How to train for 24 hour ride

good friend recently did one, southdownsdouble thread if you want to search,
more than even getting the fitness in the tank before, its all about the psychological side--you will have to plan in the intervals of rest, small drinks stops, piss stops, points of significance along the way to tick off, waymarkers in time and space,
keep on top of yourself, anything is possible with right mental attitude
good luck

Sean

Eating and drinking.

The thing that hit home in during my preparation for Vatternrundan was how big an impact eating and drinking have on performance. Any ride of an hour or more and I need to eat almost non stop. Small but often. The difference is you can just keep going.

At the feed stations about every 40K they had some proper food, but I never wanted to stop for very long as you cool down and your legs tighten up. Plus If I have a proper meal, I feel bloated, and the bike doesn't seem to want to go as fast any more.

I tried to only stop to re fill my water bottles and pee. I much preferred just keeping topped up on the move with gels, power bars, shot blocks, nuts, bananas etc.

For the 183 miles I did, that meant 2 jersey pockets stuffed with food, and a small ziplock bag bungeed to my saddle bag with a bit more in it. My total time was just under 11 hours, so 24 hours must mean loads of food. If it is laps of a course, can you pick stuff up on the way round?

Also I have found that Nuun tablets in the water eliminate any cramps etc, keeping you properly hydrated.

A mate of mine is doing the same race but as part of a team, 24 hours solo on mtb sounds nuts.

Have fun.

Simon

2 weeks isn't enough time to train for this so you may as well take it easy for the lead up.
Pacing and fueling are the most important things. Whatever happens don't bother trying to race anyone else (unless you're already a gun enduro rider in which case you wouldn't be asking this question). You should be riding a LOT slower than almost everyone during an enduro. Remember most people are riding as part of teams. I would definitely ride the most comfortable bike you have.. personally I LOVE suspension off-road. I wish I owned a duallie.
My mate's done some solo 24hrs (he just qualified for the Worlds). I've asked him if I can post his race report here (he emailed it so I don't want to post it unless he's cool).

Since you've never done one before you might want to break it into two bits and actually try and get a proper sleep in the middle.. this is what my mate did during his first one.. he didn't care that he was only doing 1/3rd the laps of the pros.. he just did what he could.

Thanks Hippy, I'd be interested to see your mates race report.

Competing will be the last thing on my mind, my only goal is to finish.

Try and break the flexed position that you'll no doubt be fixed in. Stretch on the bike (which is easier said than done) and whenever you stop, spend two or three minutes stretching out prone with back extension (lying on your front, but raised up onto your elbows/hands). Regularly flex and extend the wrists and keep circling the shoulder complex to keep everything mobile!! Good luck!

Thanks Hippy, I'd be interested to see your mates race report.

Competing will be the last thing on my mind, my only goal is to finish.

Hey, i'm doing the same race you are, you based in/around London? If you're up for a few rides around Epping forest or The North Downs get in touch.

Also i'm doing it on my fully rigid SS 29er with Mary bars, so not too far off =P I do however have this:

Well it turns out I have to go to a wedding that weekend. So my enduro plans will have to wait till next year.

At least I'll be better prepared for the next one.

Definately interested in some Epping / north downs rides. At some point. Will post in the other thread.

I read an interesting article by a guy who had do the solo RAAM a few times and held the record at least at one stage. He said that he learned after a while that intensive speed sessions coupled with just one long ride a week were the best training and improved his performance.

That article was on the ultracycling website, no?

More aimed at people who already have years of aerobic base want to do it fast I think.

That article was on the ultracycling website, no?

I am afraid that I do not frequent such places. No, it was in a training book I was reading.

I read an interesting article by a guy who had do the solo RAAM a few times and held the record at least at one stage. He said that he learned after a while that intensive speed sessions coupled with just one long ride a week were the best training and improved his performance.

Interestingly, that's a fair description of my training over the past 6 months.

And mine without the long ride or the speed.

I know you don't have time for this but I've read bits of the ultra cycling website (not this particular page) and it looks good. This page might be worth a read. http://www.ultracycling.com/training/guide_12_24_races.html

Unfortunately I have not had the chance to put any of these ideas into pratice over the last 18 months.

Anyone on the Naitonal 24hr TT on the 24th/25th July?

I know it's the same weekend as the DD, but it would be good to know if any other forumers will be out on the Mersey Roads to say hello - I know Fixed Wheel Nut was on the '08 one - and I hear next years will be down south Brighton way. ...put it in your diaries now.

Hmm... 24 hr TT..

What are the entry requirements for one of these (other than being a total lunatic)?

there is nothing that can prepare you for 24hours in the saddle

well maybe apart from 12 rounds with mad mike tyson

Punching you in the arse.

Hmm... 24 hr TT..

What are the entry requirements for one of these (other than being a total lunatic)?

not a great deal; a cheque for fifteen quid and a completed entry form from the CTTC site. I don't think you can get much better value for your money.

The Mersey Roads 24 is the only 24hr tt left in the country, and - as Fixed Wheel Nut will testify - is a brilliant event with a pretty broad range of competitors including a handful of fixed riders. I entered it for a laugh last year (some mates were up there and I figured what's the worst that could happen) and had a great time. I should have posted earlier to drum up interest, entry is now closed for this years but could be something for a LFGSS team of three next time round?

If my life has improved by next year I'd be interested, I may fail but I'd like to give it ago.

If my life has improved by next year

I wouldn't worry about that, you'll not get anywhere if you're all happy and contented and satisfied with life!

seriously though, if the '11 24tt is down south, I think there would be enough interest and support to put in a load of riders/team.

Hmm... 24 hr TT..

What are the entry requirements for one of these (other than being a total lunatic)?

In my own case the requirement would have been never to have seen what happens to the riders around dawn and at the finish.
I did once daydream about the possibility of riding a 24 myself, but when I helped clubmates who were competing and saw the level of pain I put the idea out of my mind. Even the leaders, real long distance specialists like Nik Gardiner, looked like death warmed up at times. My club won the team prize in the 1998 championship - one of them was too knackered to get onto the stage for the prize presentation.

I don't know when the last 24 was won by a fixed wheel rider, but I happen to have a copy of 'Coureur' for December 1958 which reports that year's 24 Championship. The winner was Dennis White of the Swindon Wheelers who did 484.75 miles *on 79" fixed !
*Looking at the photos and guessing, I'd say he used 50 x17, and the rest of his bike looks extremely ordinary, even by late '50's standards - for example the chainset is a steel Williams C34.

Obviously I'm no expert, but if I wanted to ride a 24 I'd ride at least one 12 the previous year, then do a lot of miles in the six months before the race, but I'd rest for 10 to 14 days before the event. I'd say it's a very common mistake to come to the start line feeling tired. I would never have wanted to attempt such a ride without a support car.

From the journalism point of view I believe long distance TT's make much more interesting stories that the shorter distances, and since time trialling desperately needs good media coverage to keep people interested I can only say I hope forum members ignore my comments at the start of this post and get their entry forms completed asap.

could be something for a LFGSS team of three next time round?

I hate to mention rules and committees, but to compete as a team in a CTT championship I think LFGSS would need to affliate to CTT as a club.

But it seems to me this would be a worthwhile and perhaps overdue move in any case. I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult.

could be something for a LFGSS team of three next time round?

I hate to mention rules and committees, but to compete as a team in a CTT championship I think LFGSS would need to affliate to CTT as a club.

But it seems to me this would be a worthwhile and perhaps overdue move in any case. I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult.

Sorry for double entry - this was caused by 'server busy' message.

LFGSS people could just join and ride for Grupetto or Rollapaluza.
Reminds me I have to ring bloke about SCCU 100...