Seems really popular this year which is great news, all cat's sold out, i'm just putting final touches to my bikes, and trying to mentally prepare for my first solo 24!! I haven't really raced that much this year, but ridden more than ever, hopefully that helps.
Who's on board?
[url=CHRis-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/]CHRis-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/[/url]
Solo 24 as well Chris. See you there matey 🙂
Solo 12 for me. One of my favourite events of the year. Not looking forward to the drive down there though.
Solo 24 for me...
I'll be there. We have a male and a female soloist and a couple of teams. I am driving from Belfast!!
Dogsby
I'll be there. My first 24 solo...
Team of 4, 24 for us. Looking forward to it.
Not looking forward to the kids disappointment in not getting into the kids race though, unless some kids drop out. Last year it was entry on the day. This time it is pre-entry only, which passed me by and its sold out now. Seems pretty harsh on the little ones that the kids race can't cater for all of them imo as I'm sure I'm not the only parent who thought it would be as last year.
We're both riding 12hr solo, we will then be applying muscle relaxant and offering helpful advice to 24hr riders come midnight 😉
Heavy rain forecast for Friday.....
Good luck to all the soloists.
Team of 4 of us.
Having a nightmare week so far, but managed to give bike a quick clean yesterday and get the front brake bled.
Took days holiday today as car broke down, and have managed to sort out most of my packing as a result.
Tomorrow, am off to Germany after work for the day on Wed. Get back late Wed night, then pick repaired car up from garage Thurs morning, drive to work, get it re-mot tested (failed on brakes) at nearby garage, drive to mates nr Leamington Thurs evening and then cruise down to Plymouth on Fri!
24/12 will feel like a nice break after all of that nonsense!
Torchbearer 12 hr solo. 8th 24/12 for me, and my 4th solo effort iirc.
Well excited as ever. Not that we will be seeing much of it, but mrs (who is also doing 24hr solo) has booked us a teepee this time!
BTW get yourselves to the Miner's arms nearby for posh pub food, normal pub food and proper ale. Lovely and very outdoorsy-friendly pub, easy ride from the site and you can leave your bike well out of the way in the beer garden.
24hr pairs here. Will be 'Team L1 Triangle' if anyone fancies heckling us on. Looking forward to it, and am sure the forecast rain will only be alight bit of drizzle a that is all the forecast rain in Devon was over the past weekend.
Team of 4 here. Have hardly ridden the last month or so due to BGD junior being poorly but going to give it a go in support of CLIC who have helped get us through the last few weeks. If you see a very tired bloke in a CLIC t shirt please put a blanket over me 😆
Torchbearer solo here 😀
Got a glamping tent booked so that should be interesting. Been checking the weather forecast this week and when I was looking yesterday it said it would be foot weather over the weekend, now some are saying good and some are saying it's gonna pour down. I guess it'll be the usual 12h race thing of taking all clothes and kit for all weathers!
Is it just me that massively over packs as you never know what the weather is going to do?!
Is it just me that massively over packs as you never know what the weather is going to do?!
Definitely not.
I'm starting to worry about whether or not I'll be able to fit everything in the car!
Like all these events, you just have to get on with it. I'm wondering whether to ride a 26 hardtail or 29er rigid...
I'll be there. But then I suppose I have to as its across the road from my house 🙂
Yup there with the RAF team. First time of not soloing a 24hr. I'm looking forward to having a meander inbetween laps.
12 hour solo for my wife and me this year. I have been to 24:12 3 or 4 times in the past, but somehow have never actually raced. Looking forward to giving it a go this year - although not sure how quick I will be as I don't seem to have done much riding this year.
Planning on taking a car and roof box full of bike stuff.
Team of 3 here, was 5 up until a week ago. Never ridden it or any other 24hr race before. Any tips on what to take?
Yep, solo 24. Planning on a mellow sort of weekend. 🙂
bikerdan - Member
Team of 3 here, was 5 up until a week ago. Never ridden it or any other 24hr race before. Any tips on what to take?
The usual, really. A smattering of spares, clothing for all eventualities although it will be perhaps too warm to wear waterproofs even if it does rain.
Can be chilly on the night laps. I sometimes wear arm warmers and thin leggings on the night laps.
Decent lights and a back-up of some sort. Most people just use their helmet light as their back-up. Oh, and remember the chargers!
Camping-wise.....decent tent and awning/canopy, chairs, lights/head torches to see what you are doing at night.
There's food on site as well as a shop selling bike stuff and somewhere will be doing repairs if needed. Also jet wash facilities.
Locks. Do not assume that everyone is 'biking buddies' and it's safe to leave your bike unlocked and unattended. Quite a few cases of gangs going round bike events hand-picking fancy bikes and whipping them away in a van.
Wellies. Might not need them, but after the rain a couple of years ago wellies are mandatory for me to stick in the car.....!
The atmosphere before and during the race is great. Plenty of encouragement through the start/finish camping area and it's nice to come back at 1am after a hard lap and stand watching the jazz singer.
There's a mix of recreational rider and racer, but it works nicely. People are 99% polite and it's a very pleasant place to ride.
Wellies. Might not need them, but after the rain a couple of years ago wellies are mandatory for me to stick in the car.....!
Flip flops for me - the ultimate campsite footwear. 🙂
I'm in, 12 hr pairs this year so I can spend the small hours offering [s]abuse[/s] encouragement and support (and possibly beer) to the mad soloists.
bikerdan - Member
Team of 3 here, was 5 up until a week ago. Never ridden it or any other 24hr race before. Any tips on what to take?
-Take mud tyres so it doesn't rain!
-Flipflops for the showers.
-Suncream!
-Money for food and special offers on trade stands. (Not massive but i have found something worth buying for quite a lot less than rrp evey year).
-Brushes- although there is a proper jetwash to queue for if its muddy, you can't use the many drinking water taps on site to clean your bike but the river running through the middle is very accessible if it is muddy. One very muddy year solo i was riding round with a bottle of chain lube in my pocket and dunking bike once a lap where the track went near a convenient point.
-Loo roll, as the one time you need it it will be all gone. One year it was bad, but generally the loos and showers are well looked after and emptied/serviced during the weekend rather than getting proper minging.
-If you are planning on sleeping at all during the race, bring earplugs. I hear the small-hours shoobedoobeedoo jazz lady is back for an eighth gig 😉
-lights! You should be able to charge them between laps in one of the tents if you run low (which with only 3 of you and 6 or 7 hours of darkness you might...) And be prepared for the 'light arms race phenomenom' whereby you cannot see where you are going as the person 20 yards behind you has such bright lights all you can see is the sides of the trail as you ride into your own shadow. In this case ride faster or pull over and let the facemelters get past.
-I like yellow lenses for the late evening gloaming, partly for seeing and partly for fly/eye collisions.
-cheap energy tips -salted cashew nuts and a box or three of those flapjack squares. And bananas, for energy and also potassium which normal salt doesn't replace but you will still sweat out if its mega hot. I try not to ignore this as i cramp fairly quickly in the heat.
-frozen bladder of your favourite sports/electrolyte drink makes a good icepack for your coolbox and you can refill your bottles with it as you go.
Also advertise on here or the xcracer.com forum for more teammates if you are worried about being down to 3. Many 'real life' friendships on this forum formed in just this way. Come to think of it, an insanely fit cx/roadie friend of my wife's also wants to pop his mountain bike racing cherry, (he lives local to newnham) -if you want i will see if he is interested.
Doing my first 24 hours solo, too. ANd no helpers so far. We'll see...It's going to be tough.
phew i'm not the only 24 solo virgin!
weather wise, depends who you trust, i'm going with xcweather, wall to wall sunshine 8)
weather wise, depends who you trust, i'm going with xcweather, wall to wall sunshine
No, don't start looking at weather forecasts, you'll either get all excited, then disappointed, or more and more depressed!
(based on many twentyfour -12's)
Doing my first 24 hours solo, too. ANd no helpers so far. We'll see...It's going to be tough
I've also rode solo unsupported. It's tough, but there is a self satisfaction in doing it that way.
I did the muddy year, lasted 6hrs of hauling a singlespeed through the mud, then canned it, still felt like id ridden for 12hrs
Doing my first 24 hours solo, too. ANd no helpers so far. We'll see...It's going to be tough.
You'll be fine. Just keep riding, prep your bottles before hand, befriend your next door neighbors 🙂
Top tip!! Go to Poundland and buy a few of those collapsable water containers. It will save you a world of hassle.
I'm part of Team Sumo doing a 12hr solo on the fat bike in a sumo suit. I'm not worried about the weather as it will be HOT and WET inside the suit whatever its doing outside.
Keep an eye out for the Sumo disco tent and Jump of Doom (like you'd miss it!) 😀
Good luck to everyone going this year, it's a great event, after a while you almost forget it's a bike race as it's so social!
A few of my mates are going, but I'm missing it, after being the tactically slow member of a 5 man team last year and finishing on the podium, I'm gutted I shall miss it, a clash with the Silverstone Classic isn't helping, and being off the bike with a recently broken collar bone and buggered shoulder isn't helping...
Hopefully you will get some favourable weather, lots of laughs and some great memories!
I'm in, team of 5 in the 24hr race, we've got 3 teams in all so will be quite a big group, usually have a fire going trackside! I'll be styling it up over the Sumo jump of doom*
*May not be that stylish.
Any thoughts about the relative stupidity of riding 12 hour solo on a rigid bike?
Sounds relatively stupid to me.
Yes, going with the RAF team. First time racing, first time doing a 24hr beast - what could go wrong?!
I'll be on a very non-race setup green cotic soul, feel free to wave as you go past!
Any thoughts about the relative stupidity of riding 12 hour solo on a rigid bike?
About 1/2 as stupid as doing a 24 hour solo on said bike.
I can't seem to stay on an mtb lately - not a good sign for my first 24 solo. Will be riding in an obviously light blue helmet on a white ASR5.
Any encouragement or Nobbys beer appreciated.
Any thoughts about the relative stupidity of riding 12 hour solo on a rigid bike?
I have done a few 12hr solos on a rigid bike. It is never too bad, 12 hours gives plenty of time to find fast smooth lines - although my hands and triceps always seem to take a battering! 29er hard tail for me this year.
The pictures on the Bonty Facebook page look like the course will be fast rolling and fairly smooth, I am sure there will be some lumpy bits too.
The pictures on the Bonty Facebook page look like the course will be fast rolling and fairly smooth, I am sure there will be some lumpy bits too.
According to yesterdays update on the Facebook page, there's a 1.4km fire road climb in there.
Gonna be hard work if it's a hot day 😯
Oh yes it will be hot. If it is the usual long climb, it is more of a hard track by a field rather than a forest fire road -and will be in the sun much of saturday and all of sunday morning. Fwiw it is still my favourite way to get to the top of that side of the estate -allows the maximum range of fun ways back down again.
Any thoughts about the relative stupidity of riding 12 hour solo on a rigid bike?
I did 6 laps back to back on a rigid v-braked SS last year (a Bontrager no less!), then swapped to FS for the remainder, then back to the SS for the last 2, It's not too bad but can wear you down if it's dry and th ground is baked hard as Newnham has a lot of buzzy bumpy bits.
rigid will be fine round newnham, I did it a few years ago, and my lefty goes almost rigid after a few hours.....
Hopefully it is the long tarmac climb, its nice and gradual and good time to eat and drink, better than the grass climb on the other side of the course, that was harder!!
To the guy with a Team of 5 that's 2 people short...
Me and the GF could well be able to help you out. We're not fast, but we can ride bikes, we know how to have fun (just go and see the Sumo boys and take some cider with you!) and we absolutely love 24/12 as it's the best course and event in the UK. Didn't organise a ride earlier as we didn't know how commitments for this weekend were going to pan out, but if anyone would like our services, we'd love to join in...
Spent last night doing the last bits of bike fettling. Looks like we're going to get dry weather so I've ambitiously set up both bikes in dry conditions mode as well 🙂
I'll be somewhere over in the Solo area on the Friday. I have a mahooosive family tent with a silver Berlingo. Should have a few of the lads from the team kicking about on the Sat/Sun I'll be the chap in the worlds most orange helmet.
CAKE!
We will be running a charity cake Stall Saturday from 0900 - 1130 in the registration tent.
Raising money for the Primrose Foundation which supports Plymouth hospitals Breast Care Unit. So when you come see us at registration bring an extra pound or two and go away with a piece of home made cake!
then at 1200 me and Mrs XCwanabe will be part of a Royal Navy 5 doing 24hrs, will make a change from solo 12.
Team of 4 here. I've done plenty of 24s, and variations of, but the rest of the team are 24hr virgins. 😈
Yak - Member
Not looking forward to the kids disappointment in not getting into the kids race though, unless some kids drop out. Last year it was entry on the day. This time it is pre-entry only, which passed me by and its sold out now. Seems pretty harsh on the little ones that the kids race can't cater for all of them imo as I'm sure I'm not the only parent who thought it would be as last year.
To be fair to the organiser, after last year when the kids' race was massively oversubscribed he had to put a limit on numbers. Charging £3 per child isn't excessive when they all get medals and there were still entries available up until a few weeks ago. (I entered one of mine on 6th July.) This was all there to see on the website - the kids entry was underneath the main entries. (I'm not having a go at you, Yak [s]you blind git[/s], hope you understand. 🙂 )
Spent last night doing the last bits of bike fettling. Looks like we're going to get dry weather so I've ambitiously set up both bikes in dry conditions mode as well
Heh. I got out the mud tyres last night, just to appease the weather gods 🙂
12h solo for me, Rocky Mountain 29er with faithful Bonty as backup.
Anyone know what the pit setup is like? Trackside camping for solos?
Yes normally lots of trackside camping for solo riders. In previous years the course has looped back through the campsite, so plenty of opportunity to get a trackside pitch. I can't recall an actual solo pit area.
I am also on a Rocky Mountain 29er.
Track usually winds about a bit in the main field to maximise trackside camping space, but like MM, there is a mad rush to get set up as soon as (actually before 👿 ) the advertised opening time on thursday. And similar taping off of acres of trackside for team-mates tents that don't get set up until the following day or saturday. Although quite how you could do this differently I don't know.
There is supposed to be a dedicated solo camping area, again with lots of trackside and is marked with signs: every year its been at newnham this has been in the main field nearest the entrance to the site, so before you get to the event village/start/finish arch etc. Good nature in the solo camping bits with people up all night cheering you on when the rest of the campsite has gone to bed.
If you don't get a trackside spot, there is also usually a covered area at the transition that unsupported soloists put boxes of spares, dink, food etc in.
Weather is looking good ATM. It is ****in' scorching here today (1.5 miles away) and hasn't rained properly down here for quite a few days, so a small to moderate amount of rain if it does come will just damp the dust down a bit and get sucked up by the trees.
It is ****' scorching here today
Yey! 🙂
going again, after 24hr team race last year I'm 12hr solo this year. Felt I missed out on the 'other stuff' being in race mode for 24hrs. Felt like I finished showered and left.
This year finishing at 12 I'm hoping to have a few beers and soak up some atmosphere without the pressure.
Nowhere near fit enough, got an awful hip pain so I'll just have to see how I get on. . 😥
Dog knob red VW high top transporter, come say Hi.
James
julianwilson - Member
..... but like MM, there is a mad rush to get set up as soon as (actually before ) the advertised opening time on thursday
Can't say I've noticed this. I normally arrive with my family on the Thursday evening and there is plenty of space and a very calm, chilled atmosphere. Last year there was a good 70-80m between our tent and the next (Team Sumo) when we set up at around 6pm.
mboy - Member
To the guy with a Team of 5 that's 2 people short...Me and the GF could well be able to help you out. We're not fast, but we can ride bikes, we know how to have fun (just go and see the Sumo boys and take some cider with you!)
You can't have him, if he's got cider, we want him!
but if anyone would like our services, we'd love to join in...
ah, didnt realise he was looking for that sort of party, he's all yours
😀
Last year there was a good 70-80m between our tent and the next (Team Sumo) when we set up at around 6pm
Yes, you'd need at least that!
What's the catering usually like there?
Is it any good or just the usual race thing of a van selling burgers or bacon buttes?
We're heading down to the south west for Thursday afternoon, final pit stop at the Sainsbury's with the sails for munchables before heading into the solo area. We're both riding 12 hour solo, and both on niners... only mine is rigid 😐
Yak you blind git,
Yeah - I know 😳 Should have looked. I just entered the team a long time ago then forgot about it. Hadn't set myself up for facetwits either until too late. Obviously my lack of organisation has lead to this happening. Its just that as an adult, if you don't get in, you don't turn up. Kids have to come along, so its just a bit galling for them to miss out when they know there's a kids race as they did it last year.
I have been in touch with Martin about this and he's fixed on 70 as he's bought medals and number plates. I appreciate his position, but thought there was nothing wrong with last year. If some kids didn't get in last year (I'm unaware of this) then that's no good either. If was just busy, then what's the problem? The field thinned out quick enough.
I'll keep advertising for a place and/or maybe the chances of 70 end-of-term kids all being well is slim so could try and get a last minute non registering entry.
Anyone know how to transfer an entry? I have a 24 solo vets entry that I'm not going to use due to a fractured wrist on my last training ride (yes, I'm a little bit disappointed). Was going to put it up for sale on here and xcracer but am not sure of the process of transferring?
You can't have him, if he's got cider, we want him!
Tempted to come down just to drink cider and heckle you guys, then drink more cider when you're finished! 😛
To be fair though, it's a 400 odd mile round trip, I kinda feel that there should be some riding involved... So... Anybody out there still need a team member or two? Me and the GF are offering our services...
Anyone know how to transfer an entry? I have a 24 solo vets entry that I'm not going to use due to a fractured wrist on my last training ride (yes, I'm a little bit disappointed). Was going to put it up for sale on here and xcracer but am not sure of the process of transferring?
Email Martyn Salt, he'll be able to help you out. Sadly I'm neither a Vet nor do I fancy doing a 24hr solo... 😕
Hmmm fairly certain that Martyn now doesn't want email changes as its so close. All name changes to be done at registration now.
So if you sell it, the buyer will have to update at sign-on
Anyone know how to transfer an entry? I have a 24 solo vets entry that I'm not going to use due to a fractured wrist on my last training ride (yes, I'm a little bit disappointed). Was going to put it up for sale on here and xcracer but am not sure of the process of transferring?
Email Martyn Salt, he'll be able to help you out. Sadly I'm neither a Vet nor do I fancy doing a 24hr solo...
Hmmm fairly certain that Martyn now doesn't want email changes as its so close. All name changes to be done at registration now.So if you sell it, the buyer will have to update at sign-on
Yak, dead right. You can trnafer names at registration, but I'd prefer it if you came along Friday evening or VERY early Saturday, as we'll be trying to deal with lots of swaps, giving out first 500 gifts, encouraging people to by cake for the charity.
See you either Friday or Sat.
Rob
the ugly one of the registration tag team.
xcwanabe / Rob,
Just an aside - is there a latest registration time for the kids race? As we've not got an entry, I was wondering if we could see if anyone had failed to turn up by the cut-off time and my son could enter please?
I'd forgotton about the 1st 500 gifts. I wonder what it is....
Just an aside - is there a latest registration time for the kids race? As we've not got an entry, I was wondering if we could see if anyone had failed to turn up by the cut-off time and my son could enter please?
don't think there is an offical cut off but I'd say 30mins before race start would be a good time to start asking the Question. I did speak to Martyn yesterday and he's looking at ways of accepting a few more children.
I think the populatiry of the childrens races caught everyone out. Last year it was manic trying to do registration for the 24/12 and then the childrens racing as well hence moving it on line like dads/mums race and hopefully easing the burden on me and Mrs XC!
I was down Nenwham last night, it;s going to be fast! majority of Track side camping (for teams) is at about 2/3 distance so time enough to finish that last drink and head to transititon to hand over. Martyn's also included a second Camping field Phalis to increase trackside camping.
final descent this year is the grassy run in past the front of the "big House."
xcwanabe - thanks!
See you there.
On the ferry to Wales and then heading South. First time at 24/12 having decided to make the move from MM. All looking good so far but I am sure I have forgotten something!
All looking good so far but I am sure I have forgotten something!
I've just had to phone half the Premier Travel Inn in devon to find out which one I booked for Sunday night, only to find I was in a Travelodge.
Lucky I thought to check...
a few rumbles of thunder out in the channel this morning...
xcwanabe - MemberYak, dead right. You can trnafer names at registration, but I'd prefer it if you came along Friday evening or VERY early Saturday, as we'll be trying to deal with lots of swaps, giving out first 500 gifts, encouraging people to by cake for the charity.
See you either Friday or Sat.
Rob
the ugly one of the registration tag team.
Thanks Rob. I've not managed to sell my entry yet, but I'm coming down to support and my son's in the kids race so I'll come and have a chat and see if anyone's been after an entry on Friday.
Me and the other half will be there as part of a mixed team. First time for us. Just doing some final checks on the bikes now. Then the fun of trying to fit 2 bikes and camping equipment in a very small car!
Re-checked the weather forecast and it still says HOT so I've just been down to Tescos for another 8 bottles of isotonic cider. Hoping all 20 will last me until Sunday morning. 😀
had a fair bit of thunder here in Exeter earlier and a bit of a downpour for 20mins, hopefully damped down the dust a bit!
Just back home from nipping down and setting up our Gazebo trackside...Walked a bit of the track on the Cottage Return Side of the valley with the dog to see what is diff this year. All looks superb and dry as a bone. Very excited.
Car is almost loaded and ready to go in the morning. Still having dilemmas over whether to pack the wellies or not? Hopefully on site about lunchtime tomorrow. Looking forward to a dry and hot race.
Still not convinced it's going to be dry - I've been racing here for many years & have yet to have a completely dry race... Fortunately though a broken leg put paid to any racing during the apocalyptic weather a couple of years ago.
I'm sitting looking at the pile of kit that I'm taking and starting to think that the car might not be big enough 😆