Sleepless in the Saddle 2009

Schlaflos im Sattel is hard to explain to anyone who has not been there. This 3-day event is unlike anything ever seen and done and every year it amazes us that so many people are willing to suffer for a blue collar workday, at night. Friday the Sportzplatz in Weidenthal fills with camp sites, the strangest bikes you have ever seen, beer, tattooed hippies, and anticipation. Dunkel, kalt, und hart (Dark, cold, and hard) is the headlining band Friday night; the metal music echoes through the valley late into the night. Chris and Brian arrived early but did not stay up for the bike derby (aka drunk guys trying bike tricks) this year, but the burnt remnants of a wheel, tube, and tire lead them to believe that it was excitingly out of hand. Saturday was hot and Chris chose to take it easy near his tent. He finished reading “Dog in a Hat,” which he highly recommends to anyone looking for a book to read. The mid-day reconnaissance mission of the course was relaxing. It was very similar to years prior but the singletrail was longer and faster due to the dry conditions. As usual the climbs were long and loose. The afternoon was for napping, eating, and hydrating. Attaching lights and preparing the pit materials capped the preparations. Brian Young was very eager to start as it was his first attempt at this exciting race.

At 20:52 it was time to toe the line. Phaty, the greatest race organizer this side of the Mississippi, cued the racers with a pledge to preserve the trails, the theme from 2001 A Space Odyssey, and with an earth-shaking boom from what sounded like a small cannon, the race was on. Lap one was a congested mess and the three Sabers were separated by the first climb. Each was left the grind and grind we did. Pacing yourself is pivotal to success. Also a good set of lights and proper nutrition can make a huge difference. Morale is the hard thing to control; the brain starts to wonder “Why are we doing this when most people are nestled into their beds?” Other racers have said they have considered taking up tennis after having ridden all night. This year the Sabers knocked out a total of 23 laps and 276km. The official results were posted, revealing Brian McRory and Chris Vachon in 20th and 21st positions respectively. Brian Young finished a respectable 45th. He learned a lot and will be back with a vengeance next year. We all will be back to battle this course again next year.
Thanks to our sponsors for continued support:
Kenda Tubes & Tires
Service Credit Union
Volvo