High Cascade 24 Hours of Bend (2011)

There is something about a 24 hour mountain bike race that makes you stop and ponder life.  Particularly the night time laps; when you seems to be miles away from anything and all alone.  It is one thing to be out racing and it is another being out there all alone waiting for racers and hearing every little noise. In central Oregon you can hear for miles.  Two racers having a converstatoin seem to be close by, only to ride by 10 minutes later.  Large noises are close by and you know that they aren't people.  How many mountain lions were just sitting and watching riders go by; pondering if they should try to catch one and eat like a king? 

In the morning, watching the sun come up, new life is upon us.  There is an excitement in the air but there is also a struggle to stay awake and alert.  After 24 hours, people have a sense of accouplishment and relief.  The race is done and no one runs up to the podium for their awards. 

Thank you to Mike and Mudslinger events for sponsoring us at their event.  Medium resolution images are free to use for person use.  Click on the 'download original' link at the bottom right hand corner of the photo.

All photo can be found here.

A gallery of highlights can be found here.