24 Horas...Para Siempre!

So, let me start by stating that this was the most problematic race to put together yet. Even with the RV getting stuck the first year, this was tougher. More in a personnel aspect, in that 4 months ago we had enough people who were going to ride that we thought about running two teams. As it turned out we barely had enough to run one team (6 riders).

That aside, it was an awesome time. We left early Friday and ran into SNOW on the 8 Freeway.

Apparently there had been a few inches overnight that had turned into ice, so they were not letting anyone over the pass to the east. We sat in traffic for a few hours then were able to turn around and made it over the Viejas Grade, which was a few miles of mud, snow, and ice. Cool. We stopped in Pine Valley for some breakfast and sat down at Majors. "Sit wherever you like". And sat. And sat. We got our own menus. The server tossed a pile of silverware and napkins on the table. Hmmmm. Then we never saw her again. They were not busy. Two guys walked in, were seated, orders taken and got coffee within 3 minutes of walking in the door. We walked out and were told by a local at the coffee stand next door that we just experienced a Majors standard level of service. I can't believe they are still open.

So we continued on, got some nasty Denny's in El Centro, and then took the Park Link shortcut just west of Tucson. 4 inches of mud for 5 miles. Glad I have a truck. Back on the main highway and onto the road to the race camp. 5 miles of mud. The bikes got annihilated on the rack.

Happily, Andrew and Everett had gotten there a bit earlier and hooked up with Johnny G and Kat with a really nice spot with mostly weeds, so very little mud. We hustled and got the 3 easy ups, propane fire pit, gas cook stove, and keg on the jockey box up. Ernesto fired up some bitchin spaghetti and we dined and drank. And watched it snow. And snow. Wow. A few inches at least. It was pretty awesome.

Ern and I help out until about 12 and had many cervesas. In the morning, it had stopped snowing and raining and was just overcast. We had some tasty potatoes and eggs and got signed in for the race.

Everett had the first lap, which meant he had to do the run and fight through the thousand or so racers.

He posted a good time and we were off and racing. Brian, Ernesto, Dave Campbell, then me, Andrew, and so on, into the night. It was close all night, always within 10 minutes up or down on first place. We all ride singlespeed, so we give up a little speed on the flats, but generally climb a bit faster.

At about 5 AM one of their guys had a bad flat he could not get fixed and we went back into the lead, after being down for several laps. We kept charging into the afternoon, and by the time Everett headed out for the last lap, we were up 10 minutes. He charged it and we even did a bike exchange at the base of the last climb, trading his cross bike for Dave's Kona. Erv wanted to have fun on the last downhill and a little better gear for the last climb. It all worked out and we took it.

Not bad. The guys in second were totally bummed. I feel really bad for the guy who had the mechanical, but that's racing.

We took the rest of the beer to the awards ceremony and gave out free beers to everyone who wanted one, then gave beers to the second place Area 51 Audio team. There was much Aloha and fun to be had.

(Deejay Birtch- Now riding and reping Niner))

Breaking down and heading home was pretty uneventful. We stopped in Dateland and had date shakes and greasy food. We were all home by 1130 and in bed shortly thereafter. A hot shower felt really nice.

All in all, not bad. 3 wins in 4 years. Of course, it IS Corporate category. The solo and duo teams are all pretty badass.

My Flikr account for more photos. See ya!