Stinger Buzz

Kris before the 24 Hour Solo Worlds start cannon (ha!) goes off

I am just back from the 24 Hour Solo Worlds in Canmore, Canada and I’m already gearing up for the next race, hoping I am recovered.

The Worlds was such an amazing experience, featuring terrain like I’ve never ridden before.  The course was relentless, constantly biking up and over roots.  I can only compare it to the feeling of jack hammering for 24 hours straight.  It took a massive toll on my body and mind.

Stinger kit right out in front

Up until the very end I had thought I was in 5th but ended up with 6th, which really I was very content with. There were spots I know I could have made up time but all in all it was a long, strenuous race and there are always times you wonder about.  Then again, there are also things you know you could not change, like taking the time to help out another rider off a ledge after falling and my grizzly encounter on the 14th lap that I will admit scared me into tears for the next 10 minutes of riding (ed. note, only scared you for 10 mins?! I would have played dead for the next few hours). There’s nothing quite like the sight of a very large grizzly staring at straight at you shaking it’s head when you’re all alone out in the wood.  I could not get my bike over my head because my arms were so sore and all I could think of was the pizza, candy, and stinger gels in my pockets…I was a bear buffet.  I rang my bell and screamed for what felt like 30 minutes although in reality I am sure it was less than ten before it finally went off into the woods.

All in all I might not have had my best race day but am still psyched on the entire experience and came away with a few good stories.