The Epic Cycle Powered by Becker Schmitz

So I went to SiS and didn’t win, but really that was never an option.
All I really wanted was a good ride to see a bunch of friends, and I
did accomplish that. Most of you guys know what SiS is, most of the
people who will read this were there, but for those of you who don’t I
guess I need to describe what it is and why I keep going to the race.

Schlaflos im Sattel is a race that is run only at night. So literally
from sundown to sunup. There are other races that do the same thing,
but I think, and I have no proof, that this was the first, at least
the first I knew of. The course is, quite honestly, really good for
this type of race. Not too terribly much climbing, not too much steep
death defying descending, and not enough single track, but really can
you ever have too much single track on a race course?

So at 20:52 or 8:52 pm the race began with my partner Marty doing two
laps. I have yet to start this race, maybe never will, mostly I think
because I see it as less of a race and more of ride with a bunch of
friends at night. Starting might make it seem like I needed to go
fast instead of encourage other riders and talk to people I know on
the course. This fun ends at 5:59. As good a time as any to stop a
race.

So that is pretty much the how I rode part, now for the I really had
an excellent time part of the too long and somewhat boring report.
Again I need to mention how different this race is from any I have
ever done in the US or really for that matter here in Italy. Now
don’t get me wrong the Los Lobos rides and races that they put on are
special but I had done SiS before having met them and therefore it is
the original more fun than pain race.

Every year I arrive at the race it becomes harder and harder to find
time to ride. People I know and have met are everywhere and new
people to meet are even more prevalent. Talking about bikes, new
bikes and what bike or part we have just purchased seem to dominate
these conversations and I have to assume those of you who don’t ride
would likely think we where speaking several foreign languages, aside
from the several that are spoken at the race because of all the
nationalities represented.

Well as I have said before and will continue to believe, this is one
of the most inviting and least insular events in the world. That
could be because of all the countries represented or that we all just
share a similar interest, BIKES.

Most races have definite groups, the SS group, the racer shaved leg
group, the scum bag I don’t care how fast I go, but I train all the
time group (really the one I best fit), or who knows what group. But
here in Weidenthal all the groups seem to drop pretense and just hang
out. It is truly a unique environment. Seeing everyone just talking
and hanging out and racing without that ever present “attitude” is the
best part of this race. It is something you have to see to believe
and something you have to experience to understand how bike racing
used to be. It is something I have never witnessed in the US, but
hope to one day. This is one of the best races in the world and if
you ever get the chance you have got to go. I will miss this race
when we finally leave Europe, but at least I will be able to remember
how “it” was and look for events in the US that try to capture that
same spirit of riding.

Maybe next year I will go solo and put out a huge effort, but then
again that is not really the point of SiS for me.

Ed