24 & 12 Hours of Exposure 2011 – Defence of the Jerseys

We’ve just been sent some info and photos promoting next years 24 hours of Exposure – the official UK solo 24 hour championships next May. For 2011 there’s also a 12hour version for those who want to go faster, or for those not quite up to a 24 hour solo challenge – or for magazine editors coerced into racing a solo race for a change (ahem…)

We’ll let the info below fill you in, but basically, there’s still plenty of space and time to get your entry in, but the training should probably start, er, now! See you there on May 7th!

On with the details:

In 2010 the who’s who of British mountain bike endurance racing battled it out in the scorching Scottish heat in one of the closest, toughest, hardest fought 24 hour events ever seen on these shores, to be the first UK Solo 24 Hour Champion. The prestigious 24 Hours of Exposure will return on 7th May 2011, bigger, better and with the inclusion of the new UK Solo 12 Hour Championships, 12 Hours of Exposure.

Once again title sponsors Exposure Lights are proud to be on board supporting both events, providing fantastic prizes and the unique Championship trophies that will be awarded to the category winners, along with the now highly sought after Morvelo-designed UK Solo Championship jerseys from Vitesse. A daunting step up for many riders, the Morvelo Rookie Jerseys will again be awarded to the highest placed male and female riders taking part in their first solo 24 hour or 12 hour race. And if you really want to make it hard, try singlespeeding and compete for the XCRacer.com Singlespeed jersey.

Being one of only two 24 hour events in the world just for solo riders, a large field of top riders and rookies {who says ‘rookies’ in the UK? Ed} is expected to take advantage of all the services only an event like this can provide to cater specifically for the needs of a solo rider: trackside mechanics and bike wash facilities, loads of trackside camping and pit areas, free hot drinks, trackside nutrition from Torq, light charging and light hire by Exposure Lights while Juice Lubes will be on hand again to keep your trusty steed moving.

Early night anyone? Thought not...

All photographs courtesy of JoolzeDymond.com

There for the taking - the Elite challengers from 2010. You next?

Exposure Lights’ Rory Hitchens says “Exposure Lights are proud to be built in Britain and are committed to the 24 Hours and 12 Hours of Exposure UK Solo MTB Champs. We love to see mountain bikers challenge themselves in all terrains and conditions and there is no better way to push your experience. The unique Solo-only status of the Championships makes this THE event to put on your list of “must-do” events next year. With a Rookie (first timers) Championship as well as Championship Jerseys for Single Speed, Veterans and Open categories we are in for another racing bonanza next May. Challenge YOUR day (and night) and see you there!”

Now with exclusive use of the entire Rock UK Whithaugh Park adventure centre, competitors can use the on-site facilities and stay in one of the many log cabins or camp for free, relax in the indoor swimming pool, dine in the heated sports hall and chill out in the comfort of the “Ergon Green Room”. And as an added bonus for families and non-riders, Rock UK will be providing instructed activities for children throughout the weekend including Zip-Wire, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Adventure playground and more.

“We are delighted that Rock UK has been chosen again to host the UK Solo mountain bike Championships at our Whithaugh Park Adventure Centre in the Scottish Borders. It’s a fantastic event that is great for the locality, highlighting what amazing facilities Newcastleton and the surrounding area has to offer riders and their family and friends. We look forward to working with SIP Events on this race and many more in the future” said Lee Musson, Centre Director at Whithaugh Park.

The pace was more suitable before the start.

With great support from Forestry Commission Scotland and a warm welcome from Newcastleton village residents the organisers are promising another great start in the village centre with the now infamous rider signing-on ceremony and live music as the peloton is lead out by the Piper and the local Copshaw Common Riders before being let go on the challenging all-weather 10 mile circuit around parts of the Newcastleton 7Stanes route.

Someone always has to race off, don't they?

"I 'state your name' do solemly..."

So come and join us in 2011 for the ultimate solo endurance racing experience!

For lots more information about the event, what’s on offer, facilities, advice, racing tips and to enter online please visit www.24hoursolo.co.uk

Chipps Chippendale

Singletrackworld's Editor At Large

With 23 years as Editor of Singletrack World Magazine, Chipps is the longest-running mountain bike magazine editor in the world. He started in the bike trade in 1990 and became a full time mountain bike journalist at the start of 1994. Over the last 30 years as a bike writer and photographer, he has seen mountain bike culture flourish, strengthen and diversify and bike technology go from rigid steel frames to fully suspended carbon fibre (and sometimes back to rigid steel as well.)