24 HOP - Something Makes Me Turn Around

Look at us, baby, up all night

Tearing our love apart

Aren't we the same two people who live

Through years in the dark?  Ahh-ah

Every time I try to walk away

Something makes me turn around and stay

And I can't tell you why

I Can't Tell You Why, Timothy Schmit, Glenn Frey, Don Henley (1978).

Racers drop to the finish of another lap at 24 HOP, with 24 Hour Town awake all night.  
(image by Epic Rides)

The 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in 2024 was just too much fun. I loved everything about it. See, 24 HOP - Back At It; 24 HOP - Sticker Smiles; 24 HOP - Race Report; 24 HOP - Whiskey Tree; 24 HOP - People Make The Place. I also re-connected with Tyler Pearce (vlogger VC Cyclist), who shared his experience as a first time solo racer. 24 HOP - What A 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race Feels Like.

So, I returned in 2025, with great anticipation and mixed results. The event, venue, and people were great and I enjoyed volunteering on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the lead-up week. However, my conditioning and health were sub-par, resulting in a disappointing race. 24 HOP 2025 - Report.

But the 2025 clouds delivered a silver lining. As a 2025 race volunteer, I could enter in 2026 a week before entries opened to the public. That's a significant perk, as the field filled last year in about an hour. So, during the last week of September, I had to decide whether to go back for another solo 24 hour mountain bike race.

My modest solo base Camp in 2025. Same as 2024. Likely the same in 2026.

Probably not all that surprisingly, I decided to go back. I'm not in any position to do so. But there it is.

And I can't tell you why. 

I Can't Tell You Why, Eagles (1978)