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Sebring 2008 — The Ultracup Kicks Off

“No icicles on oranges this year...”

by Nancy Guth

Ultracycling Cup for ultra riders of the season

The seventh time is the charm, according to racers who came to the Sebring12/24 hour races February 16, 2008. No icicles on oranges this year, as the warm sun blessed racers and challenged many Northerners with snow-thinned blood challenged cyclists as well. The event includes three races:
    * A 12-hour drafting race, in the UMCA's Ultracup
    * A 24-hour drafting race, in the UMCA's Ultracup
    * A 24-hour non-drafting race, which is a RAAM qualifier and is in the UMCA's World Cup series
With these events the UMCA's Ultracup series officially opened on February 16, 2008.

For the three races 188 racers lined up at the Sebring Auto racetrack at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. They watched the rosy dawn peek over the track as they pedaled out of the pits for the three circuit laps before heading to the open roads. This year, as racers pedaled around in the dark morning hours, they were questioning whether to wear a light jacket, leave on their leg warmers, or brave the early morning chill in shorts and short-sleeved jerseys.

The cyclists raced the track for three laps and then took off on the open roads to make the most of the first cool hours. As riders merged onto the open roads, the roads were relatively travel-free and scenic, winding through small groups of houses, orchards and cattle ranches. Sebring has a surprisingly rolling course where racers constantly climb small hills to see vistas of orange groves or a sparkling little lake below.

Many pelotons formed for fun and for protection from the breeze, which is always present in Florida. As we neared the 50-mile mark we saw two of the faster pelotons, made up of primarily recumbents and Chris Ragsdale, on their return trip from the turn around. Our peloton enjoyed a brisk pace to the turn around, where some folks dropped off to refill bottles and some of us pressed on. The same people manage the second stop, always my favorite, every year. The dedicated lady brings her homegrown oranges, sliced for the riders, and it is always a welcome break as a five-minute refuel stop on the way back to the racetrack. Nearing the racetrack, recumbents and a few other riders were flying past, starting their middle loops.

This year, it was not the cold, nor the wind, which challenged riders; it was the bright sunshine and unaccustomed warmth. Most cyclists had to temper the pace in the heat of the afternoon, working on staying strong and hydrated.

12-Hour
As the sun began to set, the 12-hour riders pushed for the last final lap. Ken Scoates turned in 219.4 miles on his flying recumbent, while John Jurczynski also cranked out 219.4 on his traditional bike for his first outdoor ride of 2008.

Jurczynski describes:
Sebring is usually my first outdoor ride of the season. To make up for my lack of fitness, my usual plan is to try to latch on to any wheel that is going just a little faster than me. This year, I got dropped about 40 miles into the ride by Chris Ragsdale and a fleet of recumbents. In the next 10 plus hours I was only able to draft for about 30 minutes.

Richard Lawrence, always an inspiration, looked as fresh and smiling on his last lap as his first. Lawrence, as the eldest rider at 82 years old, turned in 127.7, and Bernard Drerup (71), also did 127.7. The youngest riders this year were Elizabeth Lee (19) at 180.1 miles, and recumbent rider Josh Power (19) at 114.6.

The top female riders were Aimee Murphy and Mary Mancino, both turning in 206.3 for the 12-hour division.

24-Hour RAAM Qualifier
While the 12-hour racers slept or supported other riders, the RAAM qualifiers and the 24-hour racers stayed the course, and continued to race around the track. The track was lit up with very helpful red reflectors, however, by the end of the night only half the reflectors were in one piece, illustrating how beneficial the reflector were for keeping the racers on track, so to speak.

Julie Gazmararian used this race as a tune up for her 1,000 mile Race Across the West, turning in 387.6 miles. No females qualified for RAAM this year, although Bobbi Fisher put in a great effort, assisted by veteran crewman Lee Mitchell, for 328.1 miles. Marilyn Hayward achieved her goal of 300 miles on her recumbent.

One of the most inspirational rides was completed by hand cyclist Keane West of Lake Placid, Florida, who powered his way through his first 24 hour race to a course record of 322.4 miles. West, paralyzed from his waist down, had focused on this race for over a year, training with the Highland Pedalers. He was a motivation to riders and crew alike, as he maintained his focus and positive attitude the entire 24 hours.

24-Hour Drafting Race
Achieving an outstanding course record as well as a personal best was Chris Ragsdale (31) turning in an amazing 502.9 miles for the 24-hour race drafting race. Ragsdale, always a perfect gentleman, described his race as almost a solo ride, as he drafted with a few recumbent riders, but was challenged to keep an often solo pace of 20.95 miles an hour to achieve his goal.

My husband, John, and I rode almost the entire 24 hours with Joel Lawrence, who is a strong ultra racer in his father's tradition. We had a great time, taking many short breaks throughout the hot afternoon and night, but staying on the bike until 5 a.m., when Joel and I each had to take a 30-minute nap, while John continued on. Joel Lawrence (50) turned in 315 miles, earning second place in his age division, and John Guth (55) turned in 320 miles for second place in his age group. A great spring tune up!

Each year, the Rotary Club improves on an already great race. The racers were provided with plentiful snacks, clear road markings and traffic support where needed. The 24-hour riders were provided valet service to move support vehicles to the night trackside pit area. Sebring is a beautiful course with great volunteers, and is a wonderful spring training morale booster.

More information and complete results

RAAM Qualified riders:

Conventional Bikes
Anthony Lisinicchia	32		Wheaton, IL	433.0
Brett Walker	41	RQ for Life	Salisbury, NH	480.4
Alan Smudz	45		Monroe, MI	489.8
Andrea Tosolini	46		Gainesville, FL	469.3
Joel Sothern	51		Laguna Nigel, CA	454.5
Douglas Levy	53		Willow Grove, PA	402.4
Lawrence Fitz	58		Oakwood, IL	417.5
Richard Rupp	66		Angola, IN	409.8
Recumbents
Troy Timmons	42		Navarre, FL	430.6
Tim Woudenberg	51		Moss Beach, CA	447.1
Larry Graham	50		Westerville, OH	445.1
Doyce Johnson	54		Grovetown, GA	408.4
David Bradley	50		Arcata, CA	402.4
Dennis Johnson	55		The Woodlands, TX	413.5

Qualifying Standards	18-49	50-59	60-69
Men	425	400	375
Women	400	375	350