24 Hours of Big Bear 2008
There are my pictures from the Race. (and here are mine. -Johnson)
Here is my commentary. Every one did an incredible job. Gary got the fastest single speed lap time with 1:19:51, Brad did 6 laps, Brian rode even though he was sick, Ryan rode with 3 days of notice about the race, Casey rode with mostly road training, Rob rode with Hutch in a papoose, and I rode because the 24 hour race is a colossal mind fuck that makes you want to die, then brings you back to life, then gives you a beer.
Here is the break down: The course started out too hot and too muddy. Some people, Gary and Brad included pushed out some incredibly fast laps despite the stifling conditions during the day. As the night laps began, the temperature dropped and the mud started to dry up and the course became less shitty. Everyone continued to ride, I think I turned in the worst lap time in the single speed division. Mel and Christine continued to serve up grub and niceties continuously which was really great! We waited around after the race and got our bronze medals. Mine is now encased in lucite hanging from my rear view mirror.
amazing. You guys did awesome!
(with even some faint authentic mustacioing)
I was getting drunk at a wedding while you were riding and thinking about how much simpler it would have been to be on a bike and drinking than having to drink mysterious colored alcohols and volumes of czech beer in the hot sun. at least I can understand what you guys are talking about when you’re drunk. except for you Casey.
WoW…what an amazing first race experience.
It definitely sorted out the weaknesses in my cycling program. Even though I fell apart on my second lap and walked like two miles with fully cramping legs…it was the most amazing lap of my two. I’ve already started preparing for the future races. I’m building up a new bike and getting some necessary gear for night riding.
Now that I’m rested and cooled down and clean, I can think clearly about being there. It was super fun.
I don’t think I’ll be running BMX shoes with platform pedals again. That was kooky.
The monocog held up fine as usual, no mech probs.
Thanks Cory!
Rob
Great seeing you guys out there and nice job on the fastest SS lap Gary.
With all that mud it’s was a much tougher course than last year.
You guys going to Moab on Mr. Big Winner’s ticket?
WHAT! you used my poor monocog?!
(OK, I require at least one picture with either you or mud on it before you are allowed to take it to Moab!)
-cory
ps. glad you enjoyed the suffering!
i dont get it: do i get free admission for 1 person or what? anyway, it was a hell of a hard race this year. i wish i had more prep time on a mtn bike. my tech skills werent so bad, but my arms and back…damn… shout out to joe’s team for riding fixie the whole damn time, and still beating our sorry sorry asses. i wanna do moab, in a big van, who’s in?
Great ride dudes, I had much fun. I’m up for a next time (moab?) and hopefully won’t get sick the week before. Looks like they are starting to get the photos up on grannygear too.
i calculated the cost of fuel and a van rental and or a flight: its about 500 per person, figuring on 5 dollar a gallon gas, and a minivan rental for a week, or a flight out there and a car rental and a night in a hotel. nasty. i know i dont have that kinda cash.
500 seems really cheap to me, especially for that sort of trip. it would be sweet if someone knew someone with an RV to borrow. minivans are tiny!
with gas at (currently) over 4 dollars a gallon, i doubt an RV would be practical. an super efficent RV gets 12 mpg, which would double the cost of fuel from 1000 bucks to 2000 bucks. and…most people arnt probally gunna want to lend someone a vehicle to throw an extra 4500 miles on it. i mean, unless they are really nice. more later, must sleep…
of course… i was only dreaming anyway. it’s definitely a long haul and i can imagine difficult for most to accomplish. but if you guys do decide to go and need a rider let me know and i’m in.
You guys rock. Great job. I’d say something snide about how the fixed gear team beat you, but since I know those guys are pretty fast, I’ll just shut up. I took a nap and went and looked at vintage bikes.
Congrats boys I wish that I had been w/ you all and hats off to Gary for fast lap. Might I suggest the best 24 Hour race ever 24 hours of the Old Pueblo next Feb.
by then i might not be so broke. to bad gas will be 6.50 a gallon and all the airlines will charge extra for you to bring anymore than a small cup of styrofoam peanuts aboard. so my not broke status might not matter.
Congrats, man. Your fastest rider was incredibly consistent lap to lap.
We pulled only one more lap than youse guys to take second. First place was so far out there it wasn’t even a consideration.
That course was brutal. Worst thing was, I never really got to sit down afterwards and pound some beers…and Breckinridge was there handing out cold 471 IPAs for FREE!
Again, nice work.
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it certainly was a brutal course, compared to when its dry. you guys demolished us. imagine if you were on normal SS bikes. fixies are murder out there. or suicide.