24 hour events in 2008

vernonthetaff

Hi am looking to do my first 24 hour event next year but don't want to do the crazy and too busy mountain mayhem event as for my first time I would prefer to try one slightly quieter than that event. Strathpuffer is too early in the year for my training program. the event has to be in the UK but where not too bothered.
Craig

off-one

I popped my 24hour cherry at this years twentyfour12 it was a very laid back event and apart from the weather had a whale of a time. Next years event is at the end of July but no venue as of yet, but you'll have plenty of time to train although nothing can prepare yourself for dealing with a puncture at 4:00am it can be a bit emotional.

vernonthetaff

thanks for the reply, I will keep an eye on that one. did you complete it? how technical are the trails used rock gardens and drop offs could be a little dodgy at night i would imagine.

homers_double

I was a 24 virgin until this (pittyfull) summer when I along with others did www.konasits.co.uk. Full riders ride report here http://ukmb.org.uk/index.php?topic=3577.0

SITS is a well thought out event which is busy, but is friendly enough so that if its your first time you wont feel intimidated.

We finished 95th out of 141 teams and hope to better that next year.

As for training, aim to be able to ride offroad at 10mph+ for one hour. and again...and again...and again...and again...and again...and again.

As a team of 4 we aimed to do a lap per hour and have a rider on course at all times. I completed 7 laps (59 miles) and was really pleased with it. If you're going in it as a team, make sure you all have the same goal, there is no point one of you wanting to go hell for leather all night when the rest of you are there for the experience, similarly, dont get into a team thats to serious if you cant give 110%.

And enjoy it, I guarante you will.

El Capitano

As Homer's Double said (we were on the same Team ). We were sort of 'competitive' and will be a lot more prepared next year. It is a good laugh, but can be a bit traumatic at 3 in the morning when the heavens open up and you need to change your clothing, bike settings etc before you hit the trails...

The course was quite technical in places, but nothing an average MTB XC rider wouldn't normally come across on a ride, no drop offs, jumps etc, just technical singletrack, a few choice climbs and some fireroads to contend with.

Oh, and start saving now for you lights - you'll need something bright, reliable and quick recharging (Read Lumicycle Li-Ion System).

off-one

The Twentyfour12 course wasnt difficult apart from one bomb hole and that had a chicken run, if you ride regulary I dont think any course would be too daunting.
We came 13th in the pairs event, this year we are planning to do more events. The night riding is awesome and you'll find that your not much slower, in fact the only time I cleaned a section of off camber roots was at night.

FSR_XC

What's Strathpuffer?

Where is it & when?

How easy / difficult is the course?

homers_double

El Capitano wrote:

we were on the same Team

High five*

bryanm

There's a 12 hour one in July if you want a "short" warm up!

http://www.vlaevents.co.uk/

El Capitano

off-one wrote:

The Twentyfour12 course wasnt difficult apart from one bomb hole

Sounds like the Marin Dusk2Dawn route (12 hours in the dark of Thetford Forest), Uber quick course, except for the one bomb-hole, I stacked it big style coming out of it, hitting a tree stump, over the bars, landing back at the bottom (At this point in the tale, I would normally put in something about our official team photographer warming himself by the stove in the camp, instead of taking pictures of this most spectacular stack, but won't on this occasion). Kind of put a crimp on the rest of the race - damaged shoulder and back.

HD *High Five Back*

homers_double

The team photographer caprtured very little in the way of riding.

Except this:-

FSR_XC

What is the first 12/24hr of 2008?

tommywmb

Around 00:01 - 12:00 on 01/01/08!