Leo Pershall Takes 4th at 24hrs of the Old Pueblo on Nano TCS tires and Deva SLT Saddle

Leo Pershall, featured here on WTB's Rad People Who Ride series, and 7th place finisher in the 2013 Tour Divide race, just crossed the finish line this past Sunday at the 15th Annual Epic Rides 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, earning him 4th place in the Solo Open Men's division.  Leo pedaled 18 laps, amassing a staggering 293.4 miles and 21,600 feet climbed in a sleepless 24 hour stint alone.  The guy is tough.

 Do these guys look tired? They better, each pedaled close to 300 miles.  Alone.  1st even pedaled beyond 300.

The course is almost entirely single track and lies just outside of Tucson, AZ. Billed as one of the largest 24 hour races in the world, 3,500 people gather for the event each year, overtaking the Sonoran Desert in February.

Campers, parties, bonfires, beer, singletrack, oh, yeah, and guys willing to pedal way too hard, this event's got it all and is quite the festival.  Photo Credit: Devon Balet Photography / Epic Rides Website

Weary racers have to keep it together, Cacti line the edges of the trail, eager to devour tires.  As the sun goes down, matters only become worse.

Another stunning shot by Devon Balet.  Like single track, like riding endlessly, have a fancy for pain?  Worry not, the slightly closer to sane can compete in teams up to 10 riders for a corporate team.  Check out more here

Then it becomes nightfall and it's time to tough it out.  Get that many racers on the course, that many bonfires.... well, things can get hectic.

Stunning time lapse by Devon Balet, yet again.  See a pictorial display on Epic Ride's site here.

So what'd Leo have to say, having pushed through it all?  Well, after admitting that he was SUPER tired, deservedly (he better be), he kindly said the Nano 2.1 29" TCS tires and Deva SLT saddle were perfect, so that's the secret.  Just kidding, Leo has been steadfastly training.  Next up, Stagecoach 400, watch out!

To check out more stunning images by Devon Balet, go to his website: http://devonbaletphoto.com 

and for more fun Epic Rides events: http://www.epicrides.com