Nathan Long completes insanely difficult race
Nathan Long of Eau Claire, a Rib Lake native and son of Leon and Donna Long, completed one of the most difficult mountain bike races possible Sept. 20-21, placing fourth in the 2024 Marji Gesick 200-Mile Out and Back.
It took Long 32 hours, 26 minutes and 29.2 seconds to complete the race, which is held in the Ishpeming, Mich. area.
Prior to attempting this race, Long had completed the Marji Gesick 100 three times. In the 200 Out and Back race, bikers do the 100-mile course first in the reverse direction before cycling back in the normal direction. The 200 Out and Back is held every five years.
“The 100, which I’ve completed three times, two of those in 12 hours or less, is touted as ‘the hardest singleday mountain bike race in America,” Long wrote in recapping his story. “Double that, and you have the 200, if that gives you an idea of how insane it is.”
Finishing in less than 34 hours would earn him one of the race’s coveted buckle awards. Buckles are awarded to those who finish in 12 hours or less in the 100-mile race.
“In my planning, I had some conservative times to hit at certain points in the race,” Long said. “My plan for the first half was about 18% slower than 12-hour buckle pace, and the second half about 30% slower than the first half.”
Long said he felt like he was slow early on, but 5.5 hours and two loops in, he found he was an hour ahead of his intended pace. After starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Long hit what is called “Scary Trail” at about 3:30 p.m. where an hour-long downpour created treacherous riding.
An injured ankle and blistered hands didn’t stop Long as he pushed through the overnight hours.
“As sunrise approaches and I hit the Iron Ore Trail, the temps dip to 47 degrees,” Long said. “I’m getting quite chilled as I’m traveling at a higher rate of speed and am in short sleeves and shorts. I roll into Jackson Mine Park at 8:05 a.m., shivering a bit as I use the bathroom, eat a couple granola bars and remove my lights from my bike and helmet. I spend about 20 minutes here knowing I was only about 25 minutes off my intended pace, but still sitting well to finish within 34 hours. I basically have 9.5 hours to do the final two loops, the same ones I did in 5.5 hours the prior morning.”
Long said the last loop of 19 miles was the hardest but he made it to the finish chute very close to the time goal he had in mind. Alex Schultz of Avon, Colo., was the winner in 29:47:07.9, followed by Mitchell DeYoung of Holt, Mich. in 31:33:07.8 and Mike Kaldy of Columbus, Ohio in 32:15:25.9. Long completed the course at an average speed of 6.5 mph.
“I bomb down the hill and make my way to Main Street and the finish chute,” Long said. “In the finish chute right before the line, I’m overcome with emotions and nearly break out in tears, but gained my composure right before the line and raise my hands in the air. Success! I freaking did it! I’m completely wiped out and body destroyed, but so satisfied that I actually did it, and beat my planned finish time by four minutes, not that it really mattered, as it was just a guess, but showed that I executed my plan almost perfectly.”
A total of 23 men and two women completed the race. There were 22 men and two women who started but did not finish.
“A huge thanks to my wife Kimberly for putting up with all my training that allowed me to accomplish this feat,” Long said. “It’s been a wild ride. Just don’t let me attempt this one again.”
