Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot at 24 Hours of Iron Maiden

24 Hours of Iron Maiden

 As the song goes “feeling hot, hot, hot” at 24 Hours of Iron Maiden

Race: 24/12 Hours of Iron Maiden

What: a 24 and 12 hour solo and team mountain bike race (24 hour solo for the Nankmans)

Where: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, McCalla, Alabama

When: July 01-02, 2023

Who: by Chainbuster Racing

How: Joël 1^st expert and overall 24 hour solo men; Jess 1^st expert and overall 24 hour solo female

I’m not going to bore you, the readers, with all the race details.  For event specifics refer back to previous blogs and videos of when the Nankmans participated in prior editions of 24 Hours of Iron Maiden 2021 click here and 2020 click here. These accounts give you specifics on event format, the course, racing strategy, etc. The 2023 blog highlights the current year event; If someone said to me “tell me the key points about 24 Hours of Iron Maiden; why do you drive all the way down here from Pennsylvania for this race” here is what I would tell them.

 Event weekend

2023 brought a change in date from early/mid June to 4^th of July weekend.  Consensus amongst riders and race organizers is that this date change will stay. Having days off from work for the holiday and a time-frame already committed to having fun works well for a weekend of riding.

Race conditions

Hot, hot, hot!

That sums it up.  Temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 80 degrees at night made the going tough. These conditions tested even the best hydration, nutrition, and electrolyte plan.  It also meant that riding too hard at any time could cause overheating, use too much energy, and cause not only issues at the moment but especially later in the race.  Keeping as cool-ish as possible, hydrated, and not expending too much energy was the name of the game and would be the key to success later in the event.

Overall the course was dry and fast. Severe thunderstorms did roll through around sunset. This cause a rain delay but it was nice to get cooled off by the rain and be forced to sit for a bit.  It also decreased the dust on the course which was nice going into the night laps.

Race organizers and volunteers

Chainbuster Racing is there for the riders.  Race organizers and volunteers want participants and all at the event to have a good time; to enjoy being on their bikes, to enjoy nature, to enjoy time with friends and family.  All these aspects are in place to make this a top-notch event for riders; rider amenities were endless and race organizers treat each rider with individual and personal respect; taking all riders needs and concerns into consideration.

Race amenities

Entrants received race swag and there were giveaways post race.  Coffee race morning and pizza mid event (and post event with what was still remaining from the night before) was available to riders.  Ample camping along the race course for both team tents and solo riders; electric hook-ups available (first-come first-served and they went quick!).  Camp ground bath house with showers and flush toilets.  Creek flowing through the camping area made a spectacular post-race swimming hole.  Air-conditioned cabins elsewhere in the park were available for rent.

Location and course

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is just as the name implies; a park built around a historic iron works area. Many historic buildings are still remaining along with a museum.  Great way to take in some history and learn about the area while on site for the weekend. The park is well kept; trails are in good shape and the camping areas for the weekend are quite sufficient and have all the ideal and needed amenities for a 24 hour race weekend (see above). 

Being a natural area nature was abundant. Beautiful pine forests with these really amazing huge pine cones, interesting rock formations, creeks and a small pond lined the course.  At night armadillo, numerous types of reptiles and amphibians, and deer were out and about. Coyotes and owls were heard but not seen. The cicada were almost deafening at times.

Fellow riders

The miles flew by with endless friendly chit chat amongst riders. I can’t think of many other races where I have talked to so many people for the entire event.  Many people rode numerous laps together, saw each other on the course over and over, and truly got to know each other. It was so pleasant to continually ride and talk with the same riders over and over and to look forward to the comradery of riding with others. So many friendly racers!  This made the long and grueling pedaling much more pleasant.

Personal recap

Both Joël and I are content but not necessarily elated with our numbers from this race. Our overall mileage (approximately 150), moving time (19 hours), race time (23 hours) and heart rate/exertion is not what we usually expect and strive for at a 24 hour race. We each took numerous mini-breaks (5-15 minutes to sit and cool off) and each even took a short (30ish minutes) nap (I admit I napped twice) during the early morning laps; we usually do not sleep.  Each of us did quite a bit of really slow pedaling and even a fair among of walking. Our legs were not the limiting factors as usual; instead this time the exhaustion on our bodies was.  However…both Joël and I contributed all of this to the heat. It really took it’s tool. We both battled physical and mental effects of the extreme heat and it reflected on our ride stats. Slower pace, more breaks to cool off, a little nap time.  In hindsight sure our numbers aren’t quite where we want them to be but in relation to the conditions they are a respectable result.

Equipment/Gear

Joël bike: Pivot Mach 4 SL

Jess bike: Liv Pique Advanced

Lupine Lights for both: Jess Piko on helmet; Joël Piko on helmet and Betty on handlebar

Pit set-up: our Ram Promaster campervan with awning parked along the course

Support team: no-one; we race solo and are self-supported. Out dog Clifford comes along with us; he is supportive via mid-race petting and cuddling when emotional support is needed.

Bike shop: Saucon Valley Bikes for all bike care along with clothing, gear, equipment

 

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