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?

We (myself and my wife and crew chief Paulette Kirby) Friday afternoon.We got there just in time to check into the Same Sun Hotel and then make it to the racer meeting. My pre-ride was the first lap of the race.

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

We didn't do anything special except raise enough money to go. I qualified at Winter Park so I only had 4 weeks to recover, find sponsorship and train a little. I mostly relied on 20 years of riding.

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?

No we didn't expect it but we brought all of my winter riding gear. The trouble was that you couldn't get dry so I was always wet.

4. Did you have a support crew?

Best damn support crew in the pits,my wife Paulette Kirby.

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

It was very hard. I rode 12 laps and had 26,260 total feet of climbing, and 162 miles. The climbs were easy mostly middle chain ring but the descents were fast and rocky or steep, rooty rocky, tight, and lots of little drop offs.

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

I think it was the 11th lap. I had a nap and went out about 5 it was raining and I figured I would have to do 3 more after that lap.

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

We put a lot of effort in just getting there raising money driving 2 days, you sort of have to keep going. But what really helped was leading. I knew in the first lap that I was ahead and if I just stayed steady I would do ok.

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

I rode a k2 full suspension for the race. It was fine this race. I had a back up hard-tail but didn't want to ride it on the downhills.

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

The most important thing you need is a good crew, they keep you going. The easy part is riding the bike. The other things you need is to be able to have fun while putting out a big effort and suffering. Like we joked about, the rain sucks but it makes for a better story after.

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

It would be stupid to say you would do anything different when you win the race. But it would have been fun to spend more time at Silver Star. It was a beautiful place. I am looking for sponsorship to do several 24s and worlds next year.