A dip in the lake and some serious rehydration were required...

by Don Norvelle

John Marino Competition for ultra riders of the season

Ten riders set a blistering pace on the first lap of the Tinbutt 12-Hour Meltdown, completing the 22 miles in one hour and one minute. Would they hold the pace? Or would the race live up to its name?

At the 7 a.m. race start on Saturday, July 23, the temperature had already exceeded the high temperature of 78 degrees for the inaugural event in 2004.

Former RAAMer Bonnie Allison started the 37 riders in bright sunshine. Allison holds the women's age 50+ RAAM record of 14d 7h set in 1992.

After the first lap the field began to spread out and the pace slowed for most. The racers traveled a 22-mile loop on state highways and county roads. Most of the route was fairly gentle climbs and descents, although one five-mile section included a series of short rollers with grades up to eight percent. The start/finish was at a park on the west side of Lake McMurtry just west of Stillwater, OK.

Wes Wilmer, 49, of Roanoke, VA, rode relentlessly for the entire 12 hours. At the end of each lap he stopped only long enough to restock his liquid and food. He finished the day with 220 miles, tying the course record set last year.

Virgil Moehsmer, 56, from Ellisville, MO, took second with 198 miles (nine laps), equaling his 2004 mileage, which was ridden in much better conditions!

Six riders completed eight laps (176 miles). Gil Brown was the fastest of the group and took third overall with an average of 16.12 mph.

By early afternoon, the heat and humidity were taking their toll ó the official race thermometer registered a high of 103 degrees. Many riders found that their fun buckets were full to overflowing, while others decided that a dip in the lake and some serious rehydration were required between laps.

Before Tinbutt, Jim Cartwright, 67, had averaged almost 200 miles in 12 hours at both Calvin's Challenge and the Saratoga 12-hour. With 394 miles total he was leading the John Marino 12-Hour Competition Men's 60-69 division and he was third overall in the12-hour competition. Yet, this strong, experienced rider could only manage 154 miles in the Meltdown conditions.

Sponsored by the Red Dirt Pedalers Bicycle Club, the event honors the memory of Larry Schwartz. Schwartz was leading the UMCA Mileage Challenge in 2003 when he was hit by a school bus while riding his bike and died. About Larry Schwartz

More information at Red Dirt Pedalers