Cycling: Action Heroes prepare for 24 hours of Moab

East Fork Professional Firefighters Jamie Buck, Dave Norvell, Jeff James, and Dennis Cote are set to compete in the 15th annual 24 Hours of Moab Mountain Bike Race, Oct. 10 and 11 in Moab, Utah.

The 24 Hours of Moab course has a reputation as one of the longest, fastest, most challenging 24 hour courses in the world.

It is also one of the most scenic as it winds its way through the red-rock and high-desert south of Moab. More than 4,000 racers, support crews, and spectators will come together in this stunningly beautiful and completely remote venue.

The team, which is calling itself Action Heroes, consists of avid mountain bikers and road cyclists who decided to put their love for cycling to the ultimate test.

When the starting gun is fired at noon on Oct. 10, racers will sprint to their bikes in the signature LeMans-style start and for the next 24 hours will challenge competitors on a rugged, scenic 15-mile loop in the red rock. Each team rotates each racers turn on the course so that everyone races a lap once every four to six hours.

The majority of 24-hour racers ride on relay teams of four. The objective is to complete as many laps as possible on the 15-mile course from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday. Most racers average at least four to five laps.

Racers also ride at least two laps in darkness. Night riding presents additional challenges to even the most skilled riders. From 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., racers must carry either helmet- or handlebar-mounted lights to carve a trail of light in front of them.

The Action Heroes have been preparing for the event for the past year with a rigorous combination of road cycling and mountain biking, including participating in several local mountain road cycling races.

"The race is basically four days worth of riding, wrapped up into 24 hours," team captain Jamie Buck said.

"It's one of the most impressive events," race director Laird Knight said. "The scenery is so dramatic but the most impressive thing is the toughness and pure heart that these racers pour into this race."

The Action Heroes are sponsored by the East Fork Professional Firefighters, and Bike Habitat of Carson City.

For more information, and to follow the Action Heroes as they compete, visit www.grannygear.com.