Oct 21, 2026
2026 Psycho 48 Race Report (1/3) Sorry for taking a bit time to make some specific post about this year’s 48-hour Psycho Race. OK …. Upfront I did mention a few times that I am not competitive yet and need to use it as a training race. I could not get some of the training done as I planned. Work and family activities specifically with kids and grandkids had a bit of an impact in my training as well as some health-related issues. It’s not the end of the world to me because cycling is a hobby and not like some see it as option to make money. Also upfront … thanks for all who participated in this year’s event regardless 100 mile, 12, 24 or 48 hours. Those races live from people like you who sign up and come to the start line to at least try. Something we better remember. And it’s cool to meet enthusiasts at those events. My preparation was a bit tough and not as expected. That’s ok and part of the game. Kind of funny weather forecast was good a week before the race. Unfortunate it changed for the race weekend. But weather is something that’s the same for all of us. I prepared food and drinking supply as well as batteries for my lights and setup a backup for taillight in case something happens to the battery. It was my first try on a velomobile for such long distance. Longest I did ride in it was 12-hour race before and that caused some issues. Plan was to do the 48 hours but also to stop if needed and make health top priorities so I would not jeopardize my 2027 goals. Tried a short spin to check all lights and my bike computer. Before start I noticed a flat front left. Kind of bad sign for the race (just kidding -glad it was before the race). I changed the tube using one of the fancy self-sealing tubes. I made it in time to get ready for the race.
Sep 28, 2026
Interesting endurance training last weekend The weekend was not perfect for training on my bicycles but decided to have a solid century on HPV on Saturday and another one on Sunday. That was the plan because Saturday and Sunday I had special family events scheduled. OK … Got up Saturday morning and all cool. Breakfast and setup HPV in time to get out on the road. But because of family event I decided to stay close to home so I could stop at any time. Plan was just 100-120 miles (160-192 km) ride with possibly one stop at home for water refill and bathroom stop. Plan is plan and real world turns out different … I did ok on my ride and decided to stay on the road as long as possible … actually stay on a bit longer miles to make a final stop at German bakery. So ended up with a stop at a park around mile 110 (176 km) and continued after that for a final stop at the bakery around mile 155 (249 km) … finishing the training after 157.4 miles (253 km). It felt good and only had to stop due to family events. Average speed was 20.5 mph riding speed (33 km/h) and 20.3 mph (32 km/h) incl. stop times Overall it was about 7 hours 41 minutes and felt good. Cool was about 4am a police car driving next to me while I was on the bike lane to check what that thing was about. They did sheer me up and made a U-turn after a mile. Saturday evening I still had the idea for Sunday ride but tried to see if I make 90-100 miles (144-160 km). Worke up as planned but felt like skipping the Sunday ride completely. We humans can be funny sometimes. I had breakfast and got my race bike ready and sure at least decided to get on the road and stop whenever I want. However I ended up first part like the Saturday ride and joined the ‘Easy Sunday Morning Ride’ group for a while before turning home to get a total of 115 miles (185 km) in on Sunday. Unfortunate my average speed was down to 17 mph (27 km/h) only. I believe I was simply exhausted too much. Still a good overall 272 miles (438 km) on the weekend. Some may say … not a big deal … well for me recovering from injury it was a big deal and cool to see some minor progress. For competitive racing still not good enough but my plan is on the two races left to only use them as training sessions to see what I have to focus on for 2027.
Sep 17, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (3/3) Being on the road I targeted to see if I could improve enough to make sure getting 7 laps of the 29.2 miles in the books before switching to short 6.4-mile laps. OK some think that’s easy and what’s the big deal. The big deal was … I am still limping and suffer from a bit of muscle issue on left thigh. I did not race on upright bikes for over 5.5 month and training on the regular bikes was limited. It was like a new start racing again like I did first race in 2022 and restarted after accident in 2023. On lap six I noticed clouds getting dark and the rain came down hard. I made sure the Garmin screen is locked to avoid issues. Technically standard for me but I did not expect issues on a sensor. The sensor error was announced every minute and caused that I could not see speed and distance and map was half hidden plus it kept beeping on me. I ended up ignoring it waiting for rain to calm down. Used the moment and turned off the faulty sensors. I still like data after a race or after a ride but prefer in a race to only use the map, speed and distance. Other data are only distracting while I need to focus on traffic and surroundings. Rain stopped within lap seven. Good thing that the road dried off fast. Unfortunate I had to pay attention on bike lanes due to water pushed dirt on it. Lap seven done in time before dark. First 204.4 miles done in about 12 hours and 45 minutes. Was hoping for 350 miles again even I knew power level could be an issue. Started shorter 6.4-mile laps and realized that on those short laps I could keep speed steadier. Wish I had switched after lap six, but rules are rules to me even if race organizer mentions its ok. Second short lap done and unfortunate light rain started. I did realize some of the 24-hour racers must have given up. Soon as it starts getting dark it rained again. In the dark its tricky with vision. Rain drops on my glasses caused me to get blinded by oncoming traffic. Easy trick was to look down on the road in front of me to avoid getting blinded. Some portions of the road had a bit debris from rain but since it was a 6.4-mile lap it was ok. After lap seven I had one short lap added and I started with 5 short 6.4-mile lap sessions (32 miles). Roads dried off again. Unexpected was that after a few long laps I felt like endurance was bad. After sunset, I was able to pick up a bit speed and keep it steady, so I think my endurance is kind of ok while power is lacking. Nothing extreme but I was able to change strategy again and was targeting 370 miles or more. Paid attention on other racers on the road and noticed partial two more on the lap. It was motivating for me since it kept me pushing a bit harder. In middle of the night, I had three close calls with cars passing me inches away only. I kept holding my line as clean as possible. After a few short laps I got used to them and knew how to best ride them. Hardest was the U-turn at end of the lap. Not because of a U-turn but speeding up on section until finish line was a bit tough. Afterall, I completed the race after 23 hours and 35 minutes with distance of 375.7 miles. Acceptable result for me compared to last 3 years.
Sep 16, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (2/3) Being on the road and finishing first long loop I was amazed about my performance. I knew I overdid based on my recovery process. My mistake was to push like I had no injury and no surgery. That was not smart but it’s me and I like testing my limits. About food – I setup some carbs (cookies and bread) and placed stuff in the van. Also had the bottle between aerobars filled with just water and a spare bottle of water. A second bottle I setup with gatorlyte/water mix using the gatorlyte with carbs. Schedule mentally was after 15 minutes a zip of water and about half and full hour a bit gatorlyte. Schedule initially to stop after 4 29.2-mile laps and after that every 2 laps. OK … that schedule went overboard because I had issues with rear derailleur battery (not charged in longer time). So changed to stop after lap 3. I noticed power drop in lap two a little bit and in lap three much more. Fully understood the issue possibly related to lack of endurance. I was not happy but initial idea to see if I make 350 miles went down the drain and I told myself that as long as I have a 3 at the beginning I better be happy since it is a training race after all. I changed my plans. Stopped and switched batteries (one spare battery was empty too so used another one). OK I understand everyone thinking that I was a bit unprepared and … correct I improvised and improvisation plus mentally dealing with issues is one of my strengths and funny as is that’s why I name it a training race to train myself for next year. I was OK again and took off. Due to change of target between 300 and 350 miles I decided to not take a gamble and stop every about 30 miles (every long lap and or later every 5 short laps). That calmed me down. Speed was not as good as planned but all I could handle. Average speed incl. stops were down to under 17 mph and dropping. Instead of frustration I just was ok with the new 300+ miles target. Every lap a refill with water and gatorlyte. I did drink a bit soda since I had some in the transportable fridge. I changed derailleur batteries three times during daytime and headset got changed twice (normal would have been max once for both on entire race). The headlight in blinking mode lasted perfectly fine all day long. And taillight was perfect since I never had to change it. The food I setup for me was not used. I know you must eat you need replacing carbs that you burn. Or you are not as efficient as you could be. Its true but I have a funny mindset, and eating was not in it. Not sure how my body can handle my abuse. Without crew it’s much harder to keep the right things going since no one is pushing for it. Something many underestimates as difference racing with and without crew. I was in full race mode … had a short talk with another racer who had is wife and daughter helping and being setup next to my car. Impressive person and cool crew. However, since regulations say self-supported it means you must do everything yourself. And I stick to the rules regardless how tough it sometimes is.
Sep 15, 2026
Race report Georgia 24 Hour TT race 2026 (1/3) 5.5 month after I cut my left leg/hop badly an got surgery I finally was first time in a 24-hour race on my regular upright bicycle … I was happy to see Larry Oslund organizing that race and happy to be there. However admittedly I was scared about the race since my preparation would not allow for a 10–12-hour test before. Still decided to pack two race bikes and drive to the location in Rincon GA on Thursday night. Used the time and did a test ride of the 29.2-mile loop. As info – the race was setup to ride the 29.2-mile loop during daylight and switch to the first part of that loop as a 6.4-mile loop for the dark (nighttime). OK … realistically every coach and adviser would tell me that it’s a foolish decision to ride 29-30 miles the day before a 24-hour race. Correct its foolish but this is a hobby and not for money making. And those 29.2 miles I did the day before having been fun plus I learned how the loop feels like. I did check it out in the car first Thought about the 6.4-mile loop on the spare bike, but rain stopped me doing that. So Later Afternoon/evening I did get my race number. Added it to the bike and tested. … Thanks for Larry to be very patient and helpful. We found a way to get it done ok. I now focused on preparing all I need … water, lights, batteries, food. Also made sure I relax a bit the night before the race. And yes … where did I sleep? RAAM Solo style and my regular way – I have my Chrysler Pacifica setup with a regular mattress on left side, so I slept in the car. Setup my alarm to have some food in the morning and to get ready. Realistically … being down for so long means I had to improvise a bit. Some of my batteries have not been freshly charged. I use my RAAM Solo setup with speaker system installed on my helmet (no ear in). the battery life holds up for 11-14 hours. Normally so I thought I am ok with 2 sets but had 5 with me to be sure its ok. Morning came and I start setting up bike and getting dressed for the race. Turned on my music (fancy mix of hard rock from the 80th). Had some soda (too lazy to make coffee). Setup solar panel outside the car to keep my power generator battery charged in case I need it. Bike was setup ok and tested a short distance and … my headset in the helmet told me: ‘battery low’. Back to the car using next unit (had 5 with me and I knew 2 I kept charging and used in training). Now I felt ready for the race start. Waited with the rest of the racers for the official start and here we go. What’s the strategy for me? Honestly when I start, I try not to take off too fast but do not want to go too slow neither. I took off and kept passing a few racers while over time I knew they may pass me anyway again, but I am racing against myself and have a bit of a schedule for that. It’s not arrogance or ignorance from my end but I have my own agenda and try not to measure myself to other racers in an active race. We took off and I was amazed how well my first lap started. It felt good with speed partial about 20mph (32 km/h) and more.
