24HR Burn Challenge in Wilkesboro, NC 2009

ByMike Byrd

Another 24HR Burn Challenge in Wilkesboro, NC has come and gone. We (mostly Mike) put together a team consisting of me, Mike Levine, Ashley Drum, Jasen Taylor and Shannon St. Claire (Brushy Mountain Bicycles). John from Cool Breeze Cyclery was our mechanic. Mike rented a sweet RV fifth wheel for us to set up camp – or really so that he could have A/C and a shower. (Which Ashley made the most use of all weekend). Mike went up on Friday night to reserve our spot and set up camp. We definitely had the best spot as we were overlooking the lake and trees on the opposite side of the lake – and got to watch every racer finish his/her lap. Fortunately he was in the RV when the big storm hit on Friday night that would have an effect on the rest of the weekend.

Jasen and I rode up on Saturday morning. We arrived about 10AM for a 12PM start. I took the first lap after a Lemans start. Fortunately Mike ran the lap around the campground for the team – as running is no longer my forte’ and no one else volunteered. I started off near the front of the pack and had a strong lap first lap. We had to do the first climb twice as I guess someone didn’t get to the top of the climb fast enough to move the tape letting us get directly on the race course.

The trail was in good condition after the rain so big props to the race organizer and trail workers for getting the trail in good condition. That being said…there were some slick corners and the roots were merciless. It seems nature has figured out a way to put roots at a 45 degree angle at the apex of every corner. I made it through the first lap without any major mishaps while dodging several crashes. It always amazes me that people can figure out a way to go over the bars while CLIMBING….

Ashley took the second lap, Mike was third and Jasen ran the fourth lap. Jasen was riding a new bike (he only has a single speed) and had never seen the trail. Not the best recipe for success. When he came through after his first lap, I asked how it was and he said fine, “except for the part about tackling a tree with my head.” I would learn later that Jasen went down 3 or 4 times on his first lap. Hearing Jasen tell the story is quite funny, like missing 3 of the 5 switchbacks as he found a quicker way down…straight down the hill on his back. Of course he lost more time than he made up trying to find his water bottle that was conveniently at the top of the hill.

We continued rotating and taking our laps. The trail got better and better as the day wore on. As the night laps started, the trail was fine, but our second night laps got tougher as the moisture from the lake, rain and humidity made the trail slippery, especially those dang roots. Shannon was providing neutral support for the race and promoting his new shop, Brushy Mountain Bicycles during the day and started taking laps at night. It was awesome having Shannon running laps. He took a double run after I returned and I was able to get a nice rest. I pumped up the old air mattress and put it under the tent.

About this time I ran into someone I had met in San Diego. Danelle was running the race solo and was taking a break checking out the campground and walked by our set up…which of course garnered plenty of attention. I wasn’t sure, but I recognized Danelle and asked if she had lived in San Diego. Turns out we had some mutual friend and had met a couple times. Super small world. On top of that, she went to grad school with a friend that I played lacrosse with while at GMU! Nuts. AND she helped Mike last year get through one of his night laps.

I managed to get some sleep and was awakened by our fearless mechanic changing tires on Mike’s bike. He was having trouble with the mud caking up on his stock tires…thanks Mike…

As the morning wore on, we all finished our laps, laughed a lot and had a great time. John stayed up all night and finally conked out after several beers and the sun came up. Jasen made all of his laps and got better and better as the race wore on. Ashley was quietly turning super fast laps all weekend and somehow his hair stayed perfect. Mike was in a great mood all night and excited to get back on his bike – a stark contrast to last year! Shannon turned some super laps, not sure how he did it because I know he hardly slept. He turned 2 doubles and made it easy on us. Jasen rose to the occasion and overcame some concerns and is already talking about next year. I had a great time as usual and am looking forward to the next adventure.

We finished 20th out of 50 teams. Mike is talking about running a duo team…I think he’s crazy!!!!

The Bike Racer

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the Internet. My name is Mike Byrd and this is my website. I enjoy sports, being outside, new challenges, marketing and anything that comes my way. I am the author of the blog posts on thebikeracer.com. I enjoy writing about cycling, poiltics, coffee and anything else that fits in the "My World" category. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to say up to date on anything new that gets posted to thebikeracer.com.

Similar Posts

  • Race 1 – 2011 North Mecklenburg Cyclocross Series

    ByMike Byrd

    The North Meck Cyclocross Series kicked off Tuesday night in Huntersville with great weather and a fast dry course for the opening round.  For the fourth year of this USAC sanctioned training series, promoter Neal Boyd used a similar course setup from previous years- featuring traditional barriers, wooden stair- step run-ups, and a short gravel section near one of the softball fields.  The course winds through several flat grassy areas, but takes advantage of some sidehills and off-camber sections as well.  North Meck Park has lights for the softball and soccer fields, and the course is well-lit for night racing.

  • 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships – Day 3 (6/22/12)

    ByMike Byrd

    Today was a rest day for Chester and I at the 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships. Today were the Criterium Championships and unfortunately (or fortunately) they don’t have a crit class for tandems.  

    We slept late and headed down to the races to see the Paralympians that were able to do the Crit race.  It was inspirational to see them racing.  Watching them race definitely puts things in perspective.  They don’t see it that way and race as hard as any able bodied athlete, maybe even harder, but for me it definitely makes me realize that I shouldn’t be ‘sweating the small stuff’.  I hope that makes sense.

  • 2012 Dillworth Criterium

    ByMike Byrd

    The 2012 Dillworth Criterium was my first road race of the year.   Dillworth isn’t one of my favorite courses.  I find it to be a challenging course with a long, steady climb on the front stretch, plus it’s usually the my first road race of the year so my body isn’t used to the effort required in a criterium.

    My race started at 2.  I arrived a little early to catch the end of the Cat 4/5 race to see my friend Mike Levine finish up.  After that, I rode my bike around for about 20 minutes to get the legs going.

  • What is Keirin Racing

    ByMike Byrd

    A keirin race is a mass-start race with 6-9[citation needed] sprinters riders and a paced start. Riders draw lots to determine starting positions and start as the pacer (usually a motorcycle, a derny, or a tandem bicycle) approaches. The riders are required to remain behind the pacer, which starts at the deliberately slow speed of about 25 km/h, gradually increases in speed and leaves the track approximately 600–700 meters before the end, at a speed of about 50 km/h. The first cyclist to finish the race is the winner (sometimes finishing at 70 km/h). Keirin races are about 2 kilometers in length (eight laps on a 250m track, six laps on a 333m track, and five laps on a 400m track).

  • 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships – Day 1

    ByMike Byrd

    Chester and I left the Cool Breeze Cyclery at 3PM and headed to Augusta for the 2012 Paralympic Road Nationals.  We made it to Augusta in 3 hours and checked into the Sheraton.

    Chester asked me a couple months ago to pilot his tandem at Nationals but I don’t think I really understood how big a deal it is.  It started to sink in when we rolled through the hotel parking lot and there was a line of about 100 cyclists with their time trial bikes.  They were in line to get their bikes inspected by USA Cycling!

  • 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships – Day 2

    ByMike Byrd

    Today (6/21/12) was Day 2 of our trip to the 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships.  Today’s event was the Time Trial National Championship.

    Chester and I didn’t start until 3:15 so we were able to sleep in – until about 7:15…which was late for me.  We got up and had breakfast, ran an errand and then came back to the hotel room.  Our plan was to stay cool, get hydrated and then to get to the venue around 1pm to get our race numbers, check out the start and warm up.