Ever since he was young, there was something about being on a bike that appealed to Downey resident Greg Page.

“Just getting out, and the interaction between human power and machine,” said Page. “To be able to take this machine and human power it to experience the freedom. As I’ve ridden over the years, I try to think, ‘What is more efficient than a bicycle when it comes to a human-powered machine?’ It’s the epitome.

“The fastest race bikes now are so efficient, that it’s just amazing how fast we can go on a good bike.”

Known by the callsign “Polecat,” Page, 61, is gearing up to race in the Silver State 508, a multi-day race kicking off on Sept. 13 that will take him and other riders 508.8 miles, from Reno, Nevada, across desert and mountain range, to Eureka, Nevada and back.

He has participated seven times before, be it as part of a team, on a crew, and as a solo rider.

This particular race, however, will hold special meaning, as he will be riding in memory of his former teammate Dan “Horse” Dibb, who coincidentally is the one who introduced him to the event.

“Shortly after we – he and I and six other riders, and 17 other crew people – did the Race Across America, Dan found out about this shorter one, only 508 miles, that takes place in California. At that time, it was called the Furnace Creek 508,” said Page. “He said, ‘I want to try it!’”

Both Page and Dibb were involved in the race in some shape or form for nearly two decades until the race moved out of California in 2014. Having completed the race at least five times, both qualified to be members of the event’s Hall of Fame.

Page had since become interested in racing the new course, and when he brought the idea to Dibb, Dibb immediately volunteered to be his crew chief. He would never get the chance, however.

“It was set in 2022 that I was going to start training, he was going to crew chief, and we were going to go up to Reno and do the 508 again just like old times,” said Page. “Until about a month later, he called me up and said, ‘Hey Greg, I have cancer.’”

Plans were put on hold so that Dibb could focus on treatment. Though things looked promising through 2022, Dibb would take a turn and pass away in 2023.

Now with new motivation, Page has been training extensively, having ridden approximately 8,700 miles this year.

He explained the race is more about consistency than speed.

“This race is not so much about top speed like the Tour De France Guys; they’re way up here, I’m down here,” said Page. “It’s about being able to maintain a respectable speed. My goal average speed is 16.7 miles per hour, which is six hours to go 100 miles; and that is going to be tough.

“Looking at stats of previous riders in previous races on this course, 16 miles per hour is above average.”

He has his eyes set on a 40-hour finishing time; leaving little time to stop for necessities like sleep and a solid meal.

He is not alone in this endeavor, flanked by a three-person crew consisting of his wife Catherine, youngest-daughter Michelle, and his cycling club mate Eric. The team of three will follow behind, alongside, and ahead of page as he rides, providing him with water, food, and any other needs that may come about along his journey.

In the meantime, Page is also fundraising to cover the roughly $5,000 in expenses the race will require, and to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in memory of Dibb. To date, he has raised $4,808 on Go Fund Me.

Overall, he says his goal is to meet his fundraising goal, then to finish the race and hopefully finish first in his age category, where there is one other racer.

“I’m very hopefully hoping looking to make the donation of about $2,500,” said Page. “If I reach the donation, then goal number two – finishing – is going to be the hardest one. If that one goes okay, then I’m pretty sure, from looking at the history of the competitor that I’m racing against, it looks like I can probably [beat him]. And I’m actually rooting for more people to sign up in the 60+, so that way I can have more incentive to ride harder.”

Those wishing to donate to Page’s fundraiser can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/f/back-greg-pages-2024-silver-state-508-journey.

Downey’s Greg Page set to embark on 508-mile bicycle trip