NaKeD On NaKeD: TheOffICiaL CaTcH 22 RePoRt

This year was no different as 44 riders lined up for the Catch 22, which is officially considered a RACE folks.

Today, we have the Honor of Talking to Naked Indian himself about this years ride.

NK: So, do tell how was the ride this year?

NK: BRutal. Totally brutal, I really got the crap kicked out of me good.

NK: Well dont keep us waiting, everyone wants to know, did you indeed add another Fixie Notch to your Top Tube?

NK: I did, I completed almost 57 miles with 6 hours and 58 minutes on the bike.

NK: Not bad... Are you the first official fixie finisher?

NK: As far as I know I am. I dont know anyone else who has done this ride fixie, so I can neither confirm nor deny.

NK: So tell us, how did it go, How did the Fixed gear treat you, what ratio where you running?

NK: Well, I think it was right around mile 5.5 that I knew I was gonna be screwed. I totally knew by that point that I had totally underestimated the effort. I had only put together the bike less than a week before hand. I was running 32 x 17 on the War Machine, Aka the excuse bike as my friends call it.

NK: interesting. Why did you think you were screwed?

NK: Well cause, I had not ridden a fixie since before the summer and after about 5 times my leg jacked into my hip I quickly remembered that this was indeed a non coasting bicycle. Plus that Beer had me burping something awful...

NK: Beer?

NK: Ya, every catch 22 starts with a run and a beer chug, this year was no different, except, I didnt have any lofty ambitions of winning or finishing fast, I knew that it was going to be a gigantic effort for me that day but that didnt stop me from going into race mode.

NK: Race mode?

NK: Ya, I hit the road, and I went into race mode, could see the groups off the front, and I started chasing, and working, and I did good. About 15.5 miles in though I lost my chain. Rode a little longer, only to lose it again, and discover that my chain issue was due to a missing chainring bolt. Apparently I didnt do such a good job of tightening those suckers down on the initial build. So I had to pull out my tools, my leatherman and my multi tool, both which were pretty rusted from all the rainy rides I had done, and after I forced them open, I tightened down the remaining bolts and got going again. BUT, after all that was done, I had given up trying to race the ride anymore I didnt think I was going to be able to bridge the gap to the lead group.

NK: So, what did you do then?

NK: O I kept riding as fast as I could. At that point, we started hitting some real hilly sections, and I could definetely feel the effort. catching up to me.

NK: Really? What was happening, tell us, bring us in....

NK: Well, first of all, I had forgotten my Specialized body geometry gloves, so I bought some mechanix gloves from Lowes. I had brand new grips on the machine and after only 15 miles or so my palms were raw. They were hurting like a bitch, and my hands felt so freaking hot, but I didnt dare take off the gloves cause I didnt want to lose my grip and smash my face. Right around mile 18, while I was riding the hilliest part of the course, I had to just stop and collect my thoughts.

NK: Stop?

NK: Ya, I stopped, grabbed a bar out my Epic Ride Research Mountain bike feedbag and ate and contemplated.

NK: How do you stay so calm and collected when your physical is under so much stress?

NK: Its being in the moment NK. I had to deal with what I had at the time , and at the time, I needed to collect my thoughts.

NK: So what did you come up with, what was your plan at this point, at only 18 miles in, you still had quite the distance to cover.

NK: Well, I figured, Imma go into survival mode, till I make the rest stop which I hoped was at either mile 20 or 25. I made a list of things I needed to feel strong again: 1. some serious electrolyte replacement. 2. some chain lube, my bike was driving me nuts. 3. some more food. 4. a snickers. 5. some ice and some water. 6. a five minute nap.

NK: Wow, quite the list.

NK: ya, I also decided that if I didnt feel like climbing some of these hills, I was gonna walk. I tell you after 18 miles I felt the equivalent effort of riding 40 miles. People dont understand the effects on your body when you dont have the luxury of coasting.

NK: Right...

NK: After digging deep, and just riding in survival mode and losing a ton of time. At mile 26 I reached the sag stop.
NK: wow. What did you do?

NK: I took my gloves and helmet off and my shirt and grabbed some food and sat.

NK: When did you get to work on your needs list?

NK: Immediately after a short chat. I discovered, they ran out of gatorade, but I got my Ice water, I got some food, and they were kind enough to get some motor oil of their car dipstick and lubed my chain.

NK: Did you feel like quitting at this point?

NK: O no doubt, the mind will eff with you. My brain was totally telling me to bail, and the SAG support was doing their job by suggesting the same andd telling me that, 26 fixie miles is not a bad accomplishment and how many people had already bailed at that point. BUT, I told them, No freaking way, I was gonna continue.

NK: What about the "serious electrolyte thing and the snickers"?

NK: WEll I asked for directions and rode 2 miles off course, got my gatorade, got my snickers and sat under a tree and replenished. I then, skipped the nap, put my gloves away in my pack, put my music headphones on, and got to work.

NK: work?

NK: Ya, I was in the mood all the sudden to get back to work. I rode the 2 miles back to return to the course and started working, singing aloud, enjoying the sights, I flipped the switch from race mode to speed touring mode and it really paid off, I felt great. I started counting down the miles and just focused on 10 miles at a time.

NK: Interesting...

NK: Ya, I saw a deer, many butterflies, some buzzards, a turtle, a wild turkey, lots of college students. After the SAg, the trails were relatively flat in comparison to the powerline section, so I was in heaven, My palms were still hurting, but grabbing the center of the bars by the stem was really helping alot.

NK: good, so now your going, your back on, your feeling good...

NK: Indeed, I continued my feed schedule, and then right around mile 45 I started missing turns and having to backtrack, and I did that several times. Even had to call Robert at one point to get directions to get back on course.

NK: Ok, did he get you back on course?

NK: O ya, Robs the man, got me back on course, and I knew by then that I was gonna finishe, even though at that point I still had 12 miles left.

NK: Right. Wow. But you pushed on.

NK: Without a doubt, I wanted that notch on my top tube, I wanted to claim the fixie fame for this ride. I kept going, missed turns, back tracked got on course, hit the powerlines again, got a call from Rob. He told me I was almost done, when I hit the dirt road and paved road, I got into Time trial mode and just hammered it.

NK: Amazing.

NK: Indeed, finished the ride, and I was elated. Lot's of support from all the riders, I even won a prize.

NK: A prize?
NK: Ya, I didnt even know, that they had prizes. I got a patch, DFL for the 2009 Catch 22. Technically, I was the last rider in, but first in my class for sure, and not all 44 did the entire ride, people cut out sections, lots just bailed, it was a Hot and humid day.

NK: no doubt, excellent effort. What's next.

NK: Well, Lots of prep rides on the Fixie before the CFiTT. I am going to do it Fixie, I am working on my strategy, I will endure lots of pain in the name of Fame, but that's not the only thing.

NK: Not the only thing? Really?

NK: Well, I figure if I am going to go out and destroy myself, I am going to bring in a higher purpose. I am going to be doing some fundraising and whatever money's I raise I am going to donate to Pink ribbon international in support for Breast cancer research, awareness, etc. I have had some close people experience this and just recently someone very close has had to deal with this very thing. I really feel its a great opportunity, and it will give me extra motivation.

NK: Where can people donate?

NK : I will be putting up a link on this very blog, today, and people can donate, and I will keep a running tally, and whatever I raise I will send off to the pink ribbon society.

NK: Do you have a goal?

NK: Ya, I wanna get ten dollars for every fixie mile I get, as a fundraising goal... Im not asking people to give me that much, every little bit helps, I am just putting a number, so what is that 1700 dollars? I guess, who knows we will see. I plan on contacting some media sources as well, to help get the word out there and I recommend everyone tell their friends and they tell a friend the more support the better.

NK: Well thats admirable...

NK: I must admit, a fellow racer made the suggestion, I didnt think of it on my own. I was way too caught up in the race to even think about it. I am caught up now, I got a list of things to do to minimize the self destruction I will inflict on myself on October 10th. So I will be busy over the next couple of weeks to say the least.

NK: Well, Naked Indian, as always, great story, a real pleasure and we love talking to you.

NK: Indeed, thank you very much... O, Huge thanks to Robert Bounds, Team Green, for all their hardwork and hospitality, David Ruckstuhl for the Crash pad, Hi MOM, Hey Kain and Kailan and Gabriel, what's Up Palomita...


NK: Thats all we have for today folks and thanks for tuning in for Naked on Naked...


Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN