24 hour race

ednino

Planning on doing a 24 hour solo track race later this year. Not looking to win anything, just to finish without too much death

Did several 100 mile rides last summer. I like long rides, but don't think i've ever been on the bike longer than 7-8 hours at a time. How i will deal with 24 i just don't know

Has anyone done one? Any advice on it or preparation for it?
Also, how many miles do people clock in 24hr? I'd like to get 200 miles on the garmin

sub55

It depends what you mean by track race? and if you're actually going to race or survive for 24 hrs.
I suspect you mean one of these charity based motor racing circuit based event that aren't really races and cost a fortune to enter. If so , no I've never done one .
If you actually mean a race, the only one I'm aware of in the country at the moment is a time trial . Yes, I've done it several times , takes an enormous amount of mental strength and can be brutal , as for distances my best 462 miles , never been less than 445 miles. If you want to win it ,you got to be going at least 500 miles.

ednino

Its one of the cost a fortune charity events you mention :oops:

sub55

there's no need for the :oops: if that's what you want to do, then go for it .
Distance racing is 50/50 legs and head, one won't last without the other.
Couple of things though , make sure your riding position is comfortable , might sound obvious but after 10 hours ,any little niggle can be a serious problem . Get your nutrition right, only real way to do this is to practise.
Don't under estimate the weather, even in the middle of the summer on a hot day , you will be freezing your bo**acks off at 3am . Sleep deprivation is ultimately limiting factor, once you've got everything else right . Riding down the road asleep is a real problem. Would recommend you do some audaxes , starting now ,building up the distance until you are doing 400/600 k events . This will get you used to riding through the night but in a non competitive sense. Just because you are targeting a distance event ,doesn't mean you don't work on your speed also. Get on the turbo and kill yourself for an hour . The fellas at the top of the tree riding 450 plus miles will also put in a 20 min ten if they want to , its not one or the other its both. Although you're obviously on a circuit , make sure your lighting is the best , it will help to keep you awake.
Which event are you thinking about doing ?

marcusjb

All good advice there.

With the sleep thing, I find that giving up caffeine for around 4 weeks before a big ride (I have done it on PBP and LEL, and plan on it for the ESCA 24 hr TT this season) really gives me a kick when needed. The first coffee in a month, when you are flagging a little, well, it is like rocket fuel.

Audax would definitely be the best build up for this kind of endeavour as well.

You have ridden centuries - that puts you in a good starting place. A 200km audax is easily in your ability (125miles). Build up to a 300 in April and maybe a 400 in May/June. You should revise your 200 mile target up a little maybe. Even a not particularly fast audaxer such as myself can ride a 300km event in less than 15 hours (and that is only just shy of 200miles). 400kmevents (250 miles) have a 27 hour limit in audax - most riders will comfortably do the distance in less than 24. I've done that distance in under 18 hours in an audax.

I have never done the 24hr TT - so part of it is finding out what I am capable of.

Preparation - ride the bike, a lot.

Comfort and position are everything in distance, as well as learning what your stomach can tolerate for such prolonged periods.

TakeTurns

It's gonna hurt and you may be stuck in the same position for days after the ride.
So make sure to take days of work in advance.
Having said that, big rep for having taken up the challenge.

cougie

Plenty of long days in the saddle and refuelling as you go. You need to be so comfy on the bike. Whats achy after 7 hours can be crippling after 14.

dandrew

http://www.esca24hour.org.uk
http://www.rapha.cc/the-audax-diaries-t ... ?locale=UK

Why not do it either with the Sussex TT or the Mersey Roads? Don't think that there are high entry costs. There's an element of support available.

sub55

I was just wondering which event the OP was talking about . a quick google shows this one
http://www.action.org.uk/ride24
wouldn't of minded dragging my back side out of retirement to have a bash at that but
£250 to enter !
road bike's only ! no TT machine or tri bars. the only reason to take the start line would be to set a distance so why not allow the bike that would make the most sense.
any event promoter that wants a race number on the front of the machine doesn't understand cycle sport.

xavierdisley

It's because there are other competitors around you all the time at Ride24, and also as it is (or was, I've done it twice now as a relay) a RAAM qualifier, you're not allowed aerobars anyway to the best of my knowledge.

Xav

ednino

That's for the good advice guys

I got a Retul bike fit yesterday to make sure my positioning is 100%. Seat went up & back & stem got shorter. Got lots of time to get used to the new position now

I try not to drink caffeine anyway as I've got Crohns disease. This obviously has several other negative effects on my cycling performance and its my chosen charity for sponsorship :roll: