Psycho48 2025 Race report 2 Crazy as is … after the bad signs before the…
Psycho48 2025 Race report 2 Crazy as is … after the bad signs before the race I was at the start line and last night before the race did not sleep too well but to me that’s almost normal and I just try to focus. Got myself ready and final prepared my main race bike a Trek Speed Concept. Fresh tires due to a flat the day before as well as replacing batteries for shifters. Funny as it was, I first thought of using regular bib pants and one thermos jersey over regular jersey. Temperature at start was chilly and no expectation of a warm day. Also forecast was that wind would pick up during morning time and first night temperature to drop into the 40th F. Last minute I decided to put some long pants on top and drop the warm gloves. Did a few checks on warmup and found that bike and setup was ok. So, race start I did take off a bit faster than I normally do. I knew the competition was tough and that I needed some miles in before wind start picking up. First stops had been planned after 3 laps with plan to switch to every two laps stop for the first 24-30 hours. Was able to manage that very well for the first laps. Had enough nutrition and water with me. First stop I did as plan after 3 laps. Used some simple snacks did drink a bit cola and replaced supplies. Redid my bottle with Hammer Perpetuem for carbs on the road. That part went as planned. Kept an eye open on road where the dog bit me the week before the race. Good thing was that I was able to mostly manage my injuries from the car crash and the dog bite so nothing critical. After first set I noticed the wind picked up a bit stronger and my speed went partial down more than I liked. During the lap 6 I start planning what need to be done on the next stop. It was a longer stop (bathroom break, light changes, batteries for helmet and for my phone). Also used time to make a hot soup. Tough part and a bit unexpected (were foolish) the soup was way too hot so I could not eat/drink much of it). I think I was not efficient on that stop and lost easy about 30-45 minutes. Decided to only do 2 laps before next stop. Into first night I tried to use lights carefully. I still was dressed in long pants, and thermos jersey on top of a regular jersey and long sleeves under those. Overall, that went ok but temperature dropped quick and my hands start getting stiff. Headlight batteries could last up to 6 hours in the brightness I used to see decent enough. Means after latest 3 laps they must get swapped out. So, I stopped after lap 8 and wanted to swap lights, finish last of the soup (now cold) and … fingers stiff would not allow me to get the head lights off the bike and therefore not able to put new once on. Sadly, as is … any support person would have been heaven, but I was by myself. So had to start warming up and get fingers usable again. It took longer than expected. Swapped lights, put the thick gloves back on and back on the road. Kept going that way for first night. My adjusted target remained at about 600 miles in the 48 hours. A little mishap during first night -> Had to stop during the lap and check something out on my taillights. Unfortunate when trying to get off the bike I lost balance and fell. Nothing critical - only bruised up my skin on right knee and hip but not very helpful in middle of a race neither. Those things can easily happen and not having support means you need to figure how to get around every little mishap or unexpected challenge. To me a cool learning experience since all 2025 I use no support. Yes it has some downsides to it but the benefit is that I know I reach the goals with no help and learn to find work arounds on regular basis which is not only cool in cycling … it helps in daily life as well.
