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 arrived on Wednesday the 28th of September. we rented a RV. We pre-ride the course on Thursday afternoon, relaxed on Friday (took the chairlift up on silverstar and hiked down) So we had enough time to settle in. We stayed on Silverstar from Thursday until Monday.

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

I did some long mountainbike races this Summer ( 100 km race, finished first womans overall) and one 24 hrs race solo (Hardwood Hills, finished 2nd). I did ride a lot, almost every day. Also I run every day on my hilly road, that is helping me to get stronger legs on the uphills. Did for the first time shorter races like Ontario cup races (series winner 2002 in wom. expert)to prepare myself for the technical sections. I do some cross training like, triathlons, adventure races.

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?

I did not expect it , forecast wise, but because of my history of long races and adventure races I take always tons of clothing with me. I was not cold! I was wearing, during the storm, my waterproof, breathable jacket and pants, waterproof socks and 'first aid' gloves under my regular gloves. I had a spare bicycle, so I could change wheels with knobby tires for the wet conditions. My lights are great (niterider storm) so I did not had any problems during the darkness

4. Did you have a support crew?

I had a great support! Fred, My husband, mechanic and the best support I ever had. We have our own bicycle store in Huntsville, on . Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop

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

The uphill (11km) of the course was not difficult, but it was bad for your legs, with rolling hills your legs can recover. Not with a 11 km uphill. Some sections of the downhills were pretty technical, also the tight 2 km singletrack were you could not pass.... When you ride more and more laps, the downhills were getting easier . I did not had problems at night, because of my great lights. During the rain the roots and wet stones were slippery. But riding with disc brakes made it not too difficult. So overall the course was advanced advanced technical for a 24 hrs race solo

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

The first one! I had a flat on the rear with my tubeless tire, just on top of the hill, (after the 11 km clime) I fixed it and 5 minutes later I had another flat (snakebite) on the rear. No innertube left and I had to run with my bike down to checkpoint #3 , switched my bike for my spare one and finished the additional solo loop. I lost 55 minutes with those flats! At 9.30 i stayed for two hours in the RV, thinking that I was done, but 1 % risk that #2 should finish her lap on time to go out again (what she did not do), So I went out again for another lap to be secure of my first age group place. So I lost almost 3 hours with flats and sitting in the RV.. Next year will be better

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

I thought I will not die if i stay on the bike. i was disappointed after my first lap and biked through the storm. i started to pass people and felt better. I was not cold and my legs were not too bad.

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

Except of my too flats, My bicycle only needed some oil for the chain. One time an adjustment on the rear derrailleur.

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

Strong mind and legs!!!!

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

I will take two innertubes with me!!!!!