24!
How to Survive Your First 24 Hour Mountain Bike Event

By Rebecca Rusch
 
If you are curious about 24-hour mountain bike racing, you are probably not alone. As more Nor Cal athletes participate in these events, the buzz continues to spread. But it seems the confusion and mystery over 24 hour races is growing as well.

Are 24-hour races the most painful, brutal race format ever, or is it really just an excuse for good friends to party all night long? Is it a chance to achieve new levels of agony with fellow ultra-endurance monks, or is it a way to metabolize gallons of beer with fat tire enthusiasts from all over the world?

The correct answer is “all of the above.”

Cyclists from varied backgrounds are enticed by these events and quite often are hooked after their first race. The reason? To put it simply, 24-hour events are a blast.

More specifically, the team format of the race appeals to one of the core values of riders everywhere: good friends hanging out with bikes. Unlike adventure racing where each team must race together, 24-hour mountain bike racing is done relay style, allowing riders of all ability levels to race on a team together. This removes the stress of slower riders not wanting to enter the race and also nixes the frustration of faster riders having to wait for teammates. 

Basically, you get to ride as hard as you can on your lap, then sit back, cheer for your teammates, and enjoy the spectacle. More competitive riders will team up with other strong riders for the greatest possible total lap count, but the bottom line is everyone gets to push his or her own personal limits. It makes for a satisfying combination: a team event paired with solo efforts.

The circular lap format of 24-hour racing makes it viewer friendly for teammates, friends, and family members. The loop courses also accommodate a festival-type atmosphere where vendors, elite riders, recreational riders, and spectators can all get a taste of the action in one place. Add the novelties of staying up for 24 hours straight and riding in the dark and you have the perfect recipe for a surrealistic pain carnival you’ll be talking about for months. 

On the other end of the spectrum are solo riders. Riding a bike for 24 hours straight is a lonely endeavor, but completing every lap to the applause of spectators and vendors eases the pain. Solo riding is not for everyone, but apparently the endeavor is quite rewarding as the number of soloists increases every year at every event.

Personally, I have raced as a solo rider and in the team format, and appreciate both options.

Choosing a Race

If you are ready to take the plunge into 24 hour racing, choosing a race is the next step. This is an important decision since each race has its own character and flair. I look for two key things.

First, I consider the location. Do I want a race close to home? Do I want a race that’s in a desirable destination that I can treat as a vacation? Do I want to get out of the winter weather and head to a warmer climate? I discuss all these options with my teammates since I will have to spend time in the car getting, and making sure everyone is psyched is half the battle.

The second thing I look for when choosing a race is the reputation and style of the race director. Most race websites will claim that they have the greatest race on earth. It’s great to check out the website to find course descriptions, logistical information and the race format. However, I also seek out unbiased feedback from racers who’ve been there before. Many times you can find online forums that will discuss the quality and style of a given race; for example, www.ride424.com has a great calendar section for endurance racing and is a good place to read race reviews. Keep in mind that often times these opinions are just one side of a story and you ultimately must make your own decision.

Choose a race that sounds well organized, that you can afford, and that inspires you. Adventure Sports Journal highly recommends the Coolest 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race held near Auburn each year; May 2-4 this year.  In addition to being a blast, this event raises money for cancer research.  Check out www.globalbiorhythmevents.com for more information.

Choosing a Team
A multitude of team formats are offered at 24-hou races: solo, duo, three- person, four-person, co-ed, etc. Choosing your teammates and crew is THE most important step to ensuring a successful race and a good time.  Keep in mind that he best riders do not always make the best teammates and the best spouse does not always make the best crew boss. 

It’s best to choose people who can ride a bike, but also have a great sense of humor, good organization and are fun to road trip with. Select people who have the same agenda as you. Are they out there to win, just to finish or to see how many beers they can drink per lap? All valid goals as long as you are on the same page.

Make sure the team is well organized, as there will be many crucial details to sift through – nutrition, equipment, maintenance, clothing changes, etc. – in the wee hours of the morning. The smaller your race team, the bigger role your crew and mechanic will play, if you are fortunate enough to have them. On a four-person team, many times the racers end up helping the rider who’s on deck. Essentially, there is enough down time that you can act as crew for each other if needed. As a solo or duo, you’re too busy trying to ride your bike and recover to be worrying about filling water bottles and checking tire pressure. Still, if you don’t have friends saintly enough to fill these roles it all comes down to foresight and organization.

Pre-Race Preparation

1. Physical preparation: You must do your homework and get the miles in to prepare for an event of this length. Again, www.ride424.com is a good reference for designing a realistic training plan. You don’t need to go out and ride for 24 hours straight to train, but you do need a good plan that will prepare you for that distance. While ultra-endurance events involve a high degree of mental toughness, the stronger you feel physically, the easier it is to maintain a strong mental attitude as well.
2. Technical Training: Surprise, there’s no better training for cycling than cycling. You know what your weaknesses are, so work on them. It’s tough, but it’s really satisfying once you improve!  Do you need to work on climbing and fitness?  Downhill bike handling?  Get on with  it.
3. Night Fever: GET GOOD LIGHTS! Beg, borrow or rent them if you have to. Many 24-hour races will have a lighting sponsor with a loaner program for the race. Your basic camping headlamp is NOT sufficient. You will be sorry if you skimp here. Check out www.bikelights.com for what’s available out there. Lights are expensive, but oh so worth it. Riding at night is a skill and a blast!  Try to practice with your lights before the race.
4. Make Lists: I make a list for packing bike gear, clothing, food/nutrition, and personal gear (sunscreen, lube, sunglasses).  I also make a list for my crew with a general plan of what to put in my water bottles, what food I would like them to prepare, what time I expect to eat, etc. The more organized you are pre-race, the more fun you will have race day. Ask your crew/teammates to make lists of your lap times and those of your competitors so you can keep tabs on your race and re-live your experience afterwards. Again, www.ride424.com/training/training.php is a good reference for a packing checklist.
5. Practice Eating: This might seem strange to practice, but what you put into your mouth becomes fuel to push the pedals, and is critically important in a race of this duration. Figure out what foods work best for you before, during and after hard exercise. Don’t rely on just energy foods at a race. Bring treats and comfort food too!

Race Day

On race day you will ideally be fully prepared, rested and relaxed. By now, most of the hard work should be over. But expect a few snafus, especially if this is your first 24-hour event. Inevitably something logistical will cause headaches, but just laugh and deal with the problem. Stay loose and you’ll have the time of your life!