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Had a Great time - did the 12 hr and lap times were OK - 46,47,54,50 min - Foxy's Riders - we did 15 laps - not as good as teh 19 laps one team did ? Torq?
Very good atmosphere like last year, everyone was polite - very little argy bargey and I let a few fitties past esp on teh slippery wooded section but lots of people let me past with a polite "on ya left/right".
Had the greatest tasting bacon cheese burger and sausage bap at the end as was sick of sugar by the end - At least the rain didn't come in for the 24hr event till 11am so all in all had a dry ride. Heavy dew fall meant that was a bit sticky and slippery when it got dark but had a quiker last lap in the dark then the lap before!
Well, it was a great event with a harder course than last yr.
I did the 24hr course in a team of 4.
It was the Clif climb that did the damage, along with the subsequent short efforts to the end of the lap & the sticky mud that made things really tiring.
I found the slippy roots extremely difficult; particularly the last wooded singletrack section although it was satisfying when I did successfully negotiate them.
I managed all the climbs without walking, and my lap times ranged from 53mins to 1hr6mins. It was frustrating that the places where you normally make up time after the climbs were either really draggy or really slippy! I was suprised by the amount of people walking up the climbs.
Good fun though. Seemed to be a nice atmosphere there although there were a few people doing the obligatory overtakes with no warning on singletrack where there was no room.
Also had a bloke wanting to pass shouting 'on your right', so I moved left to let him pass, he then shouted at me 'ON YOUR RIGHT' so I moved further left. He shouted it again quite aggressively and was right on my left shoulder by this point so I shouted at him that he was apparently wanting to 'go left', not right. He was quite sheepish at that point and apologised! No harm done though.
Bike highlights were:
- seeing 2 Spesh FSRs like mine - one in red/black & one in blue/yellow
- bloke with a commuter rack on his hardtail!
- bloke on an Apollo full-sus. Still going at the end too.
- Bloke on a Marin Quake DH looking bike! I bet he enjoyed the climbs.
also lots of bling bikes there too.
People highlights
- girl with a tutu - excellent!
- bloke with pink/silver tinsel hanging from his saddle and a pink 'toot toot' horn.
- bloke with false leg with Red Bull can taped around the metal section (much respect).
- Kent Police for not getting cheesed off with me shouting 'Ello Ello Ello' at them everyime they went past.
- all the very polite faster riders
- girl who shot past me in the night exclaiming that she'd be eternally grateful if I let her past as she was going for Queen of the Night. I hope she got it. She was ripping along something chronic.
- Bloke in a smart jacket & megaphone asking me about my preference of shopping at TK Maxx.
Many thanks to all the organisers, caterers, stand people, timing people, loo cleaning people, warm shower providing people etc.
Ooooh and thanks to the music tent people who helped keep me going up CLif climb with some banging tunes!
Ooooh and thanks to the music tent people who helped keep me going up CLif climb with some banging tunes!
Yeh that got me up the climbs too! Ditto Stumpy1 - Also the guy with big rubber false ears on! Was I dreaming or was there a tandem around?
24hr team of 5 'trail snail racing' here.
megaphone abuse man was hilarious, we were camped just up from him.
my favourite from him was the 'ron jeremy' lookalike abuse (he really did look like ron jeremy though!!)
and 'pedal if you're gay' aimed at my mate julian wilson of this parish..
all in all i preferred last years course, but it was still good,
atmosphere is always good, and i only had issues with one rude rider who didn't get what he wanted anyway.
Did 12-hour solo, my first, on my hideously ugly Maverick ML7, and really enjoyed it after a few years of team racing. Totally different vibe when you're not pinning it every lap and lovely watching the course change gradually over the race. Liked the course, trying to nail Cottage Return thing faster and smoother every lap, comedy. People really friendly too. Just a good weekend.
@ BadlyWiredDog - Yup I saw you as I remember that "Ugly Maverick Bike" 😉
Yup, brilliant event again. Only rode the course once on Friday to scope lines with the team (me and Paul were on mechanic/stop watch duty), but was fun course apart from that Clif Bar climb. Moment I got there I was pleased not to be racing!
Would echo the comments of the guys above from the other perspective - I was running the AQR Holidays 12hr pair who ended up 2nd, but they said everyone was really supportive of the fast guys which is what makes or breaks events I think. They really appreciated the shouts of encouragement when they were trying that hard. I mean, everyone was trying hard, but it's just riding around in circles at the end of the day, isn't it? 😉
Jazz Singer Lady was back again at midnight after the 12hr, which was BRILLIANT. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Looking forward to next year already!
just got up - was my first 24 solo; think i've got the bug.
I might have trapped a nerve in my sholder - if i try to lift my arm above shoulder height i get shooting pains down my arms 😕
managed 10 laps and started cramping something chronic - went back to the tent to get rehydration salt/ make some cofee and fell asleep in my chair - woke up 15 minutes later and felt rotten. so i went to bed for a couple of hours got up nd did another 5 laps. including my fastest of the race.
agree that it was really friendly - only had one person cut me and another soloist up on the cotage return, over took me on that rocky slope into right hander, and promply knocked the guy infront of me off the course and shouted 'cheers lads'. would've helped if he'd announced himself first!!
pushed my SS up a few of the climbs but i did ride two complete laps just to prove it. loved the tech bits on the roots particually the one at the end - i was surprised by how many people were struggling. do they not have trees where you live?
My first 12 hour solo, in the Torchbearer, as the other one was full! Came 3rd in the end, which I was chuffed with, 13 laps. I was so worried about pacing myself and eating enough that I plodded round for ages, then on what I thought was my last lap I started to push a bit and dropped from 1hr to 52 minutes and had to go out again! Wish I'd sped up a bit earlier, my legs weren't tired afterwards! Still, easy to say with hindsight 'aaah, could've gone faster' I'm sure I'd have been a wreck if I had!
I know I chatted to loads of people to keep me entertained, so ta if that was you, I was in black/yellow Beyond Mountain Bike kit on an Epic, muttering about forgetting my granny ring on the Clif climb every lap!
Didn't Torq do 21 laps in the 12 hour!? Crazy! Apparently Ant O'Boyle doubled two of the bombholes and jumped over someone riding through it. That's properly mental!
@ BadlyWiredDog - Yup I saw you as I remember that "Ugly Maverick Bike"
🙂 I felt like the Last of the Mohicans, there always used to be four or five Mavs' around, but I think I was the only one waving the flag for ridiculous seat-post angles.
It's properly quick though, even with the DUC32s up front - spaced down for proper geometry. Apologies to anyone who came up behind me during a slightly wobbly 30 minutes or so when I was shivering and all over the place. Then the gingerbread kicked in and suddenly normal service was resumed 🙂
Had a late entry for the 12hr solo, so after not riding for 3 weeks i decided to singlespeed it (oh dear!)
Started ok, banging in a reasonable 3 laps in a row before refuelling, then another 2 laps but started to slow and had a quick trailside munch before continuing on to complete the 6th.
Calves started to show signs of wanting to cramp up was feelinf very tired and concentraton levels were low, so pulled in to rest, refuel and freshen up.
Whilst trying to change my wet socks my hamstrings cramped up(ouch) several times infact and i decided to stop there and enjoy the rest of the weekend without breaking my self.
Sp my 6hr event went ok.
Fantastic venue, yes a little harder than last years course and not a stinkingly quick or fun, cottage descent was again awesome and without a doubt the best bit, also enjoyed the rooty final single track, though never got to try it at it's slippiest.
Really social event, good tunes, nutter of a singer on sat night for some entertainment and awesome service as ever from the hope guys.
All in all great, just shame i didn't know i was doing it till 2 days before, as i'm disapointed in my own efforts.
Took a few pics sat eve but few turned out good enough to post up.
Massive thanks for the Dartmoor Boyz from letting me gate crash there party and provide the usual great company.
In no particular order..
Si for collecting me and tent use.
Del for the Glenmorangie, etc.
Jim, for general entertaining banter.
Tim for bringing the scary staring dog and encouragement for not doing badly.
Dave for adding to the giggles.
And of course the ladies for being errrrrr ladies.
Was also great to meet up with peeps i've not seen for a while and the the ones i never have.
Sunday Jambo collected me and took me away for a very damp session in woodlands at the summer jam.
There was a few timed runs for tic tacs lots of wetness and after a few hrs we bailed and got the hell out of there.
Top weekend and i've taken the day off today as i'm wasted, tired and my lower back is screaming at me.
Pics.
found numbers...357, 395, 714, 680, a lady with the one of the numbers 301/307/501 or 507.(on a black caldera), someone in hemel hemstead team lycra and one in a summitcycles top.
Oh, and big thanks to the Team Movelo guys for keeping my water bottles topped up and congrats on a cracking race for them, just shading second over the 69er Collective on the very last couple of laps. And to all the nice people out on the course. And I'll shut up now 🙂
I was in a team for the womens 12 hour open. This was only my second event, and my first experience of riding in the dark (which I loved!)
I was very greatful to the people who gave me an encouraging comment or two on the climbs or when I skidded out on the roots towards the end of the lap in the dark. I will definitely enter again next year. 🙂
I had a brillaint time - people I meet were ace, course was alright and weather on Saturday was lovely.
Shame about breaking down on the way home 🙂
See you there next year!!
Anyone do a gps trace of a lap? I did and am not sure on accuracy.
Length and elevation gain would be interesting to compare
Distance 7.82 Elevation Gain 340m
I had a fine time despite a disappointing race. Really well run, nice location (except for the distance in getting there). 12 hour pairs, a few fast laps to start with then an irrepairable flat drained my enthusiasm along with my air. Got out for another couple of laps, steve did a few more, Think we did 11 in the end and retired to drink beer with the fine gathering of old friends there - nice to see you all!
Had an excellent time again at 24/12. I found it harder than last year but then again I have always struggled on the climbs anyway! I did the 12 solo and bettered last years effort by an extra lap which made my weekend.
I managed to get some photos on the Sunday morning after I got some sleep from my solo effort. I am fairly new to photography but may have some that might be good.
[url= http://www.crookedimage.co.uk/ ]Crooked Image[/url]
I got 8.367 miles (on 9 laps, must've been consisent with pressing the button!) and 870ft climbing, so less hilly, but further than Jason. Were we at the same place?!
Deano and I had a good race...14th in mens pairs riding singlespeed. Interested to know if there were any singlespeed teams in front of us? I did 6 laps, Deano did 8. I should have snuck out for another one at 11:45 but could not be arsed....we'd probably snook into the top ten if I had.
Course was hard work, felt like lots of climbing but REALLY enjoyed the bombhole descent and the long fast one back off the top of the clifclimb.
Great weekend.
Sam, your irreparable flat being in your tubular tyres? (I was camped next to the singular-mobile) ...never seen them in real life before. Respect for the all-rigid singlespeeds: the clif climb and then the braking bump-mungous fire road descent back again must have been pretty painful!
Dinger, I can see you've got a photo of me (905), but I can't actually view the images other than thumbnails. Anyone else?
Oh and healing vibes to the three known casualties.
Bloke that needed a neck brace after a spill on the fast landrover track descent.
Guy with broken wrist.
Team Torq lady that mashed her face on a rock.
And anyone else nursing wounds.
My first and last solo24. Got really bored by the end of my fifth lap and only did a few more as a consequence. Much more fun as a team member when you can really attack, rather than stroll around.
Thought there was also a lack of decent singletrack descents, but that's my taste and not everyone wants the same as me. I'd say Cottage was the only part of the course that really made me smile.
I raced the 12 hour solo - pleased to up my position from 16th last year to 11th this time (12 laps both years so I guess it was harder this year)
good bits of the course were still good - I missed the 1st singletrack section before the tarmac climb from last year, and I recall that the bluebell woods section ended in a more interesting way last time - maybe those sections were in a bad way thanks to the wet weather?
Like Badlywireddog (hello BWD) I was camped with Team Morvelo - and their race provided an exciting end to the weekend after I was done riding
There would have been more singletrack descending if the weather had been kinder. That long straight-ish slippery sucker was in instead of more fun, but more fragile trails if I understood what Martyn told me correctly. Tough call for the race organisers, but a good one for the conditions I think.
So had they cut the course down in view of the weather? I thought there was some bit where there were two lines through the trees or something? The only bit I saw was when you popped onto the fireroad at it said 'fun' or 'rubbish', but the fireroad was far far far shorter! I didn't see anyone ride the singletrack the entire race!
Edit: beaten by Cy, my bad!
Great event - made by the atmosphere, company and dry weather on the day.
I thought last year's course was slightly better, but I expect the wet weather changes meant a few good bits got removed.
Last year the first woodsy singletrack before the tarmac climb was good fun, but was omitted this year. However the added section of paintball singletrack after bluebell woods was a good substitute.
Shame that all the height gained on the clif climb was lost on a straight landrover track descent, although that saw a few casualties - hope the guy needing the ambulance halfway down is OK.
Will definitely be back next year.
As per last year, THE event of the year... big thanks to Martyn and crew for such a well run race again.
Very pleased with our AQuickRelease.com team's 2nd in open mixed with 16 laps - and really chuffed with my own laps too... our Sodas were blasting round, my laps were mainly around the 40-41 minute mark except for one night one with puncture stops. Didn't have to use the granny ring once either! 🙂
The moron with the mega phone was That Idiot Carr aka Matt 'the spaz' Carr
he was a legend.. made me smile loads
Just remembered, on my first lap I was stuck behind a rider in a black & red 'Singletrack' jersy who had decided to overtake 3 riders (including me) by going around the course (through the paintball section) rather than waiting in line to ride a pretty tricky, rooty corner.
Admittedly, later on the 'around' line seemed to wear into an alternative to the slippery rooty turn, but on the first lap it was definitely 'off piste'.
I did shout after him that he could 'try riding the course' but got no response.
Anyway, I got held up behind him down the Cottage return & not wanting to be further delayed I went along the road, rather than along the river (which he went down - and there was no overtaking opportunities there). It was loads quicker on the road.
The next lap I went along the river, which was really just a straight mud path) and lost about 4 places to people who stayed on the road.
Last yr the Bluebell wood singletrack continued down some trickier sections before popping out on that track that was horribly wet this yr.
I think that there was meant to be a 3-way choice section that got cut out due to the weather.
The girl with the spangled face was a trooper! It looked like she had hit something pretty hard, but I saw her go past our tent at least twice more. I think I heard someone calling her Lillian earlier in the race. I think that I would have called it a day at that point & found some beer!
Team Raven managed 9th in the 12hr Open male, which we were well chuffed with.
Anyone know what went wrong with the timings about 2hrs in? Our lap times suddenly doubled, making the total time about 14hrs?
As has been said race of the year, such a great atmosphere and on the whole a good course.
See yawl next year.
Video of the start if anyone is interested that I shot as my mate Tim in the green helmet on thh far left was on teh front line!
[url=
Seems to be establishing itself as the most fun (big) event of the year, we had a great time again. The range of options / categories means there's something for all of us; don't know any other event where the fast folk are so polite too! Thanks to all involved with creating it and in taking part.
I think the change of the end of the bluebell woods section was a smart move as IIRC last year's had a seriously off camber rooty section which was a hoot then and would've been super sketchy at best (unrideable by the likes of me) in the wet.
my favourite from him was the 'ron jeremy' lookalike abuse (he really did look like ron jeremy though!!)
aw come on.....I'm not that fat or were you just checking out my "packet" 😉
my revenge was abusing him for being a Ben Elton look-a-like
Great fun event, if it it feels like my bones have turned to jelly!
Grant, we were ninth in the pairs and you had no chance of top ten ya slacker 😉
How much fun was that cottage descent, worth every uphill second for that.
I noticed the odd timings for 3rd/ 4th 5th laps too - didn't seem to impact the figure for overall time on the course. I expect they will be fixed before they are published online
impressively, the results have been up since last night [url= http://www.timelaps.co.uk/results.aspx ]here[/url]
the 3rd, 4th and 5th lap errors seem to have been corrected.
What about the second lap times!? Loads of people seem to have <35 minute second laps, who were otherwise much slower. Did they cut some of the course out for some people or something?
cool - Foxy's riders got 11/29 in the 12hr Open male- esp when the average age of riders was around 44 ranging from 34 to 50 odd 😉
Did they cut some of the course out for some people or something?
Looks like a timing error! my mate put in a 42 minute lap 1st lap and was recorded at 1 hour 😉
Another Photo - didn't get much time to take photos ut snapped a few:
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I heard over the PA something about 'sorry for the powercut' - so perhaps that had something to do with the weird lap times.
Our laptimes didn't seem too affected.
I took a few night shots on the Friday & Sat night that I will try to post in the next couple of days.
Does anyone know who the male and female were who were sat on the right hand side of the large bombhole half way down cottage decent between about 3 & 5.30pm.
They each fired off a pic of me getting air out of it on my red 29er and i would quite like to see how it came out, my race number was 766 if that helps at all. 😀
bigsi, that'll have been Joolze and Dave, the event photographers. She'll have a gallery up for you to buy if you see something nice soon I suspect. [url= http://www.joolzedymond.com/joolzeD/Home.html ]Joolze Dymond Photography[/url]
Looks like [url= http://www.robcrayton.co.uk/events.htm ]http://www.robcrayton.co.uk/events.htm[/url] will have some piccies up as well soon? 😉
cy - Nope it definatly wasn't Joolze. IIRC the woman was wearing a red tee-shirt.
I did nearly land on Joolze as she was lying along side the small log drop further down Cottage Return on that lap 😆
Did the 12 hr pairs & didn't finish last - with a combined age of 92 we didn't expect much! It was my first event and really enjoyed it, good atmosphere, good crowd and a decent course despite the wet weather run up.
The music tent really did help with the Clif Climb but the strobes & stuff that were going in't dark made life interesting.
We'll be back next year.
I was the chap with the tassles hanging off the saddle and the pink Tooty horn.
Was my first 24Hr solo and was wicked, obviously the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done but such an amazing feeling having completed it feeling ok and without needing any sleep.
Can I give a Massive shout out to all the people on the course, round the track, friends who did not have such a good race and the amazing marshals at the top of the Cliff climb for all your support and encouragement (and even the ladies who gave my pink horn a little squeeze, I am not that kind of guy 😉 ) it all meant so much and helped me keep going. Big love peeps!
Maybe see you all again next year....
Chaz
where are the results?
Rob - [url= http://www.timelaps.co.uk/results.aspx ]Here[/url] Tim41 posted it earlier!
I managed to get down to the event latish on Sunday morning from 10 to 12 to catch up with some mates taking part. I also took along my trusty box brownie to take some snaps of the riders, I'm no SFB or Sheldona but I've got pics of rider No.s:
1
7
8
17
23
24
26
33
48
50
59
71
72
89
98
100
206
210
214
215
304
316
318
320
326
331
333
344
350
357
358
363
369
371
382
384
389
399
401
409
801
809
904
908
911
913
drop me an email with your rider No. & I'll send you your pic 😆
mail sent from 371..
cheers
Excellent event again 🙂 Wasn't keen on the course to start with but then got into it a bit
Dinger cracking pic mate i'm number 55 🙂 Where was that?
Big thanks to Matt Carr for abusing me each lap and keeping me going.
Also to the guy with the tassles and horn for picking me up when i crashed in the woods and belted my knee. He picked me up, gave me a quick cuddle and sent me on my way. 🙂
14th Solo 😀
Top 10 next year. Less sitting down needed!
phildowling
That photo was taken on Sunday morning just after the log jump down on the Cottage Descent before you get to that sharp left hander. You were grinning all the way down so I guess you did not see me 🙂
Absolutely brilliant time. Loved it all. 24 solo - first 24, first solo, and was crapping myself.
Sponging-machine, good to meet you on the start line! Hello to everyone else that I chatted to at various points in the race. All kept me going and spirits up.
Over the moon with 19 laps and 12th place... genuinely would have been happy to keep going and come last!
Tom (number 53, Mint Sauce top to start, then full skins and a black and white Fox top, White Oakley Jawbones).
Right... time for more sleep. Drive home to Leeds was a bit of slog today!
and even the ladies who gave my pink horn a little squeeze
no wonder you were so keen to keep going you rascal 😯
Thought it was a great event - did the one at Cotswold Park 2 years ago which was lacking in basics like non muddy access to the site / working toilets so a bit worried this might be the same - but they seem to have pulled it together well.
Course got better as it bedded in, some rooty sections I struggled with but fun descents and overall a tough/interesting course for a 24 hour race - though not sure it would cope with larger numbers as that might put more pressure on the overtaking.
And to cap it off, warm showers AND the toilets were still working on Sunday !!!!
email sent from rider 913..
Dinger - loved that descent last year and found it great this year again 🙂
Toilets were still okay this morning aswell
Here's one of Keith B telling us not to go too fast (some chance!)
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More here:
http://richmars.smugmug.com/gallery/9063585_SE95M/1/603446820_cBmCv
I'll try this post again later (I'd forgotten how awkward it is to post images on this forum).
do you mean:
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/spittingcat/3761526012/ ]http://www.flickr.com/photos/spittingcat/3761526012/[/url]
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/spittingcat/3758898691/ ]Lorraine (2nd in 24hr Solo)[/url]
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/spittingcat/3761526012/ ]Torq ruled the event when it came to results[/url]
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/spittingcat/3758778187/ ]Keith smiling when he's racing? Not seen that before.[/url]
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jack you are right...one lap would not have helped! ah well!
I think the power cut just effected the laptop doing the reporting to the change over area, no effect on recording laps.
Images finally being uploaded to the site. Just a few issues with technology, lack of sleep and a photoshoot today! Doh!
Got a few more to come from Dave (Mr.Joolze) too, he's busy renumbering his lot now.
[url= http://www.joolzedymond.com ]Twentyfour/12 pics[/url]
I love the 24hr races... full of such highs and low's. Had a really great ride, probably my best race this year... from a placing, performance, track and atmos point. Well done to all those mentalists who race solo for 24/12 hours. Fantastic atmosphere at this event, cant wait for 2010!
just checked the pics, and 3 of me :D.
normally i never even get a photo so this is a bonus.
nice log drop shot and night river crossing and top of cliff climb
[url] http://www.joolzedymond.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=47433&zoom=yes&q=371 [/url]
[url] http://www.joolzedymond.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=47435&q=371 [/url]
[url] http://www.joolzedymond.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=47434&q=371 [/url]
I'll say thanks for you then fatmuthahubbard..
Great event, good course too.
See you all next year! 😀
That was fun, nice to see a course with a bit more interest than Mayhem, and slightly more personal event in some ways... For those narcissists amongst you 😉 there's a gallery of my images here: [url= http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bontrager-TwentyFour-Twelve-2009/G0000pJk.KzYWOSM ]Clicky[/url]
Around 200 shots of people like this sweaty fella:
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If you see yourself and want a copy for personal use, then just drop me a line (email address on pic above) and for a small donation to my front wheel replacement fund, you can have a digital file big enough to really annoy the other half when you print it up for the bedroom wall.. 😉
Really nice event all round, and I'm really glad the rain held off until the last few hours..
No 82
Heather Mills Swims in Circles - that was us.
We managed 21 laps (although I did think it was 22!).
Maybe next time I'll have a crack at solo as I think there's 15 laps in my legs.
Enjoyed it 'cept laps 6&7 when I felt awful.
Too much electrolite mix in my CamelBac, so I'll know for next time.
The HT Ti29er was stunning on certain parts of the course, unstoppable, so fast and no one came past me at all on these sections (so great to get up a head o' steam and just fly!), so I didn't swap to the full susser 1/2 way 'round.
A little tired and my legs ache still!
PS - Chaz, I thought you were having a coffee break every time I came past you at the top o' Cliff Climb 😉
It was all strategic pacing (might have been a coffee break if there was any coffee to be had!) 🙂
Must have worked out quite well in conjunction with decent feeding as I managed to do the whole thing and not get any cramps in the legs. Was my first 24hr solo so did not want to blow out (and that cliff climb was a real blower-outer, saw one 24hr soloist pass me and thought he was about to hyperventilate!) and managed to do that well so hopefully next time will be able to step it up!!
Chaz
My second 12 hour team race and we came 6 in the open male so well happy , most people seemed happy to move out the way and not hole you up . Will be back next year just not sure i could do it solo full respect to those that did
Feeling normal today, although glad I booked an extra days leave from work.
Mix of sofa-time, washing dirty bike clothes and airing tents for me.
Personal highlights:
-Sheer friendliness of all participants. Loved chatting with other soloists (and others).
-Politeness of the quick guys, some even shouting encouragement
-Cottage descent, great fun in the daylight, even better fun at night?
-First few "fresh" laps
-Last two laps... eventually got my 2nd (or should that be 12th?) wind and felt like I flew round. Pedalling in a couple of gears harder, riding where I had walked for the last 12hrs.
-Random tunes on my ipod cheering me up in the night. Apologies to anyone who suffered me singing out loud
-Er, also far to excited about the little bike shape pasta in the goody bag!
Lows:
-Seeing the Landrover Ambulance reversing up the track to pick up an injured rider. Hope whoever it was is alright.
-Sitting in my pits at 10am-ish realising "one last lap" would still leave me time for another... in the end I did manage 2, and felt great, but the thought was enough to nearly drive me to tears
-Puncture on my first lap! 3 inch rusty nail collected in the back tyre after the paintball section. Made it easy to spot the problem at least...
Special thanks to:
-My pit team... did a brilliant job. Was always someone up and around whenever I got back, and put up with me being stroppy during the night. Also loving the pink balloons and banner... was a nice surprise on my 2nd lap.
-Lee and Katherine from Ticket2Ride... our next door neighbours for the weekend - sorry I wasn't around to say goodbye. The lure of a sleeping bag was too much.
-Vin ("sweaty" rider number 23 above)... kept me company on my Friday practice lap and saw him a few other times during various laps. Best of luck with your plans for the next year, mate.
-DJs at the bottom of the Clif climb. Top tunes had me riding up it a few too many times for comfort, and kept me entertained when I had to walk.
Edit - oh, and Joolze got a nice action shot of me too:
http://www.joolzedymond.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=47700&q=53
My first 24 hour solo, and I really enjoyed it. Thought the course was excellent, good mix of hard climbs and good descents - something for everyone.
Good atmosphere off course and on it.
Definitely want to do it again next year.
Cool one of me from Joolz (well I think so 😉 ) Now I have recovered I have my rose coloured specs one now 🙂
[img] http://www.joolzedymond.com/photocart/image.php?image=47660|d||||||200|200| [/img]
Team No 314 - has anyone got any pics?? Joolz just got a pic of 2 of us - and no-one else seems to have any!
First 24hr event and we all really enjoyed it. Not sure how we'd do it any different next time - apart from more fitness training for some of us, and tech training for the others.
Will defo be back next year - maybe as a 2 teams of 2 for added competition!
Dave(Mr.Joolze) still has 1,000 + pics that he's processing, so you never know there may be some in there... 🙂
Cool - can't wait to see them. You got a good one of my mate in the water splash at night. The one of me seems to atop the Clif climb so I'm gurning like a rotter!