I have been competing in ultra-marathon mountain bike races since 1991 when I entered Montezuma's Revenge. That race showed me a world that I knew I needed to explore. I had found a sense of adventure that I craved since childhood. I was addicted. I signed up for the Iditasport, a 100-mile snow race in Alaska in February 1992. Despite suffering five flat tires in minus 30-degree weather because I didn't know I had to glue my tires to the rims, I did know that I had to devote my life to this sport.

That year in West Virginia, Laird Knight started a 24-hour relay race, the 24 Hours of Canaan. In the years that followed I begged him to start a solo class. Totally frustrated in 1996, I registered for the four person pro class by entering four variations of my name and paid the four person team entry fee. Riding around a loop repeatedly didn't have much adventure, but it was brutally difficult and the challenge of being the first to ride that course solo kept me going.

These relay races have captivated the mountain biking community and have become the fastest growing segment of the sport. As a result, this past weekend was the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championship (the pinnacle of 24-hour circuit racing) started by Stuart Dorland. Strict qualifying procedures limited the field to 45.

The 2nd World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championship brought out the best riders in this young but growing sport largely because of the $15,000 in prize money. We can only hope this financial support continues and more ultra-marathon athletes are able to compete at the highest level.