Feb 21, 2026
Florida500 2026 not my race … I had to bail out at Checkpoint 2 (about 158 miles into the race). What happened? Mhhhh … I was thinking about avoiding the race due to an issue after Sebring 24 hours … Monday I felt some pain in my left thigh. But it went away and all seemed ok. Start in the morning on my TT bike went well. Was cool being with some top racers like Joe Barr in the same race. And cool advice from his crew when they briefly have been behind me on one of the reason lights. … I wish I could have finished. The first 50 miles went perfectly fine and I felt good. First Checkpoint around Mile 89 was good. I felt like I am in good condition and kept pushing my own pace. My average speed was about 20 mph at that time. Unfortunate around mile 110 disaster struck badly. I start feeling pain in left thigh again as I had it on Monday. In addition also noticed power loss on left leg. I just could not apply power even I shifted my efforts a bit to the right leg. Around mile 120 at a gas station I had a brief stop refilling a bit … The pain actually made me putting in that stop. Also had a brief chat with one crew there that I am in trouble. They offered me to cool down the thigh but I felt like testing a few things on the ride and I just wanted to move on. So kept going and realized it’s not going to be a good idea. So I kept debating myself for the next 30 miles to compare my options and what I should do because the pain was no cool even I could cut the pain feeling out. I was worried what the cause might be. Also checked and noticed the left thigh was swollen more than I would like and … legs critical needed for cycling, running and power walking. So about 10 miles before Checkpoint 2 I made the decition that Checkpoint 2 is the last stop and I have to accept a DNF. Some may shake their heads … Thats OK but health it critical to me and about 7 years ago I almost lost my left leg due to a foolish decision to keep pushing when my body gave me the signals of game over (tried to run that time). And not to forget I am turning 62 … So recovery and healing process can take time. Sadly at Checkpoint 2 I turned in the GPS tracker and pulled out of the race. Admittedly I am torn apart mentally. On one hand I tell myself it was the right decition to give myself a chance for full recovery and get ready for the next race. On the other hand I am frustrated and upset about myself I pulled out. But I know I may or may not have finished either way and damage would have been more severe since I had easy 370 miles to go. Arrived home last night and got a medical checkup … As feared … I had a muscle fiber tear on top left thigh. It’s a mild case and I am able to walk ok again. Doctors gave me good advice how to apply recovery sessions to support healing. I may not publish details about my recovery process but promise it’s monitored medically to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. Nevertheless … feeling frustrated about the issue. I know what possibly caused the muscle tear and glad I was able to keep it limited to have a mild case only … Rest is a matter of time and recovery sessions and treatment now. Want to congratulate all winners of the Florida500 race 2026 and wishing you all the best for the rest of the year. For myself I refocus again and Start looking forward. I a positive that it turns out perfectly fine again.
Pictures are from way before the issue happened.
Feb 17, 2026
Nutrition … 7 bottles of soda and 2 bananas
Water … 9 bottles of water during the race
Issues in the race. I had twice a car causing issues. They passed me and wanted to turn right … I moved to left to let them turn but they stopped and I went through the grass passing them. I never stay right if a car has turn signals on due to bad experience from past.
One time in the race a racer lost a bit focus and when I tried passing at night, he moved too far left so I had to get through the grass into opposite lane and pass. I was at full alert and focus every time I passed someone and always tried to do so with proper distance next to them.
Twice I had deer crossing with one that was next to me for a few yards before crossing. Once an opossum I missed by only one foot and once I barely missed a larger turtle. Key is regardless of where we race, we must keep wildlife in mind. Always keep traffic as well as pedestrians and other cyclist in mind and stay fully alert.
Feb 17, 2026
Start of Season 2026 for me and many others was Sebring 24 hours again. I like the race because a large and very strong participation (29 racers – 5 recumbent and 24 upright bikes and total of 13 self-support – 2 recumbent and 11 upright bikes). A perfect way to see how well I am prepared.
Downsides for the first race … I still did not have my van-based RV repaired so I slept in my regular van. I started getting back on road 2 weeks before the race and finally did get the race bike back a week before. No perfect way preparing. Night before race I had almost no sleep due to health issues.
Start preparing one hour before race. Breakfast limited and water instead of coffee. I prepared potential food and water bottles to keep stops as short as possible.
Started race about 7:10am. I focused on myself from beginning. First laps went well and as I knew my first few hours should be efficient. I had a nice average speed about 19-20 mph for first 3 hours. After that wind start picking up a bit more than I like but the short 3.67 miles lap gets all racers the same weather conditions. Once the wind picked up my speed dropped down to about 17-19 mph depending on wind directions.
What’s my plan for water and nutrition supply? I had total of 3 bottles with water on the bike. I also had some carb-based Hammerhead tablets with me. My plan was first stop after about 5-5.5 hours. On first stop I had some soda and a banana to get some carbs. Plan was some jelly sandwich but I was not good enough preparing it before the race because I forgot jelly and eating the sandwich with nothing added may have been a bit dry.
Back on the road and fighting the wind I decided to change plans for stops. I stopped around miles 130 and 165 in addition to planned stops about 100 miles. On those stops I only had some soda and refilled water bottles. My speed did suffer as expected. My first 100 miles was average about 19.8 mph while the second 100 was about 17.6 mph. I know … lack of carbs and most likely insufficient race preparation and training caused this. About mile 200 I had another stop eating a banana and had some soda. Also refilled everything.
Back on the road I adjusted my stop strategy again a little bit. Next stop was about mile 255 and all I did was water refill and some soda for sugar intake. Back on road I was planning to stop at mile 300 again but ran into issues with some batteries … OK not issues as expected the rear derailleur battery was at red light, so I decided to stop about mile 280. Swapped battery and had the soda again and did refill all water bottles. Back on road again and admittedly experiencing as expected issues with my right arm and shoulder. An issue I have since mid 2025. Adjusted seating position to avoid pain. A bit change of plans made do only one more stop until end of the race. I stopped about mile 340 for a soda and water refill. No more food and decided worse case maybe another stop but planning to go until 24 hours are done. Speed was down to average about 17-17.5 mph. the 3rd 100 miles I had about 17.1 mph average. I knew with my arm issues I had to just fight through it. I was able to avoid another stop. Limited water intake (not recommended) due to cool temperatures.
The last 2 laps I was able to speed up again. I remember crossing the start/finish line again about mile 422 and pushed as hard as possible for adding miles on the pro-rated lap getting the other 2 miles. Once done I admit pain in my legs due to lack of training and my arm was no cool. But I made it 424 official miles at the end and checking official results was cool. OK no cool is 7th from 29 racers (or 39 incl the drafting racers). Was no cool. Issue is that recumbent bikes have an advantage on flat land That’s all cool but its reality. Finishing 1st in age group 60-64 and more important 1st in self-supported (13 racers) incl recumbent bikes is an acceptable result.
Feb 03, 2026
Race Season 2026 Goals We all know the Ultra Distance Race Season for cycling is starting soon. I have participated 3 years in it while not much longer on cycling at all. With some acceptable success. Unfortunate 2023 I and no official result because I did not finish RAAM Solo. However, in 2024 I was able to finish it 3rd and 2025 2nd across all age groups. Not too bad for a cyclist 60+ years. I am turning 62 this year and admitting that getting older year by year does not make it easier. What’s my main goal for 2026 season? The main answer is very easy … I want to finish 2026 with zero accidents. And hopefully as little as possible injuries. I have some health issues that I can work around but not avoid since mid 2025 and that’s ok. The second important goal is to show to as many cyclists as possible that age and some health issues do not mean we must stop cycling and/or competing. May not be as many races as I try but the key is to find some level of enjoyment in ultra-distance racing. Ranking (also for me) is secondary. It’s about what we can accomplish and crossing a finish line is amazing. We may have health issues but pacing ourselves a bit differently helps a lot and even with limited budget as many of us including myself have we can do more than many expect. Most races have convenient stores as well as gas stations on the route and it’s manageable to refill our drinking supply and food. I tested it in 2025 with cool success. So, what’s my target in overall ranking. Since I finished two years in top 3 many may expect something similar … If it shows during the year that I can do it, I will fight for it, but I am realistic and will target a respectable top 5 result or close enough to it. There are Facebook posts and some other internet posts when I am reading those I feel like I am more like a beginner cyclist. I fully understand some coaches and some racers need to make a good show and impress the world. I will try to stay away from that. Yes, I will post race reports and details for next month racing. Plan is to be on as many races as possible well knowing it’s counterproductive due to lack of recovery time. Different to top racers I will again (done it in 2023, 2024 and 2025) try to participate in every race category (12 hours, 24 hours, 750-1500 km (466-932 miles) as well as 1500+ km / 3000+ km (932+ miles/1864+ miles). The hardest maybe the 12-hour race but I think I have one to do. My idea is to do one 12-hour race, one or two 24-hour races, a few 500+ mile races and a race over 2000 miles . In addition to the races and direct competition I am working on a few not so important but cool record attempts. That nevertheless will be extremely limited since I prefer competing in real races. In addition, I am working on a new toy that’s not official until I have it here. It’s going to be very cool and hopefully I can make official posts. Everyone out there a very cool and mostly safe season 2026.
Jan 07, 2026
WUCA Year Rounder Standing 2025 -> I was thinking if I should or should not post the WUCA Year Rounder Competition results for 2025. Mainly because to me the true winner is someone else. Unfortunate he pulled off even he had easy 12k miles more than I and that is indeed really impressive. However I am proud of doing again over 13k miles on rides/races over 90 miles (average one 187 miles per ride due to a few extreme sessions) and whats more interesting in those rides over 90 mile distance I accomplished over 335k feet of elevation gain. (my 2025 overall elevation gain has been well over 500k feet). I will keep pushing for long rides again this year and use them partial for fun specifically in racing and partial to do some cool endurance training rides. Big congratulations also to everyone participating in this. Specifically Kari Obermeyer and Dan Driscoll .... outstanding effort in your 2025 rides and hope everyone keeps pushing in 2026 as well. Big kudos on my end to Infinity Bike Seats ... I use their seats on all my bikes and now also on my stationary trainer. Those make it a bit more easy to be that long on the bicycle.
