24 Hours Of Sweat
Jeroen "Dust Cloud" Bosboom
Recently,
I rode my first 24 Hours of Adrenalin race in Idyllwild.
We arrived at Hurkey Creek Park Friday night, and I camped out with my
wife Debra and son Jeffrey.
Our team manager had set up camp but soon left to stay at a friend's
cabin. No matter!
We enjoyed the forest and stars above anyway.
By late morning our team manager came back, but we still had no riders!
I
decided to get a feel for the camp layout and visit the teams that I had
previously contacted via the Internet.
I rode by Team Daart's camp, but they were still sleeping, so I went to
my next stop, Team Dirtnap (when you fall and lay in the dirt, you are dirt
napping!).
They had emailed me regarding a ride. Chris Hancock, the team captain,
mentioned that he needed one more rider, and I explained that my team hadn't
shown up.
With
less than an hour to go before registration closed and no team members in my
camp, Team Dirtnap asked me to ride with them, and I agreed.
Their last rider (besides me) had just arrived.
He was none was other than bicycling legend Keith Bontrager.
In the weeks leading up to this race, I had traded a few e-mails with KB
searching for a team to ride with.
I had forwarded his e-mails to Chris Hancock at Team Dirtnap along with
my own offer to ride with them.
Somehow it all fell into place that morning, and we were on Team Dirtnap.
KB
had driven most of the night to get to the race and needed some rest.
Since I was well rested, Chris decided that I would run the Lemans start
and do the opening lap.
It was quite an honor to be selected.
Our rider rotation would be JB, KB, Mike, Chris and Kevin. All except me
were 24-hour race veterans.
I arrived at the start with fifteen minutes to spare.
I ducked under the tape at the front and noticed Keith Eckstein and the
Daart team, as well as Mike Dussinger of the Spirit of San Juan team, preparing
for the start.
With minutes to go, the pro riders were assembled in front of us, and we
were now four rows deep from the tape with 150 riders behind us.
The
start was delayed three minutes to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on
September 11, as well as their families and friends.
The promoter suggested that we the shake everyone's hand who stood near
us.
Presumably so we would think twice about trampling them in the foot race
to the bikes?
I was about to find out, but it was a kind gesture anyway.
Then we were off.
The first minute of running was hectic as people pushed and shoved hard
to spread out!
A guy tumbled right in front of me but luckily was not trampled.
I saw Mike Dussinger gain several places as he sped to the first corner.
We were soon on our bikes and rode a prologue lap through the campground
then off into the woods.
At
the first technical climb people started spreading out, and I managed to gain
many places. Someone
shouted, "Way to go, Jeroen!"
I thought, "That's strange.
Someone here knows me?"
Then I saw it was KB, who had found a good viewing spot along the first
technical climb. Somewhere
along the line Mike Dussinger said he saw me pass him and fade from sight at
then end of Johnson Meadow. (Mike
is getting faster and will soon be a threat!)
As
I arrived at the technical downhill sections, I encountered a new creature
called the "shutterbug." We don't need an endangered species designation
for these bugs, as they were clearly in abundance!
Photographers were lying next to the trail on both sides, hanging their
heads and cameras in the path of riders to get a good shot and then ducking out
of the way before we rode past!
That was about the last thing I expected to see, but it was kind of cool.
I completed the first lap in 1:02 minutes and pleasantly surprised my
team. The training
runs that I did three weeks earlier were crucial in preparing me for the opening
lap. KB was the next
rider in the rotation, and I think he was encouraged that we would be
competitive.
KB
was very calm as I passed the baton, and he sped onto the course.
He had not ridden the course yet and tumbled in a technical section,
bending his seat rails, but he turned in a fast 57-minute lap anyway.
Much of the course is decomposed granite and can be treacherous in the
steeps. I rode one
more lap before dusk and turned in a strong 54-minute lap.
My next lap was at night, and riders were having difficulty seeing the
trail, which weaved back and forth between the shrubs.
Every so often they would "zig" when they should have "zagged."
The nighttime cost me about ten minutes a lap, but I was still three to
four minutes faster than my teammates! Keith Eckstein passed me on his single
speed going up the last climb section.
My teammates were starting to learn a new appreciation for Warriors
Society riders and later asked, "How hard are your club events compared to
this?" I told them
about the Vision Quest and invited them all to the Toad Festival.
During
the night Chris Hancock had trouble finding his recharged battery at the Night
Rider stand. Evidently
someone took his battery. Night
Rider eventually set him up with a loaner battery zip-tied to the hood of his
jacket! The battery
flopped around when he moved his head.
Chris had a bad crash on that lap and badly bruised his thigh on a
boulder. He limped in
and was through for the race.
(Night Rider eventually gave Chris a new battery the next day.)
We
were down to four riders and in seventh place by the morning.
Kevin, our next rider, said he had one more lap in him.
With three to four laps remaining, I suggested that I ride two
consecutive laps to try and place the team higher in the standings.
KB was eager to ride two consecutive laps as well.
I went out hoping that Mike Ditsler, our last rider, would be too tired
for another lap, but when KB showed up at the transition area on the next lap, I
knew everyone wanted to get one more in.
Chris congratulated me on the 54-minute lap I did.
Then KB headed out and ran a quick 57-minute lap. Mike Ditsler, our last
man and ex-BMX expert, took the baton from KB for the last lap.
An hour later he arrived in the final stretch, did a hard power slide
rounding the last turn, then he wheelied across the finish line!
It was great ending to our race.
Favorite
moments:
Surprising
my wife and team with a fast opening lap
Riding
quicker laps than my teammates
"High-fiving"
kids spectating near the finish line.
I heard them say, "DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
Upholding
the Warriors Society's traditions
Riding
two consistent night laps within one minute of each other
Surviving
the night laps
Daylight
Riding with a legend of our sport
No one bothering KB for sway or autographs
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