The Hill of Truth

This past Saturday Ben competed in the Hill of Truth bike race, located just outside of Knoxville. The objective is to ride the course, in teams or solo, for 12 hours in efforts to complete the most laps before 11 pm. Yep, 12 hours. Ben signed up for the solo category and we got to the site around 9:00 am to set up our (mine and Maggie’s) temporary home for the next 12 hours.

It was our first time there so we didn’t really know what to expect. We ended up setting up our tent on the side of the road where the race begins and where bikers must pass through for each lap. I took lots of movies and magazines, but only made it through one movie because I was so anxious about how Ben was doing.

Across the road from us there was a family set up to support their husband/son. He was also in the solo category and very hardcore. At one point he was in second place and by the time we left I think we was in the lead. In between laps he would pause for a quick nutrient break or to refill his camel-bak or switch bikes and other times he would zoom by yelling, “Tell her to have the electrolytes ready next time!”

Now when Ben stopped in between laps I did not by any means have electrolytes ready! I feel like such a bad wife! I did have PB&J sandwiches and bananas ready though. So take that Mr. Electrolyte.

Ben reached his goal of completing six laps for the race, and at 9:45 pm we packed up and headed home. I am so proud of him! He raced for almost 11 hours! CRAZY! He was totally spent at the end of the race and enjoyed some definite R&R on Sunday.