Event: Hardcore 24 solo 24 hour race
Place: Ontario State Park, Naples, NY
After a less than stellar Summer Solstice 24 Hour race just a month ago, we took the lessons learned from that race and applied them to the Hardcore 24. We slept more the week before the race, we packed and did house chores during the week so that come Friday we had nothing house-related to do, we arrived at the race site early on Friday so that we could set-up the day before, and got to bed earlier than normal the night before the race. All of these things helped make sure we would start the race with us well rested and stress free.
Race morning we slept in, then finished setting up our pit area. Food was spread out on the table, all electronics and lights were plugged in, coolers were prepped, and our clothing for the next 24 hours was organized. The race didn't start until noon; we took the morning to relax some more and socialize with friends and other racers. Friends and fellow solo racers from PA were set-up directly across from us; it was fun to have them there and to catch-up with them. Before we knew it, race time arrived and we were ready to go.Both Joël and I had the same goal for this race; to start conservatively and ride as consistenly as possible. Heat and dehydration took their tool at the Summer Solstice, so we took extra measures to prevent those issues at this race. We had sponges soaked in ice water and ice-filled cloth bags (we actually modified tube socks for this) to put in our shirts each lap. We also had a bucket filled with water and rags in which to wipe ourselves down with between laps. These ideas worked great, they were quick and easy to insitute between laps and really helped keep us cool. As far for riding tactics, we both kept a closer eye on our effort and heart rate. We kept our max heart rate and effort lower as to stay in the aerobic zone longer.
Both of us rode the first part of the race separately. Just after nightfall Joël lapped me and we decided to ride together for a bit. This then turned into riding together for the entire night portion of the race. It's always nice to have company during endurance races, but especially nice to have company during the night laps at a 24 hour race. It is a really added bonus if you can ride with your significant other (assuming of course you like to ride with that person!). Sure, we didn't always talk much, since by this point in the race we were like zombies on auto-pilot, but still nice to have someone else there. We saw mice scurrying everywhere, huge centipedes and spiders, a doe with two little fawn, and the sun rise. Once the sun was up I was really starting to slow down and was starting to walk a bit, so I sent Joël on his way. I rode for only a short time more, ending around 9:30am with 18 laps, I had enough of a lead that I could stop well before the noon cut-off. Joël had to ride a little longer than I did to ensure he stayed in the lead, he stopped around 10:30 with 21 laps.
What a great race this is, we recommend it. The seven mile course is primarily single track, with just enough technical sections to keep racers on their toes but to not be dangerous when tired. There are climbs but nothing unrideable and nothing too long or sustained. The course is well marked and there are mile markers every mile that at night are lit with white sparkling lights. It's little things like that which bring about smiles after hours and hours of riding. The race support is great, the timing guys were always cheering for us and helping by giving us splits and lap info every time we passed by. Support by spectators and other racers was amazing also. Everytime passing through the pits people were cheering and offering motivation. Neutral water was available to racers during the race and post-race vouchers for food from an on-site food-truck were given to racers. Awards were large trophies, a choice of prize, and cash to overall winners. Thanks to all who helped with the race; it has a great vibe and a good course, what more can one want in a race?So that's it, Hardcore 24 completed. We both felt good about our races, enjoyed our time out there, our Liv and Giant bikes held up to the challenge of being beat-up for mile after mile, and we came away with the win.
-Jess and Joël