Two-Wheeling it in Saratoga
North American 24-Hour Championship

by Elizabeth Wicks

“...the two-wheeled steeds arrive in town.”

Saratoga , NY is famous for four-legged horse racing except one weekend a year when the two-wheeled steeds arrive in town.

Starting at the quaint Burgoyne Motor Inn, in Schuylerville, NY, the Saratoga 12/24 bike races are run on a rolling 32-mile course along the Hudson River, including the Hudson River Ramble 12-hour Race, the Saratoga Challenge 24-Hour Race, which has been designated the North American 24-Hour Championship Race by the UMCA and, new for 2007, the Nighthawk Nighttime 12-Hour Race and the Triple Lap Challenge.

Forty-two riders, from 14 states and Canada on regular single, recumbent, hand cycle and tandem bikes raced on July 7-8 this year.

Unlike last year when there were only two female riders there were five this year. Four women were on solo bikes and Jane McClellan joined her father, John, on their tandem.

I went as much for the fun as for the race as I was still recovering from a bad spill at Calvin's Challenge in May. I joined up with Melinda Lyon, Chris Caldwell and Dave Jordan, who was crewed for Melinda, Chris and me. I got to enjoy the joys of having a RAAM-experienced crew for the first time — until I ran out of steam after only three laps. Wow, ice cold Perpetuem sure is a treat.

The Saratoga 24-hour Challenge resulted in three records among the first three male finishers. John Schlitter, of St. Petersburg , FL set the recumbent and course record ending with 460.6 miles. Right on his heels was Larry Ide, of Monmouth , IL who set a men's solo course record with 452.6 miles. And then Joel Sothern of Laguna Niguel , CA set an age 50+ course record of 433.7 miles.

Melinda Lyon once more set a women's solo course record in the 24-hour race at 415.7 miles!! She did so even with a flat tire on her last lap (which she fixed before her erstwhile crew could reach her to help).

Her competition, Jessica Echardt, supported by RAAM veteran, Ed Kross, was in her first 24-hour race and did a remarkable 352.9 miles. Go girls, go!

In the 12-hour daylight race, Matt Roy won the solo men's race with 246.3 miles. The ever-impressive, Bill Schwarz set a new hand-cycle and course record with 130.6 miles.

The lead woman in the 12-hour race was Ellen Bone, of Norwich , CT with 173.5 miles.

In the new Nighthawk Nighttime 12-Hour race, Todd Peterson, of Manville , NJ set a new course record of 191.4 miles.

Jane McClellan and her father set a mixed tandem and course record on the new Triple Lap Challenge completing it in 5 hours and 18 minutes. Dennis Sullivan, of Troy , NY , was only 40 minutes behind them and set a men's solo course record of 5 hours and 58 minutes, beating out Keith Strack of Clifton Park , NY by one minute.

In all nine course records were broken or established.

Once again, John Ceceri, his family and other volunteers put on a marvelous event. Unfortunately the Burgoyne Motor Inn has been sold and can't be used as the race start/headquarters next year. John is already scouting out other courses in the area and we are all looking forward to another great event next year.

Results