For the past 5 years everyone has feared it, now it has been done. Hugh Jass has finally thrown down the gauntlet, for the 2000 24 hours of Snowshoe they will put away the fixed gears and bring out the war machines. This last minute formation of team Shenandoah Mtn Touring is sending a message of fear throughout the competition.

All four men have played key roles as team Hugh Jass members and now they plan on stepping it up to the next level. Their 6-digit sponsorship deal from Shenandoah Mountain Touring might explain the change of equipment but no one is questioning the team's discipline. This year Mike Carpenter and Tim Richardson; both past captains, will be the secret behind the success of the team. Carpenter has taken up the role of team "HIGH Priest" a role that is sure to make the honorary coach of years past look elementary. Richardson will be the biomechanical specialist, responsible for fine tuning the chemical levels of each rider and their race machines. It has been rumored that a crack team of 24-hour specialists has begun mobilization to the venue for this weekend's activities. To put these immortals upon the level playing field that is a geared bike will surely bring disaster to all that bear false witness.

Joel Maynard, the ringer
Can anyone forget the carnage this man created during last year's 24 hours of Canaan. On the first lap Joel showed his incredible form brining Hugh Jass into the pits in the top 20. One can only assume that this year he will bring even more pain. Groomed and crafted by the evil high priest himself Joel hails from the same hamlet and some claim that the two were separated at birth. Hesitant to race such an event with a freewheel, Joel only agreed after being allowed to bring his trusty fixed gear as a back up.

Jeremy Wimpey, the protégé
Hugh Jass adopted this babbling teenager when no one else would have him. They disciplined him in the way of the wheel and fostered his exuberance and youthful drive to create one of the most promising riders in the region. In his first Hugh Jass appearance, the worm decimated the field in Moab to set a scorching lap and a team record that still stands. Keeping this young rider focused will be a full time job and look for the High Priest and his entourage to guide this young man to freedom.

Jamie Keehner, the original
Jamie has ridden more 24-hour laps on a fixed gear than anyone in the Hugh Jass family. An original member of the 1996 team that shook the international world, Keehner's power comes from his meanness. Inevitably someone will cross this 24-hour veteran and invoke him to set the course record. With two bikes and a license to kill Jamie will play a key roll in the ride to freedom.

Thomas Jenkins, old man freeride
A puzzle wrapped in an enigma entwined in a paradox. Who can explain this eternal drive of cycling madness? Determined to overcome his past doping scandals, Thomas is the first rider to make the mandatory stop in the drug tent. With ten years of experience in the expert class Thomas won't be distracted from his goal. Always the anchorman you can bet on him to find his form when his team needs it.