BIENVENIDOS A 24 HOUR TOWN!
Transcription
BIENVENIDOS A 24 HOUR TOWN!
28 BIENVENIDOS A 24 HOUR TOWN! HOSTED BY Hola Luchador! You’ve just entered the Lucha Libre’s parallel parable that is the #24HOP. For the uninitiated, lucha libre means “free fighting” a form of professional Mexican wrestling similar to the American WWE, but with far more color and cultural significance. So what does lucha libre have to do with the 17th Annual 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo presented by Tucson Medical Center? Well, let’s see here, both employ tightfitting Lycra getups, larger-than-life characters (does anyone remember the Nekkid Viking Enforcer?), lots of smack talk, widespread shenanigans, non-stop entertainment, and when the shotgun blast is heard, some serious tag-team business! Or if you’re a solo rider like the legendary dedication recipient John Stamstad, you can suplex entire teams all by your lonesome, earning tons of respect. Speaking of respect, in 24 Hour Town, when you’re not tag teaming laps with your pals, visit Bag It! in the expo to learn more about their efforts to help people bodyslam the fear associated with cancer diagnosis and receive your free KMC supplied MissingLink – for chain repairs. Say hi to the fine people at Pivot Cycles and check out their new Pivot Mach 429 Trail…it is the campeón of all bikes. Or, “get low” while trying on the latest lowrider CamelBak pack. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at the Maxxis Tire toss. Land a tire on the Saguaro made by B.I.C.A.S. with recycled rims and win some schwag. Amongst all the mayhem, taste Sierra Nevada’s new Otra Vez – a refreshing beer that combines prickly pear cactus fruit with a hint of grapefruit – for a fundraiser supporting local IMBA chapter, the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists. Every lucha libre wrestler has a personal story, and that story is visually represented through their unique costumes. Just like these ornately decorated luchadores, each #24HOP team and solo rider has a story. During this actionpacked weekend, we encourage you to stroll over to your neighbor’s camp, introduce yourself and hear their story. Some might be a simple excuse to get out and ride with friends while others may have much more personal significance. Regardless, we’re all here to have fun and challenge ourselves, so let’s get this party started! ¡Vámonos! Todd Sadow Justice of the Peace of 24-Hour Town we’re glad you’re here! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TUESDAY 5:30p – 8p Packet pickup “party” at Official Bike Shop of #24HOP, Fair Wheel Bikes –503 S. Park, Tucson, AZ 85719 WEDNESDAY Packet pickup “party” at Bicycle Ranch 5:30p – 9p 7090 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85704 THURSDAY Noon 24 Hour Town is open to visitors! The course is marked and ready to ride. Don’t forget to drop your canned goods at the entrance. FRIDAY Noon – 6:30p Bike Expo open Packet pickup opens in Expo. Check out the Official Event Jersey Noon – 7p & other Goods at the Epic Rides Merchandise Booth Start loading carbs and protein for tomorrow and grab a Noon tri-tip sandwich at Blue Banjo BBQ Sierra Nevada Beer Garden Open 2p – 8p Maxxis Tire Toss 2p – 3p 3:30 – 4:30p Happy (Healthy) Hour at 92Juice compliments of Tucson Medical Center 4:30p – 6:30p Sierra Nevada Happy Hour at the “Rock Drop” Pre-dedication Dinner Social Hour in the Exchange Tent 6p Sun sets over #24HourTown. Grab your camera and 6:07p capture Mother Nature’s light show Super Laid Back Dedication Dinner in the Exchange Tent 7p - honoring John Stamstad the first to solo a 24 Hour mountain bike race (Sold Out) SATURDAY 6a Fill your favorite camping mug with a cup o’ Joe from Yellow Brick Coffee, and let it warm up your glow plugs! Bike Expo open 7a – 6:30p Packet pickup for procrastinators in Expo 8:30a – 10a 10a Oh, Captain, my Captain, the Captains Meeting in Expo begins. All are welcome! 11a First riders line up and login inside the Exchange Tent to receive team baton 11a – 9p Sierra Nevada Beer Garden Open Noon LeMans-style start! READY…SET…GO! 1p – 6:30p Sierra Nevada Happy Hour at the “Rock Drop” 1p 24 Hour Town Showers open. Don’t forget yer towel! Have a flat? Visit Stan’s NoTubes for a complimentary sealant refresh 1p 3p Schwag Angel descends upon 24 Hour Town 5p Have an appetite to feed an army? Visit 24 Hour Town’s great food vendors and fuel up for the night. 5:30p Please mount lights. Need a light? Visit one of the light vendors in the Expo 6:08p Sun sets over #24HourTown. Watch out for the cholla! 7:30p – 9:30p Sierra Nevada Narwhal + S’mores in the beer garden 11p Looking for free snacks, hot cocoa and cool schwag? Then volunteer at the Exchange Tent where the heaters are on high, and the hot cocoa is flowing. 11p – 3a Head to the CamelBak #GotYourBak Midnight Party for some late night revive SUNDAY Lights no longer required 6:30a Bike Expo open 7a – 1p 7:07a Sun rises over the Sonoran Desert – organic burst of energy infused… Commence micro trash cleanup at your campsite. Thanks! 10a Sierra Nevada Beer Garden Open + Closing Party at the “Rock Drop” 10a – 1p Racers begin to finish…(and not a minute too soon!) Noon Awards Ceremony and Schwag Fest! 1:30p 3p Destruction of 24-Hour Town begins, care to help? 1 campfire restrictions NO FIRE PITS, FIRE RINGS, OR ON-THE-GROUND FIRES ARE ALLOWED. It’s pretty simple and makes it safer for everyone. All fires must be contained within an above-ground container. You must bring a chimenea, wash basin, sawed-in-half 55-gallon barrel, BBQ, or other fire-holding device if you want to have a fire at your campsite. And yes, size does matter! We are restricted to fires less than three feet in diameter. No big bonfires. Keep ‘em small and stand close. (This rule comes directly from the Arizona State Land Department, who will be on-site during the event. Please respect this rule and the land on which we are allowed to ride our bicycles.) Leave no trace of your fire. That includes dealing with all ashes and any pieces of wood (burned or unburned). Don’t just scatter them around the desert because someone will have to clean up after you. There is also a specific dumpster for coals, please use it. And, please do not place hot coals in the non-hot coal dumpsters. Not cool. Lastly, please do not abandon any wood piles. Take it with you or place it at the base of a dumpster. Follow these simple rules and the lords of good karma will surely smile upon you. Epic Rides wants everyone to have a great time in 24-Hour Town, so do whatever makes you happy, as long as what you’re doing doesn’t make others unhappy. Make friends with your neighbors by being considerate (i.e. avoid parking your generator next to tent-campers, and don’t blast music after Midnight just because it’s after midnight and you wanna let it all hang down). Give a little respect, because this is your community. 24-Hour Town welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a rider, volunteer, crew member, spectator, hobo, hippie, or hipster, Epic Rides wants everyone to know that 24-Hour Town is selfregulating; there are no quiet hours, no time-out corners and no jail cells. It’s up to y’all to keep the peace. Thanks! Photo by Devon Balet Media What got you into cycling? putting the stam in stamina I was an avid runner in high school, but an injury temporarily ended that. I was always interested in bike touring, and after a friend took me on a couple rides, we ended up riding from Wisconsin to Colorado. It was on that ride I discovered how much I loved riding all day. I never expected racing bikes to become a livelihood, but after winning a few races, suddenly sponsors wanted to pay me to ride my bike. I was 20 years old, so what was I going to say? No? There are endurance athletes and there is John Stamstad. John’s endurance dossier includes winning two different distance Iditasports in the frozen tundra of Alaska a total of eight times, being one of the first humans to ride 3,500 miles off-road across the crushing desert heat of Australia, a 1994 winner of the Leadville 100 and a 1999 crossing of the 2,500-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in 18 days and 5 hours. John also holds the Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association 24 Hour Off-Road World Record of 352 miles, but in his own words, “it’s a garbage record. The course was a bridle path I could have ridden my road bike on. It wasn’t a real mountain bike course.” Although John points out that he wasn’t the first to do a solo 24-hour event, in 1996, he entered himself as a four-man team in the 24 Hours of Canaan, which was the tipping point 2 that made 24-hour solo mountain bike racing an official category. Recognizing his remarkable endurance achievements, the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inducted John in 2000, right about the time when he retired from mountain bike racing. John now lives in Seattle and has three children, his youngest an eight-year-old boy who absolutely loves to ride. There may be no one more deserving of a #24HOP dedication than John Stamstad. You did the Iditasport way back before the invention of a fat bike. Do you think having five-inch wide tires would have been an advantage for you back then? I spent a lot of time figuring out ways to keep my feet warm in Alaska. I tried every form of technology available, but what ended up working best was vapor barrier socks and Vaseline on my toes. Your body loses the most heat through vapor loss, and the Vaseline on my toes combined with the socks kept moisture in, preventing vapor loss. It all depends on the snow conditions. Fat bikes aren’t necessarily faster in the snow, but they are definitely more consistent. The original Iditasport course was 180 miles, and depending helped me. Bill was smart enough to know that you can’t eat any one thing multiple days in a row, there has to be a mix. Of course there are nutritional requirements, but most important is caloric intake. In an endurance event, without calories you’re going nowhere. So whatever has calories, tastes good and is easy to digest, eat it. dropping out. It’s classic diet mismanagement. You can only process so many calories per hour, so it’s critical to manage caloric intake through small, consistent quantities. What advice do you have for those attempting their first solo 24-hour race? Join us Friday, February 12 at 6p with a Social Hour in the 24 Hour Town Exchange Tent as we celebrate John Stamstad’s enduring achievements on the bike. At 7p Blue Banjo BBQ will serve up the perfect pre-race Old Pueblo spread. Live music will be compliments of Haboob. You are credited with being one of the original solo 24-hour mountain bike racers. How did it come to be? the epic rule: be nice! There are too many rules in life, so we won’t overwhelm you with more. We’ll just keep it simple: Be Nice, Have Fun, and don’t harsh the mellow. You are known among peers for simple, inexpensive innovations like rubber kitchen gloves for riding. What was your favorite cheap invention that gave you an advantage? After my sponsor Grant Petersen sent me to race across Australia in 1992 on a Bridgestone XO-1, the original gravel grinder bike, I was hooked on off-road adventure riding. That same year I raced the Iditasport in Alaska. Has there ever been a race or an event that broke you, either mentally, physically or both? attitude, it can crush you. If you have a positive mental attitude, even in the most brutal conditions, you can still have fun. Positive mental energy is one of the most valuable tools an athlete can use to his or her advantage. In endurance racing, what’s the biggest challenge: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Himself or Man vs. Nature? A proper endurance event wouldn’t be the same without having to battle all three scenarios, but the battle versus nature is unique. When it’s 40-below-zero, it’s pretty amazing that a human can still move right along and be just fine. I mean, it’s not fun; it’s super uncomfortable, but the sensation of beating Mother Nature is amazing. Additionally, endurance events are a different form of racing thanks to route finding and basic survival skills. Most traditional events don’t have these elements, which is what originally compelled me to Australia and the Iditasport. My good friend and promoter of the 24 Hours of Canaan Laird Knight had refused me two consecutive years, but I had promised my sponsors I’d race solo. So in 1996 I called Laird and told him I was sending in four entry fees with my name spelled four different ways, and there was really nothing he could do but let me race. Laird was nervous that I was going to completely fall apart like those videos you see of delirious Ironman competitors collapsed before the finish line. I reassured Laird that only happens when you don’t manage yourself correctly. Anyone with adequate preparation and training can complete a solo 24-hour event and finish strong. How were you able to ride 65 hours straight without sleep to win the 350mile Iditasport Extreme? Until I did it, I didn’t even know if staying awake for nearly three days was possible. When the thermometer is far below zero and you’re pushing the limit, if nobody before you has set the limit, you don’t know where that limit is. What happens when you hit that limit? Do you collapse? Do you freeze to death? How much is too much? I didn’t know, and the fear of not knowing was the biggest challenge. on snow conditions, my finishing times varied from 15 to 25 hours. Sometimes conditions were fast, making skinny tires better, but other times you’d be pushing those skinny tires for hours where a fat bike could have exceled. Are you particular about diet, or do you feel that calories are calories? I believe in both. Back in the 1990s, being a student of nutrition was rough. There was a lot of disinformation and little fact-based science. Bill Vaughn, the founder of PowerBar and GU, really Eat a lot more than you think you should, and don’t eat big meals when riding. Eat in small quantities and as often as possible. Also, go out of the gates super slow. The biggest mistake people make is that they go out too fast, don’t eat enough early on, their heart rate gets too high and they bonk. Then they overeat in an attempt to recover lost calories and end up having stomach problems that lead them to official sponsors I don’t believe that a course or a race is hard; it’s relative to what you’re prepared for. In my younger days, I actively looked for events that might break me. But as I got older, I realized being broken has nothing to do with terrain. What breaks you is your own weakness. If you ride a flat, easy loop hard enough with a bad mental 3 AN ODE TO EL SANTO Ask most gringos to name their favorite luchadore, and they’ll probably say Nacho Libre. But Lucha Libre wrestling goes back generations further than the irreverent 2006 motion picture starring Jack Black. And of all the luchadores in history, none is more iconic than El Santo. Born in 1917, Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta became one of the greatest legends in Mexican sports thanks to a wrestling career that spanned nearly 50 years between 1935 and the early 1980s. That’s right. While Americans were busy watching Leave it to Beaver and Mickey Mantle, Mexicans were cheering El Santo in his silver masked costume slamming his opponents in the ring, long before the WWF even existed. Huerta assumed the name El Santo – or “The Saint” – and grew to be a national icon and folk hero to millions. His rivals with characters like Blue Demon and Black Shadow were stuff of legend, and as a result, he grew to be a comic book character and movie star, featured in more than 50 Lucha Libre films. It was through these comic books and films leave no trace that El Santo became a symbol of justice. The storyline for El Santo was that he was a law-abiding, honest citizen fighting corruption and evil in his enemies, balancing justice in favor of the working man. This is why El Santo is widely regarded today as the most legendary luchadore of all time. El Santo was notorious for never removing his mask, even in private. He even had a special mask for when he ate, as his wrestling mask was too restrictive around the mouth. And the only documented time the public has ever seen Huerta’s unmasked face was on a Mexican television program in 1984 when he suddenly removed his mask without warning. Tragically, a week after the show, Huerta died of a heart attack. Huerta was buried as El Santo, wearing his silver mask. ¡Viva El Santo! 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare Hopefully you’ve already covered this one since you’re here! Otherwise the friendly vendors in 24-Hour Town and the Southern Arizona Rescue Association pros have got your back. 2. Travel/Camp on Durable Surfaces It’s super simple: stay on the trail. Avoid using areas of sparse vegetation to pass a slower rider when you’re out on the course. Instead, have them pull over at a wide area where you are less likely to invite hitchhiking cactus spines. If conditions are muddy, don’t fear the puddles. Dirty is sexy. Camping space is limited, so we’ve all got to snuggle up within the land that’s available to us. The smaller the footprint of your camping space, the easier time someone else will have in finding their own. Plus, you’ll end up with more cool neighbors that might become lifelong friends. 3. Dispose of Waste Properly Whenever you venture outside, the general rule is “pack it in, pack it out.” Epic Rides makes life easier by providing multiple 40-foot dumpsters to toss all of your trash into. We have dedicated recycling dumpsters (thanks to Sierra Nevada) and a dumpster for coals and ashes from your campfires too. recycle MORE THAN GREAT MACHINES. Empire is a proud annual sponsor of the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo race. As a thirdgeneration family owned Caterpillar® dealership, we have been dedicated to the success of our clients and the communities throughout Arizona, Southeastern California and Northern Mexico. Our goal is to help your business succeed every day – by ensuring you’ve got the right machine for the job, making parts readily available and providing expert service. 4 1-800-EMPIRE 1 | www.empirecat.com In 24-Hour Town? Out on the trail? Yes there. And whenever you journey into nature, Epic Rides believes in practicing the 7 Leave No Trace principles. In the past, participants have done a great job keeping the course and 24Hour Town clean. Please do your part by taking responsibility for all your litter, including gel packets, energy bar wrappers and punctured tubes. Any rider found intentionally littering will be disqualified, along with the rest of his/ her team members. Use the port-a-johns located near the Exchange Tent, Expo and along Epic Rides Blvd. If you have to take care of business while out on the trail, dig a cathole six to eight inches deep (with the heel of your cycling shoe or a rock), at least 200 feet from the trail. Cover the cathole with dirt (not a rock!) when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. There will also be a $30 Dump Pump (pun most definitely intended) service for those with RVs who need to empty their black and gray tanks. Before you leave the event, inspect your campsite for trash, spilled food and the micro-trash (snipped zip ties, gel wrapper tops, food scraps, etc.) that are so easily overlooked, but so difficult for event staff to clean up. Throw away ALL trash. 4. Leave What You Find Preserve the past: examine and be inspired, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. There is evidence of Hohokam civilizations near Fortified Peak, and as tempting as it may be to take home a potsherd or arrowhead, please leave them where you find them – not only is it illegal to disturb them but really bad karma too. and eaten by wildlife—not good. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Leave plants and other natural objects as you find them. Remember, you’re the visitor here. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Yes, your best friend must be leashed at all times as well; no exceptions. WOOF! 5. Minimize Campfire IMPACTS No fire pits, fire rings, or on-theground fires are allowed. All fires must be contained within an above-ground container and must be less than three feet in diameter. This rule comes directly from the Arizona State Land Department, who will be on-site during the event. Only use firewood that you have brought in, or gather sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Never tear apart standing trees for fuel. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then deposit cool ashes into the dumpster. Please do not place hot coals in the non-hot coal dumpsters. Last salient point here: Please do not leave any wood piles behind. 7. Be Considerate of Others Be nice. Respect others and protect the quality of their experience, and they’ll do the same for you. Some teams need to sleep at night; others party ‘til sunrise. Be aware of your neighbors’ needs when you think to fire up the genny at 3 AM. Don’t harsh the mellow, or run the risk of an encounter with The Nekked Viking Enforcer. take only memories, leave only tire tracks... 6. Respect Wildlife Observe wildlife from a distance; do not follow or approach them. The desert is alive with animals, big and small, but enjoy them from afar. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Food left behind after the event will be found media sponsors GLASS, BOTTLES, ALUMINUM CARDBOARD, PAPER, PLASTIC 24-Hour Town recycles! Instead of throwing your empties and party favors in the trash, take all of your recyclable goods to the Sierra Nevada supported recycling center. Every can, bottle, box and jug you recycle saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, keeps reusable items out of our landfills, and helps make our Earth a better place to live. Recycling is everyone’s responsibility. Pitch it where it belongs! 5 for riders starting the event IF YOU’RE THE LUCKY ONE WHO GETS TO RUN ALONGSIDE THE FEW HUNDRED OTHER CRAZIES IN CYCLING SHOES, RANDOM COSTUMES AND TENNIS HELMETS TO START A MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 1. Log in at the Exchange Tent at 11:00 a.m. You’ll check in with the course volunteer seated under the numbers that correspond with the one on your rider plate. Write your name on the “Lap 1” line, then write the name of the person that will be riding next on the “Lap 2” line. If you know the order of the rest of your team, write their names on the corresponding lines as well. If not, no worries, but you better figure it out sooner than later. Attention Soloists – you too are required to complete step 1. 2. You will receive your team’s baton. Guard it with your life. 3. Position your bike on the wooden racks in the starting area. Do your best to remember exactly where your bike is, because the next time you see it will be after running 400 yards. You’ll be tired, hot, and surrounded by a few hundred spandex-clad riders searching for their bikes (many of which look alike). Every year somebody rides off on a bike they think is theirs, leaving some poor soul wandering the desert until they resort to pedaling off on the last bike standing. Don’t let this happen to you; and don’t create this situation for somebody else. Take an extra second to make sure it’s your bike. Maybe throw on some rainbow tassels or spokeydokeys so you can glimpse your bike better in the crowd. 4. After your bike is in place, make your way to the starting area by walking east on the main dirt road. When you reach a group of bikers without their bikes, grumbling about how far the run is, you’ve reached the official start line. 5. Wait for Todd to wish you luck, and when you hear the shotgun —start running! Everyone knows that it’s not really about who logs the most laps between Saturday and Sunday, it’s about who wins the starting run. Give it all you’ve got! It’s only 400 yards, perhaps a bit more, and chances are it’s the only time you’ll be running during the next 24 hours. Who will be this year’s fastest runner? It could be you! TEAM UP After years of success in the World Cup gravity spotlight, Tempe-based Pivot Cycles, the official bike of Epic Rides, is expanding its reach in 2016 by teaming up with Stan’s NoTubes to sign two bright American stars on the World Cup cross-country circuit. The Stan’s/ Pivot team is ecstatic to announce that Chloe Woodruff and Rose Grant will both be riding for this new team in 2016 on four different Pivot models. Chloe will be riding the Mach 4 Carbon and LES 27.5 hardtail while Rose, who is several inches taller, will be riding the bigger wheeled Mach 429SL Carbon and the LES 29 hardtail. Before Pivot CEO Chris Cocalis founded the company, he ran another Arizona favorite, Titus Cycles. During the days of Titus, Cocalis built one of the first full suspension bikes sized specifically for women shorter than 5’ 3” – the XXS-sized Racer-X. Even though it’s been six years since the Racer-X went out of production, they are still ridden on the daily by their loving owners. Fast-forward to 2016, that same focus on bikes fit for women is featured in every Pivot design, and 6 will be proven on the international racing circuit. The XS Mach 4 Carbon ridden by Chloe features the lowest stand-over clearance of any 27.5-inch suspension bike made, and it also happens to be the first Shimano Di2 compatible mountain bike frame ever developed. The LES 27.5 hardtail also comes in an XS size, and can be built to weigh in at less than 20 pounds. Rose will be piloting the award-winning Mach 429SL Carbon featuring World Cup level suspension efficiency that still feels right at home as a dedicated 29er trail bike. “Chloe and Rose are perfect ambassadors for showing off how capable our bikes can be in crosscountry terrain and how well our bikes can fit women of different height,” said Lisa Cramton, Athlete Coordinator and Event Liaison for Pivot. “And having the opportunity to support Chloe, who is a local Arizona athlete, Olympic qualifier and top American cross-country rider is beyond exciting for Pivot.” 7 best team names do you like to ride your bike? What’s in a team name? Well, based on this top-ten list, numerous references to the nether regions of the human body. Hey, just because we’re adults doesn’t mean we have to behave like adults. Duh. Who doesn’t? Epic Rides asks the above philosophical question to all that register for the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo. The responses range from a simple and definite “yes” to responses like…well…just keep reading. Yes, The Carpet Matches the Drapes “Seriously?” Pardee of One “OH YEAH!!!” Fighting Back Forty 24-Hr of Southern Discomfort Finish your beer. It’s your lap. Clammy Chammies “No, I love to ride my bike” “Does the bear hear the tree fall in the woods?” “As often as possible, it makes me a tolerable person” Big Test Cycles “Only on days of the week ending in Y” We made the list “Only when my wife lets me” Team Seriously Hosed “Only on full moons” finish your beer. it’s your lap. epic rides radio Tune into K-EPIC 105.7 FM Once again, we’re excited to provide the community of 24-Hour Town with its own radio station. Set your dial to 105.7 FM and listen in all weekend long. We can all share in the auditory magic from the Expo tents to your personal campsite. You’ll hear the ultimate music soundtrack for your Old Pueblo experience, live interviews with 24hour celebrities, hilarious announcements, and up-to-the-minute news reports on what’s happening with the event. K-EPIC is your entertainment, information and inspiration station. It’s fun, it’s free, and you won’t hear it anywhere else but right here at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo presented by Tucson Medical Center. Thanks to the DJs from KXCI 91.3, Tucson’s community radio station, for providing the talk and tunes throughout the weekend Like The Tunes? Support 91.3FM KXCI! Tucson Community Radio Thanks in part to your support last year, the Amplify KXCI! Capital Campaign has been a success and raised the funds necessary to construct a transmitter high atop Mount Bigelow in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The transmitter now provides reception to the greater Tucson community and makes KXCI’s 20 year dream a reality. Having the new auxiliary site on track is a huge step forward, but there are still numerous improvements planned for KXCI’s 4th Avenue home to further serve the community. Some of those improvements include: 1) Fix and upgrade the historic home in downtown’s Armory Park district, including retiring the mortgage and improving accessibility, security, storage, and making the building more sustainable. 2) Expand live-streaming and video capabilities (YouTube channel, in-house performances, etc). If you’d like to get involved with the Amplify KXCI campaign, or just want to know more about a bona fide Southern Arizona radio treasure, please check out their page here: https://kxci.org/amplify-kxci/ 8 “All day, everyday” Struggle Bus And this year’s Grand Prize winner... LOWER CENTER of GRAVITY {NOW AVAILABLE in PACK FORM} “If the rubber side is down” happy birthday! the epic rides crew would like to say thanks for spending your birthday with us. and much to your disappointment, we’re not gonna jump out of a giant cake wearing a speedo. C. KEVIN UTLEY 2/14 MIKE MERTZ 2/14 CAMELBAK.COM/LOWRIDER WATER WHERE YOU WANT IT. party, demo and win a new camelbak The desert is no place to be dehydrated, and with CamelBak in full force at #24HOP offering pack demos all weekend, there’s no excuse to go dry out on course. They’ll also be giving away five brand new packs at random to folks who stop by and demo a CamelBak. And to help keep the energy high through the wee hours of darkness, CamelBak has #GotYourBak with a Midnight party in their booth complete with a DJ spinning tunes, hoppy beverages and good company. on bumpy trails while giving more upper body freedom. Both Low Rider packs feature a 3-liter Antidote® reservoir, helmet hooks, compression webbing for storing soft armor and an XV™ back panel to keep the back cool and ventilated. The pack includes its own tool roll, a zippered trapdoor for instant reservoir access and the ability to stow the drinking tube in one magnetic click. Also new for 2016 is the Palos™ 4 LR, a reservoir based waist pack designed specifically for mountain biking. It’s the ideal option for hard-charging riders who need more than a water bottle, but don’t want to carry a full backpack. The Palos keeps water and cargo centered on the waist, leaving the shoulders and back free. The result is a lower center of gravity and more mobility, and perhaps the best part, no more sweaty back and sore shoulders. The Palos also includes a 1.5-liter reservoir, storage for keys and a phone, an integrated tool roll and overflow storage for fastening soft armor to the outside of the pack. While hanging at the CamelBak tent, check out the Skyline™ and Solstice™ 10 LR (Low Rider). These new Low Rider packs are a full-featured MTB pack with lumbar design for maximum stability during the roughest descents. The lumbar design keeps water and cargo stowed low and close to the waist. It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference; a lower center of gravity provides more stability 9 hopify every meal by pairing the perfect sierra nevada brew THERE’S AN OLD QUIP THAT GOES “…EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH BACON”. THE SAME CAN ALSO BE SAID FOR BEER. SO WHEN IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR GRUB ON WITH #24HOP FOOD VENDORS, USE THIS HANDY GUIDE TO PAIR UP THE PERFECT SIERRA NEVADA BREW WITH YOUR MEAL. Sierra Nevada Brews being served at #24HOP: Otra Vez – Combining the tangy fruit character of the prickly pear cactus with a hint of grapefruit, the all-new Otra Vez is a light bodied, thirst quenching ale that is the perfect postride refreshment. Considered a gosestyle ale, which is an unfiltered wheat beer with up to 60 percent malted wheat, Otra Vez has a bright, tart flavor similar to how sourdough bread gets its tanginess. Hop Hunter IPA – Harnessing justpicked hops through a new method of steam distilling wet hops before they leave the fields, Hop Hunter IPA is a unique and aromatic beer using pure hop oil. Its bold flavor pairs great with curry dishes, pad Thai and dishes with blue cheese. Porter – Brewed in the hop-forward American style and featuring a depth of malt flavor and complexity of roasted black coffee and cocoa, Porter pays homage to those who brought this style of beer to popularity – London’s hardy working class. Porter makes for a great after dinner beer all by itself or can be paired with your favorite dessert. PROUDLY SUPPORTS 24 HOURS IN THE OLD PUEBLO. Pale Ale – The classic and original that started it all way back in 1979. Like a perfectly worn in pair of jeans, Pale Ale goes great with virtually everything, but especially hamburgers, meat pies and cheddar cheese. Pairing it with a dessert? Anything with pumpkin, maple or bananas is a great way to go. Nooner – Sierra Nevada’s take on the classic German-style pilsner, Nooner drinks easy with big flavor and pairs perfectly with lighter foods like chicken, salmon, bratwurst and salads. For the sweet tooth, anything with lemon and berries brings even more flavor out of Nooner. Granite Construction, Inc. (NYSE:GVA), is a full-service general contractor, construction management, and construction materials producer. Granite specializes in complex infrastructure projects including transportation, industrial, and federal contracting. We have been a proud member of the Southern Arizona Community for over 30 years. Photo by Brian Leddy Granite Construction • 4115 E. Illinois Street, Tucson, AZ 85714 • 520.748.8000 • graniteconstruction.com food vendors FEED THE MACHINE IN 24 HOUR TOWN 10 Blue Banjo BBQ Yellow Brick Coffee A 24-Hour Town fave with delectable tri-tip sandwiches. A veritable trailside gourmet chuckwagon with vittles to keep your belly sated. Guaranteed to be dishing up some of the SW’s best BBQ. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and a Blue Banjo breakfast burrito kick could easily make it the best too. Roasting specialty coffee beans from around the world, Yellow Brick Coffee roasts small batches to deliver the freshest, most fragrant and flavorful coffee possible. Whether seeking the perfect pre-ride pickup for some added kick while on course, or just searching for a warm cup of java while strolling 24-Hour Town, Yellow Brick will be on hand all weekend to supply everyone’s caffeine craving. 92 Juice The Loaded Dawg A Tucson based raw, cold-pressed beverage company with a mission to help nourish the needs of those in 24 Hour Town. When you enjoy incredible juices and nut milks that are packed full of the vital nutrition and goodness, you will be helping to secure nutrition for those in immediate need. Known by locals as one of the best gourmet hot dogs in all of Tucson, The Loaded Dog features 100-percent allbeef jumbo Hebrew National dogs grilled to perfection, quality buns and a variety of grilled veggies and toppings. Is your mouth watering yet? Brian Leddy Photo 11 #24HOP & EPIC RIDES GEAR All prices do not include 8.1% sales tax. ENDURA WIND VEST, $75 ENDURA JERSEY, $75 Lightweight fabric with stretch back mesh panel. Side zip vent for easy pocket access. Designed by Cirrus Visual Communication. s p ec ev i a l pricent i ng ENDURA SINGLETRACK LITE SHORTS, EVENT WEEKEND PRICE $75 (REG. $95) Available in Men’s & Women’s cut. paying respects to willow springs ranch The most important parts to making an event like the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo happen is devoted volunteers, energetic participants and a gorgeous setting. Thankfully for all of us, the 24HOP has one of the most picturesque settings in all of Arizona thanks to the Willow Springs Ranch and Arizona State Trust Lands. Without the support of Jennifer and Joachim (pronounced “Jock”) Sacksen of Willow Springs Ranch, the 24HOP would not be possible. And without the cooperation that mountain bikers have continually showed over the last 17 years, the event itself would not have made it past year one. For those who are not familiar with the ranch or are attending their first 24HOP, it helps to understand that virtually all of the trails the event uses are either on private property or State Trust Lands, and the Sacksen family is grateful for how respectful mountain bikers have been to the fragile desert ecosystem over the years. As society continues to change, professions like ranching become less and less understood by the public. Willow Springs Ranch is still a fully functioning ranch with thousands of cattle and working cowboys. Much like participants in the 24HOP, cowboys are tough, resilient and extremely fit. They also don’t eat much, and yes, they actually drink cowboy coffee around the morning campfire. They rise well before the sun and work well into darkness each day. Just like mountain bikers, cowboys love being in nature, finding balance with their 12 environment. But unlike most mountain bikers who can only temporarily escape the realities of modern society, cowboys actually make a living away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. However, even though their office is a beautiful open range, many cowboys these days still have smartphones. PULL-OVER FLEECE HOODIE, $40 ENDURA HUMMVEE LITE SHORTS, EVENT WEEKEND PRICE $75 (REG. $90) Available in Men’s & Women’s cut. Liner included. UNISEX LONG SLEEVE THERMAL, $30 Baby soft warmth in a cotton/poly blend thermal is available in two colors. SHORT SLEEVE TEE, $20 Equally as tough as cowboys are the thousands of cattle they round up on a ranch that runs almost all the way to the town of Florence. Cattle are very tough and hardy desert animals, capable of living under extreme fluctuations in temperature. Cattle also have to defend their young against coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and badgers. The Sacksen family has been ranching for four decades throughout Nebraska, Wyoming, Alberta and Mexico. But as society changes, so must the ranch. Aside from producing beef, Willow Springs Ranch also produces a number of products including honey and olives, and looking towards the future, the ranch will accommodate more multi-use recreational opportunities. Although the traditional Western lifestyle is fading, working ranches like Willow Springs Ranch keeps frontier heritage alive, and Epic Rides is grateful for all the support the Sacksen family has given the event over the years. s p ec ev i a l pricent i ng EVENT POSTER, $10 Super soft cotton/poly blend t-shirt is available in Men’s & Women’s cut. community and industry sponsors BALL CAP, TRUCKER CAP, $25 Perfect for any style. EPIC RIDES GUY/GAL ON TRIKE DECALS - $2, $1 Available sizes: Mom, Dad, Big Brother, Big Sister, Little Brother, Little Sister and Dog EPIC RIDES MILITARY CAPS, $25 EPIC RIDES SUN SHADE, $10 Back by popular demand, and in more colors. Does your car often sit in a sunny driveway as you commute to/from work? Show your car some love with an Epic Rides Sun Shade. BEANIE, $20 Choose from a waffle knit design, or fleece lined knit. EPIC RIDES COLLAPSIBLE PET WATER BOWL, $10 Travel bowl for your four-legged best friend. It collapses flat and comes with clip to attach to leash, backpack, etc. 13 the whiskey features new singletrack & route options three days of riding, music & shenanigans APRIL 29th - MAY 1st MAY 20th - 22nd 13TH ANNUAL Thanks to brand new singletrack routes utilizing parts of the recently completed Prescott Circle Trail, the 13th Annual Whiskey Off-Road on April 29May 1 will be better than ever. The 30 and 50 Proof events will leave downtown and head east instead of west in years past, climb up to Old Senator Highway, then give riders the choice of either descending the faster route on Feldmeier Trail or taking a three-mile longer and more fun route on Prescott Circle Trail. All riders will come back together just before White Spar campground, making a terrific vantage point for cheering on riders as they pass through. Thanks to the help of Yavapai County Sheriffs, riders will cross Highway 89a and climb on Wolverton Trail to #48 trail, a relatively steep uphill singletrack affair. Riders will then descend into the traditional Whiskey course, where they will most likely recognize the first set of uphill irrigation bars. Join Epic Rides and the Grand Junction community for the 4th Annual Grand Junction Off-Road scheduled for May 20th – 22nd, 2016. N Sanctioned by Sierra Prieta Overlook Comfort Station Skull Valley Turn Around/Comfort Station Wolverton Comfort Station Copper Basin Comfort Station 50 PROOF LEGEND EVENT PERMITTED BY THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE. Start/Finish Line Comfort Station Water-Only Comfort Station Medic/Communications Station Trail Label Option 1 48 miles 7,350 ft. of climb 7,000 ft King of the Mountain Challenge 6,000 ft 5,000 ft Course Route 5 mi Option 2 52 milies 7,668 ft. of climb 15 mi 20 mi 25 mi 30 mi 35 mi 40 mi Distance Between Points 45 mi Non-Event Paved Trails/Roads or Dirt Roads 7,000 ft 6,000 ft The Grand Junction Off-Road event boasts three days of festival activities, live music, a huge expo area and lots of riding/racing for both amateurs and pros. Fun events include a whimsy family friendly klunker ride, professional fat tire crit races, 3-days of free concerts, bike demos, beer gardens and more. All rides start and finish on downtown’s meandering Main Street and take riders into the legendary Lunch Loops and beyond for an authentic backcountry experience. Limited to 750 riders, we highly recommend registering early. Visit www.epicrides.com. Course Option 2 5,000 ft 5 mi These two course options turn the 30 Proof into either a 31 or 34 mile ride, while the 50 Proof becomes a 48 or 52 mile ride, both of them offering more quality singletrack than ever before. So if it’s been a couple years since your last Whiskey, make it a priority to hit Prescott the last Saturday in April and sample all the new singletrack goodness! 10 mi 10 mi 15 mi 20 mi 25 mi 30 mi 35 mi 40 mi 45 mi 50 mi Sanctioned by 13TH ANNUAL 30 PROOF Located in western Colorado at the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers, Grand Junction is renowned for its world-class singletrack while the course, featuring some of the area’s finest trails, has been referred to as one of the most technically challenging in America. Providing riders equal parts challenge to reward while navigating the moon-like terrain of Colorado’s Western Slope, event participants will enjoy a variety of landscapes on purpose built trails winding through the mountains, canyons and valleys. Sierra Prieta Overlook Comfort Station EVENT PERMITTED BY THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE. Wolverton Comfort Station N LEGEND Copper Basin Comfort Station Start/Finish Line Comfort Station Where beginners, seasoned amateurs and the world’s fastest pros, come together to enjoy 3 days of mountain bike culture, live music and world class singletrack. Whiskey Off-Road: APRIL 29th - MAY 1st Grand Junction Off-Road: MAY 20th - 22nd Carson City Off-Road: JUNE 17th - 19th Water-Only Comfort Station Medic/Communications Station Trail Label King of the Mountain Challenge Course Route Distance Between Points Option 1 31 miles 5,013 ft. of climb 7,000 ft 6,500 ft 6,000 ft 5,500 ft 5 mi Non-Event Paved Trails/Roads or Dirt Roads Course Option 2 Option 2 34 miles 5,312 ft. of climb 10 mi 15 mi 20 mi 25 mi 30 mi 7,000 ft 6,500 ft 6,000 ft 5,500 ft 5 mi 10 mi 15 mi 20 mi 25 mi 30 mi Photos by Brian Leddy 14 15 introducing INTRODUCING inaugural series event! JUNE 17th - 19th When faced with figuring out where Carson City, Nevada is, folks unfamiliar with the Silver State’s geography often ask, “how close is that to Las Vegas?” The answer? About twenty minutes closer than Lake Tahoe is. Placed at the foot of the eastern Sierra Nevada, Carson City is a relatively undiscovered community ripe with outdoor recreation opportunities. Carson City also happens to be the state capitol and one of the most historically rich Western frontier towns in America. With Lake Tahoe a mere 15 miles to the West and Virginia City 10 miles to the east – home to the Comstock Lode, the biggest silver strike in the history of America – Carson City balances its rugged, Old West charm with world-class outdoor recreation. In other words, it’s a perfect place for an Epic Rides Off-Road Series event. The inaugural Carson City Off-Road will take place on June 17-19, offering three different length courses (Capitol 15, 35 and 50-mile) that will challenge every rider’s fortitude while fulfilling the senses with some of the most awe striking high alpine scenery in North America. Featuring legendary trails like Tahoe Rim Trail and newer favorites like Ash to King’s Trail, the Carson City Off-Road will be a backcountry mountain biking adventure unlike any other. Also not to be missed will be a full weekend of free live music, the Pro Fat Tire Crit running through the heart of city and the ability to stroll throughout all of downtown with your favorite libation in hand. That’s right, Carson City is allowing open containers throughout downtown for event weekend. The Carson City community is completely pumped up for this event, so don’t miss the inaugural Carson City Off-Road that’s sure to be ripe with fun for the entire family. cholla (CHOY-YUH; SPANISH) SPANISH FOR “GET THIS PAINFUL BALL OF EVIL OUT OF MY ASS BEFORE I GO DEAF FROM MY OWN SCREAMING.” Welcome to Arizona, land of prickly plants. If you ride in this area long enough, you will eventually have an encounter with cholla—a beautiful but dangerous member of the cactus family that is plentiful around the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo course. It’s important to know how to deal with cholla if you run into it—not that you’ll be able to keep your cool when you look down to discover a giant ball of spines piercing your skin. Rule #1 – Stay the hell out of the cholla! Rule #2 – If you do get some on ya, don’t attempt to remove it with your hands. No, not even with cycling gloves on. Do not grab it, swat at it, or pick it off with your hands. This will only lead to disaster. Removal Method – The best method of removing cholla is with a cheap plastic comb. Brush it away from your body and it’ll pop right off. Brush hard, though, as cholla’s spines are barbed and take a little extra umph to pluck out of your skin. Carry your comb in a very accessible spot. No comb? Look around for a pair of rocks or strong sticks that can be used to grab the cholla and pull it out of your skin. Take the extra time to locate two objects. If you attempt to use just one stick to flick the cholla off your skin, it’s just gonna keep rolling and sticking more spines into you. Contrary to Western myth, there is no “jumping” cholla. They don’t leap off and attach themselves to you like some sort of evil. You have to run into them. So if you end up with a rear-end-full, it’s nobody’s fault but your own. Photo by Devon Balet Media read the sign, fool! As you pedal around the course, you’ll notice Epic Rides signs placed every mile or so with the name of the area you’re riding through. These reference points assist our Emergency Response professionals in pinpointing the location of a rider in need of help. The signs will also help you to familiarize yourself with the different trails and features, making it easier to describe exact locations to teammates, crew members and other riders. In the past, conversations regarding the course would sound something like this: “You know that one section of trail with all the cactus, right after the big hill? Well, I was cruising through there when I saw somebody fly over the handlebars and land headfirst into a cholla forest. Maybe you can help.” But now you can say, “Sometime around 3 a.m. on the Corral Trail, just before the doubletrack, I watched a rider get hamburger face.” special reminder: vehicle sleeping We have all done it… To get warm on chilly nights we turn the car on and crank the heat while we are parked. Our friends at Granite Construction would like to remind everyone that it could be hazardous to your health. Without the airflow you get from whistling down the highway you could easily fall asleep and asphyxiate which would really harsh the mellow. Please cuddle up with a buddy instead, body heat works wonders. PANTONE 349 skip the bitches THIS HERE NEWSPAPER INCLUDES PLENTY OF SATIRE, BUT THIS TOPIC IS WORTH READING WITH A STRAIGHT FACE. The most notorious feature of the course is a series of hills along Gas Line Road known as the Bitches. Some love ‘em; most hate ‘em. In recent years, Epic Rides introduced the “Skip the Bitches” trail. As the name clearly states, this trail provides an opportunity to bypass the infamous Bitches. Skip the Bitches will be run as an option to all riders after 3 p.m. If you’re trying to set a new course record, we recommend you ride the Bitches. It’s faster and 2/10’s of a mile 16 shorter. But, if you’re seeking pleasure in the saddle, Skip the Bitches! If you do ride the Bitches: be prepared, be careful, and be warned! Riders can exceed 30 mph going down the Bitches, only to creep up the next one in granny gear. Every rider has their favorite and least favorite Bitch (singlespeeders tend to hate them all), but there’s one Bitch more ornery than the rest. Some say it’s the fourth Bitch, others argue it’s the fifth—but just after you fly downhill at high speed and start up the Bitch, you hit a natural dirt berm that’s guaranteed to give you some air. Plan your landing well, or you might just get bitchslapped! It’s broken numerous collarbones, wheels, frames and egos over the years. Photo by Devon Balet Media 17 PANTONE 1235 MEET THE 24-HOUR EVENT COMMITTEE EVERY YEAR, A COMMITTED CREW OF FAT TIRE FIENDS BUST THEIR HUMPS TO PRODUCE THE 24 HOURS IN THE OLD PUEBLO PRESENTED BY TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER. THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT PUT 24 HOUR TOWN TOGETHER AND KEEP IT RUNNING NONSTOP. • Andy Depew: Guardian of the gate. Collector of cans, Superintendent of sound. Speaker of the laps. All around guy of nice. •Eric Fairfield: Build It Up - Maintain - And Tear It Down. This guy & his crew make 24 Hour Town Hummmm… • Sean Fawcett: Father Time (the brains and the brawn behind the timing system) • Bill Florence: Keeps it real (Southern Arizona Rescue Association) • Kurt Gensheimer: Sentence Maker and Newspaper Monger (Better known as The Angry Singlespeeder) • Alessandro Marafino: Worlds Most Important Intern. Ever. • Andy Suter: Expo Coordinator, Sponsor Manager and Comic Relief • Shannon Marshall: Giving visual beauty and design to this newspaper in your hands • Cathy Wasmann: Lends a hand when you fall on your face (Southern Arizona Rescue Association) • Shauna McGlamery: Exchange Tent Juggernaut/Dedication Dinner Coordinator Extraordinaire • Jason Welborn: Environmental Impact Monitor. Please don’t mess with the cacti. • Matt Nelson: PA announcer, Co-Emcee voice, Exec. Director of the Arizona Trail • Jes Olson: Event Lightening Rod, Registration Aficionado, Volunteer Gatherer • Gary Sadow: Retail and Schwag Coordinator (also Todd’s Father) • Cat Greene: Wearer and Seller of Many Hats (Schwag Angel) • Todd Sadow: The Zen Master • Paolo Greene: Office mascot, mealtime taste tester, lap warmer • Preston Sands: Exchange Ten Juggernaut/ Dedication Dinner Lackey • Keith Kingslien: Mr. Behind the Scenes • Owen Watson: Radio Commando (keeps the communications going between field, medical and Epic staff for immediate response to real time events happening on the course) • Jon Shouse: Keeper of Arrows and Blinkies • Steve Lane: All Things Communications MOUNTAIN BIKE EXPERTS FOR OVER 40 YEARS! • LARGEST SELECTION OF SPECIALIZED AND TREK IN TUCSON • TIRES, LIGHTS, HELMETS, CLOTHING, NUTRITION AND MORE • LARGEST FULL SERVICE REPAIR FACILITY IN TUCSON 15% Bring in this ad to our local shop and OFF receive 15% OFF bikes and accessories (excludes parts or labor) In-store 1110 E. 6th St only - 24HOP AD must be present for discount www.fairwheelbikes.com 18 (520) 884-9018 19 13 Riders must have a primary light rated at a minimum of six watts or 150 lumens during the night (6:00 p.m.–6:25 a.m.). Riders must also carry a secondary light, such as a small flashlight or similar lighting system, in case the primary system fails. rules of the off-road The 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Presented by Tucson Medical Center is a team relay and solo rider endurance mountain bike event. The ride will begin at noon on Saturday, February 14 and end 24 long, grueling hours later at noon on Sunday, February 15. Both team and solo riders will compete for prizes and prestige. This ride will include categories for solo (male and female), singlespeed solo (male and female), duo (open, male and female), four-person (male, female and singlespeed), five-person (coed) as well as a corporate category. Coed teams must include at least one rider of the opposite sex. In addition, five person teams will be divided into four separate age categories that are determined by adding up the ages of all five riders. These categories include: under 149, 150–199, and 200-249 and 250+. The corporate team category will consist of six to ten riders with no male/female restrictions. Corporate teams need not necessarily have sponsorship. All registered team riders in the corporate category must complete at least one lap. The course will consist of a 16-mile loop, including eight miles of singletrack. The trails for this course have been designed specifically for 24hour desert racing. Bring tweezers or a cheap plastic comb for removing cactus from your body. The ride will have a LeMans-style start and utilize a baton hand off between team members after completion of each lap. All team captains must verify that each team member’s name has been registered on the log-in/log-out sheet by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Riders will be assigned a number plate that must be attached to the bike any time a rider is in the transition area or on the course. Defacing number plates is not allowed. The 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo is one of the biggest and most exciting events in mountain biking today. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has a good time. So come and enjoy the camaraderie, exciting trails and spectacular scenery that this event provides. Ride safe, ride fair, and above all else, have fun! 20 STARTING PROCEDURE GENERAL RULES Start time for the ride is 12 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, February 14. The ride will utilize a LeMans-style starting procedure, which is preferred because it ensures a safe and exciting method for starting a large number of riders. It consists of having all the riders line up at the starting line, at which time a gun is fired. The riders will then run a designated 400-yard course to the bike racks to mount their bicycles. The riders will then continue onto the course. All starting riders must have their bikes pre-positioned in the bike racks and be logged-in prior to the start of the ride. All riders on deck (riders who are waiting for their teammate to complete a lap) must be logged in to the manual timing sheet no later than 15 minutes prior to their teammate’s completion of the lap. 1 Each team must designate both a team captain and co-captain. All communication with course officials before, during and after the ride must be conducted through, and only through, the team captain. In the event that a team captain is unavailable, the co-captain may represent the team. However, only team captains may file protest. Team captains and cocaptains are required to attend the pre-ride meeting. We encourage the entire team to attend the meeting as an opportunity for them to clarify any questions regarding the event prior to start time. passing etiquette BE A MANNERLY MOUNTAIN BIKER Slower riders must yield to riders wishing to pass. If you’re attempting to overtake another rider, be vocal but courteous. Phrases like “on your left” or “Can I pass when you find a spot to pull over?” should be shouted out. To be clear, when a rider says “on your left,” they mean they’re going to approach on your left side. As the person being passed, keep riding straight and steady. It’s the passer’s responsibility to get around you, and your responsibility to be predictable. For the sake of all involved, refrain from riding faster when someone wants to pass you. This just leads to frustration for both parties. Remember, there’s a lot of riding to be done in 24 hours. Don’t try to stay ahead of the rabbit. Whether you’re the passee or the passer, be courteous, stay righteous. Gracias, amigo. 2 Only team members and event staff or volunteers are allowed in the rider transition area (exchange tent) while the event is being conducted. 3 A rider on the course may be supported on the course only by other registered riders. Those assisting must enter the course under their own power, either on foot or on a bicycle. Any rider who has entered the course in support of another may bring equipment and tools and may even swap bikes with the rider in need of support. Cannibalizing bike parts is permitted in this ride. 4 Anyone, including other riders, may supply a rider on the course with food and water. However, riders taking on food or water must exit and stay clear of the course. Water will be available at the check-in station. It is important that nobody litters on the course. Any rider found intentionally littering will be disqualified along with the rest of their team members. The course director will determine all penalties and disqualifications. 5 Riders pushing bikes must yield the right of way to riders riding bikes. Whenever possible, a rider pushing a bike should yield the most rideable portion of the trail to those who are riding their bicycles. A rider pushing a bicycle may overtake a rider riding a bicycle, as long as the rider riding a bicycle is not impeded. 6 Lapped riders must yield to riders in the lead. Any rider attempting to overtake another must be vocal but courteous. Phrases like “on your left” or “can I pass you when you find a spot to pull over?” must be shouted out. A challenging rider must overtake a lapped rider safely and a lapped rider must yield on a challenging rider’s first command. 7 In the event that two or more riders are vying for position, the lead rider does not necessarily have to yield to the challenging rider. However, any attempt to interfere with or impede a challenging rider is considered unsportsmanlike and is not permitted. 8 Any attempt by a logged-in rider to take a short-cut off of the designated course will result in the immediate disqualification of that rider’s entire team. Additional penalties, including a permanent banishment of that rider and/or their team from all future events, may be imposed. All penalties will be determined by the course director. 9 All riders must conduct themselves in a civilized manner. Use of foul or intimidating language or behavior towards anyone, including other riders and course officials, on or off the trail, will not be tolerated. Any rider found in violation of this regulation will be penalized. This penalty may include the immediate disqualification of the rider and/or their team. All penalties will be determined by the course director. 14 Riders entering the course after 5:30 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. must have their lights mounted and be able to demonstrate that they are functioning properly. Riders must have their lights burning between 6:00 p.m. and 6:25 a.m. Riding with lights off between these times in an effort to conserve energy is dangerous and will not be permitted. Any team found riding with their lights off will be disqualified. Riders may turn off and remove their lights after 6:25 a.m. All lights on/lights off times are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 15 Each rider is responsible for their lighting system and battery supply. NiteRider Lighting Systems, Trail LED and Light & Motion will host a fast charging station for charging their specific brand’s lights. In addition, a neutral charging station will be 16 All coed teams are required to have a minimum of one person of the opposite sex. 17 On a coed team, each member is required to complete no less than two (2) laps from the number of laps completed by the team member with the most laps. 18 All bikes are required to be human powered only. No assist except gravity. MANUAL & DIGITAL CHECK-IN STATION 1 Upon entering the exchange tent each rider must dismount and walk their bike through the digital gateway at which point their rf chip will be read. The ‘read’ will then be confirmed by the volunteer at the entrance to the exchange tent. Once confirmed, the rider can continue to the appropriate check-in station located in the start/ finish area. emergency medical assistance SARA members receive extensive training in all aspects of search and rescue, including: wilderness search, cave rescue, high-angle and technical rescue, swift water rescue, mine rescue, and outdoor safety education. 10 Federal, state, and local ordinances must be followed at all times. 11 Only registered riders may ride on the course prior to and during the event. 12 Protests must be in writing and submitted to the course director any time after the ride, but no later than 15 minutes after the final result postings. Only team captains may submit a protest. Protests should describe the incident in detail and contain names, addresses, phone numbers and signatures of participants and witnesses to the incident. A $20 cash deposit must accompany all protests. The course director shall make an immediate ruling on the protest. Should the ruling be against the team, the deposit will be forfeited. If the ruling is in favor of the team and the protest upheld, the deposit shall be refunded. The course director will make all final rulings. provided for all riders. All riders should label their batteries and chargers with their team name. Epic Rides will not be responsible for lost or stolen equipment. Medical support for this event is provided by the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA), the most experienced rescue personnel in the Southwest. No matter what your ailment, help is close at hand when you’re in 24-Hour Town or out on the course. (They’re the ones around 24Hour Town sporting bright orange T-shirts.) SARA is a non-profit, all-volunteer search and rescue organization serving southern Arizona and Pima County since 1958. SARA members are volunteers from all walks of life, donating their time, skills and enthusiasm to provide a vital service to the public. SARA typically responds to more than 60 search and rescue missions each year, accounting for more than 4,400 hours of volunteer time at no expense to taxpayers. Whether the mission is a technical cliff rescue or a multi-day search, day or night, whatever the weather, SARA members are on call. Members provide their own personal equipment; however, group assets such as SARA vehicles, radios, ropes and technical equipment are paid for entirely by donations made from individuals and corporations in the local community. SARA membership is open to anyone interested in helping to enhance public outdoor safety in Southern Arizona. Field-qualified members must be in good physical condition, attend and pass first aid and rescue training classes, and provide their own outdoor clothing and gear. All new members must complete medical/first aid training and SARA Basic search and rescue training prior to becoming field A team baton will be used and must be passed from the rider completing a lap to the registrar. The registrar will then record the log-in time and the baton will be passed to the rider logging out before that rider can begin his/her lap. Once the baton has been handed to the registrar, the rider has officially logged out. The log-out time is the log-in time for the next rider, regardless of whether or not that rider is present to receive the baton. If the rider is to continue on for another lap he or she must still hand over the baton to the registrar and have it handed back prior to beginning the next lap. If a rider fails to do this, only one lap will be recorded. Any team who loses their baton will receive a 5-minute penalty. If a team cancels a rider’s lap and is starting the lap over with a new rider, a new baton will be issued without a penalty. However, the team’s original baton must be returned to the registrar. The log-in time recorded for the rider failing to complete the lap will be used as the log-in time for the new rider. Teams should be sure that each rider is logging in and out correctly. 2 A rider who has entered the course must complete his or her lap. Rider qualified. Training and medical certification can take up to ten months to complete. For more information on SARA, please visit sarci.org/sara.htm If you see anyone down on the trail, please alert SARA immediately. They will go out onto the course to help anyone in need. They will also make house calls. If someone at your camping area is in need of first-aid, call on SARA. If you encounter any medical professional on the course or in 24Hour Town, please obey their commands. If they ask you to stop, please do it! They don’t want to slow you down, but their primary concern is safety. If medical personnel have to stop any riders while on the course, Epic Rides will attempt to adjust your lap time accordingly. substitutions can only be made at the check-in station. Each rider of fiveperson teams is required to complete a minimum of one night lap and no less than two laps from the most completed by any member of the team. In the event that a female rider on a five-person team with only one female rider should have to withdraw from the ride due to injury or illness, she must have completed two laps in order for that team to qualify. Should a team in another category lose a teammate for the entire ride due to injury or illness, that team may continue to compete. FINISH The ending time for the ride is 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, February 15. Any rider still on the course after 12:00 p.m. will log off after completing the lap. The final finishing places are to be determined by the total number of laps completed and the order in which each team completed the final lap. If a rider logs off the course before noon and no other rider logs in to complete a final lap, that team will be registered as a “DID NOT FINISH.” You must finish after 12:00 p.m. SARA: EVENT EMERGENCY NUMBERS • Cathy Wasmann (IC, Med Tent) 520-784-1784 • Bill Florence (Field Operations) 520-488-7747 Non-Emergency Situations: For non-emergencies, contact the DJ or Tent Coordinator to make an announcement. Please do not harass our medical friends with SARA in search of mechanical help, lost campsites or lost riders. Please show some appreciation for the people that are here to take care of you when you need it most. After all, how many people do you know that would rush to your aid if you fly over the handlebars at 2:30 a.m. in the middle of the desert? CHANNEL 9 IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY! If you’re using FRS radios to communicate with your teammates, please use a frequency that does not interfere with the Emergency Response channel. 21 PICKING OUT THE RIGHT SHOES FOR YOUR BIKE When it comes to getting your bike dialed in for event weekend, perhaps the single most important consideration is choosing the right set of tires. Since the 24HOP course can be blazing quick with only a few rocks, running a lightweight tire with a fast rolling tread pattern will make a difference in performance; especially on that final lap when the legs are screaming out in lactic acid agony. Another consideration is the weather and watching the forecast several days before event weekend. It has been known to rain and even snow in February here in the Sonoran Desert, which can change trail conditions drastically, so a tire that sheds mud well can be a huge advantage. As the official tire of Epic Rides, Maxxis has built a reputation for making some of the most durable mountain bike tires available. And when it comes to endurance racing, the Pace, Ikon and Ardent Race are the most popular choices, come in all three wheel sizes and weigh in the 500-700 gram range. traction and stability, Tubeless Ready performance and sizes as wide as 2.35 inches for a smoother ride. Ardent Race – Bridging the gap between a dedicated trail tire like the Ardent and a cross-country race tire like the Ikon, the Ardent Race is the tire to choose when conditions are iffy or the trail turns rocky. The Ardent Race features EXO, 3C and Tubeless Ready performance to protect against Pace – Designed for the World Cup Cross-Country circuit, the Pace features a low profile tread design for minimal rolling resistance on hardpack surfaces. Thanks to continuous side knobs, hard cornering provides consistent performance without suddenly giving way. For those who want to go as fast as possible, pick up the Pace. those pesky pokey things in the desert. Low profile center knobs are ramped for faster rolling speed, while taller, stepped side knobs provide excellent bite in corners when the dirt gets soft. Maxxis has more than 25 different mountain bike-specific tires for virtually all conditions. Check the entire lineup at Maxxis.com. BAG IT! BAG IT, a non-profit community organization founded in Tucson, provides information and education to those newly diagnosed with cancer and their families. And thanks to having a national database of mountain bikers, Epic Rides will help spread the word about BAG IT across the country. Ikon – As the most versatile crosscountry tread in the Maxxis lineup, the Ikon can be purchased in a number of different configurations including added sidewall durability with EXO Protection, 3C Triple Compound for improved Epic Rides expects to raise more than$20,000 through the event weekend; half or more going to help grow the success of BAG IT. Proceeds from last year’s event helped provide cancer patients with resources to help them cope with their diagnosis and treatment – all free of charge. BAG IT has helped over 60,000 people in Arizona since 2003. Annually, they reach 25 percent of those newly diagnosed with cancer in the state. BAG IT supports those with any type of cancer by offering a handy bag filled with resources on coping with diagnosis and treatment along with a personal navigation binder to track medical information. All resources are reliable and research-based from the National Cancer Institute and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. BAG IT encourages effective communication with medical teams and empowers patients to Fight the Fear of cancer. pace ; IDEAL FOR HARDPACK XC COURSES HARDPACK LOOSE/HARD MEDIUM LOOSE WET MUD BAG IT is available in easy-to-use English and Spanish formats that can be printed or downloaded from the BAG IT website. New this year is an 8 GB USB wristband pre-loaded with ikon HIGH-VOLLUME LIGHTWEIGHT RACE TIRE HARDPACK LOOSE/HARD MEDIUM LOOSE WET MUD ardent race ; IDEAL FOR TECHNICAL XC RACE COURSES 22 MAX_24HR_Pueblo_EpicRide_02.indd 1 HARDPACK LOOSE/HARD MEDIUM LOOSE WET MUD become enlightened RIDER: KABUSH // PHOTO: GIBSON ; 2016 24 HOURS IN THE OLD PUEBLO FEATURED BENEFICIARIES PRESENTED BY: INFORMATION ON LIGHTS AND RECHARGING BATTERIES maxxis.com 1/22/16 11:34 AM resources plus plenty of space to add personal medical documents, calendars and more. BAG IT is completely free to all cancer patients at 114 participating oncology and radiology clinics, cancer centers, tribal health clinics, community clinics and hospitals in Arizona including campuswide at Tucson Medical Center, this year’s presenting sponsor. BAG IT will again give away Missing Links at their booth this year compliments of KMC. “We think it’s a perfect partnership,” said Sherri Romanoski, founder of BAG IT and a cancer survivor herself. “When needed, Missing Links can be critical to make it through the ride successfully. BAG IT is the critical resource link to help people cope and Fight the Fear of cancer diagnosis and treatment.” Being diagnosed with cancer can be one of the scariest moments in a person’s life – thank you for helping BAG IT Fight the Fear for so many at a critical time in their lives. Ride Hard! Get more information on BAG IT by visiting www.bagit4u.org ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL CYCLING LEAGUE percent of the 350 student-athletes. Looking forward into 2016, the numbers get even bigger, with close to 500 student-athletes anticipated. And because this will be the league’s fourth season, the league will have its very first graduating class that will have had mountain biking as an official sport for all four years of high school. The league will also be expanding its middle school program to include some races, while for the high school league, new venues will be introduced, including the league’s first visit to Sierra Vista in southern Arizona. The Arizona League, a 501(c)3 youth development organization, is the governing body for grades 9-12 interscholastic mountain biking in the state, operating under the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The league provides safe, quality high school mountain bike programs for student-athletes and teams from public, charter and private schools throughout the state and participation is open to all high schools teams that register with the league. For more information on the league, visit www.arizonamtb.org or facebook. com/ArizonaHighSchoolCyclingLeague, or contact Mike Perry at mike@ arizonamtb.org, 480-636-0698. Learn more about all 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo beneficiaries by visiting them online. NiteRider and TrailLED are on-site to assist you with your lighting needs. For each manufacturer’s location, please refer to the Expo map. Epic Rides offers a neutral charging station in the Expo. To use the neutral charging station, participants need their battery and charger. The neutral charging station is not a high-speed charging facility—Epic Rides simply Running 800 miles across mountains, deserts, forests and historic communities, the Arizona Trail starts at the U.S./Mexico border and finishes on the Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon at the Utah border. Lovingly known as the AZT, the Arizona Trail is an extremely challenging yet rewarding personal adventure of a lifetime, especially on a mountain bike. And to commemorate the monumental achievement of completing the entire trail by bike, foot or horseback in one trip or in multiple trips over several years, the Arizona Trail Association is offering those hardy adventurers a well-earned copperplated belt buckle or pin. Each buckle and pin is handmade in Arizona and is only available to those who’ve completed the entire route and fill out the survey at the link listed here www.aztrail.org/completion/ Cascade Foundation – www.cascadefoundation.org Arizona Trail Association – www.aztrail.org IMBA – www.imba.com The Arizona High School Cycling League continued its meteoric growth in 2015, with 350 student-athletes participating on 40 teams representing more than 70 high schools. This represents a 44 percent increase in participation, with girls making up 25 All riders are required to have headlights burning between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:25 a.m. ARIZONA TRAIL ASSOCIATION Tri-Community Food Bank – www.azfoodbanks.org 91.3 KXCI Community Radio – www.kxci.org SDMB – www.sdmb.org provides outlets with power. You’ll need to remember the color and exact square of the table where you leave your battery and charger. Remember, almost all of them look alike. There’s nothing worse than stumbling into the neutral charging station looking for your battery at 4 a.m., while your teammate screams at you from the Exchange Tent, only to find that it’s gone! Marking your battery with a distinguishing feature (like your name) is highly encouraged. NiteRider’s charging station will allow you to charge your NiteRider batteries in a fraction of the time. They also have a light technician for immediate technical support for NiteRider lighting systems. If you’re looking to purchase a lighting system, NiteRider and TrailLED all have their systems for sale at the Expo, so you’ve got no excuse for not pedaling through the dark hours. 23 LVD IT! B presented by legend BAG EM PIR EP OW ER DR IVE enter the 17th ANNUAL TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER enter the 17th ANNUAL presented by TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER campinʼ GRADE ION TRU CT JULIET ES NS YCLAY E CO C T O PIV PARKW Welcome! Glad youʼre here. INDIA CHARLIE ST. BRAVO PleaseÊcampÊandÊparkÊatÊaÊ90-degreeÊ angleÊtoÊtheÊavenuesÊprovided.ÊAnyÊcarsÊ blockingÊintersectionsÊwillÊbeÊtowed. BagIt!ÊBlvdÊisÊreservedÊforÊSOLOÊRIDERS. IfÊyourÊcampÊwillÊbeÊusingÊaÊgeneratorÊ orÊutilizingÊanÊRV,ÊEpicÊRidesÊ recommendsÊcampingÊSouthÊofÊ GraniteÊConstructionÊGrade. PleaseÊpowerÊdownÊlightsÊbefore enteringÊtheÊExchangeÊTent. PleaseÊkeepÊallÊdogsÊleashed. ALFA expo SierraÊNevadaÊRockÊDropÊBeerÊGarden Fri.Ê4:30pÊ-ÊÊ6:30p Sat.Ê1pÊ-Ê6:30p Sun.Ê10aÊ-Ê1pÊ Ma ssa ge Life tim e ENDÊOFÊTRAIL TOÊEXCHANGEÊTENT DismountÊbikeÊand powerÊdownÊlights Exchange TentÊ& Dedication Dinner EpicÊRides Merchandise Tent BikeÊStagingÊArea SouthernÊArizona RescueÊAssociation AWARDS Tr B ek Tuc ikes son Ele vat edÊ Leg s RÊB ar KHS EACH LAP IS 16.1 (16.3) MILES WITH 1,200’ CLIMB KMC ÒTheÊRockÓ Natureʼs Bike Rack sanctioned by SeaÊOtt Classic er king of camp Pivot Cycles Stanʼs NoTub es MaxxisÊTireÊToss Bookmanʼs Maxxis Tires Bike Flights EventÊInfo LostÊ&ÊFound Volunteers Tucson MedicalÊ Center AZT REI 92Juice Neutral Charge Area ProGold Ari Bi zona Exp cycle erts BagÊIt! CamelB ak Yellow Brick Coffee EventÊpoweredÊby LOADE DAWG D KendaÊTires TORCA NiteÊRider SierraÊNevadaÊBeerÊGarden COMMUNICATIONS SDMB E.ÊWILLOWÊSPRINGSÊDRIVE Reciclaje Basura KING of the CAMP Sierra Nevada is hosting another King of the Camp competition, rewarding those who post a photo to Instagram of the biggest and baddest campsite stocked with Sierra Nevada brew. Simply tag each photo with #SierraNevada24HOP BlueÊBanjo Sierra Nevada HOTEL ECHO Sum Hut mit PACKETÊ PICKUP KEpicÊRadio 105.7ÊFM HostedÊby 91.3ÊKXCI CamelBak #GotYourBak Sat.Ê11pÊ-Ê3a Tra LED il Ca Roc rbo ket FOXTROT VeeÊTir e TAS CO RESULTS AlsoÊavailable online fromÊyour Êcampsite MEDIC GOLF Fai rÊW Bik heel es PlayÊnice,Êfolks! ONEÊWAYÊTRAFFIC STARTÊOFÊNEWÊLAP Communications Station GRANIT 24ÊHOUR TOWNÊMAP muchas gracias to our sponsors Winners will be chosen and announced via Instagram and awarded with official brewery schwag daily after sunset in the main beer garden. SHOWERS ProvidedÊby SALIDA LosÊBa–os #SierraNevada24HOP Photo by Devon Balet Media 24 25 CIO AT TMC IMPARTS WISDOM ON WORK/ LIFE BALANCE Frank Marini has been with Tucson Medical Center for 27 years, starting in 1988 in the Information Services department, and is still there to this day. Mike is now a senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, but he still takes time out of his busy career to take on huge personal challenges, like climbing some of the world’s tallest peaks including Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in Argentina and Denali in Alaska. We asked him how he is able to balance a full-time career with training for these enormous adventures. What is your strategy on balancing training with a full-time career? It’s challenging, but most important are planning and flexibility. Work is the main priority, so I develop a training plan around my work schedule. I manage training like a project. I set weekly goals – miles, minutes, pounds – and track progress towards those goals. I’m pretty hard on myself, and if my work schedule causes me to miss a workout or more, then I have to flex my plan to get back on track. I’ve cycled and run in the rain, the cold, the heat and in the dark. Another trick is silencing that little voice that tries to convince me to sleep in, or shorten my workout, or take it easy. I try not to let life’s obstacles get in the way of training, and don’t let training be the first thing that drops when I encounter a situation. When my kids were little, as a single dad, I had to get creative to maintain a training routine. Back then, I was running halfmarathons and I needed to get 20-30 miles in each week. They were too little to leave them at home to go on a run, so I bought a bike and bike-trailer and pulled the kids around town while they munched on popcorn in the trailer. Take us through a typical fullschedule training/working day. I always have a training plan for the particular goal and track my plan on a monthly calendar. When planning for a mountain expedition, my training is geared towards strength and endurance. For my Denali expedition, I was in the gym or running six days a week, doing a mix of cross-fit and endurance/strength training. On Sundays I’d load 70 pounds of water in my backpack and hike Blacketts Ridge or Finger Rock, or something that offered between 1,200-3,000 feet elevation gain. I’d dump the water at the top to avoid knee injuries on the downhill. I encountered lots of regular hikers on these trails who thought I was nuts as they watched me dump 30 liters of water at the top, then sprint down the hill. Injury avoidance is a big deal for me. Now that I’m 54, I’ve noticed it’s easier to get injured. There’s no magic answer here. You need to listen to your body and pay attention to pain. Know when to take an extra break day and use lots of I+I – ibuprofen and ice. I have a problem with pushing myself too hard, so I’ve had injuries. I’d like to think I’m smarter these days, but it’s hard to lay back. There’s a lot of cliché attributed to mountain climbing and achieving career goals. But since you actually climb some of the world’s tallest mountains, what do you see as the true parallels between climbing and a career? Both endeavors require planning and preparation, but unfortunately some tend to plan and prepare more extensively for a mountain climb than for achieving career goals. In mountain climbing you need physical conditioning and mountaineering skills, and of course, a career requires specific skills development too. Both require discipline to stay on track, persevere through bumps and maintain composure instead of panicking. Teamwork is also essential with both; EPIC RIDES THANKS TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT. Establish incremental goals that lead to an ultimate goal. In mountain climbing, the ultimate is the summit, and the incremental goals are the camps along the way. Focus on the incremental goals, rather than the summit by taking one step and one day at a time. The same applies in the workplace. A project or goal can seem insurmountable if you just focus on the ultimate goal. On a mountain, you’re put in situations where you are isolated and help isn’t around the corner. You have no choice but to figure it out. The same sort of mentality can be used at work at work to accomplish goals. T Tell us about your first 24 Hours experience last year. How was it? What did you learn last year that will help you for this year’s event? WE ARE What a blast! I hadn’t been on a mountain bike in a very long time. I was asked to join a team about three months before the event. The problem was I was going to be on a month-long, high-altitude mountain expedition on Aconcagua in Argentina at 22,800ft for most of January, returning about two weeks before race day. I couldn’t work in any bike training before the climb and didn’t have time to ride much upon returning. I was in good cardio shape, but I learned there’s way more to mountain biking than cardio. I rode three laps, one in the dark on a 22year old bike with no suspension and it was still fun! Honestly, I felt I missed out all these past years not knowing about this event. This year I’m better prepared. I got a new bike with suspension and am training. I’m very happy to be on a TMC team and having a chance to do this with a very fun group of colleagues! U C S O N Nonprofit. Community-Focused. Seventy Years Strong. Moving Forward. Tucson’s only nonprofit community-owned hospital. Photo by Devon Balet Media 26 taking instruction, communicating effectively, dealing with people and being dependable. On a mountain expedition, all of it is paramount, especially when you’re on a rope where your life is literally tied to your team’s performance. CHOOSE WELL. 5301 E. Grant Road | Tucson, AZ 85712 | (520) 327- 5461 | tmcaz.com 27 28