Hey everyone I have just got back, well got back last night, from the Chiller 24 24hr mount bike event.
It seems, speaking to others, that their used to be many MTB endurance events but my cycling career seems to have started after they have all died off.
I started the year at the strathpuffer. I had never been before so was unsure about what to expect. Many stories about brake pads being chewed through so I purchased five sets. On the way up I purchased some more, panicking a bit. I made it to the event sign on after a 12 hour drive, did I mention I live on Exmoor? It was cold the drive up washer jets frozen, propshaft uj was on its way out so could only do 57mph as it was shaking around too much, my back was giving me some serious jip all the way up, a great start!
Anyhow got to the event sign on, got my entry pack and sent on to the event site itself. I thought I would be able to select my spot, go off to my accommodation and then come back to said spot. The very helpful lady at the sign on said in no uncertain terms that the space would not be there and I would have to leave my vehicle.
So on to the very snowy site, I had my 4x4 pick up with decent tyres so was able to freely move around the site. Selected my spot, loaded up my rucksack and cycled off to my accommodation for the evening, by jesus was that a chilly ride, glad to have a bath and warm up, good night sleep with no kids!
-10 cycle back to my truck. Got down to race start, back wheel flat, run back up to swap wheel, back down just as everyone is cycling off.
Everything was frozen in my truck, the snow was horrendous to cycle in, not helped by the fact i had just got a new frame, nothing was set up right including the forks just back from a service running double the pressure I usually run. It was cold.. I stopped at 2am had a pot noodle and got in my sleeping bag thinking I couldn't go on Amy more. Awake at 4.30 i thought that I had driven so far that I best get out and do some more cycling, I am glad I did. The reward of the sunrise over the snowy woodland was a pleasant reward for my efforts. Finished race, drove home.
3six12
For my second foray in to 24hr mtb racing. Luckily this is only a 2hour drive for me down to Newnham park Plymouth. I had never done the 24/12 events so can not make any comparisons.
Steve has been a stalwart of the SW cross-country scene so I knew the course would be good.
I arrived, sun shinning, plenty of room to set up camp.
Kids races on the Friday evening
Then the 'real' racing on Saturday from 12. Categories 3/612/24 hours in solo/pair/quads.
Really good course as expected, I had my wife running some support which was really helpful and found my self towards to the pointy end. Struggling with my stomach I stopped at 10pm for a bit then again at 2am for a snooze.
Came back out still not able to eat or drink much but kept on rolling and managed 5th. Soon as the entries went live I had signed myself back up for that one!
Having spoken to others I would definitely recommend it, the venue has loads space, the course a mix of terrain and lovely trails. Perfect.
Thirdly, I think that is all three 24hr mtb events in the UK, the CHILLER 24.
At the last 24 we were set up next to a somebody who knew what they were doing and my wife took note and was keen to replicate some of this with our set up and make it a lot smoother when I come into the pits.
So we felt better prepared then previously other than my fitness, I had only done 1000 miles this year so I really didn't feel like I had much to give nevertheless we were signed up so racing we shall go!
First disaster, wife went for her weekly ladies MTB ride, my hope light then decided to die, the night before! Luckily a message to a friend, he popped his on charge ready for me to collect in the morning.
Planned on leaving at 9am, after doing all the farm jobs, stopping off at Morrisons and picking up the bike light we were already two and a half hours behind schedule.
Long old drive, bit of traffic, too many average speed areas we arrived in kielder at 7.30pm and made contact with the reception. The lovely couple running it took me down the bottom of the campsite to an area of hard standing, 'sorry I have a tent to put up'. 'ah I see, I thought all were in vans' he said. Which mostly people were. Anyhow he took us back up the other end of the campsite. He comes back and says would you like one of the pods? Does a bear shit in the woods?
We were the only could there with a child, two year old, and maybe that's why they took pity on us. Anyhow the kindness was much appreciated and what a god send it was!
Gazebo set up bike good and we were off. Rear tyre squirmy, in the pits pumped it back up. Second lap the same, third lap the same. Can't tell if it was because I was spreading so hard in the berms or a puncture but ended up having to swap the back wheel out!
Smoothish pit stops chain being washed and lubed, with the 2 year old (Lachlan or lockie for short) insisting on helping on the washing. I kept on putting in the laps. The course has some longish fire road climbs some pretty tech climbing sections and section of janky rocks to climb, which quite frankly could do with going in the bin, and some absolutely wicked descents. The main decent down to the start finish went on for ages and was a reward for your efforts on the other three quarters of the track.
Not sure at what point I asked my wife how I was doing in the standings but she said I was in fourth. Oh no, if I was at off it wouldn't have mattered. So I put in a bit more effort and made sure the pit stops were quick and got myself into third. This must have been not too far on in to the event because basically I was locked in then. I knew that I could stop unless the person in fourth had stopped. Even if they were a full lap behind I didn't think I could take the risk. So on I pushed. At one point I sat in the chair set my alarm for 15 minutes. Cathing flies instantly. It was amazing how restorative that was. Before I was struggling with concentration and getting a bit disorientated, going round berms and feeling like I would just keep going round, shadows moving around in my peripheral vision, all cured with a snooze. Back out, no rest for the wicked. The nut case in fourth, on a single speed was showing no sign of giving in so I was forced to keep going to the bitter end. The final lap really was all I had. Had to walk the wonky rock section!
3rd! I was on the podium, never had any plans for it, didn't think I had the fitness for it maybe my stubbornness was what got me there! As always well imagine if I was fit!? What could I do then? Who knows.
Any how, really nice smart event, Barry the organisers was so friendly and welcoming I would definitely recommend it, only thing that puts me off is the drive. A van might be easier, cramming it all in the back of a double cap pick up wasn't the easiest.
I have done 24 now at both ends of the UK. Obviously its easy in the dry, comments about the chiller being at the wrong time of year. Well that's the rest of your metal, lucky this year it was balmy. But you take the kit too see you through, if you don't take the right kit you won't see yourself so high up the rankings. Remember your all in the same boat, if your suffering they're suffering, unless your names kyle beattie.
2025 was my first try at 24hrs, have I missed the glory years or is it only the good one left? Or was there more that I missed?
I think you've missed the glory years.
I did my last 24hr solo in 2015, the year after that I did the Tour Divide and decided that seeing 100+ miles of "new" trails every day was infinitely preferable to riding the same 10k loop a million times.
There are loads of 24hr or more long events now that you could do, e.g. Headstock 200, etc. You will of course probably need to pack a sleeping bag, etc. of course. 😉
I did some audaxing last year which was great as it took me on lots of roads that I had never seen and am unlikely to see again. Do you think it's the bikepackkng events that have taken all the 24hr people?
It's a bit different doing a bike packing event, I did do the braunton 150 a few years ago.
I was at Chiller too. Never going to be competitive but it’s something that gets me out on my bike when I could easily sack it off. Done a few 24hours quad and solo and the camaraderie at these events is brilliant. It was good to see a few new faces as well as. Hopefully they enjoyed it enough to come back. Barry puts a lot into this event and it really is appreciated.
I was just listening to a podcast yesterday about trail running and it seems quite strange how 24h races seem to have died a death in the UK after being fairly popular for quite a few years meanwhile any kind of off-road ultra distance running event seems to be full to the point of being almost oversubscribed.
Maybe people find running more accessible as you only need trainers and a jacket.
The price of doing the bike packing events is pretty steep compared to a 24. Not unheard of for entry to be £150 for an event with no support. That's why I ended up audaxing just the same but without the Instagram photos and absolutely pennies in comparison. Many times I have liked the look of an event, got to the entry bit, seen the price and booked an audax instead. 600km audax event £20! Astounding!
Tour divide, yes that's a bucket list event. It was bad enough organising myself to get to the puffer, mind you might have been quicker to get to banff than strathpether, but definitely cheaper at the puffer.
Over the years we've lost Mayham, Relentless, Sleepless in the Saddle, CLIC, Longest Day/Longest Ride, Puffer Lite and the British Champs were a stand-alone event until 2014.
It's mad when you see how well the ultra running and iron man etc scene is doing.
Anyway, really good effort doing all three.
Are you prepared to travel for more? I would absolutely recommend 24hrs of Finale, absolutely amazing event, and a bit further afield the one at Canberra in October (been through a few names over the years depending on sponsors)
The world champs will be in Brazil next year. No need to qualify, and there will be a very mixed ability range there. Last time the world's were in Brazil was 2019, it was a mediocre course but everything else was absolutely incredible, one of the best events I've ever done
It does seem a real shame that traditional 24hr racing seems to have disappeared. Mountain Mayhem in 2006ish was my very first bike race! I've got absolutely zero interest in 'bike packing' and point to point events or any of that stuff, although it does seem to be whats left.
Its interesting about running too - Running is A) trendy and B) Dirt cheap. 1 or2 pair of shoes and a bit of simple clothing, sorted.
I did Sleepless many years ago but really just as a way of meeting up with some folks off mlehworld. Other than that, the format hasn't appealed. I mechaniced for someone at the Strathpuffer and that confirmed it for me.
I have done some 24+ hr rides though, in both bikepacking and audax styles. I enjoy riding through dusk, through the night and into dawn. "Competitive" bikepacking events have, however, become all about sleep deprivation and don't hold the same interest for me these days. If anything that involves multi-day timed riding on public road should be discouraged on safety grounds.
As regards running, I did the Glenmore 24 a couple of months ago. It's certainly easier logistically than using a bike. I didn't find the repetition of 6.3km laps to be a problem and was very disappointed when it was curtailed due to high winds after only 24 hours. I reckon I'd have easily surpassed 100km otherwise.
Maybe the likes of Mayhem/SITS would make a return if more folk were riding simple XC hardtails again. The move to more suspension, and to e-bikes, has rather taken over the segment.
I always thought it strange how the word Enduro was adopted by DH-lite riding rather than the 12/24 hour events too.
Anyway, good job OP. In at the deep (cold) end and a great recent result.
It's still my preferred format of racing, ten hours and up in laps in a pair. But finding team mates is harder every year, and it's very much an acquired taste. Most people doing them seem to be having a go to see if they can - and they only need to do that once, so the market must be dwindling.
The world champs will be in Brazil next year.
Where did you get news on this? Hosted by WEMBO, or a new organiser? Russ was very non-comital after last event.
But in relation to OP. How good is 24h racing, I only recently discovered it and enjoy it. Sad to have missed its prime time.
Well I wouldn't say I raced the puffer, I survived it and did the best I could. I was unsupported and unprepared. The bike was not set up well, new frame shortly before race.
The summer at Newnham there were plenty of people there but not all doing 24, maybe all of them are potential stepping stones towards 24. Same with kielder I don't see my self as that great an athlete so for me to be doing well in the rankings does that say the racing isn't good? You can only race the people on the day and I always have people ahead to chase so that's good.
I am probably not going to do the puffer 2026 but already signed up for Newnham and am thinking I could go back to kielder. Lot of organisation with a farm and three youngish kids. Took knee to kielder, only child there!
Where did you get news on this? Hosted by WEMBO, or a new organiser? Russ was very non-comital after last event.
'will be' was maybe a bit strong. 'Is intended to be and sounds like a viable plan' would probably be better. Same people who ran the 2019 Worlds in Brazil, which was excellent. Still under the WEMBO umbrella, but the same guys on the ground. Different location though, near Botacatu next time.
There's a load of stuff happening in the background, but it should all be OK for next year and plans are already afoot for 2027 too.