Psycho48 2025 Race report 1
The 48-hour race is a bit over a week ago and here some info's about the preparation and in next posts about the race itself. My complete planning went overboard already 3 weeks before the race due to a car accident putting my van-based RV out of service, and I had to switch to my Pacifica to live and work out of the Pacifica for about 3 weeks. It was a bit of a mental and organizational challenge plus the accident left some scars ... seat belt and airbag caused some bruises on chest and shoulder. But that's complaining at high level. So I had a cool time with training starting at campground near race start. Used that the last two years and love the location. Big surprise ... 2023 and 2024 I had no issue on race route while this year ... first weekend test rides a big white dog had close interest and on second lap a small terrier type dog joined in. No big deal and Carol and Rich spoke to the owners and ... dogs never showed again. However, around mile 10 of race route starting Tuesday there was another dog. First one ... on Tuesday and Wednesday not was 3 dogs and the lead dog was getting close than I liked. sadly ... even at speed around 25 mph the lead dog closed in. I was able to get it off with water bottle. I know Carol and Rich had a talk with them as well and all cool until .. Saturday. 3 laps and the bigger lead dog was way to close for my liking. He was about an inch from the left leg. Did another test ride on Sunday in the storm and could not go fast ... now the bad part happened. Dog had the chance and used it and ... did bite me in the left food. I was able to manage the bike but that was unexpected since I know they love to chase but that the dog would bite was not expected. Had a discussion with owners the day after it since I could not get them on same day. Good news .. they kept the dogs under control. Bad news ... even no flesh would but it left some scars to me and was a bit unexpected preparation for the race. I admit after the dog bite and the test rides as tapering rides before race start on Friday made me seriously think to withdraw from the race this year and go back home. But people who know me also know I normally do not give up easy. ... So, I decided to adjust my target distance (to about 600 miles) and see how I may do in the race while still doing it. So, I moved the car to race start on Thursday Noon and prepared most stuff for the race. Biggest fear in the race at that time was to manage nutrition, water refills and mostly headlights for the nighttime and sure enough weather changed to better but was supposed to be chilly on Friday night so had to prepare stuff in the car for it.
