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Trans Iowa V.3 : The Trans Iowa is a 300+ mile, unsupported race across the gravel and B-roads of Iowa. Most people who think twice about doing it don't. The remainder show up regardless of weather and proceed to ride for over a day straight, stopping only to try and limit their massive loss of calories with candy bars, local restaurant fare and gas station roller dogs. The latter, coincidentally, also provides an unexpected heat source when the 2 A.M. shivers hit. For more information on the event and results from this year's race visit the official site.

If you are interested in signed or electronic copies of any of the photos please drop a line to postmaster@mombok.com.

Nebraska Cyclocross 06.11.18-19 : Cyclocross racing at Pioneers Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska Cyclocross 06.11.18-19

Nebraska State MTB Championship 2006 : The 2006 Nebraska State Mountain Bike Championship at Swanson Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

Nebraska State MTB Championship 2006

24 Hours of Big Bear 2006 : 24 Hours of Big Bear

June 10-11, 2006

The seemingly impenetrable vegetation and steep grades of West Virginias rugged backcountry belie its accessibility. A third of the United States' population lives within a days drive. But getting there is one thing. Organizing, competing or even making it through a 24 hour mountain bike race in the West Virginia wilderness is quite another.

West Virginia-based Granny Gear Productions has been organizing 24-hour races since founder Laird Knight introduced the race format in 1992. It is responsible for a National Point Series that holds races in six states, including the world renowned 24 Hours of Moab.

The West Virginia race in the series has changed locations a number of times, most recently from Snowshoe Ski Resort to Big Bear Lake Camplands.

Kevin Kane, one of the advance operations crew for Granny Gear, described the 24 Hours of Snowshoe as, "a great ride but not a great course." Many participants shared his sentiment. With brutal climbs and highly technical sections that demanded dismounts, many riders could not compete. Compounded with poor soil drainage that returned riders to the start covered in mud, the course's difficulty diminished its appeal and its numbers.

Enter Big Bear Lake Camplands, a privately owned recreational area located near Hazelton, W. Va., not far from Granny Gear headquarters. As a new venue for the home-state race of the National Point Series, Big Bear seemed a natural fit. Kane, said, "We just needed a course that people wanted to come to and I think we have it now."

Technical riders can look forward to threading through rock gardens. Others will enjoy its absence of forced walk climbs. Fast draining soils and durable mineral base minimize muddy conditions.

Cameron Chambers, 2005 24 Hour Solo National Champion, competed in both of the 24 Hours of Big Bear. He said trail conditions were "almost sloppy to start the race last year," but "two laps in, it was great trail."

At this years competition, June 10-11, more than one racer shared Chambers' enjoyment of a particular section of pine trees where, "you just come slicing down some single track and there is like three or four huge berms in a row that you can just lay it over on."

The course, approximately 12.9 miles with an average grade of 5 percent, has its share of climbing; elevation profiles state 1,630 feet per lap. More than 6 miles of descent keep the wheels turning but particularly hairy XXX Danger sections mean caution is necessary to keep them on the ground.

After a number of laps Chambers described some sections of downhill as, "so fast, I mean your suspension fork, at least mine...doesn't even have time to rebound.

"Your hands and wrists get so worked. Its the appendages that take the beating the most," Chambers said.

Any way you approach, competing in a 24-hour mountain bike race is a daunting task. Most riders are members of a relay team and share the task of taking laps but even when divided among team members, the distance is demanding. Most teams of four completed 17 or more laps meaning more than 50 miles per person. Steve Schwarz, the solo winner, completed 15 laps for a total of almost 183 miles.

To keep up with the physical demand of pedaling all day most racers eat constantly. Chambers suggested, "About 400 calories an hour is about all you can really digest." Eating often comes naturally to hungry riders but keeping food and drink accessible without losing time means most racers need help.

Almost 600 racers competed at Big Bear this year and their support staff ranged from one per team to whole families for each member. Schwarz' wife, April, prepared sandwiches and drink bottles to hand off to her husband as he completed laps.

Many competitors keep a mechanic on hand to manage and repair equipment. Others support riders by keeping a campfire stoked through the night or giving massages to tired athletes.

Nearly 1,500 people staked out around the gravel airstrip that served as the event campground. When they weren't busy tending to their racers, Granny Gear kept them entertained with music, a sponsor expo and race announcements tracked by Real Time Scoring. Drinking water, bathroom facilities, hot showers, even a high pressure bike wash all provided by Granny Gear made the event run smoothly and transformed the event area into a pocket of relative comfort. Comfort that disappeared on the saddle while riding through the West Virginia wilderness.

24 Hours of Big Bear 2006

NWTT 06 :

Branched Oak 12 Hour 2006 : The Branched Oak 12 Hour bicycle race.

Branched Oak 12 Hour 2006

Trans-Iowa Bicycle Race 2006 : The ultra-wet 2006 Trans-Iowa bicycle race.

Trans-Iowa Bicycle Race 2006

Soggy Bottom 100 2006 : Anyone can enjoy pedaling through the Kenai Mountains in Chugach National Forest. Not everyone, however, enjoys pedaling 109 miles through the Kenai, much less with nearly 11,000 feet of elevation gain. For those that do - meet The Soggy Bottom 100. It is a backcountry mountain bike outing that follows the Resurrection Pass Trail from Hope to Cooper Landing, back up the trail to Devil's Pass, down the Devil's Creek Trail to the Seward Highway, back up to Devil's Pass and down to Hope via the Resurrection Pass Trail.

You can find more information about the Soggy Bottom and other Alaska rides at akspokes.com

f you are interested in signed or electronic copies of any of the photos please drop a line to postmaster@mombok.com.

Or check out photos from other years: 2007 2008

Soggy Bottom 100 2006

Soggy Bottom 100 2007 : Anyone can enjoy pedaling through the Kenai Mountains in Chugach National Forest. Not everyone, however, enjoys pedaling 109 miles through the Kenai, much less with nearly 11,000 feet of elevation gain. For those that do - meet The Soggy Bottom 100. It is a backcountry mountain bike outing that follows the Resurrection Pass Trail from Hope to Cooper Landing, back up the trail to Devil's Pass, down the Devil's Creek Trail to the Seward Highway, back up to Devil's Pass and down to Hope via the Resurrection Pass Trail.

You can find more information about the Soggy Bottom and other Alaska rides at akspokes.com

f you are interested in signed or electronic copies of any of the photos please drop a line to postmaster@mombok.com.

Or check out photos from other years: 2006 2008

Soggy Bottom 100 2007

Soggy Bottom 100 2008 : Anyone can enjoy pedaling through the Kenai Mountains in Chugach National Forest. Not everyone, however, enjoys pedaling 109 miles through the Kenai, much less with nearly 11,000 feet of elevation gain. For those that do - meet The Soggy Bottom 100. It is a backcountry mountain bike outing that follows the Resurrection Pass Trail from Hope to Cooper Landing, back up the trail to Devil's Pass, down the Devil's Creek Trail to the Seward Highway, back up to Devil's Pass and down to Hope via the Resurrection Pass Trail.

You can find more information about the Soggy Bottom and other Alaska rides at akspokes.com

Or check out photos from previous events: 2006 2007

All images print without copyright watermark. If you are interested in a signed or digital copy of any photo please drop a line to mombok at mombok.com.

Soggy Bottom 100 2008

All images © David Story / www.mombok.com