Sep 17, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (3/3) Being on the road I targeted to see if I could improve enough to make sure getting 7 laps of the 29.2 miles in the books before switching to short 6.4-mile laps. OK some think that’s easy and what’s the big deal. The big deal was … I am still limping and suffer from a bit of muscle issue on left thigh. I did not race on upright bikes for over 5.5 month and training on the regular bikes was limited. It was like a new start racing again like I did first race in 2022 and restarted after accident in 2023. On lap six I noticed clouds getting dark and the rain came down hard. I made sure the Garmin screen is locked to avoid issues. Technically standard for me but I did not expect issues on a sensor. The sensor error was announced every minute and caused that I could not see speed and distance and map was half hidden plus it kept beeping on me. I ended up ignoring it waiting for rain to calm down. Used the moment and turned off the faulty sensors. I still like data after a race or after a ride but prefer in a race to only use the map, speed and distance. Other data are only distracting while I need to focus on traffic and surroundings. Rain stopped within lap seven. Good thing that the road dried off fast. Unfortunate I had to pay attention on bike lanes due to water pushed dirt on it. Lap seven done in time before dark. First 204.4 miles done in about 12 hours and 45 minutes. Was hoping for 350 miles again even I knew power level could be an issue. Started shorter 6.4-mile laps and realized that on those short laps I could keep speed steadier. Wish I had switched after lap six, but rules are rules to me even if race organizer mentions its ok. Second short lap done and unfortunate light rain started. I did realize some of the 24-hour racers must have given up. Soon as it starts getting dark it rained again. In the dark its tricky with vision. Rain drops on my glasses caused me to get blinded by oncoming traffic. Easy trick was to look down on the road in front of me to avoid getting blinded. Some portions of the road had a bit debris from rain but since it was a 6.4-mile lap it was ok. After lap seven I had one short lap added and I started with 5 short 6.4-mile lap sessions (32 miles). Roads dried off again. Unexpected was that after a few long laps I felt like endurance was bad. After sunset, I was able to pick up a bit speed and keep it steady, so I think my endurance is kind of ok while power is lacking. Nothing extreme but I was able to change strategy again and was targeting 370 miles or more. Paid attention on other racers on the road and noticed partial two more on the lap. It was motivating for me since it kept me pushing a bit harder. In middle of the night, I had three close calls with cars passing me inches away only. I kept holding my line as clean as possible. After a few short laps I got used to them and knew how to best ride them. Hardest was the U-turn at end of the lap. Not because of a U-turn but speeding up on section until finish line was a bit tough. Afterall, I completed the race after 23 hours and 35 minutes with distance of 375.7 miles. Acceptable result for me compared to last 3 years.
Sep 16, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (2/3) Being on the road and finishing first long loop I was amazed about my performance. I knew I overdid based on my recovery process. My mistake was to push like I had no injury and no surgery. That was not smart but it’s me and I like testing my limits. About food – I setup some carbs (cookies and bread) and placed stuff in the van. Also had the bottle between aerobars filled with just water and a spare bottle of water. A second bottle I setup with gatorlyte/water mix using the gatorlyte with carbs. Schedule mentally was after 15 minutes a zip of water and about half and full hour a bit gatorlyte. Schedule initially to stop after 4 29.2-mile laps and after that every 2 laps. OK … that schedule went overboard because I had issues with rear derailleur battery (not charged in longer time). So changed to stop after lap 3. I noticed power drop in lap two a little bit and in lap three much more. Fully understood the issue possibly related to lack of endurance. I was not happy but initial idea to see if I make 350 miles went down the drain and I told myself that as long as I have a 3 at the beginning I better be happy since it is a training race after all. I changed my plans. Stopped and switched batteries (one spare battery was empty too so used another one). OK I understand everyone thinking that I was a bit unprepared and … correct I improvised and improvisation plus mentally dealing with issues is one of my strengths and funny as is that’s why I name it a training race to train myself for next year. I was OK again and took off. Due to change of target between 300 and 350 miles I decided to not take a gamble and stop every about 30 miles (every long lap and or later every 5 short laps). That calmed me down. Speed was not as good as planned but all I could handle. Average speed incl. stops were down to under 17 mph and dropping. Instead of frustration I just was ok with the new 300+ miles target. Every lap a refill with water and gatorlyte. I did drink a bit soda since I had some in the transportable fridge. I changed derailleur batteries three times during daytime and headset got changed twice (normal would have been max once for both on entire race). The headlight in blinking mode lasted perfectly fine all day long. And taillight was perfect since I never had to change it. The food I setup for me was not used. I know you must eat you need replacing carbs that you burn. Or you are not as efficient as you could be. Its true but I have a funny mindset, and eating was not in it. Not sure how my body can handle my abuse. Without crew it’s much harder to keep the right things going since no one is pushing for it. Something many underestimates as difference racing with and without crew. I was in full race mode … had a short talk with another racer who had is wife and daughter helping and being setup next to my car. Impressive person and cool crew. However, since regulations say self-supported it means you must do everything yourself. And I stick to the rules regardless how tough it sometimes is.
Sep 15, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (1/3) 5.5 month after I cut my left leg/hop badly an got surgery I finally was first time in a 24-hour race on my regular upright bicycle … I was happy to see Larry Oslund organizing that race and happy to be there. However admittedly I was scared about the race since my preparation would not allow for a 10–12-hour test before. Still decided to pack two race bikes and drive to the location in Rincon GA on Thursday night. Used the time and did a test ride of the 29.2-mile loop. As info – the race was setup to ride the 29.2-mile loop during daylight and switch to the first part of that loop as a 6.4-mile loop for the dark (nighttime). OK … realistically every coach and adviser would tell me that it’s a foolish decision to ride 29-30 miles the day before a 24-hour race. Correct its foolish but this is a hobby and not for money making. And those 29.2 miles I did the day before having been fun plus I learned how the loop feels like. I did check it out in the car first Thought about the 6.4-mile loop on the spare bike, but rain stopped me doing that. So Later Afternoon/evening I did get my race number. Added it to the bike and tested. … Thanks for Larry to be very patient and helpful. We found a way to get it done ok. I now focused on preparing all I need … water, lights, batteries, food. Also made sure I relax a bit the night before the race. And yes … where did I sleep? RAAM Solo style and my regular way – I have my Chrysler Pacifica setup with a regular mattress on left side, so I slept in the car. Setup my alarm to have some food in the morning and to get ready. Realistically … being down for so long means I had to improvise a bit. Some of my batteries have not been freshly charged. I use my RAAM Solo setup with speaker system installed on my helmet (no ear in). the battery life holds up for 11-14 hours. Normally so I thought I am ok with 2 sets but had 5 with me to be sure its ok. Morning came and I start setting up bike and getting dressed for the race. Turned on my music (fancy mix of hard rock from the 80th). Had some soda (too lazy to make coffee). Setup solar panel outside the car to keep my power generator battery charged in case I need it. Bike was setup ok and tested a short distance and … my headset in the helmet told me: ‘battery low’. Back to the car using next unit (had 5 with me and I knew 2 I kept charging and used in training). Now I felt ready for the race start. Waited with the rest of the racers for the official start and here we go. What’s the strategy for me? Honestly when I start, I try not to take off too fast but do not want to go too slow neither. I took off and kept passing a few racers while over time I knew they may pass me anyway again, but I am racing against myself and have a bit of a schedule for that. It’s not arrogance or ignorance from my end but I have my own agenda and try not to measure myself to other racers in an active race. We took off and I was amazed how well my first lap started. It felt good with speed partial about 20mph (32 km/h) and more.
Aug 31, 2026
5 month after surgery i finally start pushing a bit endurance training on the weekend. Cool about it .. being triggered by a cool double century training ride from 2025 I wanted to see if I am ready to do that again. So a year ago I did 200 miles on a Saturday followed by 130 miles on Sunday. I decided to push for a 200 mile ride on Saturday but weather changed the strategy. Heavy thunderstorms with lightning made me stop and cancel the ride. I had to give it a few hours and started again completing 131 miles. Due to weather again I had to switch after 131 miles from my TT bike to indoor trainer bike on my lanai. Not worth the risk in a heavy thunderstorm. Still … my second ride on Saturday was 100 miles getting me two solid centuries. However I admit the second ride was tough and I had some issues that required lots of drinking to make sure I stay hydrated. After the 231 miles on Saturday I was not sure if I could even ride on Sunday. Woke up later than planned hitting the road shortly after 3am. Crazy as is … warmed up ok and joined the Sunday morning ride group for 40 miles after 65 miles solo. Finished the ride going home solo with total Sunday ride of 114 miles. Thats a crazy 345 miles on a 2 day weekend. Ok … average speed was not impressive. But I was able to make it showing my endurance level is ok again. Power and therefore speed still requires work. But 5 month after surgery I am on the right track. Important info … any cycling coach would tell me that what I have done is not efficient. And I fully agree. But I enjoyed and had fun. Its a hobby and I do not make money. I only want to get my power back somehow even I am well over 60 and was down for a bit too long for my liking. So I have my own strategy trying to pay attention how my body responds to certain situations. The Sunday 231 miles was important to me because I wanted to test myself in a safe way for a long ride to prepare for 24 hours. Thats why a mix of road and trainer ride. Today (Sunday) was done based on how I felt and how my legs responded to Saturdays abuse. Am I ready for the 24 hour race? Mhhhh as ready as possible during the recovery process. I do not expect to do the 400+ miles on that race yet but 350+ shall be doable. It would take me another 2-3 month to get back in shape. The races I do this year is more like training races and not serious ultra-distance racing yet.
Aug 24, 2026
Great milestone on my recovery. Since End March surgery this was the first weekend that I could pull off two centuries on a weekend on road bike on the road. I was able to mix road and stationary trainer bike but always afraid of being strong enough to do a Sunday century after Saturday and a test did proof I was not ready before this weekend. Cool thing … Saturday was my longest ride on road bike since surgery and performance was better than last two weekends. And for Sunday ride I joined a group ride after 45 miles solo and finished with a few more solo miles. It was cool 40 miles with the group and glad I pushed for that challenge. Feels like a good step forward. Average speed still far away from my performance before surgery but its improving. Biggest holdback is pain in left thigh muscle because that a bit damaged. Step by step I am preparing for an interesting test 24 hour race. There is one more big test before that race but after this weekend I am a bit more positive that I can manage it.
