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24 Hours in the Old Pueblo 2023
What an amazing weekend!
After an incredibly windy arrival on Friday we managed to erect our tents, establish our kitchen area and
get settled in. Saturday is the big day, lots of nerves and last minute preparation and time just seems to
disappear before the looming 12 o’clock start. For anybody who doesn’t know, the race starts with a
quarter mile run. 500 people running down a dirt road then a scramble to find and start riding their
bikes.
We had 5 teams competing this year and everybody gave it their all. 3 teams finishing on the podium.
The real celebration should be the fact the all these amazing kids worked really hard and trusted
themselves and each other to push beyond their limits. Their commitment to the last few months’
training has been outstanding and this showed in the results and lap times. We had numerous sub 1:10
hour laps which is fast and even a 1:01! Bravo Daniel.
We also had 6 or 7 riders who had never ridden a night lap. Quite a daunting task going out in the
middle of the night to ride 16 miles through the dark desert trying to avoid cows and cholla. They all
stood up to the challenge and conquered it in style. Without chaperones! Bravo. Most riders ride one
lap before midnight then another in the small hours which is the real challenge. Getting out of their
sleeping bags to get ready, get some food in then out into the dark again.
As dawn rolls around fatigue sets in but they kept going, rolling through their laps, keeping up their
times hoping they would make it to the podium. The mood in the camp lifts as it gets lighter. Sitting
around the fire telling stories about their night’s experiences. The last few laps then its done. A
completely amazing experience for all who take part.
None of it would be possible without the dedicated help and commitment from the incredible coaches
and volunteers we are blessed with. A big shout out to Shannon for being kitchen camp guru. All the
other great kitchen helpers who were so much fun throughout the race, Alex Green and Dom’s uncle
who were our night light team. A role with huge pressure and you delivered. I promise the generator will
be serviced next year! our amazing handlers, Michelle, Tory, Ryan, Erica, Linda, Matt. Also Keenan, Ben
and Max, alumni who were invaluable in so many ways. A huge shout out to our mechanics, Alex, Otis
and Shoom. Thankyou
Thankyou to our Coaches, Chuck, Lynn, Mark, Curt and me.