Monday, June 7, 2010

Pactimo Double Win - Post Race Interview



I have to say, it was such an privilege to work with you all and be a part of this effort. Obviously, you are all amazing athletes but also really great people. There was not one harsh word, or even a hint of impatience amongst you with one another. Your three person teams literally dominated the field,. How do you do it? (Spend 24hrs together racing with no sleep and not kill each other)

A: [Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] This team has always been about friends first, then team second. So event like this really gives us a great opportunity to hang out together for more then the occasional training ride. Having 24 hour support by Ray and his family was a huge part of our success. Getting per lap updates and encouragement kept everyone motivated and relaxed so all we had to do is just ride.

[Team 2-David Summitt] I have so much respect for Doug and Brian, there is no way we could win unless we all worked perfectly together. I know that each one of those gentlemen gave all they had.

Q: You obviously all spend an enormous amount of time on the bike. How do you go about training for a 24 hour race?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] Fortunately, I’ve got a lot of years and a lot of miles on the legs so I think that helps a lot. For me, no real specific training other than trying to just get as much time on the bike as possible. I probably averaged about 8-10 hours/week leading up to the race, then put in a big 3 day block a week prior, then rested until the race  If you’re a newer rider, I’d definitely try to build endurance and overall body strength/conditioning. Having a strong core is a must, it’s not just the legs you need.

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] This was my first 24-hour event, so didn’t really know what to expect. Getting in some longer training rides during the previous few weeks helped.




[Team 2-David Summitt] A typical training week is: 7 hours on the bike- 4 hours running- 5 hours of Yoga


Q: Any advice for newbies wanting to try it NEXT year? Equipment, gear, strategy, etc?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] A huge part of the race is just being consistent and taking care of yourself. Stay hydrated, eat as much possible, and ride within your limits. Line up some support- you will need it. And be sure to test out your light system and ride at night prior to the race, this always seems to be the place where we gain a lot of time.

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] Be prepared to ride about 100+ miles eating dirt.

[Team 2-David Summitt] Go pre-ride the course, start out on a 5-6 man team, make sure you know how your body reacts to certain food and drink while you are training hard, make sure you have a GREAT support staff. Go into it with no expectation except to have fun. Pray to the Lord on each lap and thank him for giving you the ability to do it.

Q: Team 1, this is your second attempt and second win, very impressive! What’s the “secret formula”? How do you beat a 5-6 person teams with half the people?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] Thanks!! We’ve managed to put together a great team- chemistry is so important. It really is a 4 person team (they should count our support/mechanic Ray for sure as a team member). Honestly, although we are all very competitive people, we really are there to have fun and we do. I think the positive energy just fuels us even more and oh yeah….we’ve got Thane on our team

Q: Team 2, noticed you used a combination of Cross and Mtn bikes..why and any advantage and disadvantages to either?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] I’ve got to admit, I thought the Cross bikes were a huge mistake prior to the race. Boy did they prove me wrong! I couldn’t do it on a cross bike, but it sure did work for them- Great job Team 2!!

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] Just a personal preference, but the course was well suited for both. I rode both bikes and for me the MTB was just more comfortable.

[Team 2-David Summitt] Cross bike will be faster climbing but requires really good bike handling skills on the decent, Mnt bike way better floating through the sand. I personally love my cross bike, but would not mind riding the Mnt bike.

Q: Team 2, also worthy to note that in the end you guys were only about 7 minutes behind the overall leaders (5-6 person team) whom completed 46 laps, you guys were credited with 45 I believe, how do you keep such a consistent pace through the whole 24 Hours?

A: [Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] Tried to think of each lap as a time trial with the goal to get to the top of the hill as quickly as possible so you could bomb down and make up time.

[Team 2-David Summitt] I can only speak for myself, but there is no way I am going to let my team down, I will give everything I have every lap.

Q: Race highlights and low points?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] High- the camaraderie, the competition, winning, great weather, the vibe of the event, the amazing support from the Roskes, having friends and family come out to support us, hearing the all the funny things people say during a 24 hour race …Low- getting passed by a guy in tennis shoes on the climb, knowing that a few of the guys weren’t feeling their best ( but they somehow pushed through it which was amazing)

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] Highlights: being together with friends for 24 straight hours; Low Point: fighting back stomach crams and trying to get enough food and water (lost about 7lbs).

[Team 2-David Summitt] The first lap was a blast! Riding at night was so much fun! Low point, driving home that night and getting a calf cramp and almost driving off the road. [Note: David's first lap was a 28:15]

Q: Any plans to do other 24hr or other endurance type races nationally or internationally?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] Brian is trying to talk us into 24 hours of Moab….You know me- I’m up for anything

[Team 2-David Summitt] I am very interested in 24 Hours of Moab. I have always wanted to do Leadville 100 ( the running and the riding races) I would like to do Breck Epic.

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] To early to tell, ask me when my monkey butt has healed.

Q: Noticed you had “Road Lab/Test Pilot” tagged on your clothing. Is all your gear race tested/proven?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] It is now! I wore some prototype jerseys and bib shorts during the race for testing and they were awesome. For the first time, I only wore womens specific chamois during the race and it made a huge difference.

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] This is the perfect venue to try out new product designs and materials to see how they perform under extreme conditions.

[Team 2-David Summitt] I love the clothing! We are so blessed to have such a great sponsor. I love showing off the brand and look forward to the huge success that Pactimo has been gaining each year.

Q: What next? Do it again next year? All women? Juniors? (“Open mammal” category maybe? ..Man, monkey, bear on a bicycle?)

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] At least three Pactimo teams next year! We’ll need to find another Ray and Elliot though, I think taking care of 6 people and 6 bikes was the limit. I still don’t know how they did it, they were always doing something for us the entire 24 hours. Not only did they not sleep the entire time, they were happy about it.

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] Knowing this group this is probably just the beginning

[Team 2-David Summitt] Next year we need to have 4 or 5 teams and a SOLO! We could have our own tent city.

Q Final thoughts, comments or reflections?

A: [Shawn Heidgen – Team 1] Just thanks to everyone who came out, raced, supported, cheered, etc. I had a blast!

[Doug.Thormahlen - Team2] This was truly a team effort and because of that we were ultimately able to pull out the win in the final hours. Because of our great support both mechanically and emotionally, the positive energy in our camp was contagious and kept everyone pumped and ready for the next lap(s). Much to my surprise the dark hours were some of my favorite laps. The temperatures were cooler and all I had to do was focus on the beam of light in front of me (and pray that some creature didn’t decide to run out in front of me). The Sigma lights we had were incredible, they were bright, light weight, and reliable. Thanks again to Ray and family for their support and also to all of our family and friends.

[Team 2-David Summitt] Thank you so much for the support! There is no way we could have done so good without you and Elliot. Thank you Karl and Pactimo for organizing everything. Thank you Brian and Doug for leaving it all out there. Thank you Lord for giving me the ability to perform such physically demanding activities.








Saturday, June 5, 2010

Pot O' Gold for Pactimo - 1st & 1st


Add another team next year and change the name to Pac-Three-Mo? Who's up for solo? Anyone? Anyone? (sound of crickets chirping)

http://www.gazette.com/articles/teams-99866-hours-loop.html

It's Official

Pactimo 1 1st in class, Pactimo 2 1st in class, Pactimo 2 2nd overall!! Celebration to follow.
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Doug diggin!

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Thane Train

Tano blows through the final turn into the check point like a tornado through a Texas trailer park.

Wait, did he ride the whole race one handed?
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Doug Drops In

Doug Headed for checkpoint Charlie
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Dig Doug

Flying into turn 99
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Karl Heidgen & Elliot Roske

Show off their stylin gear and their tenacity as the finish draws nigh.
Brian "I'm damaged" Moffett looks on.
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"Flyin" Brian Moffett

Brian, of team 2 prepares for re-entry after a supersonic cruise of the Colorado countryside. A heroic effort and denial of intense suffering lifted team 2 (Brian, Doug Thormahlen and David Summitt) from a 17 minute deficit to lead position with under 3 hours to go.
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Shawn? GONE!

With majestic Pikes Peak as a backdrop, Shawn Heidgen has no worries coming into the final turn. A nearly 3 lap cushion over 2nd place means the only hard work left is to decide between an IPA or a nice Summer Ale. Shawn was our voice of reason and the one whose lap times never varied by more than a minute or so for the ENTIRE race. (Even that time when we sent her out a lap early without a badge to swipe. Brain fart on the Crew Chief) INCONCEIVABLE! Congrats, Shawn, Karl and Thane! You guys ROCKED!
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David Summitt

Burns a sub 30 minute lap at 3pm in 90 degrees+! Check out that sweet Pactimo kit. It might not be about the bike, but after 24 hours, the clothes have a LOT to do with it.
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Carcass

Bugs crawl on the wreckage of an unnamed Pactimo competitor
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Team 1 4 hrs. 2 go!

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Team 2 4 hrs. 2 go!

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Hair


Go Shawn! - Go lads! Check out Thane's "do". It's one of those form fitting jobs designed to fit a bike helmet perfectly. David, maeawhile looking fresh as a daisy. The guy was unflappable. Calm, cool, collected and downright dangerous on a racetrack. Wait a minute..is that DUCT Tape on his..naw..nevermind




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2011 Pactimo clothing - Race Tested!

The Pactimo proving ground for next years race kit is highlighted @ the 24 of Elephant Rock. Clearly, they're doing something right. Enjoy the Ride!
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Tired? No, why do you ask?

My eye is twitching. My son is out doing an informal lap on a borrowed bike. Moral is surprising low for two teams holding 1st place in class. "Well,I say to myself..They should try cleaning these filthy bikes for 24hrs. Wait...A Red Bull! Aww, Shux, thx guys. You're the best!"

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Pac 2 mo part 2

OK he couldn't wait the 11 seconds it takes to Google with a Blackberry so David has decided to play it safe and has now filled his remaining water bottles with instant coffee and STOK coffee shots. The warning label on them ssssays p-p-p-p-plainly "NO MORE THAN 2 PER D_D_DDAY, D-D-D-David!" DANG IT. I though they were creamers and was using 4 per cup since 1am
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Pac 2 mo

Team 2 - Doug, Brian and David are chewing away at the first place team. Like wild dogs who gnaw there legs off..no like ..Oh wait..David just asked me to Google and see if one could O.D. on Enduralite's as he believes he has exceeded the maximum dosage recommended for three riding seasons...BRB..now what was I saying?
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Ponderings


The cannibalism has begun. Although Team 1 has amassed a nearly 30 mile lead on 2nd place, the conversations are beginning to turn to who rides how many laps, and when they change or stop.

Last years constant bartering resembled a Chinese meat market. This year, we call it "Race Strategy" Like we say at Bentley Systems (my company) "One Team-One Fight"

Here a pure shot though: No glory, just man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature..whatever...It doesn't get much better than racing with your best friends in the beautiful Colorado foothills on a June day. God's Country!

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Real Men Use More Duct Tape - #319

This raises more questions than it answers...
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Yes, Monkey-Butt

10:49am: Monkey Butt. We laugh at this with much more intensity and far longer than reasonable for so-called adults. Karl especially, who has a 20 minute laughing fit and uses what little drive, snap and energy he had left.

Truth be told, with Pactimo's superb quality seamless chamois, you'll never have to worry about "Monkey-Butt", whether 2 hrs. in the saddle or 24!
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Theory of Relativity


Question: When is an hour not an hour? Answer- 6:47am. That is precisely the time I lost the ability to do math. The result was sending Shawn out after only Thane completed half of his 2 laps. No matter, the quick thinkers we are...um.. I was ..um what was I saying? The best time to use a porta potty is 6:30, right after the truck comes and one person has used it and dried the seat. Blue water in a jiffy john is a valuable commodity about this time. I am wondering about the comet that hit jupiter recently when Shawn comes in and Thane is on a joy ride chasing bunnies in his sneakers. I realize the error, take off running to find him and he comes rolling up. He's dressed and off in like 15 seconds. On finishing his second lap I run to the swipe entry point and ask if he can do another lap because. He has just turned a 30 and a 31. He complies.

See http://news.discovery.com/space/the-moment-jupiter-got-slammed-in-color.html

The House of the Rising Sun

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Mechanics right hand man Elliot Roske. Tough as nails and bad 2 the bone. Sunrise at trackside, waiting for the next shift change. The boy never slept.
He is in his element here..

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Sunrise on Pikes Peak

Still leading the co-ed, Pactimo 2 2nd overall
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Noyhing up my sleeve...Presto - Lead gone!


Team Pactimo 1 in 1st up by 1 lap, OK, we get that..Pactimo 2 in 3 way tie for 1st at 16 laps 132 miles. Hmm, not by our calculations, but OK

A minute later our scoreboard check shows Pactimo 2 WHAT!? 23 minutes behind the leaders. Confusion, dismay and gnashing of teeth soon to follow. David begins a long night of discussions with himself and anyone who will listen in a lounge chair over this

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2am and still smiling

Shawn, you are such a studess. Ready to rock on the next shift. That smile says it all. The girl loves to ride.
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My Pit Tootsie

My girlie came to hang with Dad! She's a tough nut, that one. Daddy has a nice gun collection to show potential prom dates, too!
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High Tech

No more waiting for those crappy printouts either. Hold up...99 miles in 6hrs, 49 minutes on mountain bikes in the DARK!!?? Are you kidding me?
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I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour

So after 6 hours, a bottle of green degreaser and 25 bike changes I'm thinkin maybe a movie night might have been a better idea. But I did get a really nice Dales Pale Ale hat. An hour ago we could see our breath, then these warm Roswell Area 51 Chinook winds started blowing and now it's 70. I secretly tell every rider they have the best shift. We've moved to 3 lap shifts so everyone can get a good chunk of sleep. I crave cup-a-soup and beef jerkey. The transition to mental imbalance has begun. Oh, Karl, Shawn and Thane, still leading. Let's go check on the others.
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Friday, June 4, 2010

Yassuh, Mister President

1st and 3rd. Room for improvement he implies.
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Pactimo Lap 1 - 2nd and 3rd

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1st train

OK, so these 100 plus coal car behemoths come speeding by every twenty minutes from both directions. At one point the train tracks are like 20 feet from the racetrack. "I can't wait to see this at night"
I think to myself. I am not disappointed. I can watch from my seat at the train bears down on rider after rider and lets loose with that horn. From 100 feet away I observe riders visibly wobble by their lights going all crazy. A bit unnerving I imagine, but fun to watch. Change of shorts anyone?
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Go David Go

Holding the second place position at the start...Thane at 7th.
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David Shot from a Cannon

After a one hundred meter off bike/with bike dash, David Summitt shows his mettle by coming out of the chute with only two riders between him and fresh air. Thane is hot on his heels. We celebrate, forgetting briefly that there are still twenty-three hours and fifty nine minutes to go.

And they're Off!

Thane far left, David far right leads the pack into turn 1

Team-O

The team lookin good and still thinking clearly. From left David Summitt, Shawn Heidgen (pretty in pink, but don't be fooled, she'll gut you and leave you for dead on the track, boys), Karl Heidgen, Thane Wright, Brian Moffett, Doug Thormalen. All cannibals in their own right
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Show Time-Riders Meeting

30 minutes and counting
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The Calm Before the Storm

The team relaxes for the last time. Pactimo trackside pit is set up and ready to go! From left: Karl, David Thane, Shawn, Doug, Brian. People walking by were taking photos and overheard saying "See, that's how the pros do it."

Why yes! That IS the mechanics 1983 Moto Guzzi Le Mans in the foreground, why do you ask?
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Mystery Solved!

This just in! Ever wonder what drives athletes to undertake these amazing feats of stamina and endurance? Read on... Consumer Reports, a monthly review of consumer products and services, recently found that three popular protein drinks were packing more than just chocolate. EAS Myoplex Original Dark Chocolate Shake and two versions of Muscle Milk chocolate drinks had high levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead. Consumers Union tested three servings' worth of protein drinks -- a typical amount people drink in one day. Cadmium is a metallic element. It has primarily been used in paints, coatings and batteries. Exposure in humans can cause significant kidney and lung damage. Arsenic and lead are also naturally occurring metallic elements that have varieties of uses in industry from insecticides to electronics. But when consumed, they can cause cancer and brain damage. Ah, there's the key right there. Turn up the music, willya?

9 hours to 24HRS

Just off  the phone with Doug…double checking our final packing list to make sure we have EVERYTHING needed to keep 2 , 3-person teams running fast enough to win our categories at the 24 hrs of E-rock. We have more caffeinated products than you can shake a stick at including caffeinated bar soap.

 

Should be a good time again!

 

 

Karl Heidgen

First Lie

Okay, that was actually a sunset. It's 8;30 and I just dragged my sorry carcass out of bed. What the heck. Stupid alien movie. Now I'm late for my half day of work. Well, Karl DID say they have a 4 room tent. Note to self: Bring Jammy pants and a wubbie for a nice nap.

Hello World

Beautiful sunrise, huh?
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Can't Hardly Wait


The calm before the storm. Dressed and ready for service!
Spent the evening watching Opie Gone Bad in concert and eating sushi with my lovely bride and kids in the green grass of a Highlands Ranch park.

In 24 hours, I think to myself, I'll be on another planet.
Got whupped soundly in driveway B-Ball by my 15 yr. old daughter (no surprise there) and then took a late night ride on the Moto Guzzi up to the 404 club to meet the First Thursday boys from Denver Vintage M/C Club. Too late. Old guys were in bed by 9. Only the Eurotrash Ducati Club was left, sucking on beer and cigars. Now, I fritter away my precious sleeping hours creating a useless Blog and watching a bizarre alien movie with my son, simply because I can.

Mechanics Notes - Day Zero


Karl:
Bring the generator to power the sound system, blow dryer and blender and for charging the lights, cell phones, laser printer and the cattle prod. It was $112. Who do I talk to about reimbursement? http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/hot-shot-green-rechargeable-cattle-prod.html

Meanwhile, I’ve installed the Phillips “Heart Start” defib add-on accessory on my Moto Guzzi for the occasion, only $2995 from http://www.aedsuperstore.com/?adid=1200&content=&gclid=CLCdk9qbgqICFYd-5QodOlyfGA

Team:

Welcome to the 24 hours of “Why Did I Ever Agree To This”!!

I’m Ray, and I’m the one who will quietly tell you there are still chunks of vomit on your face, and to pull down your shorts BEFORE you pee, and not think any less of you. I will be chronicling this event as best I can for the entire 24hrs, (or until I wander onto the highway aimlessly following Captain Manuel “The Pineapple” Noriega into battle and get wacked by a Wal-Mart semi)



Now then, outside of the basics, I can’t promise much mechanically, but I can promise you a clean ride on every session. So unless you are a stickler for maintaining an unwashed, uncircumcised, Philistine of a bike for the entire race, I will clean it when you come in. Let me know otherwise. I have a nice Simply Green cleaner that I use on all my rescue motorcycle projects that I’ll bring. Typically, a cleaning and a lube after ever ride. Sounnnnnnnnnd Guud?

My short list:

Lots of clean rags
1 box of surgical gloves (promise, no funny business)
A sixer of “suck on a rusty tin can” super hoppy Pale Ale to go along with those slammin’ breakfast burritos
Binoculars (is that Shawn coming in?..I dunno, I can’t tell.. I think it’s a …)
A few Cheap Panchos
A Lunar heating blanket
Chapstick, sunscreen, earplugs
Beduin headgear for the wind (Burkini for Shawn)

A trick from my wife during my m/c endurance racing days…Take a few washcloths and soak them, squeeze out and coat with a very little Eucalyptus-Mint soap. Throw them in a zip-lock bag. Promise you, come early morning and mid day, French bath and you’ll be transformed.

I’m assuming you have all the tools you’ll need. Let me know if I need to pick up/bring anything. I’ll do my best to keep you on track. Just let me know what that is for you BEFORE you are sleep deprived, disoriented and maniacal. So no, I won’t help you catch, kill and eat the bunny.

Good luck, Pactimo.. they won’t know what hit “em! See you all on Friday!

rr

Master List - Karl

So far I’m bringing the following:
1. Big sleeping tent
2. Stove & fuel
3. Pot for heating water
4. Plastic wear
5. Lantern & fuel
6. Small folding table
7. Water cooler for drinking

I recommend everyone bring their own sleeping bag, mattress, chair, ready to eat/instant food. I’m just planning on bringing a pot to heat water, but not any cooking stuff that would be hard to clean.

Karl’s bringing:
1. Generator / extension cord / power strip we were kicking it around and the generate may be overkill… we did not use last year
2. Flugel
3. Red bull
4. Lights
5. Clif Bars for all
6. Lots –o- Food,….powdered soup, oatmeal and sandwich stuff, fresh fruit.
7. Bike repair stand
8. Tubes, tools, lube, spare tires
9. Air compressor
10. Espresso maker/ coffee
11. Lantern/spotlight
12. Sleeping bags
13. Towels
14. All massage related products
15. Spare helmet
16. Surgical equipment
17. Clipboard note pads /// timing equipment for Ray
18. Lots of eyewear and clothing options
19. 6 folding chairs
20. Cattle/Livestock branding equipment
21. Lots of drink options
22. Extra bottles
23. Pactimo Banners
24. Tip for Ray
25. Team jacket and hat for Ray