Brian Rode

What are you looking forward to?: I like to ride a lot and it’s good to suffer physically once in a while. It’s more about something to look forward to through the summer.

This is your first 24 hours of Adrenalin race. Why did you enter?: Dave (MacDowell) made me do it. One night, he grabbed my credit card, put down the $500 deposit and signed me up. I also turned 50 so it was an excuse to buy myself a present – a Kona Hei Hei.

How have you been training?: There’s been no formal structured regiment. I’ve done lots of long rides on most of the trails, on the bench to the Overlander then to Valley of the Five Lakes. I’ve gone for one night ride to see what it’s like. The closest thing I’ve done to this is I drove from Jasper to San Francisco in 24 hours once.

What’s your goal: My goal is to spend 24 hours riding my bike and try not to take any long breaks. I’m only going to compete with myself. It’s good for the soul and I’m looking forward to riding with my buddy Dave.

Dave MacDowell

What’s the best part: The whole thing. The atmosphere is great. I’ve done the race four times and it’s incredible. The finish is pretty good.

What are you looking forward to with the race?: I’m looking forward to a long ride with my buddy Brian Rode.

What’s the worst thing about the race?: You have to hope for decent weather. Two years ago it poured and the weather can get intense.

Are you going to win?: My focus is just going out to have fun. I have no big goals, just to save some gas for the Death Race.

Pam Roy

Why did you enter?: I entered it last year solo but had some problems. Six years ago, I did it on a team of five. This year, I don’t care if I’m last, I just want to ride for 24 hours... I want to be there with all my friends from Jasper.

How did you train?: I just get on my bike as much as I can. I try to put in a long ride once a week. I always have a good time on the bike with friends.

What is the best part?: The support for all of the other riders is amazing. Even through the middle of the night. And the crowd is calling your name. 

What is the hardest part?: The end of the first day. It’s not dark and you know you have so much to go. The night is okay.

What is your goal?: I’m looking forward to being with my friends, keep riding, and hopefully have no injuries.

Vidal Michaud

Why did you enter: I was on Pam’s (Roy) support crew last year and I kept thinking I wanted to be a part of this. I wanted to challenge myself.

How did you train?: I’m always biking. I do about 14 to 20 hours a week. We rode to Lake Louise, up to Celestine Lakes and back. Last year, we did an adventure race in Squamish.

What will be the hardest part?: The last half of the race. Everything will hurt but you still have so much to go.

What is the best part?: Having the support and encouragement.

What is your goal?: I want to finish and enjoy myself. I have absolutely no expectations.

(Note: Vidal’s brother Beau is also competing as a solo rider in this year’s 24 hours of Adrenalin, but could not be reached by deadline)

Andrew Bovard

What’s the best thing about the 24 hour race?: Just the social aspect of it all. The whole bike world is there pretty much and you’re riding with them, hanging out with everyone. It’s a lot of fun.

What’s the worst thing?: The logistics of it all. Getting things organized. That always sucks and then maybe the weather too. If it rains, that could be brutal.

What sort of training have you been doing?: Nothing too much. I’ve been out for a few longer rides, some eight hour rides. I’ve ridden down the Icefields Parkway to Columbia Icefields, but nothing too much. Just a lot of road biking. I’ll probably have to take some breaks during the whole thing, rest up.

Are you going to win?: I just want to finish. Some of the guys racing are pretty hardcore. As long as I get it done, that’s fine.

Cory Wallace 

(Recently finished 7th at the Canadian Nationals and third at the B.C. Bike race)

Why did you enter?: I did it in 2008 and in 2009 I got sick. I’m here to finish it off with a solid race. I’ve been focusing a lot on cross-country biking, training, planning the TransRockies and a bike tour through Central America.

What’s the best part of the race?: The whole 24 hours. The middle of the night is fun because all of a sudden it’s just yourself.

How did you train?: I did the trail yesterday (July 18) and it was in super good condition. It’s a new course this year and it’s basically two eight-kilometre loops. It’s quite technical with lots of single track, so it will suit Jasper bikers well. There’s not a lot of uphill. You’ll be peddling for 90 per cent of the lap.

What is your goal?: My goal is to keep it steady. The winner goes to the world championships in Australia and that’s my goal.