12 Hours of McDonalds

My new race strategy was a success! Over the last few years I have stuggled with forcing myself to eat all the way through races like this. Endurox and EAS shakes get old after a while. Too many gels bunge up my tummy. So this race I decided I was going to get something that I love and crave often and nutritionally might not be too bad for an event like this. Before the race Sara picked me up 15 McDonalds hamburgers (7 with cheese). Most laps I ate one burger, 1 hammer gel, 1 bottle of Gatorade, and 1 bottle of water. I never had any problems with cramping or fatigue through the whole race. I usually ate my burger on the road section at the end the lap. People look at you kind of funny when you pass them eating McDonalds.

During my first 7 hours I felt great. The last 5 hours were good but there were some soreness issues. The issues during the race were not my butt. My issues were my shoulders and forearms getting really sore from the "Rocky Bitch" a pretty long gnarly rocky section that I am still trying to forget about. All my other problems were mental. I got a little freaked out over the course of I think laps 9 and 10. Over those two laps I saw 2 rattle snakes, a bat that flew after my lights for about a half of a lap (while I screamed like a litte girl), and a freaky old man wondering around in the dark. These things had kind of messed with my focus.

Tom was just the opposite of me. During the 1st half of his race he didn't feel that great and also broke a chain. Somewhere around 7 hours in he caught me and kept going. I don't how he rode 12 hours on a SS at this course.

I ended up winning the 12 Hour Geared category and Tom took 1st in the 12 Hour SS. We were the only two solo 12 Hr racers to finish 12 laps. We both could have gone out for lap 13 but we both decided against it.

Here are the RESULTS

Our team had some great results in other categories also.

I have to thank my lovely wife Sara and Misty from Vassago for the support and helping me through the race. I never even had to even leave the course.

Here are pictures from the race.

LeMans start.












Heading into and out of the feed zone.






















Tom















Camp.

































Sleeping arrangements and pit crew.

Payson

Things went good at Payson. I will have a full race report some time this week. It was a long weekend and I need some sleep.

Rocks

Tom & I prerode the Payson course today. It was pretty brutal. The laps aren't that long but some series rocky downhill sections. The climbs are not that long but pretty steep. I was pretty smoked today after 3 laps. Twelve hours of this course should be very interesting.

Getting Ready for Payson

Did a long ride on Friday by myself and then I rode with Becker on Saturday. Becker showed me a lot of places I haven't seen in Prescott. Once he headed home I headed to Thumb Butte for a little extra. By the time I got into my neighborhood I had been out for close to 7 hours and still felt pretty good. Did a lot of eating and sleeping but felt good.

Sunday I took it easy. I slept in a little and then Sara and I headed to Lynx lake with Layla for a good walk.























Went home and got the Optimus Ti finished. I am eagerly awaiting a 2009 Reba for it, so it the meantime I borrowed my 08 Reba from the Ferrous. I need to start getting a feel for the Vassago. It looks Bad Ass! The first ride will be tomorrow!













Had a little mishap when I was aligning my front disk brake. I was looking at the brake with the front wheel spinning and my finger got a little close to the spokes. My new Jeffffffff built King wheels with bladed spokes are awesome but painful!
















You really need to click on the last picture to get the full effect of what is missing.

The Ahoyts Invade Arizona

Wow, we had a great holiday weekend. Jam and Karen were out in Az so that Dr. Jam could attend a dentistry seminar in Scottsdale. After the seminar ended these peeps headed north to Prescott to visit us. Upon Justin and Karen's arrival to our house they were very amused at the severe rutted conditions of our road. Their rented fancy Toyota Avalon (low to ground) didn't handle the road too well. Friday night we hung out at the house and I made some chicken tortas and we consumed some liquid refreshments. I didn't tell Justin until the next day that I used mass quantities of butter in the beans. I knew he wouldn't eat them if he knew.

Saturday we headed to Lynx Lake for breakfast and then for a scenic drive. It was actually Justin that spotted the bobcat in our previous post. That was the first one we have seen since we have been here. Pretty cool! We then headed to Thumb Butte for a long hike. It was longer than expected cause Sara was pretending she knew where we were going.

Gathering around the stache on the Prescott hike











Sweaty Betty











After hike picnic














Then to Coyote Joes (TBone in the background with his head down)





















On Sunday we headed to Sedona for a hike on Cathedral











After our hike we did a little sight seeing and then headed back to the Quail for a relaxing afternoon and evening in the pool and hot tub (AND LOTS OF READING). Sunday morning the Ahoyts headed to Phoenix to catch their plane and Sara and I went for a ride on our normal loop.

It was a great weekend and visit. I would like to announce that Jam is moving his practice to Prescott, Az.

I'd like to introduce...

our new friend.