>> Five questions with race director Todd Sadow

Q Why did you start a 24-hour mountain bike race?

A This whole thing started just because this was the next fun thing to do for mountain biking. I think, partially on the side, I wanted to get into the mountain bike industry. I just finished college. I was working in corporate America. I really felt like this might be a foot in the door. I realized as it grew that this is actually not just a foot in the door. It's a job.

A. It's the ultimate hangout. There's different parts of the course they can access pretty easily to watch people ride, like hard parts with rock drops and stuff. They might see some crashes, which people tend to enjoy. Otherwise, they're going to get a tan.

A. The trail has a really good flow to it. It's not a very technically demanding trail. However, the faster you go the more technical it becomes because it's lined with cactus. As far as what they should expect, there's one sustained climb. There's a lot of little, short grunts — smaller climbs. And there's a really groovy single trek that's got a really good flow to it.

There's a great descent into the finish. The ultimate end point. It cuts right through the camping area. As far as riding goes, it's quality riding.

A. It is the biggest 24-hour mountain bike race in America and one of the biggest in the world. With an event of that size and caliber, it tends to be one of the more exciting.

A. They are so talented and probably a little left of center. There's going to be 200 soloists. We are not forcing anyone to ride, and not everyone is riding non-stop. The people that win the solo category will indeed go out there and race for 24 hours non-stop.

They'll have a crew. They'll have second bicycles so they can drop one off and have it (serviced) while they're riding another lap on another bike. Depending on what their strategy is, they might go lap after lap after lap non-stop and they will stop for 10 minutes between each lap.

If you go

What: Kona 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo mountain bike race.

Directions as provided by race organizers: From Interstate 10, exit at Ina Road. Travel east five miles to North Oracle Road (Arizona 77). Keep right to stay on 77 toward Biosphere 2 and the town of Oracle. At milepost 96, turn left on Willow Springs Road. Go about 9.3 miles on the dirt road to the left turn. The left turn will cut back and downward continuing toward power lines. From the left turn, go about 1.6 miles to the Start/Finish line.

Directions also can be found online at www.epicrides.com.

When: The race is from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. The 24-hour Town is open all day Friday.

Cost: $5 plus two cans of food.