Knickerbocker 8

[Carl Sanders]

That's it.

I'm good for now.

Battled it out with the local pros for eight 10 mile laps. 1,200' of short climbs and fast descents per lap. Dusty course. Temps in the low 80s.

The first four laps were fast, forcing me ride past my LT or get dropped. Re-fueled, hydrated and lubed the creaky chain on each lap. Gagged down hand fulls of endurolytes.

Race mind: Relax. Stay focused. Spin. Count 1-2-3-4. Go smooth. Repeat.

'Comfortably Numb' plays over and over in my head. '... there is no pain you are receding...' The suggestion doesn't seem to work. I suffer anyway.

Chased Mike Harrison of Global Biorhythms, only a minute or so off his top position for most of the race, until wicked cramps seized my legs on laps seven and eight. Tried turning up the tolerance dial a few clicks. No use. My body was shutting down.

Ended up in second, five minutes behind Mike. No time left for another lap attempt before the eight hour cut-off. Steve Gallo of River Rat Mountain Bikes rolled into shortly after me. I was spent. Layed down on side of the road, spasms rippling across each leg. Strange. All good.

Season complete, I now contemplate next year's plan.

[Paul Montgomery]

Congratulations...that's a hell of a season! Did you do it on the SF100?

[Carl Sanders]

SF-100 performed flawlessly -- perfect for this course and the ultra distance races.