Mountain Mayhem - 20th/21st June

[Simon]

Ah ok. No probs

[WillBeresford]

1 Month to go. Will it rain?

[Steve Hanks]

Yes of course.

[Simon]

assume the worst.. then you can be pleasantly surprised..

[EllisDudley]

No no no.

[WillBeresford]

Would CX tyres fit a MTB rim that is the question...

[Chris Clague]

Yes, of course. I run MTB rims on my CX bike all the time with CX tyres. Whether it gives you enough grip may be a different story.

[Simon]

29er though yeah? It'll probably be bone dry - it's better than Eastnor anyway even if it rains?

Would CX tyres fit a MTB rim that is the question...

[WillBeresford]

Yeah 29er.

I agree that it will be better than Eastnor, I can still remember "that" year.

[EllisDudley]

My girlfriend is now on a hen night this weekend so going to be doing the solo without a little supporter helping me out. Anyone got any tips?

[Steve Hanks]

Keep eating Ellis, and take a variety of food as you'd be surprised how quickly bored you get of it / what you start craving, although don't take anything you are not used to. Get loads of bottles made up before the start with a variety of flavours, and if you are camping solo make sure you have a stache of bottles and food trackside so you can grab and go. You're a strong rider but much depends on your mentality, always remember that when you're tired and your head is down to (mantra mode) just keep turning the pedals.

Take two sets of wheels - dry/wet respectively, all the clothes and spares you have. Better to have them than not have them.

Some advice I was given is to break the 24 into segments and look for the things that motivate you for example:

12:00 - 6pm, its just an afternoon ride and event enthusiasm will make this bit the easiest, but do not get carried away and blow up. Ride strong but steady.
6pm - 12am - gets quiet at 6 as the support/crowd eats and drinks, gets rowdy at 10 as they've had a few beers and cheer you on - whoop whoop! Try to stop at the latest possible time say 8pm (their may be rules) and add lights during day light for use later.
12:00 - 3am - Enjoy the solitude, keeping pedaling and...
3am - 6am ... look forward to the Sunrise! Its usually spectacular to be riding at that time, and for me dawn is a huge motivator and I perk up a fair bit
6am - 11:00. Nows the time to focus, enjoy the smell of the campsite as everyone wakes up and cooks bacon. Its prime time to throw a few quick laps in and improve your overall standing as many people have their heads down, have had a rough night and/or stop for breakfast. Bang them in now....
11:00 - 11:59 - get around and try to get your timing right so you can get to the start before 12:00. As much as you may not want to, if the rules allow you to cross the line and include the lap after 11:59 DO IT. You'll be surprised how many places you can make up - I missed this at the Bonty last year and could have gone from 8th to 5th by just completing the optional lap.

And finally, don't be afraid to talk to the other riders. Many 24's enjoy a chat / banter sometimes on the grinds it helps to feel less "alone". Ignore the grumpy & negative ones.

Above all - enjoy it, good luck!

[WillBeresford]

My girlfriend is now on a hen night this weekend so going to be doing the solo without a little supporter helping me out. Anyone got any tips?

Camp near me. I have two helpers.

I did it solo solo last year, and just made sure after 11pm I came in after 2 laps to get food/drink just to keep me awake. Then 3am arrived and I fell asleep on the bike almost. Grabbed 30 mins sleep and somehow managed to get back on my bike, that was grim. My advise, don't stop. I wont be.

[EllisDudley]

Thanks all. If I could camp near you guys that would be great. I'm driving down on the Friday aiming to get there about lunchtime, what are your plans?

[WillBeresford]

Sounds good, think another mate is coming down to help too now!

I'll likely get there around 8pm-ish after work, traffic depending.

[EllisDudley]

Trackside camping is filling up. Give me a call if you want some space saved 07581335234