Results are in - SHIFTLESS! rocked co-ed duo

For two non-pros on singlespeeds, team SHIFTLESS! rocked 24HiTOP. The down and dirty is that we placed 7th out of about 30 teams. The top 5 teams were comprised of 4 full on pro teams. The 5th place team - Kim and Jan Bear, from Santa Fe, NM was essentially a pro team. Kim sandbags the local NMORS series as a sport rider, but always turns times consistent with the experts and pro classes. My understanding is Jan was a former pro rider and now races other classes to avoid real competition. Regardless, SHIFTLESS! was the only team in the top 10 co-ed duo that were racing one gear!!
We ran 15 laps, and had a 16th in us, but were not going to displace the 5th place team, so decided to enjoy the noon hour instead of kill ourselves. Marc and I have this elaborate excel spreadsheet with 7 different lap scenarios in it. We decided pre-race on one scenarion and hoped for a second one where Marc had himself a little faster on average than last year. We never changed the average lap times for me in any scenario. Much to our delight we ran about 30 minutes ahead of our chosen scenario - putting us in a position to get 16 laps. We had only one missed transition - and that's because on my 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. double I called in as I went out for the second lap from the port-o-let sick as heck. I was sure I'd run VERY slow, blowing all the ground I had gained with decent first 4 laps. After walking all the bitches because I was in a serious pain cave, and have some mysterious female rider follow me, stop every time I stopped, and watch me like a hawk through the Corral and Rattlesnake trails up to the begining of his/hers trail, I ended up with a lap within what we though would be my worst time of the night. I was pleased, Marc was surprised I was in the exchange so fast after calling in struggling. The mystery lady we believe was one of the many medical personnel riding the course looking for people just like me - puking, delirious, and clearly not coping. Whoever you were mystery rider, thanks - After you saw me stop to eat, I came around the otherside and got another wind.
Also thanks to the geared guy who silently rode up behind me on the 3rd or 4th bitch and gave me the little tiny push that prevented me from bailing and walking the last 5 feet of that second hump on that bitch. As I yelled out to you - you rock!!
I have to say that this was the hardest race for me ever. I've had some tough times at 24 hour races, but this beat them all. I once again got nauseous. I think it was the whole on the bike, off the bike, trying to eat and digest before having to ride again thing. Solo is much easier for some reason. Marc was WAY faster than I, so my "rest" times were very short compared to what he got due to my relative slowness. Moreover, I had almost no support, so I got little rest. Marc's gal Sandy was a saint and stayed up to help me several times and my girl did what she could while riding for her own team and managing her own team. Despite their help, I got like 12 minutes of shut-eye and little time to just sit and rest.
I have declared - probably just to go back on my declaration - that I will not race 24 hour races for awhile. I'm watching all these pros and all their support. I'm tired of going early to get a spot close to the venue, tired of riding my butt off and taking "rest" time to change lights, wipe down chains, change gears, make food, eat, etc. I'll race a 24 again, as I do enjoy the torture they provide, but only if I get some dedicated support. Until then, I'll come crew for friends and teammates. See you all at the "shorter" races!
And a huge thanks to Marc for making this a truly good experience! I can think of no other guy I'd ride with (other than El Freako from Rico) and I still feel that way!! You were one hell of a teammate!!