Mountain and Gravel in Uwharrie: Wood Run Mountain Bike Race and Kings Mountain Gravel Grinder

 

A Weekend at Uwharrie: Wood Run MTB race and Kings Mountain Gravel Grinder

Wood Run MTB 36 mile mountain bike race Saturday October 3, 2020

Kings Mountain Gravel Grinder 48 mile race Sunday October 4, 2020

Uwharrie National Forest, Troy, North Carolina

A few days off for vacation time, an interest to learn the trails somewhere new and different, and the urge to race brought the Nankmans to Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina for a weekend of Trans-Sylvania Productions racing. 

Saturday was the Wood Run Mountain Bike race based out of the Wood Run parking area in Uwharrie National Forest. The race had three distance options; 12,24, and 36 miles.  Each distance utilized the same 12 mile loop; repeating the loop the appropriate number of times to get the correct distance. The course started with double track, which was perfect to allow the racers spread out a bit. Once hitting single track it was mile after mile of fun and fast riding.  The trails at Uwharrie are undulating, twisty, and technical.  Speed came easy, and at times the tight turns and loose gravel made for sketchy sections.  The climbs were short and steep, leg burning and lung busting especially during a race.  A good number of awesome and fun rock gardens are scattered throughout the sections of single track, adding some thought provoking and technical challenges along the way.  Mid-race the course passed thought the start/finish and parking area which was a perfect place for racers to leave bottles or to make use of the race supplied aid station. From here it was a short ride on gravel and then back onto the trail to complete the lap.

Joël and I each entered the long course, the 36 mile distance.  We had very different races, but in the end we both enjoyed the trails and got in great rides.  My race was a challenge, possibly even a did-not-finish, right from the get go.  A flare-up of a chronic injury made any movement uncomfortable.  Wes at Saucon Valley Massage did the best he could to get me race ready but I wasn’t even sure if I could complete the ride.  Obviously I did but it was filled with moments of uncertainty and discomfort.  Shortly into the race a stick invaded my drive train but luckily Joël was just behind me when this happened.  He fixed the twisted chain and bent derailleur but told me something along the lines of “you will have a tough time shifting and your chain may snap at any moment”.  The rest of race was filled with sketchy gear changes and wondering if at any moment my pedaling would end. Discomfort from injury and potentially race ending mechanicals…a reason to stop?  Nope, a reason to persevere and fight even harder, to be committed to the ride and getting to the finish line.  And getting to the finish line fast; winning the women's race. 

Joël’s race was more of a ride, not a race.  Riding a single speed on this type of course he knew right from the start he would not be competitive in the open men division, thus he decided to just ride and make video of the event.  Finishing mid pack he was happy with the ride and enjoyed his time out there.

Just as an FYI Uwharrie is also a great place to night ride. The night after the mountain bike race (thus the evening before the gravel race) after some wine and whiskey Joel and I decided that taking Cliff out for a night ride seemed like an amazing idea. Maybe not the best advice to do between two hard efforts but to do something fun and interesting it was worth is. Coyotes howling and so many amazing mushrooms (highlighted by the new Lupine Lights Piko 1900) were highlights of the ride.

Sunday was the Kings Mountain Gravel Grinder, held at Baldin Lake Recreation Area within Uwharrie National Forest.  It was a double loop course, 24 miles per lap, allowing racers to choose from a one lap or two lap event. Joël and I both were riding the 48 miler.  The course was a mix of gravel roads, paved roads, and packed dirt roads; no double track or trail. It was a very gentle gravel grinder, perfect for someone just getting into gravel riding or someone who wanted a more relaxing ride. The course wove through beautiful scenery, so many things to look at and enjoy.  Throughout the recreation area campers and other park users were out and about enjoying the day.  The forest was gorgeous, pine forests, shrubby fields, beautiful blue sky. The course wove through farm land; horses, cattle, and dogs were everywhere.  Some adorable donkeys were out in one field.  Many farm residents were sitting on their porches, I would assume enjoying coffee and breakfast.  They all responded to my wave with a friendly hello.

Having a back ground as a road racer, Joël took a look around at the start and said it was going to be like a road race using tactics, drafting, etc.  He was in his element.  Riding a gravel bike and knowing today would be a day for him to be competitive Joël’s race started hard right from the start. The men's race immediately divided into a lead group of about a dozen who took turns pulling the group while working together to create a buffer between them and other racers.  Guys slowly dropped off the back and in the end there were six racers, Joël ending up 6^th.  He said it was quite the race, quite the hard effort; he was exhausted and happy with his race.

I showed up at the start feeling like a duck out of water.  I don’t have a gravel bike. I was riding my full suspension mountain bike, a Liv Pique Advanced. Looking around at the other ladies at the start I wondered how much of a disadvantage I had, what would my ride be like?  In fact, in talking to a guy who was also riding a mountain bike I said my only goal was to not be last.  Well, I didn’t have to worry about that.  I earned the top podium spot of 1^st overall woman, showing that you don’t need a gravel bike to win a gravel grinder race.  Not knowing at all what to expect, I started conservative.  After a few miles I passed other ladies and was in the lead. Well, now that I was in first place I had to keep it.  At the turn arounds I could see the second place lady no more than a few minutes behind me which meant I there was no letting up and no taking it easy. I had to work hard, maybe even harder since I had a heavier bike, suspension working against me, and big knobby tires making more resistance.  It was tough, I finished the race exhausted and with that previously noted injury bothersome still but so happy to have kept the lead.

Accommodations for the Nankmans for the weekend were the van.  National forests are wonderful in that they allowing camping pretty much anywhere, which made for great vanlife living for the weekend. We had an amazing spot directly at Saturday’s race location. We stayed there Friday through Sunday morning, driving over to the gravel race on Sunday morning.

Trans-Sylvania Productions did a great job of putting on a well run, smooth, competitive, and fun weekend of racing. Trails were well marked.  Courses were challenging, a good ride, and scenic.  Post race food was provided in a COVID safe manner. Awards were unique and personal.

Next stop post race?  To Saucon Valley Bikes to get the Liv Pique Advanced fixed up.  To Honey Stinger to restock on all the race food consumed.  Back to Saucon Valley Massage and St. Lukes Spine and Pain to get the body back to working well again.

-          Words by Jess

-          Photos by Nankmans and Trans-Sylvania Productionsrace photography

Double the Fun or Double the Stupidity? Shenandoah Mountain 60 Mile and 100 Mile Races on Back to Back Days

Shenandoah Mountain 100K and 100 miler 

“Stan The Man/Woman” event; racing both races back to back
60 miles on Saturday September 12, 2020
100 miles on Sunday September 13, 2020
George Washing National Forest, Mt. Solon, Virginia 

Nothing like deciding on a Wednesday to race 60 miles on Saturday and 100 miles on Sunday.

Shenandoah Mountain Touring puts on great races, but the SM (Shenandoah Mountain) 100 is typically not on the schedule for the Nankmans. We usually have other races going on that take precedence for us; 24 hour races and other ultra endurance events. However, this year COVID 19 created substantial changes to our race schedule and the SM 100 became a viable race option.

Joël and I entered the 100 miler about a week or two before the race, at which time the 100K (60 mile) and 100 mile were on the same day. Soon after news was released that the races would be separated to help with social distancing; the 60 mile race on Saturday and the 100 mile race on Sunday. A lightbulb went off in the brain of both Joël of I, wouldn’t it be a stupid but great idea to do both races, race on both days. These are not easy races on their own; lots of climbing, technical single track, harrowing descents; racing one day is challenging, racing both days would be extremely challenging. We really weren’t ready; not packed appropriately, not enough time off from work for travel, it’s not really a logical option. But for those of you that know the Nankmans, we thrive on crazy things like this, it’s what we like to do. So all in for us, NOT racing both days was NOT and option. The only option that made sense to us was racing both days; we decided to also enter the 60 mile race just a few days before the weekend. 

We didn’t know when entering, but this option also had extra perks. Joël and I entered both days just for the challenge. What we didn’t know is that it would become an “official” event. Shenandoah Mountain Touring and Stans No Tubes created a “Stan The Man” and “Stan the Woman” award to the fastest combined times of both days; the winner coming away with a set of Stans wheels. I was able to take the title for the weekend; Joël put in a good effort but guys with gears on their bikes went faster.

Now it not only was it a personal challenge to race both days…cash awards were on tap for each individual race and a set of wheel was up for the earning for best combined time. Time to push the limits for the personal challenge and to earn some good prizes.

So what was it like to race both days, how did we do it, what went through our minds?

Well, being that is was spur of the moment decision we didn’t have the best race planning in place. Thinking we were only racing the 100 mile race on Sunday we really didn’t taper well. We still rode hard earlier in the week, thinking we had one extra day to recover and taper. Riding hill repeats on Tuesday and a long endurance ride on Wednesday is not really recommended prior to a weekend of 160 miles of racing, but oh well, that’s what happens when you don’t decide to enter a Saturday race until Wednesday night. IIt also takes quite a bit of extra packing when one decides to enter race an extra race; extra kit, race food, bottles, pre and post race food and beer, etc. Throwing things together, re-organizing, and re-packing on Thursday night from just a 100 miler on Sunday to a 60 and 100 miler on Saturday and Sunday added some urgency and stress to the race prep. And travel, this is where things really got interesting. Nothing like pulling into the race site at 1am on Saturday morning for a Saturday race…for a weekend of racing. Because Joël and I originally only planned on racing Sunday we our work schedule for Friday were as usual, a regular full day at work. Add to this I had a social event at work that made my day just a little longer. So on the road for the drive from PA to VA started at 7:30pm.

Back again to what was it like to race both days? To summarize…arrive at race site at 1am. Wake up a few hours later and race 60 miles. Both Joël and I decided to really race this day, go hard and not worry about riding the next day. These tactics paid off and we both were on the podium, 2nd place overall female and 2nd place single speed. After the Saturday race try to recover as best as possible. Hydrate well, eat a good dinner, drink a few beers. Put our feet up and watched a movie in the van. Prepped the bikes and our gear for the next day; Liv Pique Advanced ready to go, Honey Stinger nutrition packed in drop bags, Lupine Lights as backup just in case needed. Try to catch-up on sleep with an early bedtime. Sunday morning it was an early race start, 6:30am. Being that we prepped well the night before and we both planned on just a slow start at the back of the pack we rolled out of bed not even and hour before the race start. Our legs were tired, our bodies achy, but everything still felt like it had another 100 miles in it. Both Joël and I decided to start the 100 mile race slow and conservative and see how the day went. As the day went on Joël felt better got into a little battle with a fellow single speeder and picked up the pace. I decided to just continue on at my conservative yet moderate and steady pace, enjoying the ride while taking in the views, chatting with other racers, and talking with aid station volunteers. Sure, not a true racing effort but still a good enough pace to earn a podium spot for me, 5th overall woman.



The weekend ended with social distance hanging out with friends; great conversations, good drinks, fun times. Which after it was all said and done…tired bodies, chafing, blisters, scrapes and bruises from crashes…the best part was that the weekend seemed almost normal. Masks were worn and distances were kept but friendships were reunited, catching-up was done, and hanging out occurred. A weekend of bikes and friends, can’t get much better than that.

Two days, 160 miles of racing, almost 20,000 feet of climbing, almost 17 hours of total riding for me and 15 hours for Joël. Both 2nd place on Saturday at the 60 mile race. 5th place for me at the 100 mile race on Sunday. “Stan the Woman” title earned. Thanks to SM Touring for putting on a great race, for all the volunteers for being out there, and for Stans No Tubes for the wheelset.

- Words by Jess
- Photos by Nankmans
- Input from Joël

24 Hours of Iron Maiden; Torture Device or Awesome Race

24 Hours of Iron Maiden
Chain Buster Racing
McCalla, Alabama
June 12-13, 2020
Joël 1st expert male
Jessica 1st expert female

Iron Maiden...a mythical torture device that inflicted slow suffering, pain, and death. Much like a 24 hour race does.


Note: click on video link to play

COVID-19 has races being canceled one after the other, which is the right and safe thing to do. But for the Nankmans, we look forward to racing. It's a way to challenge ourselves, gives us goals, gives purpose to our training. And not only do we race for the physical aspects, it's also a way to meet new friends and catch-up with old ones, we see new places, experience different cultures. Racing is a physical and mental test along with a social outing and a vacation of sorts. The cancellation of races has left us feeling empty while waiting in anticipation for a real race to happen.

Along comes 24 Hours of Iron Maiden.  Joël and I always had this race on our radar but it occurs on or near the date of other 24 hour races that are a much closer drive; driving six hours has always won out over driving 13 hours. Not too long ago an e-mail arrived from Chain Buster Racing about the event being on, the other 24 hour races closer were canceled, we already had some time off from work planned.  The discussion in the Nankman household went "Hey Joël, next weekend we have some time off and there is a 24 hour race in Alabama, want to go?" Joël replied "sure, I think we can drive 13 hours, do a 24 hour race, and drive home all in 4 days. Let's do it."

The race location was Tannehill Ironworks Park which is the perfect venue for this type of event.  Camping directly on the course was available to all racers ranging from primitive camping to RV hook-ups with electric and water. Campground style bathrooms with showers were on site. A very family and pet friendly park, so all can come along.  Arriving on Friday, the night before the race, Joël and I found the ideal spot adjacent to the course for our van which also serves as our sleeping accommodations.  Social distancing check in went quickly and smoothly, we did some race prep, then it was time for a camp stove cooked dinner and relaxing with some wine and rum while watching the sun set prior to getting a good night sleep. The last real sleep we would have until Sunday night.

Waking up race morning there were still a few event prep items that needed to be done prior to the 9am race start.  Our pit area is pretty simple.  The awning from the van covers a folding table and we use all solar operated lights for at night. We do have a generator and inverter in the van if power is needed.  Nutrition, primarily all Honey Stinger products, is packed in a tote at home and then the tote is placed on the table. Bottles are filled at home and each Joël and I have our own cooler.  We each typically fill about 20 bottles, enough to get through most of the race so refilling in minimal.  Lupine Lights are pre-attached to our night riding helmets and these are set on the table for a quick helmet swap when night laps arrive.  A changing tent holds extra kits for when we each put on fresh clothing mid race.

The race start was a little different than usual. Typically all racers, solo and team in both 12 and 24 hour events, start riding together. To create distance between racers due to COVID-19, racers lined up according to racing division. The solo 24 hour racers were the first in line!  Usually solo 24 hour racers head to the back at the start; we aren't racing full speed at the start like team racers are, we are going slow to conserve energy.  Many of us joked that we would be passed in no time, maybe even some of us would pull over and let the speedy team riders go by.

The course overall was ideal for a 24 hour race.  Laps were 10 miles, taking solo racers anywhere from one to two hours to complete.  The start/finish line was the camping and pit area giving easy access to racers needs.  A few good climbs but nothing killer.  There were fun pump-track style areas, techy rock gardens, some tight and twisty spots and also some long flattish areas.  There was ample room for passing in both the single track and a few double track areas. It was a course that was difficult enough to keep riders on their toes but not so difficult that when exhausted things were excruciating or dangerous. The climbs were still manageable when tired but also steep enough to be an excuse for a walk break.  A perfect course for my Liv Pique Advanced 29; it's nimble, light, responsive, comfortable and did everything in the course well.

The weather was cooperative for this event but required temperament management.  No rain at all, which of course is ideal when racing.  The high temperatures on Saturday were around 90, which did impact how we rode our races. Our pace and exertion during the hottest times of the day was decreased.  When stopping at our pit area Joël and I utilized sponges and towels soaked in icy water to wipe ourselves down and I even packed ice in my sports bra to keep cool.  Preventing overheating at long events like this not only helps at the immediate moment but also is key in being able to continue to ride later in the race.  Temperatures went into the low 60s at night which was perfect.  Just cool enough to give a reprieve from the heat of the day but not so cool at to require additional layers.

As for our individual races, we both had to work hard for the win.  The second place women and I were within striking distance of each other until the early morning hours which meant no rest for the weary. I was really feeling crappy around two to three am.  Nausea, back seizing up, so super tired that I was riding off the trail.  Joël and I rode together for a few laps at this point which is always helpful to both of us, to encourage and support each other.  I then told Joel to go on, I needed to go really slow for a bit. One key to 24 hour racing is that sometimes you just need to keep going not matter what.  I walked and walked often. I sat (and I suspect even napped) on a rock and on a bench on the side of the trail and laid in the van for a few minutes to recover.  After these little rest breaks I felt much better and it was race on again.  For all 24 hours, Joël had a race going with the second place guy; the entire race they were only about half a lap apart.  Struggles with a swollen arm from being stung by a bee along with blistered and cramping hands made for some interesting challenges for Joel.  After his mid-race break when both he and I rode together for awhile Joel learned the second place guy was getting closer.  Race on for the two of them which became a battle until the very end.  No mechanical issues with our bikes, Saucon Valley Bikes keeps things running smoothly to help prevent issues during races.  Joel attempted to make a race video but due to concentrating on racing that never came to complete fruition.

What else is worth mentioning and is note worthy about this event? The creatures that came out at night.  Deer everywhere.  Cute little mice scampering across the trail. Joel and I stopped to let a cotton mouth snake cross our path.  Coyotes were heard off in the distance and quite a few owls were hooting. Some cute little toads were out and about.  A raccoon on the trail that then scampered into a tree.  Gigantic daddy long-legger spiders and centipedes.  Joël was lucky enough to spot an armadillo.   He said that is now his spirit animal.

To summarize, both Joël and I are so happy this race ended up on our schedule. This event was well worth the drive and the last minute prepping. Perfect course and good location for a 24 hour race. The race organizers Jason and Dawn were friendly and welcoming; Chain Buster Racing always puts on top notch events. Fellow racers were cheerful but yet racing was competitive.  Good race swag and amazing prizes (cash and awards) to top expert finishers.  Definitely a race we would recommend to others and one that will be on our schedule in the future. In fact, Chain Buster races in general are ones we would recommend and always enjoy attending.

Some planning notes about our travels. How did we fit all of this into such a short weekend?  How did we keep ourselves and everyone else safe by reducing the risk of corona virus spread despite traveling?  Our camper van is the key. We split the driving into two days on both ends, but our overnight accommodations are the van in a parking lot.  We carry food and supplies with us and cook on our own in the van, no need to stop at restaurants or get food at gas stations.  I will admit, we did stop and have a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, one can't visit the south without having BBQ and sweet tea. One family member you may see missing from this adventure is our dog Clifford.  He is out constant traveling companion but with the high temperatures foretasted and the fact we were really just going to race it was decided Cliff was better off staying at the family farm for a few days.

Anyone pick up on the great naming scheme here?  Took me a few days to figure it out. Iron Maiden the torture device, 24 hour races can be torture.  And the fact the race was at an ironworks. Just too much. Big props to the race directors for the amazing innuendos here.

Stats
Joël
Clock time 22 hours 58 minutes, moving time 21 hours 29 minutes, total miles 200
Jess
Clock time 22 hours 45 minutes, moving time 20 hours 22 minutes, total miles 183

- words by Jess
- input from Joël

Rebecca's Giddy Up Challenge Queen's Everest

Our Everesting Journey
Climbing on the bike the equivalent of Mt. Everest in one ride, 29,029 feet
May 24, 2020
Kunkletown, PA

This was not something Joël nor I really ever had on our bucket list. Not something either of us ever really considered doing. But all of a sudden it started popping up all over the internet. People we knew were signing up for this event call Rebecca's Giddy Up Challenge, a climbing challenge to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts.  It sparked my interest so I said to Joël lets sign up. We really didn't read much into the event until after we hit the "enter" button. As we evaluated the details and figured out what this would entail we had a "holy crap what did we get ourselves into" moment.  But, it's an endurance cycling challenge. And that's what the Nankmans like to do.  

So how does Everesting work? One must ride their bike, any style bike, up and down the same hill as many times as it takes to get 29,029 feet of climbing.  The rider can stop to eat/drink/bathroom/clothing change, etc but it must be done in one consecutive ride. We choose Point Phillips Road, a two mile stretch of roughly paved road in Kunkletown, PA with just around 1100 feet elevation gain. It switchbacks up the side of Blue Mountain with around a 10% grade.  The ideal part is the parking lot at the top, the Appalachian Trail parking area, which made for the perfect place to park the van and have it be our aid station for the day. There are a few houses along the way but we knew traffic would be minimal.  At that length and distance we calculated just under 30 repeats and around 110 miles of riding.

Side note: a typical 110 mile ride in Eastern Pennsylvania, either road or mountain, would be about 11,000 feet of climbing. It would take about seven hours on the road and about 12 to 13 hours on the mountain bike.

So here is a ride summary from each of us. In own own words what was this challenge was like:


Jess's report
I climbed Mt. Everest.
OK, not really. Cycled the elevation gain that Mt. Everest is high, 29,029 feet as part of Rebecca's Giddy Up Challenge Queen's Everest event.
15 hours doing about 30 repeats up and down the same hill.
START 8am felt great. Liv Cycling USA Pique Advanced ready.
Feet burning and tingly.
11am more fun that I thought. Feeling strong.
Hands hurting, blisters forming. Some chafing.
Noon running friends join in, great to have company.
Sun comes out and clouds go away. It gets hot
Dehydration and overheating.
Constantly eating Honey Stinger products for calories and electrolytes. Drinking extra.
Clothing is crusted in salt and I am sunburned.
Taking a few repeats easy to recover.
4pm air temperatures starting to cool down. Feeling energized again.
Friends come to cheer bringing icy cold sodas and snacks. Their support brings a smile to my face and helps me push on.
7pm sun is starting to set, Lupine Lights on.
Legs are really tired. Some cramping. An annoying squeaky pedal.
Rode with Joël for a bit.
9pm getting cold. The descent is freezing. More layers.
Forest creatures out and about. I see glowing eyes everywhere.
11pm my legs are shot. My back is seized up. Walking a good portion of the climb.
Almost midnight. FINISHED.


Joël's report
Well, since all the cool kids are doing it I figured what the heck. Lets have a crack at this Everest challenge (riding up and down a particular climb until you reach the equivalent elevation gain to summit Mount Everest 29029ft /8848m. Here is my Strava file. On a side note, as someone who has done many dumb/challenging feats of endurance. This is truly the dumbest I have ever done. And unlike 24 hour mountainbike races that I recommend to anyone interested. I would never recommend this and never do it again. https://www.strava.com/activities/3508737468
As an FYI it goes without saying that Jessica did this as well.

Thanks Rebecca Rusch and the Be Good Foundation for putting on this crazy event.

The 24 Hour Race Was Canceled; Why Not Still Ride for 24 Hours?

Our Own 24 Hour Race. The Social Distance Mandated Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge

May 16-17, 2020

Central Pennsylvania

Click directly on video below to play

The race we entered was canceled. However, plans were in place for the Nankmans for a 24 hour mountain bike race that weekend.  Vacation time was already submitted.  Race food was already purchased and prepped.  The cat already had a pet sitter for the weekend. So why not just race anyway?  Why not just do our own 24 hour event?

An attempt was made to rally other racers to take part, to make it a virtual challenge but nothing really came out of that.  So it was decided that it would be just the Nankmans doing their own event; the social distance mandated solo 24 hour challenge.  Just Jessica, Joël, and occasionally Clifford (the dog). On their own. In the forest of central Pennsylvania. Riding mountain bikes for 24 hours. Sound crazy? It is. Sound amazing? It was.

24 hour races are physically and mentally challenging as a group event, when there are actual other people to race. Competitors push each other. Prizes are at stake. Bragging rights are earned. Now imagine taking all of that motivation away. Tell two people they need to ride their bikes for 24 hours for really no reason other than to just do it. Tell two people they are going to be awake for 30 hours and riding their bikes for potentially 24 of those; they are going to be tired, sore, chafed, have blisters, be delirious, injured from crashing...and that they are doing this for no other reason than to just do it. Just to push themselves mentally and physically. Just to see of they can do it or not. Just for the challenge. Just for the enjoyment.

Well, that's what Joël and I did.  We started Saturday at 10am and finished Sunday just after 10am.  A total time out there of 24 hours with a moving time of 20 hours.  No sleep.  No sitting down.  Our only extended stops were for nutrition, hydration, to change clothes, to attend to Clifford (who joined us for some riding here and there) and for a mechanical issue. We had our ups and downs. We laughed. We cried.  We chit chatted. We asked for quite times.  We cracked jokes and did silly things.  We disagreed and voiced our opinions.  We cursed; sometimes a lot.  We stopped to look at the view and enjoy nature.  We rode hard.  We walked. Our legs hurt, our hands ached from holding the bars, our butts hurt from chafing.  But we overcame it all; the mental and physical hardships.  We showed that when you do something you love, and especially with the person you love, you can do crazy things and enjoy them.

I'm not going to bore you with all the details.  Watch the video above to see what it was all about. Click directly on the video above or click on the link here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNuzHL8z3qg

Thanks to Saucon Valley Bikes, Liv Cycling USA, Lupine Lights, Honey Stinger, and Bicycling Magazine for making things like this possible. A huge shout out to BEMA for caring for the awesome trails we rode and for stopping by to see us at the end. Your support was greatly appreciated!

- Jessica (and Joël) Nankman

Race Day; What to Expect and What Happens During a 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

Everything Is Tired, Sore, and Hurts
What to Expect on Race Day During a 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

It's around 11am, about an hour to go until the start (most 24 hour races start at noon).  By now breakfast and coffee are consumed.  The pit area; typically under a Saucon Valley Bikes pop-up tent next to the van; where all the race nutrition, hydration, gear and clothing is stored; is set up and ready to go.  Bike tires have been pumped, chain lubed, and race number affixed to handle bars.  Now it's time to put one's feet up, relax in a chair, and think "I'm excited about the challenge and looking forward to pushing myself but really, why the heck did I sign up for this?  I'm going to be riding my bike for the next 24 hours? Why?"  Many things will happen to a riders mind and body over the next 24 hours, I am here to enlighten you about what to expect.

The start and first few hours
Don't be tempted to go fast!  My goal for the first portion of the race is to get into am aerobic, decent paced rhythm. Get to know the course. Talk to other racers and get to know who else is out there, it's nice to make friends now so that in the middle of the night you have people to talk to.  Keep consistent with hydration, calorie intake, and if it is hot work on keeping cool.  I once had a very successful fellow 24 hour racer tell me "the first lap should be your slowest". I admit, I don't ride quite that slow but my advice is don't get caught up in the chaos of racing, don't feel you need to get the holeshot into the single track, it's OK to have to wait at times.  You can easily loose a race by going to hard in the first few hours. Ride at a honest pace, enjoy the course, eat and drink, make friends.

Dusk and nightfall
This is my favorite part of the race, usually about eight or so hours into the race.  At this point, I am starting to feel it, my legs and body are getting tired.  Typically my stomach is still fine, no digestion issues and I am eating and drinking as usual.  This means a bottle every hour rotating Gatorade/CarboPro mix and water for hydration and a mix of Honey Stinger chews, bars, and waffles as food.  When it's time to put the lights on I take a "personal refresher" break to help give my body and mind some motivation.  I change my kit; a fresh chamois and fresh Chamois Butt'r along with a non-sweaty sports bra and baselayer going into the night laps just feels so good.  I also take care of anything else that is bothering me; maybe there are some blisters starting that need attention, a toe rubbing inside of my shoe, a squeaky chain on my bike. Now is the time I take care of those things so I can do everything in one stop and start the night laps feeling refreshed.  Being its getting dark, time to put on my light, a Lupine Piko helmet mount (battery pack in my back pocket).  I use the battery pack that last 4 hours, it's light weight and only requires switching a few times during the night (I have two batteries). But as I alluded to, this is my favorite part of the race. After doing all the above, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated.  As night falls the course changes and the forest comes alive.  Creatures start to come out, the shadows make for interesting sights, and it just completely changes my entire perspective of the race. To me, this is the magical and mystical part of the race.

Midnight
Time to reflect, regroup, and hopefully recharge for when things get tough in a few hours. Right around 12 hours is when things get a little funny but I am still feeling decent, so it's time to think ahead and do what is needed to prevent problems later.  This is when I often add in some extra calories. In addition to the "chewable" food I always eat as mentioned above, I will also drink a Boost protein drink or some chicken broth with each stop at the pit.  I think about what may be happening soon; if my back is starting to hurt a little I take some Ibuprofen before it really starts to hurt.  If I am starting to feel a little chafing I add some extra Chamois Butt'r before things really start hurting. If I hear a little creaking in my chain I add extra chain lube. My Pique Advanced is always such a consistent ride; rarely does it need maintenance during a race.  This is the half way point so it's time to make sure things will all work fine and go smoothly for the second half.

The witching hours, around 2 to 4am
This is when things get tough for me. The course is usually empty by now, many people are sleeping. I get really tired right about now.  Riding in a straight line is tough, being on the trail can be dangerous.  I have fallen asleep while riding at this time.  Hallucinations are common.  Things are really starting to hurt.  This is when things are either going to fall apart or I'm going to persevere. I'm honest, there have been a few times when I have opted to sleep at this point. I made the call because maybe it was too dangerous to ride, maybe it was too cold to ride, or maybe my back hurt too much; but I opted the best for me was to sleep for a few hours. Obviously I try not to do that but sometimes it is a necessity.  If I opt to keep going these are the slow laps. It's all about just pedaling and keeping the forward momentum.  I continue to add in extra calories at each pit stop by eating food and also drinking broth and boosts. Liquid hydration is easier to digest right now. I make sure to switch out my Lupine Light battery to a fresh, fully charged one. The goal during these hours is to just keep going. Sometimes that involves quite a bit of walking, but hey, it's still forward momentum.  One nice thing about these late hours is this is the point in the race where Joël and I meet up. He is a little faster, has been ahead of me, and is now lapping me. Since things are slowing down and forward momentum is all that matters we usually start riding together. It is so nice to have company during these night laps. We talk, give each other motivation, and make sure we are still riding safe. Depending on how the race is going, meaning do we have time to wait for each other and not have to rush, we will often ride together from now until the end.


Daybreak
Ah, finally a sign that the end is near. Many people that do 24 hour racing say the sunrise is like a re-birth to them, then feel energized and new. I don't. I just feel that the sunrise is a reminder that I still have six more hours to go. Sorry to be such a downer about it. Usually by this time one or many of the following are happening: hands are so numb holding the bars hurts, legs are so sore and tired can barely pedal. bottom of feet hurt and are hot, chafing is occurring somewhere, stomach issues including nausea, back spasms happening.  By now there has usually been tears (sometime of frustration and pain, sometime of joy).  All sounds like a great time, right?  OK, but all that being said, it is refreshing to know the end is in sight.  The lights can come off. It starts to warm up. More people are on the course. From here on out it's auto pilot. No matter what just keep going. Sure, everything hurts but just keep going.  But it is only a few hours to go. Just keep pedaling and get through it.

Finish
Yipee, it's almost done.  Depending on the race the last lap has to be complete by 24 hours or the last lap needs to be started by 24 hours. Note of wisdom, know which it is. One year at 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo I did not know you had to cross the finish line after the 24 hour lap to have your time count. I crossed the line just before noon and thought I was done; nope, I had to go out for another lap. Which at that point meant another two hours out there. I literally cried. I didn't want to ride more, but I had no choice if I wanted to have a finish time.  I would have planned things different if I had know that was the rule. But no matter what, it's over.  Just get through those last few laps strong and know that soon you can sleep.  And the key to a strong finish...if Joël have ridden most of the race together we always cross the finish line with a kiss.  It's then time to clean up the pit area, attend podiums/awards, and then get some much needed sleep.

- words by Jess
- photos by Jess and Joël, Spotograf Mike Briggs

Twists and Turns to a Podium at 12 Hours of Santos

12 Hours of Santos

February 15, 2020
Ocala, Florida

Jess second solo open female
Joel sixth solo open men

Video Directly Below- Click Directly on Video to Play or Click Here for Link to You Tube


12 hours of twisty, turny, whoop-doopy fun sums up the 12 Hours of Santos race put on by Gone Riding in Ocala, Florida.

This was the second trip by the Nankmans to this race.  It happens at the same time as 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, the 24 hour race in Tucson, Arizona that Joel and I also have done multiple times before.  We like both races, so this year it was a decision of Santos or Old Pueblo. Old Pueblo: 72 hours of driving, two weeks off from work, potentially sub-freezing riding temps during the race.  Santos: Just a few days off from work, 28 hours of driving, and knowing we can ride in shorts and short sleeves the entire event.  Santos easily won out, and was well worth the trip down there.

The approximately nine mile race course is held on part of the 80 mile-ish Santos Trail and Florida Greenway traill system, with the race happenings centered around the Vortex Area. The Vortex is the "jump" area, there are dirt and wooden jumps, bridges, and skinnies.  The Santos trails in general are packed sand trails that are twisty and turny with some nice longer flat spots that one can really get pedaling.  One may think that Florida is flat, which the trails overall area, but where the race is held there is quite a bit of climbing.  Nothing sustained; all are short, steep, punchy climbs that often go straight down and then right back up.  They certainly are enough to make a riders legs burn and were a hike-a-bike for some, especially as the miles added up.  The same goes for technical features. Overall the Santos trails are smooth and non-technical, but the race location has a surprising number of little rocky areas, which by Eastern Pennsylvania standards are straight forward but yet after hours and hours of riding they can become challenging. In addition to the 12 hour team and solo event, there was a six and three hour competition also.

The race venue is set-up like many 12 and 24 hour races are.  The parking area is at the start/finish section of the race.  Riders can park directly along the course, which is ideal for solo riders so they can have easy access to their pit areas with food, hydration, and gear. Teams often set-up their pop-up tents directly along the course but then park RVs or put up tents in a large, communal field just a few minutes walk from the course.  Word of wisdom, if one wants a prime spot at this race arrive on Friday and get there early. The first time the Nankmans raced Santos we arrived at the race site late morning on Friday, and had ample parking spots to choose from that were directly along the course. This year we arrived late afternoon and had only a few spots along the course to choose from, and they were all just OK, not great.  And anyone who arrived after us really had no directly-on-the-course spots.  What complicates things for us is that not only do we want a good spot for racing reasons, we want a good spot for our dog Clifford. He needs easy access to good roaming and walking spots and somewhere that he will fee comfortable being in the van for the day.  Interesting enough, we were parked next to a group of riders from Ohio, some of whom we had met at North East races before. It was a little section of East Coast Rocks invading Florida.  Great for cheering and heckling each other since we had things in common.

So now onto the actual race. My goal was to stay consistent and strong the entire time; to not go out too hard as to blow-up part way through but yet to know I put in the best effort I could.  By watching my heart rate and my lap times I felt I did a decent job of doing that.  I definitely felt the effects of racing around hours eight through ten, but I was then able to get a second wind for the final laps.  My Liv Pique Advanced was perfect for this course. It's nimble and responsive for the twists and turns.  It's a comfortable fit and light on the climbs which makes for good riding during all those hours in the saddle.  Riding this bike just always puts a smile on my face and Saucon Valley Bikes makes this possible by keeping the Pique running smooth.  I stopped at our pit only every other lap (which was about every 100 minutes) and grabbed two bottles and enough Honey Stinger nutrition to get me until the next stop.  The combination of my favorite Honey Stinger waffles, bars, and energy chews kept me going strong and kept my belly happy.  When the night laps hit, which are my favorite laps, my Lupine Lights Piko lit the way. I really enjoy the night laps; creatures come out, you can see all the lights from other riders moving about the forest, and things look surreal in the shadows. The Piko is just perfect for night riding, it's light weight and gives amazing light.  After 11 hours and 40 minutes of racing with barely any stop time, I finished second female. And this truly was a race; the top three women were battling it out and not to far from each other during the entire event. None of us could ride easy and we all had to earn our spots on the podium.

The awards ceremony post race reflected the entire event, people hanging around, socializing, and cheering for others.  Sure, there were a few speedy team racers who were grumpy and wanted to pass ASAP, but overall other racers were friendly and talkative.  I chatted with many other riders while out on the course, and later in the race had many of these team riders giving me race splits and offering help if I needed it.  Spectators were numerous and were out there the entire 12 hours; thank you for that, your enthusiasm goes a long way.  The solo female riders were all supportive of each other and friendly, yet competitive, both during and after the race.  So not only a fun course with a good race venue, but also a friendly group of people to be riding with.

After two trips to 12 Hours of Santos, we can say it's a race worth returning to and would recommend it to others.  You can bet the Nankmans will plan to escape the Northeast cold and head to Ocala Florida again for this race in the future.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël
- race photos by Bobby Fishbough and Gone Riding

How to Get Through a 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race...All the Tips, Tricks, and Info You Need to Know to Successfully Ride for 24 hours

Many people ask Joël and I how we do these crazy things? How do we ride for 24 hours?  Maybe it’s just a curious friend, a stunned coworker, or maybe someone looking to get into 24 hour racing. Regardless, there are always tons of questions.  Well, let us tell you how; let us give you some advice and share with you some of our secrets.  After racing in numerous solo 24 hour races per year and numerous years of racing them, along with a slew of top podium finishes we feel we have gotten things dialed in.  I will admit, we are still learning something new at every race; every race is a new experience that throws a new challenge at us but we have a system down that works well and can handle those challenges and adversity.

Before we get started, what 24 hour races have Joël and I done?  Just so you have an idea of what craziness we have put ourselves through and understand we have done enough of these, and won enough of these, to feel we can give tips to others.  Multiple times racing Old Pueblo, Summer Solstice, Hardcore 24, One and Done Brady’s Run, Conyers, and RVA 18 and 24 had at least one, if not both Nankmans, on the podium; and in fact many times the number one spot.

So lets break the event down into the numerous components you will face.

Basic Race Set-up
How do these events work?  It's a lap race, where riders traverse the same lap over and over and the most laps at the end of the 24 hours wins.  It can be done as one rider, called solo, or with many members as a team, where riders rotate laps.  Depending on the terrain and technical difficulty of the race, laps can range anywhere from seven to sixteen miles and take just under an hour to just over two hours.  Along the course riders will set up what is called a "pit" area. This is where a rider has all their supplies; nutrition, hydration, clothing, bike gear, etc.  Typically every lap a rider will stop at their pit area, eat, drink, clean their bike...what ever needs to be done and then head out for another lap. Somewhere along the lap is the start/finish which includes the timing area to count and time laps and where team riders switch off.

Pace Your Self 

Don’t go out too hard. A race like this certainly isn’t a sprint. It is tempting to get caught up with others at the start and push beyond your comfort zone, to let your heartrate go too high, and feel too much of a burn in those legs.  But remember, there are people on teams who are putting in max effort laps.  There are people that despite entering as solo may only be riding a few laps and then stopping.  Maybe the event also has a 6 or 12 hour category where riders aren’t riding as long. Remember, this is a long event. It’s OK to let others pass, it’s OK to get off and walk if needed, it’s OK to not sprint. Keep a good, honest, moderate, aerobic pace right from the start and that will transition into a pace that yes, it will get slower as the event goes on, but you will be able to keep riding for the entire 24 hours. Both Joël and I monitor our effort via heart rate monitor, we know our aerobic and anerobic numbers and use that as a guide of what effort to put out.

Nutrition 

This is a long time moving, and there are a lot of calories that are burned and thus a lot of calories that need to be consumed.  Nutrition is very personal, and what works for one may not work for another. But if I had to think of one broad recommendation I could make for a 24 hour race it would be to have variety.  One never knows what they are going to want, need, or what their stomach can handle at various times during the race. Other racers and even spectators will often comment that the Nankman pit area looks like a convenience store, and yes it does. But when you have two solo riders who have different tastes and needs when it comes to nutrition there is going have to be a big selection of food. Basics always at the pit area are sport nutrition items like Honey Stinger Chews, Honey Stinger Protein Bars, Honey Stinger Waffles, and gels. Non-sporting specific foods but still “snack” type of items are cheese crackers, Fig Newtons, granola bars, peanut butter filled pretzels, bananas, and Pringles.  For something a little sweet there are gummy bears and chocolate chip cookies. A good rule to follow is to eat every hour, whether that means eating every time by the pit area and/or putting something in a back pocket to eat mid-lap.  I rotate what I eat; sports nutrition type item one lap and then a “snack” type item the next lap, just to mix up the consistency and type of food my stomach has to digest. Special items, that are usually only consumed when needed, are warmed chicken broth, Boost drinks, and Coke or Monster soda. The chicken broth is usually a late night/early morning thing when it gets cold and when a sour stomach sets in. The Boost drinks are usually reserved about half and three-quarters of the way through the race, they are a good source of calories and protein and are easy to swallow and digest. Soda works great for a little pick-me-up due to the sugar and caffeine, I usual drink about half a can every few hours.  In addition to solid foods, I also add the carbohydrate mix CarboPro to some of my bottles, and drink some of it every other hour or so. Also, don’t forget electrolytes. Many of the sports nutrition products have electrolytes in them, Gatorade is in our bottles, but I always carry Endurolytes with me and will pop a few every now and then, especially if sweating a lot.  Not really "nutrition" exactly but also on the food table is our first aid kit that includes ibuprofen, chapstick, sunscreen, insect repellent, and saline eyewash. All important things to have handy during a long adventure on the bike.

Hydration 

Being dehydrated can quickly turn a good race into a terrible event.  Being that 24 hour races are lap events, it's pretty easy to make a good hydration plan.  Following the standard rule of a bottle an hour just exchanging one or two bottles every time through the pits keeps fluid levels good.  Some races will have a neutral aid station partway through a lap, and if it's really hot out I will utilize this during the hottest times of the day to grab a quick cup of water.  Being that the Nankmans do races self supported, how do we hold ourselves to the bottle an hour rule?  By filling 24 bottles per person prior to the start and keep them in a cooler.  For me, 12 sports drink mis, 12 are pain water. They are color coordinated as to which bottles have which product, so they are easy to grab and go. Other ways to get hydration; drinking chicken broth, Boost drinks, and Coke at points during the event.  

Yes or No to Sleep 

Yes or no to sleep depends on what you want out of a race. If you want to win, then not sleeping is the route you need to take. If you are racing for the experience or as a training event then sleeping may be something you can do.  As for myself and Joel not sleeping is always the goal.  Sometimes ones body is OK with that, and honestly sometimes it is not.  If I really feel I need to sleep, say for example my safety is at risk because I am so tired I can't ride, I will take a quick nap for 30 to 60 minutes.  And yes, I have slept longer.  There have been races where it's been miserably cold, I haven't felt well, injuries were bothering me so I've packed it an and slept for a few hours.  What to do if you are going to sleep? My advice if you are just taking a quick nap, say less than an hour, stay in your kit. Stay dressed, helmet on, etc and just curl up in a blanket on a chair and grab some shut eye. This way you will be a bit uncomfortable and won't want to sleep too long and you will be ready to ride as soon as waking up. If you are going to sleep longer, then clean up and change into a fresh kit.  Get comfortable.  Get some good sleep so that you will wake up refreshed and ready to ride again.

Lights 

Figure on riding between 8 and 12 hours in the dark, depending on what time of the year the race is held. That’s a good number of night laps. Night laps are my favorite. There is just something so serene and peaceful about watching the sun set and seeing the forest creatures come out.  Toads, insects, deer, raccoon, opossums, mice, and fox are all usual critters after dark. One race I saw a few coyotes directly beside the trail, scary and awesome.  So what lighting do you need to make it through all these night laps?  I can’t say enough about how amazing Lupine Lights are.  I use a Lupine Piko with 1200 lumen attached to my helmet and it is awesome. The battery is attached via a cord; the battery being easily kept in a back pocket.  Depending on what size battery and what light intensity is used a Piko can go anywhere from two to eight hours on one charge.  No matter what lighting system you choose, a helmet mounted light is best. It will allow you to see where you are looking and thus going; not just where your bike is pointed as with a bar mounted system.  In addition to the Piko, I always have a Giant Recon 900 light mounted on my bars as a back up.  Some races require a red back light, some don’t, but I always have one on just for safety purposes. Implementing a slightly different protocol, Joël uses both a Lupine Piko helmet light and a bar light at all times. Why does he prefer both lighting systems?  By keeping both lights at a lower power he can go without recharging batteries and he feels the double lights at low power gives him the best focused and broad light coverage.

Recharging and Electric 

Photo credit Sportograf Photography

After all that talk about lights, how do you recharge batteries and electronics if needed? Well first off, I have two batteries for my helmet light. That way I can just switch out when needed.  My cycling computer, a Giant NeosTrack runs for well beyond the full 24 hours on one charge, so no need to recharge that during a race.  Now what about the warmed chicken broth I mentioned in the nutrition section and the lighted pit area I will mention later, how do those happen?  The Nankmans are spoiled and always have our own electricity.  Some races have neutral generators for riders to use and we always carry multiple really long extension cords so we can plug into the generators. If there are no race supplied generators we have our own little Generac generator.  But lets say for a racer those are not an option, how does one recharge items?  Races typically have a neutral recharging station that any and all racers can use. It's typically a little ways from the pit area, maybe in a building on the property.  If using the neutral charging area, make sure to bring your charger and a powerstrip, you will need that, but you can plug into an outlet and get electricity. 

Clothing Choices 

Bring multiples of everything and don’t be afraid to pack too much. Weather conditions can vary. The aforementioned races have experienced everything from sunny and warm to below freezing.  There has been rain varying from a quick passing storm to hours and hours non-stop and even snow and hail in the desert.  In the ideal conditions I will change once; usually just after night fall.  I do this because it is when the temperatures will start to drop. I like to go into the night laps with dry clothing to help keep warm.  Other than that as temperatures and weather conditions change I will just add or subtract clothing. Lots and lots of layers and things that are easy to add and remove like arm warmers, leg warmers, and jackets.  One tip mainly for the ladies; when I change into my second kit I go from bibs to regular shorts. Yes, bibs are more comfortable and feel better to ride in. But I like shorts for the ease of removal for bathroom breaks. Especially at night when I may have on multiple layers, maybe a jacket, and a light cord going from my helmet to a back pocket. Not having to struggle with bib straps when tired is a life-saver.  Obviously don’t forget to protect against saddle sores. Chamois Butt’r is the product of choice; typically being re-applied numerous times during the event.  Other wearable items to think about are a good pair of shoes, something that you can also stand and walk in comfortably for those times off the bike.  A comfortable helmet that works well with a helmet light, and glasses for sunny, low light, and dark conditions.  Bring a few pairs of gloves of different styles and maybe even manufacturers.  If blisters start to develop changing to a different glove with different pressure points can help. 

Bike Choices 

Photo credit Sportograf Photography

Essentially having a good bike in good working order is all that matters. If your bike works, is well maintained, and is serviced just before the race you should have little to no issues. I ride a Liv Pique Advanced. It’s an full suspension XC race bike. Being full suspension it’s comfortable for all those hours in the saddle but yet as a race orientated bike it is nimble, responsive and light on the climbs. Joël rides a Giant XTC single speed.  One gear all 24 hours. Single speed and hard tail means less chance of mechanical issues.  He uses a Trust Performance fork which makes the ride efficient and smooth.  What is done to keep these racing machines running smooth the entire race?  They are maintained meticulously during the year and get a thorough pre-race tune up which typically includes new tires (tubeless set-up), new chain, and anything else that needs attention. Saucon Valley Bikes is our savior, the crew there makes sure our bikes are always in top condition.  As for during the race, a garden sprayer filled with water is in our pit area to clean the bikes if needed and chain lube is always within easy reach on the table.  A full tool kit and extra parts such as tires, tubes, chains, seat posts and saddles, cables, and grips is packed along just in case. 

Pit Set-up 

Photo credit Guy Zeh

As referenced in a previous section, this is where all supplies are set-up and ready for use. It is passed during every lap.  The Nankman pit area is to always set up directly along the course so that there is easy access and no time or energy is wasted traveling to and from the stop. This is what I would recommend.  The pit essentially is a pop-up tent (thanks Saucon Valley Bikes for always allowing the use of their tent) with tables beneath it with all the food and gear that is needed.  The Nankman pit typically has electricity, so there is a strand of Christmas lights around the tent to help with visibility at night and, lets be honest, those lights look charming.  A changing tent is set-up directly next to the pop-up tent for when changing kits or making clothing adjustments. Fresh kits and extra clothing is kept directly in the changing tent for easy access when needed. 

Support Crew 

The Nankmans are crazy, we race solo and unsupported; meaning we each race the entire race alone and have no one come with us to help.  The only support we bring to races is our dog Clifford. A Clifford snuggle is always a good way to cheer up and get motivation when things are going downhill.  Sure, time is probably wasted and lost by not having helpers to hand us things and prepare things for us, but that is just how we do it.  Of course we have each other if needed.  We motivate and cheer on the other, often riding together and helping each other if needed.  Even though we are by ourselves, the generosity of other racers, spectators, and race staff is never ending.  Others are always willing to help, and have helped, if needed. So yes, a 24 hour race can be done self-supported but many will tell you having help is better and easier. 

Pre-race Routine  

Via experience, and having learned the hard way, the night before the race can make or break you. Getting to the event site the day before is in my mind a must, and no later then late afternoon is best. This allows time to set-up the pit area, get things organized, register, check out your bike, and make sure you didn’t forget anything.  Most racers sleep in a tent at the race site the evening before; the Nankmans sleep in their campervan (known to many as the Nankvan).  Also, getting all the prep done by early evening the day before means you can then relax. Taking time to have relaxing dinner, even put your legs up and watch a movie or read a book, is an amazing stress reliever and good for the body and mind.  If most of your pit is set-up the day before the race, that means race morning you can sleep in, leisurely eat breakfast and not tax your body much.  One does not need extra mental and physical stress before riding 24 hours so making the prep as low key as possible is a big help.

Training the Body

Photo credit Apex Race Photography

Don’t think you need to go out and ride your bike for 24 hours or hundreds of miles to be ready for an event like this. Yes, there needs to have been some long rides to get prepared for riding long distances and long hours; to prep both your body and your mind.  Most people who enter a 24 hour race have done a 100 mile race and/or a 12 hour race, and those are more than sufficient to prepare.  Training is multi-faceted; the physical prep, the mental prep, and gear prep.  Physically speaking you need to train your body to be able to ride that long. Not only your legs but your upper body and even your sensitive areas to sit on a saddle that long. Do you need to be out there doing sprints and hill repeats? Only if you want to win. If just completing the event is your goal then just get out and ride.  Mental preparation includes being able to ride through boredom, discomfort, and those dark times of wanting to quit...more on this later.  Getting your gear ready means making sure your clothing is comfortable, your bike set-up is good and your lights are positioned properly. Also remember when training to work on hydration and nutrition to see what works for you. 

Training the Mind
In reality, these races are more mental than physical.  Sure, just above is all about how to get your body physically ready, which is important.  But really, when it's 3am, you are tired, you can't ride in a straight line, every thing hurts, and you feel like you need to puke it's really about your mental capacity more than anything else.  I don't know how to really explain how to train for that. Go out and ride when the weather is bad, ride through physically and mental tough times, ride when you are tired, ride when you don't really want to are all good practice.  But even with all that there will be bad times, deep dark holes you are in, and you need to bring yourself out of them. I sing songs, I talk with others, I talk to myself, I talk to my bike, I smile as much as possible and I make it through.  Joël finds listening to music helps, during the night laps he often listens to some tunes to keep him going.

What to Expect

Photo credit ALM Photo

Everything.  Expect a physical, emotional, mental, and weather roller coaster. You will feel great, and feel like crap.  You will be happy, then sad, then want to quit; and quite possibly repeat this many times.  You will be hot, sweaty, cold, wet. Muscles will hurt, feet will ache, maybe some blisters, maybe some chafing, maybe some nausea.  But no matter what, just keep trudging along. Find people to ride with, sing a song, maybe just walk for a little.  And if you are lucky enough to ride together as  husband and wife for the last lap, cross the finish line with a kiss as Joël and I always do. No better way to end a race.  And after all that...you will feel amazingly accomplished, stoked about what you just did, happy to have met your goals (or disappointed that you didn't) and be planning your next event.

Photo credit Mike Briggs

Wow, if you are still reading that was a significant amount of information .  But, a 24 hour race is a lot of riding.  It takes proper training, good preparation, a well thought out race plan, and the ability to mentally get through tough times for it to be a successful ride. So whether you want to go out and win races or just do your best at a 24 hour race, hopefully this will have given you the advice and ideas you need to reach your goals. 

- words by Jess
- with input from  Joël


Photo credit:
- the Nankmans
- Sportograph (24 Hours in the Old Pueblo)
- Mike Briggs (One and Done Brady's Run)
- ALM Photo (Hill of Truth) 
- Guy Zeh (Hard Core 24)
- Apex Race Photos (Summer Solstice)