24 hour course.  Since Brad and I had never rode it, we weren't sure how tough it would be.  It was definitely challenging and a little more technical than we had expected.  The course was protected from the winds and blowing dirt so it made it much nicer to be riding than waiting back at base camp.  I made it back to the finish in 2 hours and with a smile.

 

The other thing we weren't prepared for was trying to get ourself back up again to ride after the down time.  Brad started his second lap at about 12:30AM.  It was tought to get going, especially in the wind, dirt and cold.  Brad said it was much easier once he got started out on the course.  I started my second lap at about 4:30 AM.  It was really tough to drag myself out of the pick-up.  I was tired-- not so much from riding but more from the lack of sleep and the draining nature of the wind and dirt.  I headed out and wrecked in the sand within the first mile.  Nothing like the adrenaline of a wreck to wake you up.  The rest of the ride was calm-- there was something peaceful about riding at sunrise.  Plus, the other racers were much more friendlier towards one another.

 

So to to wrap things up, we finished 44th out of 61 "Just for Fun" teams and overall 278th out of 365 teams.  Not bad considering most of our riders were novice, two of our riders didn't ride a second lap and with the wind/dirt.  Althoough we were humbled by the other faster and better riders, we felt we were in OK shape.  We were not prepared for the wind and blowing dirt or the amount of mental effort to get ourselves back out for the second lap- all things we will be better prepared for next time.  It was an awesome experience and one that I will always remember.  Now if I can just get all of that Moab red dirt out of my nose and lungs, I will be content.

 

Billi

Well Thursday is almost gone and we have loaded up the pick-up.  We have everything and then some, our gear not only fills up the 1-ton pick-up but also a cargo rack off the back.  If we don't make it to the race we already know why.  While pulling the pick-up around, the power steering pump was loud.  We will see how it goes.  We have talked to several of our team members and everybody seems to be getting ready to make the drive to Moab.  It seems that the weather should be really cold and wet.  This will be in our favor since we ride in cold, wet conditions when ever we can.  After the 24 hour race, we plan to do some ridin with a small group then finish out the week by ourselves.  We hope to post some pics of the race while we are out there.  So take a look soon. 

Brad

So I hopped out of the pick-up, caught my finger in the tie down hole and bent it all the way back to the back of my hand.  In doing so, I jerked my body and hurt myself really good.  I was afraid I broke it off but I just dislocated all of the bones and it still kinda works.  On Monday though, my right side of my back and leg fell asleep then went numb.  When it came back, it cramped and was really sore.  So I have been struggling to get around and have had to hold my coffee cup with my other hand.  I think it will be fine by the time we get on the race course. 

Brad 

 

 

Yesterday was my 75th and my last commute to work on my bike.  It was a chilly one and there was a steady breeze out of the north-- both of which I will not miss.  I will miss my commute on Ruby, though.  It gave me time to think about all kinds of things-- Brad, my family, work, mountain biking, life in general.  There is alot to be said for quiet time alone-- time to hear your own breathing, feel your heartbeat, be with your own thoughts without interruption, watch the world go by at a slower pace.  Kind of sounds like meditation.  Maybe that's why I will miss it.

 

Billi

 

Last weekend we camped and mountain biked in Crested Butte with a small group of people.  It was a good time and the trails were nice.  This weekend we stayed home and started getting ready for our Moab trip.  We are excited to be a part of the race, ready for a week off, and happy to be spending the entire week exploring the Moab area on our bikes.  We also rode up with Ben & Allie (Brad's counsin and his wife) to Wolf Creek this weekend to get our season passes.  I don't know about Brad, but after Moab, I will be ready to put the bikes up for the year and get out the boards.  Brad and Ben are going to learn to telemark this year, Allie will be getting in her first full year on her new board, and I will hopefully be progressing on my board.  Memories of sore ribs enter my thoughts for a few minutes but quickly leave as I think about all of the fun we will have.  I am going to try to learn a few tricks this year.  I am sure I won't be catching big air but it would be cool to be able to jib a few things.  I am getting a little ahead of myself-- Wolf Creek doesn't open to Nov. 7th.

 

So meanwhile I am planning on enjoying vacation.  Maybe I will get to finish my book and shop for a couple pieces of art.  Hopefully, I will get a lot of sun before going back to the frozen tundra.

 

Billi