Monday through Friday, you’ll catch Bill Luallen on the phone, answering emails, responding to texts, teaching classes, or traveling with customers—helping out their teams. But for a week in the middle of February, Bill joined a different team.
He and four friends from across the country participated in the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo outside of Tucson, AZ. Now in its 25th year, the 24 Hours of OP brings together riders of all ages and backgrounds from around the world for a nonstop endurance mountain bike race.
At XL North, we all know Bill’s third passion (after his wife and floor care, of course) is riding and racing mountain bikes. So when he told us he was heading to the desert for a week, we weren’t surprised.
If you know Bill, you know he asks a lot more questions about you—your family, your work, your interests—than he shares about himself. So, we had to pry a little to get the details…
Tell us how you got started with MTB racing. What makes the 24 Hours of OP event so fun?
“My best friend (and neighbor since kindergarten) and I rode BMX bikes all over our city and county every day, rain or shine, so it’s really just ingrained in me. After I came back from the Navy, I started racing mountain bikes but eventually took a number of years off while we raised our boys. I will say the term, “It’s like riding a bike,” is actually true! I jumped back into it without too much effort. I really enjoy competing, not only with other riders, but myself. But the 24 Hours of OP is really about the mountain biking community. I was out there chatting with other riders as I passed them—or got passed.
How did you train for this race?
“Well, first off, just a lot of pedaling on the Peloton for me. Between work, travel, and the wild weather this year, it has been difficult to ride outside. With this race being a team event, we all bring a little something different to it. As an example, I’m old (lol), so bombing downhills is not my skill set anymore. I make up my time by climbing the uphills a bit faster, while others on the team have much better reaction time and can fly downhill.”
How many laps did you do, and how long is each one?
“I got four total—two daylight laps and two nighttime laps. It was incredible to ride through a cactus-laden track with lights and an almost full moon.
Typically, in an MTB race, you end up doing 2–3 laps totaling around 25–35 miles. This course was basically 17 miles per lap, so not bad at all, as long as you stay hydrated and fueled—and stay out of the cactus… hahaha. I did clip one barely and still have a couple of barbs in my hand.
Any takeaways from this ride that connect to what you do in floor care?
“Oh yeah! Whether it’s an MTB race or floor care, you have to constantly train. I know that may sound a bit silly, but it’s all about sharpening skills and pushing yourself to know or do a bit more.
An example would be taking a carpet tile and soiling it up with six or so spots from grease, ink, paint, fingernail polish, coffee, tandoori chicken, and maybe a protein drink (the new corporate drink of choice) and having your team work on getting those out. They may not actually see those on a customer’s floor, but if they do, they will have been through the trial—and sometimes error—in your facility and not at the customer’s location. This will allow them to be able to identify the stains and know what chemistry and processes to use to remove them. There is no real difference than what I do as a mt biker. I try to train 4-5 days a week, working on everything from cardio to strength training to technical riding, so that when I do go to a race, it feel easier than what I practiced on.
Anything else you’d like to share?
“Hahaha, I think you know the answer. :)”
Photo Credit: Original images provided by Sportograf and used in accordance with their terms and conditions. All rights remain with Sportograf, and further reproduction or distribution is not permitted without their consent.
