Prepare to suffer - 13 hours of Santos

By JESSICA MUNDIE, Times Correspondent

Florida's fall mountain bike racing season kicks off this weekend with the 13 Hours of Santos Sunday, September 1. You read that right, it's a 13 hour race, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Santos Trails in Belleview. Riders loop around the 9-mile course, teams and solo riders mixed together, all vying for part of the $4,000 prize purse for most completed laps during the 13 hours.

"Each lap gets harder and harder if you are racing fast," said Jennifer "Generator" Turner Team Chainwheel Drive/Specialized who won last year's solo woman first-place award. "Setting up your fluids and nutrition ahead of time is the smartest plan. Race experience is what you rely on to make those decisions, and they can make or break the race for riders out there all day."

Practice riding and camping are available for riders and their supporters and pit crews. There may still be entries available for solo riders and team riders, which may consist of up to four team members.

For details, call Terry and Dave Berger at (352) 873-9279, or check out goneriding.com.

What is it like riding for 13 hours straight? Check out these testimonials I found, here and here.