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2008 Champion Challenge |
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Written by B. Schmalzer
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Thursday, 04 September 2008 |
2008 24 Hour Champion Challenge
August 30 & 31st, 2008
Seven Springs Ski Resort, PA
 After the great time I had at last year’s 24 at 7, this year I jumped at the chance to join a four-man Sport team. My compatriots on Team Eric Shick Insurance/Argyle (Don Powers, Aaron Shelmire and Tim Bishop - all racers from the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association Series) arrived the night before the race, while I stayed home to get some real sleep. A wise decision on my part. Due to the presence of a keg of Dogfishhead, the crew had little sleep, and I missed out on a hangover. Darn! I arrived in the morning, tossed on the kit, and got ready to rumble. We gathered at Team Bikeman.com member Jason Mahokey’s tent to shoot the breeze, talk bikes, and gaze longingly at Don’s new Salsa Mamasita. After missing the pre-race meeting, we sent Track-Star Aaron to Usain Bolt the half-mile Lemans style start. Go!
 The team was in good shape going into the night lap, making only a few minor mistakes. Unlike last year, where I learned to night ride the night of the race, I came to the event prepared. Yes, I made one important discovery at this year’s rock-filled endurance extravaganza: Racing at night can actually be fun – but in my case, only when listening to longhaired, leather-panted, Flying V-shredding, pseudo-Satanic Heavy Metal.  After my first night lap, the transition tent appeared Like a Rainbow in the Dark. A bit of sleep, and then morning. On my fifth and final lap the next morning, my sore undercarriage made me want to Stand Up and Shout. When we finally finished, the team was spent, but still in high spirits. The Seven Springs course can eat you up, but we managed to keep it together and finish strong.
 This year’s turnout was great, with over 80 teams competing for the coveted Seven Springs duffle bags and pint glasses. We made the other teams Run to the Hills, and we walked away with second place in the sport category, sunburns and smiles on our faces. Many thanks to my teammates for making this event so much fun, to Team Flannel (you know who you are) for the motivation, Eric Shick Insurance (Eric, you are the man!) for the support, and of course Team Bikeman.com and Twin Six and Kenda. Next year? Solo? I’ll have to work on that nutrition thing...
Bradley
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