24 Hours in the old pueblo: The Ultimate Test of the Tool
Twenty-four hours is a long time to stay focused. But in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo isn't just a race—it’s a masterclass in the HUB Pillars. This February, our riders joined thousands of others in "24 Hour Town" to see what happens when the sun goes down and the miles add up.
HUB @ 24HOP
More Than a Race
In the desert, the bike truly becomes The Tool. It’s the tool we use to navigate technical cactus-lined singletrack, and it’s the tool we use to learn about ourselves. When you are starting a lap at 3:00 AM in freezing temperatures, you aren't just pedaling; you are practicing Resilience.
The Mechanical Classroom
Gravel, dust, and vibration are the enemies of a clean drivetrain. This weekend provided our junior riders with real-world mechanical challenges. From snapped chains in the "Magic Hour" of sunrise to flickering light batteries on the back half of the course, our riders had to troubleshoot on the fly.
"You don't really know your bike until it breaks in the dark. That’s when the 'Education' pillar kicks in—you stop being a passenger and start being a mechanic."
HUB Ride Lead
Community Under the Stars
The magic of 24HOP is the camp. Between laps, the HUB "Base Camp" was a hub of Health and Mentoring. Senior riders helped juniors with nutrition strategies, while alumni ambassadors shared stories of past desert missions. It’s this hand-off—both of the timing baton and of knowledge—that defines why we travel to these national-scale events.
By the Numbers:
The Terrain: 16+ miles of Sonoran desert per lap.
The Atmosphere: 4,000+ riders living in a temporary city.
The HUB Goal: To prove that with the right preparation and the right community, any challenge is manageable.
The desert left us dusty and tired, but it also left us stronger. We head back East with our "Tools" a bit more worn, but our foundation of Service and Leadership more solid than ever.
