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My First 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

7/31/2018

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Wausau 24 
24 hour mountain bike race
July 28-29, 2018
Nine Mile Forest in Wausau WI
www.wausau24.com/

"Why aim small?" That has been my motto the last few years, now that time has freed up

(son off to college). 
Marji Gesick 100, Dirty Kanza 200, Bear 100, Dairy Roubiax, Applecreek 50k trail run,
Sole Burner 5k walk/run...nevermind the last one, are all events I competed in in the last couple of years.

This year I was "on the fence" about entering a 24 hour solo mountain bike race. I've ridden over 14 hours a couple of times last year but was still intimidated. When I found out the race director of the Marji Gesick (widely considered the hardest one day race in the United States) entered, that was it! I'm in!
Let's say I am inspired by his attitude and blog 
doingthehardthings.com/author/toddpoquette/.

I drove up the morning of the race, set up camp, and realized I was NOT at my solo racer reserved site.
Quickly, I tore everything apart, stuffed it in my car, and drove a couple of hundred yards to Site #9.
Frantically, I set everything back up with about 30 minutes to start. 

Saturday, 10 am.: The gun, or whistle, or whatever, went off and I slow jogged the 1/4 mile to my bike.
For the next 8 hours I rode steady but casual, never feeling out of breath, or the burn in my legs.
About 6:00 pm my support person Brian told me I was in 3rd place (out of 11).
Within the next couple of laps I must have passed third place (there is no way to differentiate from the relay people).
Now in second I pedaled into the night still feeling fresh.
About midnight I had enough of energy bars and started drinking Coke and eating the pizza and maple syrup sent over by teammate Todd Mertz. 
Around 2 am I started dabbling in the caffiene pills, to stay awake...which turned out to be the biggest challenge.
My legs were fine, my wrists were a little sore, and contact areas were chafe free (thanks to Assos chamois cream.)
Most my stops were less than 6 minutes.
​
A few successful tips and observations:
- Pay for the a solo camp spot on the course, and share it with your friends and teamates. It is just a place to keep your stuff, not sleep...you came to race 24 hours, not sleep, correct?
Anyways seeing them and their friends and family every lap or so lifts your  enthusiasm, not to mention they may offer warm food.
- Go ahead and eat alot starting a couple days prior to race start. The couple of pounds you gain won't matter, but the topped off glycogen (energy) will. 
- Core training is vital! For about a decade I have used the excercises found in this article: 
beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=486
My only variation is do two sets of push-ups. Do some pulling actions with your arms, upright rows, and dips (triceps). I also do two sets (about 8-10 reps) of stiff legged deadlifts.
When done, follow up with some core stretches. These work for me:
www.cxmagazine.com/cyclocross-back-pain-stretches 
Do these prior, and if necessary, during your race.
- Ride efficiently. Use your singletrack riding skills to shorten your lap times. Avoid unnecessary braking.
- On the smooth doubletrack ride no-handed and shake the fatigue out of your wrists. 
- Late at night, you will only notice your lack of sleep if you stop. I felt fully awake when riding. 
- Caffeine is good. Fatigue from lack of sleep may cause a crash...bad.
- After 12 to 14 hours you may as well switch to regular food like pizza, eggs, and bacon.
Energy bars become inedible after a while.  You are not riding "full gas" so digestion should not be a problem.
Always carry a gel (like Gu Roctane) with BCCA's. I still had one every lap.
- Assos chamois cream...apply every three hours.
- Use a full suspension 29er with a larger tire like 2.35". Inflate 2 PSI less then normal. 
- Bar ends are not a crime! I like the Ergon GP3 grips. 

A few lessons learned, for next time, include:
- Obtain your competition's race numbers, memorize or write them on tape and attach to your bike.
There may not be a way to differentiate solo from relay people. I never knew if I was passed or was being passed by a solo competiter.
- raising my stem slightly may have helped reduce wrist fatigue.
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Solo Camp on the course is a must!
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Various friends and teamates dropped off coolers and food. 
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I was eager to experiance the night laps and later more eager to experience the sunrise.
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"Checkpoint Charlie" was about a third the way into the 13 mile lap. It was a "rest area" with water and music. I never stopped once. It was a race afterall.
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Not me, but a cool image that captured the essense of nightime racing.
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When riding for 24 hours comfort is priority. I opted for:
- soft suspension settings
- 2 lesser psi in my 2.35" tires
- loose fitting jersey
- well padded bibs
Lesson for next time: Flip stem for a more upright position (less weight on my wrists).
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The finish! 24 hours and 12 minutes later it was over. It was strange to lose and entire day on a bicycle,
but also pretty "far out".

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My goal was to do 16 laps (that won last year) and average 1:24 a lap. Also NO SISSY LAPS! No naps or laps over 2  hours. Also, never give up on chasing the leader. Goal acccomplished. I think I could have rode 4 to 5 minutes a lap quicker.
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No letting up! Even though I could have sat in camp the last four hours and still get 2nd, that was not my objective. 
I wanted to test my limits and make the winner earn it.
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Awards! I scored a couple of tires and two chains. Good stuff. 
Will I do this again 2019? It is doubtfull as I am already joining Jon Lester in "The Crusher" a
225 mile "enhanced" gravel race ​crushergravel.com/, 
followed by the "Marji Gesick Out and Back" mountain bike race (This non-advertised version involves starting at the finish of the already sick 100 mile race, riding the course in reverse to the start, running 1/2 mile, then riding to finish. marjigesick100.com/


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- Jabitz out
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Wausau 24 - 6 Hour, 12 Hour & 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

7/30/2018

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Picture
www.wausau24.com/
Diablo Cycling made a strong appearance, covering the spectrum of distances with several impressive finishes. The course consisted of about 90% aggressive singletrack including the brutally rocky Ho Chi Minh segment.
See below for racer participation followed by award images and details:

24 Hour Solo Male Masters:

Jeff Abitz - 2nd place (First 24 hour solo race)

12 Hour Solo Male Masters:
Todd Mertz - 2nd place (First 12 hour solo race)
Scott Barklay
Scott Niemi

12 Hour Solo Male:
John Bessey - 5th out of 31


6 Hour Solo Male Masters:
Rod Jannsen

24 Hour 4 Person Male (Relay):
2nd place
                The "Honey Badgers" 

Nick Niemi 
Ethan Janssen

Corbin Hodgeman
William Frank (Friend of Diablo Cycling) 


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Jeff Abitz with a 2nd place Masters (4th of 40 overall) 24 Hour finish! 
​17 laps and 221 miles.

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Todd Mertz with a 2nd place Masters 12 Solo finish! 8 laps and 104 miles.
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John Bessy with a 5th place Solo Male finish! 10 laps and 130 miles.
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Ethan Jansen, Nick Niemi and Corbin Hodgman were part of the Honey Badgers (far left) and got 2nd place in 24 Hour, 4 Person Male! 
22 total laps.

- Jabitz
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2018 USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals

7/30/2018

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Picture
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 legacy.usacycling.org/2018/amateur-road-nationals

The Lester's traveled to Hagerstown, Maryland for the
USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals!
It was the "Megan and Macy Show" as they raced in all three disciplines. 


Time Trials:
TT Women Junior 15-16
Megan Lester
 
TT Women Junior 11-12
Macy Lester
 
TT Men Amateur
Jon Lester
 
Road Race:
RR Women Junior 15-16
Megan Lester
 
RR Women Junior 11-12
Macy Lester – 8th
 
Criterium:
Criterium Women Junior 11-12
Macy Lester
 
Criterium Women Junior 15-19
Megan Lester

- Jabitz
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WORS Race # 7 - Colectivo Coffee Bean Classic

7/27/2018

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wors.org/schedule/coffee-bean/
Sunday, June 22, 2018
Minooka Park, Waukesha, WI


Junior (14 and Under) Female
9 to 10:
Kylie Lester – 2nd

Junior (14 and Under) Male
7 to 8:
Vincent Dipiazza – 4th
 
9 to 10:
Ethan Potrykus
 
11 to 12:
Hunter Lester - 3rd

Cat 3 (Citizen) Male
11 to 14:
Austin Cullen – 2nd, 4th overall

35 to 39:
Joe Eick – 3rd
 
40 to 44:
Mike Lester


Cat 3 (Citizen) Clydesdale
Rod Janssen

Cat 2 (Sport) Female
​
40 to 49:
Ava Rollins – 1st
 
Cat 2 (Sport) Male
40 to 44:
Edward Kolka
 
Open Fat Bike
Greg Cullen – 2nd, 2nd overall
 
Cat 1 (Junior) Male
17 to 18:
Ethan Janssen 
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WI State Time Trial Championships

7/22/2018

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New Glarus Wisconsin
Saturday, July 21, 2018

Jon Lester chose to get some real competition, with a 2nd place in Mens Elite.
Had he raced Masters 40-44 he would have won by an astounding 3:37!
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The remaining Lester family all raced great as well. ​
Junior 11-12 Girls

Macy Lester - 1st

Junior 15-16 Girls
Megan Lester - 1st

Masters Women 40-49
Sally Lester - 2nd

and Bob Anderson is out there week after week, doing his thing and loving it.
Masters Men 55-59
Bob Anderson - 5th
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Mountain Bike Nationals

7/22/2018

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Snowshoe WV
Cross Country on Saturday, July 21, 2018
Short Track Cross Country on Sunday, July 22, 2018.

www.snowshoemtn.com/things-to-do/events/2018-usa-cycling-mountain-bike-national-championships
Nick Neimi overcame a nasty fall on Thursdays practice day to race both Long
and Short Course Cross Country.
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Scot Rajsich - Door County Half Iron Triathlon Relay

7/22/2018

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Sunday, July 15, 2018
Frank Murphy Park
Egg Harbor, WI

www.doorcountytriathlon.com/
​
When a super fast swimmer, and a super fast runner, both want a super fast cyclist for their relay team, they were wise in going to the talent pool that is Diablo Cycling. 
Scot Rajsich embraced the honor of being  selected, averaging 22.8 mph for 56.3 miles. 
Scot's team WON the "All Male Relay" division and were 2nd place overall.
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Next up for Scot is USA Triathlon Nationals www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/events/national-championships on August 11th & 12th, 
followed by The Big One...I
ronman Wisconsin
www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/wisconsin.aspx on Sept. 9th. 


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WORS Cup - Midwest Regional Mountain Bike Championships

7/14/2018

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​worscup.com/
Alpine Valley Resort - Elkhorn, WI
​​Saturday July 7 – Cross-country:
Huge congratulations to Midwest Regional Champions Macy Lester, Andrew Dipiazza, Greg Cullen and Ava Rollins.
                                   This is a big deal!

Junior  Female
Age 10:
Kylie Lester – 3rd, 5th overall
 

Age 12:
Macy Lester – 1st, 3rd overall - Champion!

Junior Male
7 to 8:
Vincent Dipiazza – 6th
 
Age 10:
Andrew Dipiazza – 1st, 1st overall - Champion!
 
Age 12:
Samuel Dipiazza – 4th
Hunter Lester – 6th
 
Cat 3  Male
35 to 39:
Joe Eick – 6th
 
40 to 44:
Mike Lester
 
Cat 2 Female
15 to 18:
Megan Lester – 2nd
 
40 to 49:
Ava Rollins – 1st, 2nd overall - Champion!
Sally Lester  
 
Cat 2 Male
40 to 44:
Edward Kolka 
 
Open Fat Bike
Greg Cullen – 1st, 1st overall - Champion!
 
Cat 1 (Junior) Male
17 to 18:
Nick Niemi – 7th  
​
Jeff Abitz: Registered but could not race.
Top Tip: Wheelies mixed with contaminated brakes are not worth the possible injuries.

​ Sunday July 8 – Short Track:
The next day several Diablos earned "extra credit", and raced the "Hurricane of Pain" in the lung searing Short Track. 

Amateur Female
9 to 16:
Megan Lester – 4th
Macy Lester – 5th
Kylie Lester
 
40 plus:
Sally Lester – 3rd
  
Amateur Male
9 to 14:
Landon Nelson – 6th                       
Samuel Dipiazza       
Andrew Dipiazza
Hunter Lester
 
40 to 49:
Edward Kolka
Mike Lester
 
Cat 1 Male
15 to 18:
Nick Niemi

Sunday July 8 - King of the Mountain Challenge Enduro:
One Diablo braved the two downhill rides down the sketchy, feature filled trail.
Well done Fast Eddie!

​Amateur Male
40 to 49:
Edward Kolka - 6th 
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- Jabitz
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2018 Wisconsin Criterium Championship

7/9/2018

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July 7, 2018

Brent Williams at the 2018 Wisconsin Criterium Championship
The Fitchburg Festival of Speed lived up to its name as it represented the 2018 Wisconsin Criterium Championship.

The Cat 4/5 race averaged over 25 miles per hour, while the P/1/2 peloton set a blister pace at 28!

Here's how the Diablo riders conquered all that speed:

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2018 Wisconsin State Championship Road Race

7/9/2018

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July 8, 2018

Chalk on Scray's Hill says Allez Diablo Cycling
A terrific course and picturesque day for racing was not enough for Diablo riders — they were hungry for results at the 2018 Wisconsin State Championship Road Race.

Pete's Garage did a stellar job of scouting out the route and the Gryphon Velo racing team added to the excitement by providing chalk for spectators at the peak of Scray's Hill. A little extra encouragement never hurt anyone as they crest a climb with a 14% grade (not to mention an impending headwind).

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