Here's a summary of my race. Thank you for your support in 2004. I look forward to another year of racing with you in 2005. Cheers!

Mark Hendershot, Santa Cruz Syndicate

Whistler, British Columbia, Sept 4-5.

I never dreamed of enduring an emergency root canal the day before a World Championship race. But there I was in the dentist's chair at 5 p.m. wondering, "How am I gonna feel tomorrow morning?"

The 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships in 2004 featured 175 competitors. Held for the 2nd time in Whistler, this was the largest field ever assembled. The race has grown tremendously from the 50+ riders in 2001, my first year at the event. The weather in B.C. was perfect for racing. Rain during the two weeks prior made the technical sections a little slippery, but kept the dust down. My Kenda Kharisma tires were perfect for the course.

All the top guns were present at this year's edition; 4 time world solo champion Chris Eatough, Tinker Juarez, Nat Ross, Cameron Chambers, yours truly Mark Hendershot, plus newcomer to 24 hour racing, former olympian, Andreas Hestler. Chris and Andreas set a blistering pace from the gun that no one could match. Not even Andreas, who dropped out after 6 hours of racing. I was in 7th during these early hours, with a dull ache in my mouth, but still able to eat and drink.

As night fell, my crew mounted super-powerful Lupine lights to my handle bar and helmet. Racing for the Santa Cruz Syndicate team I had 3 tricked-out Blurs to ride. Mechanic Zeb Tingey and assistant Nathan kept the bikes running flawlessly hour after hour. Crew chief Roberta Virva kept me going with Hammer Nutrition products, Balance Bars, and plenty of Red Bull. With this set-up I could ride more than two hours without changing bikes. Thank you Hydrapak!

Pressing on through the darkness of Saturday night I climbed to 5th place, and after 17 hours of racing, was within 20 minutes of 4th place Cameron Chambers. Then just after daybreak on Sunday I suffered a mechanical failure that cost me over an hour and 2 positions. I battled back to 6th place by noon, the finishing time. At the end of the day Chris Eatough was still the World Solo Champion, beating out Tinker Juarez (2nd) and Nat Ross (3rd).

Thank you to my sponsors: Santa Cruz Bicycles, SRAM, Rock Shox, Progressive Suspension, Avid, WTB, Crankbrothers, Truvativ, Odi, Lupine Lights, Kenda Tires, Hammer Nutrition, Sock Guy, Lake shoes, Giro, Hydrapak, Smith Optics, Ironman