As we start our first of five 22-mile loops Karen spies the Wisconsin woman in the pit area getting supplies from her husband and says, “ we can’t let her get on”.  Karen picks up the pace before Mark can ask “who” and settles into a rhythm that she feels she can hold long-term and one that she hopes Mark can handle.  As Mark’s cramps subside he eventually asks, “We can’t let who get on?”  And, “what is this new goal of yours?”    Karen’s response is uttered rather matter-of-factly and with little explanation.  “Wisconsin and the women’s course record, which I think is 415 miles”.  Things are not discussed for the remainder of this first 22-mile loop and as we head back into the high school checkpoint we are surprised and very happy to see Rick and Julie there with full water bottles, food and words of encouragement.  This will be the last time we see the two of them as Rick is still battling the flu and they head back home to Toledo as we pull out for a second loop. 

Once back on the road Mark is curious and Karen eager to discuss.  Wisconsin is nowhere to be seen!  A tentative plan is agreed upon, we’ll just ride until we can’t pedal anymore and see how far we get.  Things go rather smoothly for another lap and a half until Karen asks Mark to sit up.  As he drifts back she grabs hold of his left shoulder and states, “I can’t see out of my right eye”.  “Can we ride easy for a little bit?”  We knock the pace down and soft pedal as Karen periodically reaches out for guidance and support.  After several miles of this routine, Karen’s vision returns to normal and once again we are off chasing 415 miles! 

We complete 5 of the 22-mile loops and end up with 236 daytime miles which, unknown to us, ties us with the leaders overall.  We had debated a 6th loop but we were both tired of the rough road and one very long demoralizing false flat.  Throughout this 110 mile segment we ride with a couple of other folks on and off and watch for Wisconsin, but never see her again! 

We take a short break and at 7:35 pm, after 236 miles, we begin the 6-mile loop on which we will ride for the next 12 hours and 20 minutes.  We soon realize that this is a wise decision as the roads are fairly smooth and relatively flat with one 35mph+ descent.  Shortly after the bottom of this descent is a good leg burning climb which Mark decides he will attack each time through.  (31 times in all.)  Karen is gapped off each time but since the checkpoint is shortly after the top we are able to re-group up as we fill our water bottles and grab slices of oranges to snack on.  

After a number of 6 mile loops, Karen is no longer just number 414, the last person to register, (so now you know how many people were crazy enough to try this) as the course officials at the check point have found out her name and begin to offer encouragement.   Karen asks them to check on the women’s course record, which is confirmed at 415 miles.  We do the math and agree that this distance is attainable if we stay focused and consistent throughout the night.  We fall into a routine where 4 miles into the 6-mile loop we decide what we need/want.  One of us fills water bottles, as the other rides to the van for an energy bar or battery.  Each time through, we also grab orange slices that are provided.  These are refreshing and we now wonder what we would have done without them???!  (Though we both had sore tongues for several days afterwards.)   

As the 9:00pm hour approaches, with 260 miles behind us, we witness an amazing sunset and then head to the van for a break.   It is time for dinner, to change clothing and to put on our lights.  All of this amounts to about a 45minute break, then we are back on our bikes, under a full moon hanging low in the sky, chasing 415.  We are no longer concerned about Wisconsin. 

At 10:45 the course is closed for an accident as a tandem has gone down and both riders are seriously hurt.   We are lucky because we are forced to stop as we enter the checkpoint where we have access to our supplies.  Others are stranded on the course.  We take this opportunity for a bathroom and food break, as well as swapping out Karen’s saddle in hope of relieving some pressure points.  We have a 20minute break in all before they allow us back onto the course.   Soon afterwards we realize that we should’ve put on arm and leg warmers which results in another trip to the van next loop around.  We finish 300 miles at midnight and begin to express our curiosity and concern for what the next 8hours will bring. 

We tick off the 6-mile loops consistently, (19-21 minutes), throughout the night except for when we make trips to the van for food, batteries or something other than water.  At one point we even search the high school for a plug to re-charge two batteries, which are never used!  With each stop and with each side trip we further realize how critical a support crew is in an event such as this.  

Sometime during the wee morning hours Karen notices that Mark is dragging and asks if he is ok.  He replies, “No” and indicates that he is having a very difficult time concentrating on the task at hand.   As his pace drops even more he comments on an article he had read about hyponatremia, not the word he used that morning, and wonders if this is what he is experiencing.  We are forced to take a break next time through, but only after Mark attacks the hill once again.  Karen quickly mixes up some of the wheelmen drink recipe, there is salt in it, and Mark downs several handfuls of potato chips.  We are soon back on the bike and Mark tells Karen to sit on his wheel.  We decide at this point that it is best for Karen to conserve as much energy as possible in an attempt for the record. 

As dawn breaks we realize how truly exhausted we are as our minds will not do the math and tell us how many miles we’ve gone, nor can we calculate how many laps we still need to do.   We finally agree that if we do 5 more laps Karen will set a new course record at 421 miles.  As we click off the first, Mark triumphantly announces that there are only 4 to go, at which time Karen shatters his enthusiasm by stating that we had figured wrong and that we still have 5 laps to go!  The next lap is ridden in silence as Karen sits on Mark’s wheel and begins to wonder if she can go on. 

The sunrise is at 6:30am and is truly a beautiful sight to behold.  We do our fastest lap, 17mins, at this point with Karen sitting on Mark’s wheel and Mark still attacking the hill.  Karen is still struggling but there is now light at the end of the tunnel!  It is at this point that we once again hook up with Steve, who is from Grand Rapids.  We had ridden with him during the first 125 miles and couple of times thereafter but had not seen him in some time. 

Steve is trying to ride 450 miles but is in desperate need of help.  He needs to ride 4 more laps, 1 more than us, to reach his goal.  Mark agrees to help and do the extra lap, but Karen refuses to commit.  The 2 of us work together as we pull Karen around for 3 more laps.  In the process we hook up with approx. 20 other riders and as we approach our 2nd to the last climb, Karen’s last, Mark attacks but soon realizes that there is someone on his wheel.  Karen has bridged alone and indicates that she wants to do another lap!  

We leave Steve with the other guys and ride the remaining 6 miles alone, together, as we had done for close to 300 miles previously.  We are silent, for the most part, as there is no need to verbalize what we both already knew, that we started this together and we will finished it together!  Mark doesn’t attack the hill on this last climb and the two of us reach the final checkpoint together where we are greeted by cheers and checked off at 428 miles! 

As the reality of what we have done sets in we drop our bikes in the grass, next to the orange slices, and hug each other as tears of joy and exhaustion stream down our face.  We are unbelieving of what we had just accomplished, as neither of us had thought we could go so far.  This feeling is further reinforced as numerous support crews come up and congratulate us on our solo efforts.   We are filled with joy and a huge sense of accomplishment.  This high remains throughout the awards ceremony:  Karen – 1st place women and Mark - 2nd  in the 40-44 age group.  We tie for 7th place overall.   

As we settle behind the wheel for the drive home our feelings of elation are no longer enough to sustain us. Exhaustion comes knocking in about 40mins as neither of us can drive without fear of dozing off.  We eventually find a shady rest area north of Battle Creek and nap under a shade tree for an hour or so. 

Days later, our bodies are still tired and we don’t feel like riding very far or very fast.  Marks immune system is low, and combined with his recent surgery, develops shingles.   Karen just can’t stand to be on the saddle as her skin continues to peel off in sheets from you know where. 

All in all we had very few low points during this event.  It was an incredible experience, thanks Rick!  We are both gald that we took the challenge and are even discussing doing it again next year.  Watch out Wheelmen, Mike I. and Jeff C., as you now have three of us who will be trying to rope you into, The 2004 National 24-Hour Challenge.