1. When did you arrive at the event location and did you have enough time to "settle in", pre-ride the course and get comfortable with your surroundings?

After getting hassled at the border, and surrendering my girlfriend's pepper spray to the Queen, we ended up getting to the race venue at midnight the night before the race. Pre-riding the course was totally out of the question. This was my 16th solo 24-hour race and it was the first time that I did not preride the course. I guess it didn't matter that much, the next afternoon I headed out strong and didn't look back (too much).

2. Did you do anything special to prepare for this race?

Nothing more than I normally do. I am a bike courier so I ride all week, and on the weekends I go on 100 mile mtb rides.

3. Course conditions went from extremely dry and dusty to torrential downpours and 35mph winds. Did you expect this at all and how did you keep warm with the huge temperature drop?

First of all don't stop. Second- don't get caught on the course with out proper gear. Third- have the proper gear and use it wisely. I make my own custom gortex rain gear and it is the best thing out there. My jacket is custom fit for me and my needs, including a tall adjustable collar, pit zipps, stowable butt flap, and internal pockets to keep extra stuff extra dry. My rain pants have a highly adjustable waist (wear them alone or on top of whatever), side vent zips, and zip off bottoms. Did I mention that I make and design this stuff and can make some for you too. Custom rain gear, o ya! It's called SOLOS- if yer interested.

4. Did you have a support crew?

Yes the best out there! They rocked the whole race. I pitted next to Chris Costentino and Christina Begy and we all share our pit crews to make an invicible force that can't be stopped by some wimpy storm. I want to give special thanks to my girl friend Lara, for helping me through 5 years of racing and all the ups and downs that go with it. Lara you are the best thanks for being there and running the tightest pit in 24 hour racing.

5. How would you rate the course as far as technical difficulty - and were the technical sections any more difficult with the extreme rain?

When the course was dry it was a 6 out of 10 but during and after the rain. It was an 8 or 9.

6. Which lap did you consider was the most difficult?

Between 3 and 4 in the morning is usually the hardest time for me and this race was no different. At that time I was experiencing severe knee pain and it was getting worse with every pedal stroke. This was not something new to me, the same knee pain caused me to drop out of Laguna Seca earlier in the season after holding 4th over all for 18 hours on a singlespeed. Don, who is part of my pit crew and convieniently a physical therapist, set me staight with an excruiatingly painful stretch and sent me on my way. Although I felt better I still had to limp my way through the next 7 or 8 hours.

7. To withstand such adverse conditions and persevere achieving the 24HR WORLD SOLO CHAMIPIONSHIP TITLE - what kept you going?

Experience!!!! And a proper diet I have been a vegetarian for 8 years and I consume a 99% vegan diet (you are what you eat). Also I knew in my head that I could do it, and a big part of the races are won with the mind not just the body.

8. How did your bike holdup for such a long race and did you ride the same one throughout the whole race?

Riding a single speed is the best- you pedal, you go. That's it, no missed shifts, no skipping gears, no chain suck, and no thinking about any of the above. I was riding an Independent Fabrication single speed 29'r, and I rode it for the entire race exept one lap that I rode on my 26" single speed. And yes I am a big fan of the 29'r bigger wheels = smoother faster bikes.

9. What do you consider to be the most important attribute for a 24 Hour Solo racer?

Well that's a hard one, so final. I would have to say that the best attribute for a 24 hour racer would be compassion for their fellow racers. Even though you are a solo dosn't mean that you are the only one on the course. Be considerate, ask people if they are ok when you see them on the side of the trail. Stop and help some one if they need it. Have fun and help others have fun too.

10. If you could do the race again, would you do anything differently?

I would have had properly charged lights and my seatpost would not have been slipping. Thats about it.