24 Hours of
Great Glen by Big Day Brewing
August 2-3,
2025
Gorham, New
Hampshire
Jessica 1st first overall female and first masters female
Joël 2nd single speed male
This race is
one we keep coming back to. There is no reason not too…expect maybe the agony
of riding for 24 hours! The venue, the course, the organizers, the sponsors,
the fellow riders and spectators, the amenities, what the area has to offer all
make 24 Hours of Great Glen and event to return back to again and again.
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After departing
Pennsylvania in our camper van Thursday morning, Joël and I arrived at the race
site Friday early afternoon. Camping for race weekend (Friday-Monday) is in a
large field area at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road which is divided into
a solo area and team area; sites are first come first serve. The course circumnavigates through this field
so that solo riders can access their sites, aka “pits” and so that teams can
cheer for their riders. Big thanks to
Liz and her crew for moving their set-up a bit so that Joël and I could get our
favorite and regular parking spot; it’s a good feeling to know we have such
supportive, friendly, and helpful neighbors. After parking and setting up it
was time to put the feet up and relax watching a movie and reading. Registration that evening went smoothly and
we enjoyed some beers thanks to Big Day Brewing while hanging out and chatting
with other racers and their support crews.
Race headquarters, centered in the middle of the camping area, is a huge
while circus-esque tent. It is the spot for registration, timing during the
event, awards after and also is the spot for vendors, food, and bike
support. Soon time for bed and quite
hours, which I have to say are well adhered to at this race. Everyone was
respectful by 10pm. Note about Friday
night: the night sky was AMAZING. The
stars and the Milky Way were beautiful.
Race morning greeted Joël and I with blue skies and temperatures forecasted to
be no more than 70F. Perfect! Final set-up of our pit area, last checks and
preps, and it was soon time for the racer meeting and time to line-up for the
lemans start. This race is a mass start- all racers together- and is a run to
each riders bike, known as a lemans start. It’s a way to break up the field. Speedy
team riders probably did the run in five minutes, casual solo riders walked the
run in 15. Once the run is done, on the
bikes and time to ride.
The course,
which is a mix of double track and single track, is fun and beautiful yet
challenging. There are a few short steep punchy climbs and of course the
challenging switch backs and paved ascent up Blue Berry Hill. The single track
and rock gardens during the beginning part of the course are perfect to mix
things up a bit between the gravel and dirt double track. The techy descent after Blueberry Hill is
always fun albeit at times sketchy with all the bridges, rocks, and roots. The swoopy descent with berms before
approaching the tunnel is always a good time, this year due to the dry
conditions it was soft and sand like taking many riders- including myself- by
surprise at times. Course highlights
that are unique to 24 Hours of Great Glen: the tunnel- a two-way tunnel under
the road to get from one side of the course to the other; temptation corner-
riders have the option to take the A (faster) line over an elevated log and
bridge feature or the B (slower) line which serpentines through the field; and
the floating bridge; a literally floating bridge over the pond that is
decorated and painted to match the race theme for each year (if riders opt not
to take the bridge they can ride around the pond but this takes much longer). Overall the course is a good, fun ride that
always keeps riders on alert. In
addition to the ride, the scenery can’t be beat. Views of the surrounding mountains (which are
amazing at sunset and sun rise) the field of wildflowers, blueberry plants on
the mountainside, the ride along the babbling creek, and the greenery of the
forest along with really cool rock formations (anyone else see the rock pile
with the sign calling it Dinosaur Eggs?) make this course a joy to ride. Note
about the view: this year wildfires to the north caused smoke and haze to
obscure the view. The beautiful stars and sky seen on Friday night were no
longer visible for the remainder of the weekend.
The first few
laps started off with gumption. I was cruising right along. Then shortly before
night fall all of a sudden I lost my mojo. Thoughts were going through my head-
why am I out here, how many more hours do I have to ride, won’t it feel
wonderful to stop and sleep overnight, this is so stupid why am I doing
this? I met up with Joël
for a bit and my tears started flowing, I was having a hard time. I had to dig really deep to answer all those
questions in a way that would gave me the urge and the want to keep
riding. I am out here because it’s
better than being at work, I am not doing house chores, I am doing something I
enjoy. I am riding until noon the next
day no matter what. Yes, it would fee
great to stop but I entered a 24 hour race and that is what I am doing, being
on course for 24 hours is what I am here for.
I am doing this to challenge myself and to push my limits; to show
myself and be an example and inspiration to others of what is possible. I started to really focus on the pretty
flowers and enjoy the scenery, talk more to fellow riders, and sing songs to
myself. Self-motivation got me to a good
place and I decided this is it, I am going as hard as I can and as far as I can
until this thing is officially over.
And of course just
as I was feeling down what extra motivation came along? The bacon! 7 to 10pm the race organizers were offering
bacon and smores on the course at Temptation Corner. Oh that bacon was so good.
Salty, warm, and crispy. Just the thing I needed to lift my spirits and give me
the energy to keep going. The Bacon Rave has a bonfire, music, and spectators
galore. Also, I can’t forget to mention
the cheering spectator at the hairpin corner within the descent after
Temptation Corner. I am not sure who this guy was but he was there pretty much
the entire race cheering for racers, how freaking amazing. He made me smile
every time through.
Alright, so
mojo back. Ready to ride. It has been decided that no matter what I am getting
this mother f’er completed. Then came the chill and weird temperature swings of
the early morning hours. A spectacular 70ish degrees during the day went down
to high 40s/50ish at night. This to many may seem ideal, which when not
exhausted and calorie depleted may be.
My body did not like it. Still
overheating on the climbs but jack-hammer shivering on the descents, especially
the gravel road along the creek. I would go from sweating to virtually
hypothermic and feeling woozy in a matter of minutes. I decided that no matter
what I was not stopping. I decided to add extra layers to keep in all the
warmth I could and also keep my energy use as consistent as possible. I started walking, and walking a lot. Walking on the climbs to not allow my heart
rate too high. Walking some of the descents as to not get too cold. Joël
and I met up at some point during these laps and he was having a rough go of it
also. We decided to ride slowly and
walked together for a few laps. Made for not the best lap times but kept the
forward momentum going. Before we knew it sunrise was upon us and it was a
whole new game-on philosophy. Note for night laps: the course was decorated at
places with the “under the sea” theme. The light-up jelly fish were the best.
Thank goodness
for a change in scenery and temperature. The sun came up and that meant just
about six hours to go. I felt so much
better. As did Joël. We opted to go our own ways. I was leading the womens
field by a number of laps but wanted to challenge myself to put in the best
effort I could; my goal was 17 laps and I knew if I rode hard I could make
this. Joël was now in a race to see who
would persevere between second and third in the single speed so it was time to
ride hard until the end for him.
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Ride complete! The Nankmans enjoyed all the unique aspects of this race that make it one of a kind: the comradery of our neighbors and other riders, the beautiful and challenging course, engaged and caring racer directors who get to personally know their riders, the free beer, proximity to other things to do like hotels/restaurants/tourist items, and the vibes this race creates of having fun yet racing hard. Definitely recommend and definitely plan on coming back.
What else
was done during our 2025 visit
Dinner and
drinks at The Glen House (multiple times, it’s within walking distance of the
race site)
Lunch and
drinks at Moat Mountain Brewery
Swim and relax
in a local river
Camp in the local National Forest
Gorham Moose
Tour (saw seven moose)
We DID NOT do
in 2025 but still have to recommend drive the Mt. Washington Auto Road
-photos by Joe Viger photography and the Nankmans
-words by Jess
- support behind the scenes by Saucon Valley Bikes, Liv and Giant Cycling, Lupine Lights, Main Street Gym