Congratulations to Jackson Bahm who broke the existing Male Michigan E-W record in the 18-49 age group on a standard bike.

Rider’s Narrative Summary 

On September 22, 2024, I set the record for biking east to west across Michigan in the Male Solo 18-49 category. The ride began at 8:19 a.m. at the Port Sanilac Marina, located at the end 

of Main Street on the shores of Lake Huron. The day started off cool and clear with a light breeze blowing from the south. Shortly after I set off, light rain began to fall, and it only intensified over the next several hours. It wasn’t until about seven hours into the ride, as I approached Muskegon, that the skies finally cleared. Later in the day the winds switched from south to north, providing a nice tailwind for around 15 miles. 

I decided to pursue this record after completing my first Ironman in March. I was looking for a new challenge, and this seemed like a fun goal to work towards. I’ve always loved long rides, so it felt like a natural progression. I first learned about this record from my triathlon coach, Josh Wolf, who holds several WUCA records himself.

For this attempt, I rode a Canyon Speedmax equipped with FLO wheels, including a full disc wheel on the back. I used only one integrated front bottle with a straw, so I could drink while staying tucked in aero and refill quickly on the go. I used a Smith aero helmet with a removable face shield, this came in handy with the heavy rain as I could remove it and hand it to the follow car to get better visibility. For fuel, I used Maurten bars and maple syrup. I refilled my bottle with 

a mix of Skratch super high carb powder and guarana, which gave me the necessary carbohydrates, electrolytes, and caffeine to power through the ride. 

The peak of this ride came when the rain finally stopped and I realized I was going to break the record. As the skies cleared, I had time to reflect on all the training I’d put in and the incredible support I’d received from my crew, my coach, and everybody else who helped me get here. The toughest part of all of this wasn’t the ride itself. I trained all summer in Kansas and the heat was brutal. I was frequently riding more than 150 miles in these conditions, by comparison, this ride felt physically easier than what I experienced in my training. 

I completed the ride at 5:28 p.m. at Lake Bronson Park, finishing in the parking lot next to the public restrooms and picnic area.