"They're playing our song..."

It was "Oh Canada", being played over the pa system in honour of the 34 Canadian entries in the National 24 Hour Challenge, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. That was followed by the U.S. national anthem and then riders were "piped" onto the course by bagpipes! What an opening!

We hurried to put the last of the tools and spare parts into our panniers, and pedalled to catch the 360 or more riders already pouring onto the roadway amid cheers and applause from people lining the street near the start.

"It feels like we're in the Tour de France," I said to my son, Jason,as we picked our way through the crowd to join the end of the long line of riders.

"Yeah recumbents!" somebody in the crowd yelled as we gained speed and overtook a few of the tail enders. What a thrill!

We started moving forward in the group, benefitting from level road and occasional slight downgrade. Jason and I had discussed a tentative strategy ahead of time. It was to "take it easy" for the first stage - 125 miles - then to push when we got into the second 22 mile stage and the final 6 mile stages.

As I began overtaking the back of the pack, searching for a team of Terra Trikes that I knew were going to be here, the excitement grew. Jason was going slower, pacing himself. I knew that my disposition wouldn't allow me to follow our plan. When I feel good I like to push, regardless of how long the event is or where I am in it. There was always time to "take it easy" when I felt the need to do so, later.

Ahead I saw two recumbent trikes! I pushed to catch them. It was Sue Neurath of Tucker, GA - who ended up completing 297 miles during the event, and Rick Bainter, of Elkhart, IN who despite ill health, still ended up with 225 miles. Both were riding TerraTrike 3.3s. (See picture - provided by WizWheelz) We chatted briefly then I set out in what was to be vain pursuit of the two other trikes.

There were 3 Terra Trikes and one Greenspeed, as well as Jason and myself on Swifts entered in the National 24 Hour Challenge. Six trikes all together, a moderately high number of these relatively rare vehicles. There were also a dozen recumbent bicycles, rounding out the "laid back" contingent in the field of 360 or so riders.

As the field moved on, the terrain got more rolling with more and more delightful downhill runs. After moving ahead, then waiting for Jason - who was adhereing to our "take it easy at first" strategy - I decided that this was not the way for me to ride. I pushed ahead clicking into my 140+ inch longest gear to take advantage of the downhills and loosing some of my gains to bikers when we reached uphill climbs. For quite a while it seemed that the downhill runs predominated... I thought, casually, that I would have to pay for this in uphill climbs on the return run, but nevermind, it was great for now!

The first checkpoint came up sooner than I had expected. When I pulled in, I met members of the TerraTrike pit crew. What a great bunch! They had offered to assist us in any way they could, including use of tools and equipment! Hey, we were't competitors, we were all "Trikers"! What a great feeling to know that they were there for us if we needed them. It turned out that we didn't but that was not the point. We were among friends ... a triking fraternity!!!

They informed me that a Greenspeed racer pedalled by Steve McGuire of Iowa City, Iowa. had taken off right from the start and was way out in front. Terra Trike's Richard Myers had a good lead on us, and the other two TerraTrikes were the ones that we had passed earlier.

I decided to see if I could catch the other TerraTrike and left the checkpoint feeling refreshed and seeking to close the gap. At the 2nd or 3rd checkpoint - I don't recall which - the TerraTrike crew informed me that their rider had left just before I pulled in. I was closing the gap!

That was the closest I was to get to their lead rider... missing a turn, and failing to follow map instructions caused me to drop back. I had put the maps into my saddlebags, preferring to watch riders ahead to see which way to turn. Now, as riders began to thin out, I found myself coming to intersections and because no rider was ahead, I had to slow and wait for following riders to see which way to go. This lost me time again and again. Eventually, two of the three TerraTrikes would log more overall miles than me... and, of course, the amazing Steve McGuire on his racing Greenspeed would eclipse us all logging 383.6 miles!

Overall winner of the recumbent category was a TRIKE propelled by Steve McGuire, IOWA, his blazingly fast Greenspeed! Steve is shown (second from left) with the WizWheelz Team of Sue, Rick Myers and Rick Bainter. CONGRATULATIONS STEVE! You've put TRIKES on the cycling map!!! CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE! (Photo by WizWheelz).

The good news was that trikers were putting on a very creditable showing overall. During the middle of the night, a bicyclist said to me, "Keep riding like that, you're dispelling a lot of myths about trikes!" I wondered what he'd have said if he'd seen Steve's trike blasting past a very strong group of bikers on a steep upgrade at 6:30 in the morning! I must admit that I wasn't aware that there were "myths" about trikes, unless it was about the 3 wheelers that grannies plod around trailer parks in Florida on.

<< === Other trikers entered were: Sue Neurath, GA, Wizwheelz; Steve McGuire, Iowa, Greenspeed; Rick Myers, OH, Wizwheelz; Rick Bainter, IN, Wizwheelz .

At the 5th checkpoint, during the first leg, I understood an official to say, "You're finished the first leg and beginning the second section."

I interpreted that as meaning that from that checkpoint onward, I was actualling being counted as doing the second leg - 22 miles.

I didn't "clue in" when I reached Checkpoint 4, the school where we had begun, that although the course had covered section 2, it was not counted as section 2 until we had finished loop 1 back at the school. So, when I set out from Checkpoint 4 it was under the impression that this was my second loop around Section 2. I found out, to my great disappointment, that I had only completed one 22 mile lap... not two as I had thought. This was to prevent me from reaching my objective which was 300 miles. Instead I achieved only 279.2 miles... a distance I was pleased with, but not my goal.

When I pulled into the school checkpoint I was surprised to find a somewhat sheepish looking Jason already there. This being the first long distance cycling event that the poor kid had ever entered - talking about jumping in at the deep end - he had dropped out after 81 miles. A creditable showing on the most challenging leg of the course! I felt badly for him! The good news was that I now had a pitcrew.

We sat down and calculated that if I had finished leg 1 (125.1 miles) and - I thought - two laps around loop 2 (22 X2 = 44 miles) miles), then it would take 22 times around the 6 mile loop to allow me to reach the magical 300 mile mark. I stopped riding long enough to have a quick shower and returned to the trike. Before dark I had completed three of those laps... or 18 miles. Throughout the night I plodded on around the 6 mile loops. By about 7 a.m. I had done what I thought I needed, 22 laps - another 132 miles. By my calculations I had achieved the 300 mile objective so I stopped.

Later that morning, when I turned in my cards verifying mileages, my error was revealed. I hadn't reached my personal goal after all. I was tremendously disappointed, but there was nothing I could do about it at this point... other than to make plans to do better next year.

Jason Cleland, my son, jumps into high end competition at 24 Hour Challenge, his first cycling event ever! He's shown here beside our "Headquarters" at the event. =============>>

Riding a recumbent trike has a very different feel than riding a bicycle. It is primarily a "from the hips down" activity leaving the upper body in a state of general comfort and relaxation. On an event of the magnitude of this one, that comfort factor takes on giant proportions.

Where a bicyclist may tend to use his/her whole body either to support himself/herself on the bike or to put full power through the bike, the 'bent trike rider With head resting against the headrest, back and buttocks cradled in the chaise lounge type seat, and no stress on wrists or arms, which fall naturally along the sides with a 90 degree bend at the elbow, is in a position to enter a relaxed, meditative stage. The only thing that is required is that the rider's legs keep pedalling.

I sometimes close my eyes (for periods of about 3 to 8 seconds depending upon the potential for dangers to crop up). I concentrate on totally relaxing my upper body...and on breathing, or on pleasant thoughts, while my legs keep turning all the while. In this almost sleeplike state it is sometimes possible to cover long distances at quite high speeds, particularly if aided by rolling terrain. For safety's sake, of course, one must remain fully aware of what's happening down the road... surprisingly that is not as difficult as it sounds. The routine becomes: Open eyes briefly, check course & hazards, close eyes & "meditate", repeat the cycle...

When darkness fell on the National 24 Hour Challenge the world and it's sensations took on new and interesting dimensions. Sensations changed. The intense fragrance of new mown hay on the final turn became dramatically intense. The frogs, in the pond just beyond the hayfield trilled their nighttime songs to passing riders. At various times throughout the night, a gentle mist, cool, almost clammy feeling to the riders' sweaty bodies, began to roll across the fields.

The moon, which started big and low became brighter and higher as the night progressed. At it's zenith, riders were able to see their shadows on the road! Dancing headlights, from overtaking bicycles created a strange, shadow world on the road ahead. Flashing taillights pierced the black ahead and plunged - with their cyclists - around the corners that marked the outline of the 6 mile rectangle.

These were some of the sights, sounds, scents and sensations of the 2003 24 Hour Challenge. It was an event that, despite its demands, despite some disappointments, I enjoyed more than any other event I've entered this year. It was an event that I will - the fates willing - enter again next year. It was superbly organized and run.

First a caveat: One ride does not an expert make. I'm not an expert. If you are seriously interested in long distance triking/biking, we suggest you research it extensively from a variety of sources. Some information is on our "LINKS" page.

We also suggest you discuss long distance touring with people such as Randonneurs. These cyclists, whom I respectfully and with a degree of awe, refer to as "crazies" BEGIN with 200 km rides. Then they move on to 300 km then 400 and 600. When they've completed all that they might qualify to go to their "heaven" which is the 1200 km Paris-Brest-Paris cycle tour which comes up once every four years. They KNOW about cycling for long periods of time!

That warning issued, I'll tell you what seemed to work relatively well for me.

By now you've all surely heard the saying, "DRINK before you're thirsty! EAT before you're hungry! While this applies to any type of cycling beyond an hour or two, it becomes vital when you're demanding that the ENGINE - your body - keep performing for 24 hours.

For the National 24 Hour Challenge I equipped myself with a variety of foods - energy bars - granola bars - chocolate covered raisins and nuts - Scotch mints and so on.

Hey, you challenge, Scotch mints aren't one of the recommended staples for endurance events. No, they're not. They are a psychological perk to keep me feeling refreshed. They - along with some of the chocolates - are a treat designed to give me a "lift" when I might be sagging a bit. It's fun and refreshing - a bit like a kid in a candy store to browse through my fanny pack and select a "special treat" for myself.

On the trike I carry food in a fanny pack worn reversed - on my stomach so that it is accessable. Selecting a special food delight can definitlely refocus one to a positive mindset when fatigue and discomfort start to rear their heads.

Fluids must be flowing almost constantly especially in hot weather. They are vital to helping the body to retain its equilibrium when so much is being demanded of it. In the 24 Hour CHallenge I carried about 2 1/2 litres of water in a bladder in the saddlebag. I reminded myself to sip regularly at this. It was more difficult remembering to continue drinking in the cool of the evening but the fluids are still vital at this time. I also, part of the treat philosophy carried some orange juice in a water bottle for the added boost it could give.

Did I sleep during the 24 hours? No. I got off the trike at checkpoints and supplemented my food & fluids with the fruits & juices offered there. Even though recumbents are infinitely more comfortable than bicycles, some change is needed on such a long ride.

When the course was closed for about 20 minutes due to an accident, I took the opportunity to indulge in one of the free massages offered at Checkpoint 4. Had to be careful, as the young lady loosened my various tight muscles, that the sounds of ecstasy that I uttered sounded appropriate for the situations... Bliss!

During two occasions in the night, when I began to sag, I took a 100 mg caffeine pill (about the same strength as a brewed cup of coffee). Our bodies can develop a tolerance to caffeine, but since I'm not normally a tea or coffee drinker, the single pills served to alert me and get me moving again.

The 2003 National 24 Hour Challenge was as rewarding as it was challenging. It had its disappointments and definitely it had "payoffs".

Our misunderstanding caused us to miss out on achieving our goal of 300 miles, yet we are proud of our 279.2 mile accomplishment...

We finished 8th out of 18 recumbent bikes and trikes and overall we finished at the bottom of the first 1/3 of the riders, but ahead of 2/3 of the group. Knowing what a competent group that was, we feel pride in what we accomplished and we feel a sense of camaradrie towards the fine group of men and women we rode with.

We are awestruck with the strength and endurance demonstrated by many of these fine athletes of all ages. We feel warmth and pleasure in having associated with so many pleasant, helpful, positive people.

Our plan to improve our performance next year:

** Improve navigation skills to prevent taking wrong turns or having to await other riders to know which way to turn

** Work out regularly during the winter months so that we enter the biking season in reasonable condition - unlike the regular pendulum of fat to fit and back to fat again, that we usually engage in :-(

** Replace cycling shoes with more rigid racing shoes to eliminate sore feet - this was our only area of real discomfort.

** Complete more of the 22 mile loop prior to starting the 6 mile loops (now that I know where it really starts).

CHECKPOINT 4 was very familiar to all of us! We passed through it 23 times on our Swift during the event!

Here, Richard Myers, age 66, of Xenia, OH, finishes at CHECKPOINT 4 after 331 miles!

Special thanks to the Wizwheelz Team! You made us feel "right at home" in this, our first ever National 24 Hour Challenge. Thanks guys! See you next year! Click here to visit
Wizwheelz website & story.