Dar's GEARS Report

[mtbdarby]

I'm not a runner! This Lemans start was a joke - it was more like a 50 yard dash. For the longer races its usually a 1/4 to 1/2 mile run which is harder with the camelback. What I did with that was bring extra bladders so I wouldn't have to fill them. Fill them 3/4 full the night before and stick them in the freezer. You can top them off before the race.

I will have to start running soon to do the longer Lemans start at the end of July. I did fine with out solid food (except one sport bean package). Now I know what I need to do or not do between laps and to have your cooler set up near the course so you don't have to hike to get to your vehicle. I know a lot of 12 and 24 hour rides that do this on their own.

Here's a couple of pix.

[Adventure Girl]

I'm not a runner! This Lemans start was a joke - it was more like a 50 yard dash. For the longer races its usually a 1/4 to 1/2 mile run which is harder with the camelback.

My run will be about a quarter mile with a pretty tough (tough for me!) climb. I better work on that run! It would be hard for me in running shoes. Cycing shoes with cleats, a camelbak and helmet will be REALLY hard.

There were a few runners who wore running shoes and changed into cycling shoes before they grabbed their bikes. That doesn't seem like it would be worth it...

Is the picture before or after? You look pretty fresh!

[mtbdarby]

Obviously before! My after picture would have me flat on my back on the ground. I was spent by then...Good luck on your race!

[Adventure Girl]

Obviously before! My after picture would have me flat on my back on the ground. I was spent by then...Good luck on your race!

I did a 5-man coed team last year (24-hour race). I had my picture taken before and after each lap. All the "before" pics are like this: . There is no "smilie" to show what the "after" pics looked like.

I haven't even decided to do the solo race yet. I'm still in the decision making stage.

[SJCzar]

WOW, great job. It's such a fabulous feeling to achieve a new goal, especially so tough of one.

I can't imagine doing all that on Saturday since the weather was almost unbearable ... especially since we hadn't had anything like it yet this year to feel even a little prepared. I suppose you're scouting around for the next one to enter to see if it would be any easier the second time around.

[Lise]

Very cool to read about this. I've never done that kind of biking. What's the running at the beginning about? Are you running with your bike? Why? L.

[mtbdarby]

Lise, you're running TO your bike. This is to thin the surge of riders out as they hit the narrow trails to prevent accidents and jam-ups. The longer the run the more you spread people out. Not easy running in biking shoes with a camelback on! Come to think of it, it's not easy running at all