|
|
Dirt Rag Articles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 Hours of Moab Turns 10
October 16 & 17, 2004
This year marked a decade of 24 racing—1995 to 2004—in Moab, UT. The area where the action takes place and the 24 hour tent city appears, Behind the Rocks, again proved to be a perfect gathering place for Granny Gear’s final 24 hour race of the season. Behind the Rocks is a secluded venue about ten miles from town proper, with the snow-tipped LaSal Mountains towering to the north and the 15 mile race course curving through sandy singletrack, challenging rocky climbs and descents, and big ring fire road sprints. This year, 418 teams, including solo racers to the Just For Fun riders, covered a total of 59216.3 miles by the end of the race; that’s roughly two trips around the globe. Yowee.
Luckily for all involved, this year’s weather was more than stellar, it was practically surreal. A gorgeous Friday night sunset gave way to a brilliant sun and cool winds for the start of the race. The wind did pick up in the middle of the night, and some dust clouds made our teeth crunchy during pack up on Sunday, but hey—that’s the desert for you, and it’s an amazing thing.
From men’s and women’s solo winners Nat Ross and Kelli Emmett (finishing 16 and 14 laps, consecutively) down to the first-time racers, this year’s course, as always, provided a test of mettle, both physical and mental. Check out Granny Gear’s website for complete results and sundry pics.
Humor break: here are some fun team names that made us chuckle: Three Pagans and a Jew, Man Panties, There’s a Bush in my Chainey, I Want My Mommy, Ass Sock, She-Geezers...ah the list goes on.
As this year was the first Dirt Rag attended but didn’t race, Maurice, Dan and I got to hang at the booth and sign up subscribers both new and old (lured, no doubt, by our no-brainer premiums provided by our lovely sponsors—Nokian and Zoic—but sucked in by the glory that is Dirt Rag) for hours on end. A great chance to sit back and absorb the whole scene. Congrats to all the racers . . . and congrats to Granny Gear for it’s 10th year in Moab.
And, in case you’re wondering what else in going on with Granny Gear, for 2005 a move is planned from the venue at Snowshoe, WV to rustic Big Bear Lake, still in WV but much more accessible as it’s located near the WV, PA and MD border. Check Granny’s site for updates.
|
|
 |
