Ok, I will go first.


Epic. Going into the race, expectations were reasonable. Searching for a top Five, and if we were close, give it a shot at the podium. We were close.

We changed the starting order a few times before we even began, finally electing to go with Brian to get us off on track. He spat out of the woods 5th overall, with another expert team within 5 seconds on his tail. The race was on. The first few laps were hammer sessions for us, and I actually had a time comparable to Brian, Nathan and Aaron. WE all busted out 44's the first lap. Currier did it with a 3 minute run. After 1 cycle through our team, we were first place by a couple minutes. Another team NAV (north atlantic Velo) seemed to be our competition, little did we know how much we would see these guys and girls. The lead exchanged twice through every cycle of 4 riders. We had a steadier team, all about the same times (exception me, who was a minute or 2 back, usually). They had 1 superstud. another one was Nathan and Brians speed, and 2 others were my speed ( 1 being bryna, a girl that ripped! ).

OUr laps were really uneventful, no flats or major mechanicals. I crashed 3 times but lost little time. It was cold at the camp, and it took some energy to keep our camp tents intact. We blew apart 2 tents due to the wind.

We managed to get a bit of a gap through the night, as they did their double laps later than us, so we put 5-6 minutes into them. As we were coming up to our last cycle of riders, it was my turn, and I vowed to have a fast lap and put some more time into their team. As it turns out, they changed their order and sent out Their ace after me. Fortunately, he only made up 4 and 1/2 minutes of our 5 minute gap, and I sent out Brian with a 30 second lead. Brian ripped a 45 minute lap and held onto the 30 second lead, then Nathan had to battle their ace again. Nathan managed another 45 minute lap and was within 3 minutes going into their last lap. Aaron had the task of trying to catch one of their rested riders before the finish for the win. After the first hilly 2 miles Aaron was around 2 minutes and change back. We wouldn't see him until the end, which was only about 3-4 minutes from the actual finish, but not likely terrain in which a pass can be made. THeir guy Todd, came out of the woods first, but 23 seconds later out came Aaron. Aaron took a few seconds back in the last bit, but it wasn't enough, and we finshed second, with Aaron finishing with another 45 minute lap. THese 3 guys had their second fastest lap coming at the end of a 24 hour race. Ferrari Jellybeans or Landis Testosterone? I say pure adrenaline.

Disappointing? No way. It was awesome. We had a great battle, with a great team. We (or at least I ) performed above my expectations.

We all can find 23 seconds out on the course somewhere, probably every lap, but so can they. It goes to show you, everything is important, from handoffs, to bathroom breaks, to lights.

Well done Team Pinnacle. I was proud to be slow guy on the team.


I will save the other results from our 2 persons teams for them, as they had a impressive showing.

PJ

A 24hour race is a good example of things that can be fun and painful. I don?t think too many activities fall into this category. For my team mate Bob and I the experience will always be remembered and most likely a 2 man will not repeated. We both would consider a 4 man and I might consider a solo only because a solo is slower and the only person depending upon your efforts is yourself. Bob started for our team with the run and he was one of the first dozen runners coming through, not bad for a 54 year old guy. I handed him his bike and he was off for lap one. He came in with a good first lap time and I took off for the second lap. The course is 8.53 miles long and had a lot of fast fire road. I was riding my 29er with cyclo-cross tires and it just flew on the roads. I was on track for a mid 40?s min lap and at mile 6 my chain broke. I decided to run it in. I asked a couple other riders that passed me to tell 113 about my mechanical and that I was running in. I came to a steep wooded downhill at the end just before the run out and decided to coast it. I must have been too tired from the run because I was all over the place and crashed really hard. I bent my front rotor nearly locking up my front wheel and I took out some small trees and hit a rock. Now I can?t even coast. I also think I cracked a rib and sprained my right thumb. I hobble in with a time of 53.23 including the run and crash and tell Bob he needs to do a double that both me and the bike are out for a while. Bob does his double and I come back not sure if I can ride. I get on my backup bike and do a slow double. We continued to do doubles the rest of the event up to the end when I finished with a single. Bob did a great job he was steady and determined if it weren?t for him and my wife Helen?s encouragement I would have been a DNF. In the end there were 13 teams in the 2 man division. The two 54 year old guys took 6th place. No complaints here. We did the best we could. The camp site and arrangements were great and everyone got along and supported each other. Thanks Helen, Bob, PJ, Brian, Mark, Chris, Nathan, Aaron and all the other folks that lent us equipment and encouragement. I?ll remember this one.

Dan although that crash sounded painful, your race just wouldn't have been complete without a little blood loss. Sorry to hear about the rib and your 29er, but congrads on hanging tough through to a fine finish.

Congrad's to all Team Pinnacle competitors on a fine finish this year.

Ryan

I added the O'Neill's pictures to the TP Photo Gallery:
[url]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=2006GreatGlen[/url]

[b:d8579c8b82]Great Glen awards:[/b:d8579c8b82]

Best laugh - After an endo, Gurney declares he will not ride that section during the race. Then he crashes as he walks said feature during the race and requires medical attention.

Ironman - Dan gets this one after breaking his bike and possible his rib early in the race but continuing on to the finish.

Fastest - Nathan gets this one for turning the best laps for Team Pinnacle throughout the entire race.

Confused - Bob "you didn't tell me this race was on dirt" Herrin.

Not like the others - While the rest of us gave up time on lap 2 of our doubles, Chris consistently rode his second lap faster. Damn aerobic capacity.

Above and beyond - Goes to PJ. After a summer on injured reserve he was able to exceed his expectations and turned in a very strong race.

Best effort - This one has to go to Aaron on lap 31. Going out three minutes back he made up all but 21 seconds! And even after it was obvious he would not quite catch our rivals, he never sat up and hammered all the way to the line.

This was a very fun race this year. From Friday's pre-ride and great meal at Mr. Pizza to seeing Team Pinnacle on the podium Sunday afternoon it was a good time. I am already looking forward to the '07 edition and hope to see Team Pinnacle strongly represented once again.
 
[img:7c60f52a7e]http://www.team-pinnacle.org/albums/bc_personal/120x90.png[/img:7c60f52a7e]

Nice Recap Brian!

Mark I feel your pain, I've taken some of my worst crashes walking my mtb or just being timid and slow.

I like to think of mtbing like this, "pedal hard and if you're afraid pedal harder!"

A good bike, a little momentum, and some brain damage will go a long ways to smoothing over the rough spots.

Sorry for such a late reply to the 24hrs of GG, but I just got hooked up to the net after my move to Newbury, NH.
It was a really fun race once it was all over, ain't that always the way?
Props to all the support each team gave the other, mate-to-mate and family (be they at camp or tending the home front).
My Highlights;
Mr. Tuffy, Dan crashing on lap 2 and racing the next 22 hours
Bob, "this is my first MTB of the season", it just happens to be for 24hrs
Chipper Chris, isn't this kind of suffering just the best kind of fun?
The Family Guy, Mark, is my family bugging you yet? (Not at all, they were great, think I'll bring mine next year)
Mr. Strategist, Brian in his camp chair dreading the next lap, then turning out another fast one
"I've been to many pre-race meetings", The Mayor, PJ making the social rounds, always relaxed about the back and forth race.
Mr. Techi, Aaron systematically getting off his lap, tending to his bike first before eating or relaxing.
Me, I did just the opposite and luckily my new steed ran each lap without a hitch.
To miss first by :21 second that's nothing! It's time spent missing a start or loosing your light on course or taking out some snow fence or crapping on course!

Thanks to PJ and Brian for walking Aaron and I through our first 24. To Ryan for the 40 watt light loner, a big advantage over my 10 watt.
Thanks to CCD for their support.
It was really great to have a back and forth race for the entire 24 hours. We got our monies worth, I hope next year is as good and maybe we race for free! :wink:
 
Alone in the woods, who stands to be King?