There are so many race reports on this blog. Do you really need to hear about another individual race? Another 24 hour race has just come and gone. There were great moments and dark moments, as in every 24 hour race. In the end, Joël and I each topped the podium. But something different in lieu of a race report. I thought I would write about the EXPERIENCE of a 24 hour race.
This racing style seems to be something Joël and I excel at. So far, I have been on the podium at every 24 hour race we have done; Joël has been on the podium almost every time. We aren't super fast but we are fast enough and we can ride forever. We have a van set-up to accommodate weekends away and sleeping where ever we need. Our dog, Clifford, is the perfect traveling companion that can go anywhere and everywhere with us. So in a nutshell all these attributes are perfect for us to compete in 24 hour races.
When people ask us what we are doing/what we did for the weekend and we say a 24 hour mountain bike race strange looks often follow, especially on the faces non-cyclists. Usually after that many questions come about. The more I ponder over these questions that seem like the norm to Joël and I the more I realize the idea of this style of racing is foreign to many people. I thought I would write about many of these questions; giving thoughts, insights, and answers to the questions we often get.How does the course work?
24 hour races are lap races. A lap is typically 8 to 16 miles depending on the race; taking the average racer 60 to 120 minutes. The winner is the person who completes the most laps in 24 hours. Being that these are mountain bike races; the course is usually a mix of single and double track. It's never too technical; that would be dangerous as riders get sleepy.
How do you eat/drink/get supplies?
We have a "pit area". Think Nascar. We set-up a pop-up tent, tables, a changing tent, and the van right along the course. We have a generator to give electric and have lighting for at night. Food, water bottles, bike supplies, and extra clothing are all strategically placed. Check out the timelapse video, just click on it to play.
What do you eat?
We listen to our bodies. Our pit set-up has TONS of food and drink. One never knows what they are going to be hungry for and what our stomachs can handle. We have learned what we like and what works for us and have a big buffet spread out. Sports nutrition items include Honey Stinger chews, bars, and waffles; gels, Clif shot blocks, and Endurolytes. Regular food things are bananas, Pringles, pretzels, PB&J sandwiches, gummy candies, peanut M&Ms, cookies, and crackers. Hydration consists of Gatorade, Carbo-Pro, Cokes, water, and Boost drinks. 24 bottles (one for each hour) are pre-filled and kept in coolers so that we can just grab and go. Our favorite thing and special item is warm chicken broth kept in a crock-pot. Nothing better in the middle of the night than a warm cup of broth.Do you sleep?
Do you really ride for 24 hours?
Essentially yes. There is a some stopping every lap at the pit area to eat, exchange bottles, maybe change clothing. At 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in 2017 my official finish time was just about 25 hours and according to my Garmin my ride time was well over 23 hours.What about your bike? What if something breaks?
First off, we have complete confidence in Liv and Giant Bikes that they can take the beating we put upon them. I ride a Liv Pique Advanced and Joël a Giant XTC Advanced +. We feel the quality and workmanship of these bikes keeps them working well. In addition, through the help of Saucon Valley Bikes our bikes stay in good working order. Some racers will have spare bikes or at least spare wheels. We don't have any of that, we just make sure our bikes are cared for well, parts are replaced regularly, and we take care of any issues prior to race day.How do you feel the next day?
Tired. Sore. Hungry. Really, really, really hungry. Accomplished if we did well, disappointed if things didn't go as planned. We try not to eat sweets or junk food often, but the day after a 24 hour race is usually filled with cake, cookies, and chips.How do you see at night?
A light on the helmet and accessory light on the handlebars. Helmet light of choice is the Lupine Piko with 1200 lumens of light. It's lightweight, gives a ton of light, easily adjustable, and has numerous battery choices. Handlebar light is usually something smaller, 600 to 800 lumen, and is just there for emergency use. We also do fun things like colored spoke likes and blinky lights on our helmets.What does Clifford do while you race?
Cliff stays in the van. We have a way to keep the back and side doors open for him; using mesh and a wire dog guard to keep him from escaping. We have reflective sun-shades to block all the windows along with a fan going. Add the awning on the van and pop-up tent partially over the van and it stays nice and cool. Cliff has our entire bed to lay on and ample room to move around. We each take a turn to stop and let him out during the race. If it's a race where Cliff can't go or really shouldn't (too hot or too busy) then he stays with his grandma.
How do you train for an event like this?
Just ride bikes. An event like this is 70% mental and only 30% physical. As part of our regular training for other races we will do a few 6 to 8 hour rides early on in the year to build endurance. But that's it, no other specific training other than the regular racing and training we do. Sure, we do intervals, hill repeats, and technique training but this is just regular training for all the racing we do; not specifically for 24 hour racing. On average, we ride 12 to 15 hours a week. We do make sure to do a few night rides in the weeks leading up to a race to remind ourselves what it is like to ride at night and get our lights adjusted properly.
How do you keep going, don't you get tired?
I sing songs to myself. I talk to my bike. Joël listens to music on his I-Pod. We talk to other racers. Look at the surrounds. At night weird things happen; creatures come out, shadows look weird, the forest becomes an interesting place (which can be cool and scary at the same time). Many people say the sunrise rejuvenates them. I don't really feel that way. Sure, it's pretty but it just reminds me how much more I need to ride. For me, I most look forward to the beginning of the night laps just because everything changes so much; it becomes an enchanted forest. Most races do something interesting at night to help keep riders going; Christmas-style lights, aliens in trees, a "whiskey tree" all make for variety to keep things interesting. In every race there are times when things suck, times of "why am I doing this", maybe even tears. But there are just as many (or more) smiles, times when it's fun, and moments of accomplishment- that's why we do this crazy stuff.
What about going to the bathroom and other gastrointestinal issues?The forest makes for great pee breaks. If a real toilet is needed, races typically have a port-o-john or real bathrooms somewhere along the course. As far as other gastrointestinal issues, 24 hours is a long time, odd food items are being consumed, and the stress and strain of racing can do weird things to the gut. That is what Immodium and Pepto are for.
What do you wear? How about chafing?
As for chafing, lots and lots of chamois lube. We also have lidocaine gel to use if we get a saddle sore. As for clothing, typical bike clothing- bibs, jersey, etc. Good clothing makes all the difference; yes, expensive cycling shorts really are worth it. My current favorite is the Liv Signature bibs. Both Joël and I change at least once; one time is usually half-way through and we will change again if it's terrible weather (wet and/or muddy chamois are not any fun). There is just something so refreshing about putting on clean clothing. We try to change as little as possible; it's strange how tough it is to get undressed and dressed when you are tired and in a rush. One thing that we use that has helped immensely is a changing tent. It looks similar to an outhouse. We set it up next to our pit area and can hang our clothing in it for easy changing when needed. Other helpful items- a good pair of glasses and comfy gloves are a must.
What about staying cool and hydrated when it's hot?
First rule when it's hot- take it easy when it's hot. Both Joël and I learned the hard way about overheating and dehydration- they are a sure way to ruin a race. In the coolers where we keep our bottles we have sponges and rags soaking that we can wipe off with to help stay cool. Our favorite is ice socks. We fill a few big tube socks with ice and stick them in our jerseys. The ice takes about half a lap to melt, this really helps to keep cool.
How about the weather?All sorts of weather can happen during a 24 hour period. Joël and I have raced 24 hour races in everything from hot and sunny 90+ degrees to raining and almost freezing temperatures. We are racing, so not matter what the weather throws at us we are going to keep riding. We pack accordingly and bring the proper clothing for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Remember as stated earlier, 70% mental, terrible weather is when the mental game comes into play the most.
So have I answered all your questions? Yes, it seems crazy to ride a bike for 24 hours. But, as odd as this sounds, we like it. It's a challenge, it's an accomplishment. We test our bodies and minds to see what they can do and push them farther than the last time. It's a way to motivate ourselves to go further and faster and hopefully motivate others along the way. We get to see new places and make new friends. In the words of Liv Cycling, it's "How We Liv".- Jess (with occasional input from Joël)
Links to posts about some of the 24 hour races we have done. Hardcore 2015 has a great race video.
Hardcore 24 2015
Hardcore 24 2016
18 Hours Scouts Honor
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo