to my best mate and riding partner, Paul. He never gave up when things got hard and neither had I.
After 24hrs 21mins I completed 11 laps, riding just over 91miles, and came 21st out of 98 solo riders.
I couldn't have done this ride without my pit crew. Their support in cleaning, feeding and moral boosting
duties were vital. They all deserve a T-shirt of their own because looking after me in those conditions
meant they all stayed up for the full 24hrs. Thank you so much. A big thank you also has to go to
Singletrack who supported me through my whole fund raising effort. With their help a lot more people got
to know about my ride. Not only did this help with the donations but on the ride as well, where I received
some great support. To everyone who has donated, well, I have been stunned by the response. When I
put my targets up on Justgiving I wasn't sure if I was aiming too high. I have broken those targets and with
my sponsorship pages being open until 9th Oct '08 I hope to raise even more.
I promised Paul I would do this, firstly to raise money, but secondly because you never know when your
time is up. I had been thinking of riding solo for a while but always found an excuse not to. Well, I'm going
to stop finding excuses and do the hard stuff, I think Paul would approve. Roll on the next challenge.
After 24hrs 21mins I completed 11 laps, riding just over 91miles, and came 21st out of 98 solo riders.
I couldn't have done this ride without my pit crew. Their support in cleaning, feeding and moral boosting
duties were vital. They all deserve a T-shirt of their own because looking after me in those conditions
meant they all stayed up for the full 24hrs. Thank you so much. A big thank you also has to go to
Singletrack who supported me through my whole fund raising effort. With their help a lot more people got
to know about my ride. Not only did this help with the donations but on the ride as well, where I received
some great support. To everyone who has donated, well, I have been stunned by the response. When I
put my targets up on Justgiving I wasn't sure if I was aiming too high. I have broken those targets and with
my sponsorship pages being open until 9th Oct '08 I hope to raise even more.
I promised Paul I would do this, firstly to raise money, but secondly because you never know when your
time is up. I had been thinking of riding solo for a while but always found an excuse not to. Well, I'm going
to stop finding excuses and do the hard stuff, I think Paul would approve. Roll on the next challenge.
I approached the timing tent and
saw Sabine and Paul’s sister, Julie,
who had arrived just in time to see
me finish. On the other side were
Paul’s mum and my sister. It was
fantastic that they had been able
to make it. They congratulated me
while I changed into a T-shirt with
a picture of Paul on the back. This
ride was for him and there was no
way I was crossing the line without
him.
I rode towards the finish line, for
my handshake with Pat, between
barriers lined with cheering
people on either side, including
both my family and Paul’s. It was
an emotional moment. I had
fulfilled the promise I’d made to
Paul in his last weeks. All the
sadness and injuries, tiredness
and hard work were forgotten in
that moment. I was so happy to
have ridden such a fitting tribute
|
Me and Sabine arrived Friday night to find my parents, sister and brother-in-law already halfway through
setting up the tent. I was excused any strenuous duties to go and register while the rest of it was erected.
When the first nights duties had been completed we settled in for a Chinese takeaway and some cans
while discussing plans for the next day.
setting up the tent. I was excused any strenuous duties to go and register while the rest of it was erected.
When the first nights duties had been completed we settled in for a Chinese takeaway and some cans
while discussing plans for the next day.
The weather the next morning was
nice so my final bike preparation
began in the sun. After fitting new
pads I went to re-shim the rear
calliper and rounded a bolt, doh! I
resigned myself to hack sawing
the offending item off, when the
rain started. Eventually I managed
to re-shim the brake, so all that
nice so my final bike preparation
began in the sun. After fitting new
pads I went to re-shim the rear
calliper and rounded a bolt, doh! I
resigned myself to hack sawing
the offending item off, when the
rain started. Eventually I managed
to re-shim the brake, so all that
| Setting up camp at the 'Sleepless in the Saddle' venue of Catton Hall |
| Saturday morning fettling |
was left was to lube the chain and attach my number to be race ready.
It was still raining when I showed my dad where the picture of Paul,
used on the charity flyer, was taken. On the way over we bumped into
Andy C and Rich. It was great to catch up with them and glean some
info from experienced solo riders. Along with the info I came away with
a mud tyre courtesy of Andy. It was a damaged tubeless one that
wouldn’t hold air but it would be more than good enough with a tube.
After his practise laps he said it would be essential on the rear wheel,
and he wasn’t wrong.
The rider briefing was held under umbrellas. It had now been raining
It was still raining when I showed my dad where the picture of Paul,
used on the charity flyer, was taken. On the way over we bumped into
Andy C and Rich. It was great to catch up with them and glean some
info from experienced solo riders. Along with the info I came away with
a mud tyre courtesy of Andy. It was a damaged tubeless one that
wouldn’t hold air but it would be more than good enough with a tube.
After his practise laps he said it would be essential on the rear wheel,
and he wasn’t wrong.
The rider briefing was held under umbrellas. It had now been raining
for four hours. Chipps made a point of letting everyone know where the Muck-
Off jet wash was. Pat apologised about the weather, his Indians were dancing
but they weren’t having any effect. Before we knew it, it was time to line up
ready for the LeMans style running start. I went with convention and waited
Off jet wash was. Pat apologised about the weather, his Indians were dancing
but they weren’t having any effect. Before we knew it, it was time to line up
ready for the LeMans style running start. I went with convention and waited
near the back. As a solo it would be
pointless expending lots of energy
sprinting with the elite racers at the front. I
would be riding for a long time and needed
to conserve my energy.
At 2pm the horn sounded and we were off.
This coincided with the rain stopping.
Although I planned to walk I did a bit of
jogging and even a little sprint, to catch up
with Andy and have a few words before
starting to ride. After grabbing my bike I
pointless expending lots of energy
sprinting with the elite racers at the front. I
would be riding for a long time and needed
to conserve my energy.
At 2pm the horn sounded and we were off.
This coincided with the rain stopping.
Although I planned to walk I did a bit of
jogging and even a little sprint, to catch up
with Andy and have a few words before
starting to ride. After grabbing my bike I
'Pit Crew': Mum, sister (Karen), wife (Sabine), B-in-law (Chris) & Dad
pedalled off along the flat start to the course. At the first steep climb
into the woods I met Andy again, just as we hit the start of the first lap
congestion. We pushed through the trees and had a nice chat before
emerging from the other side to get on with the race in earnest. Now
the field had been strung out we could ride, and get to appreciate how
bad the conditions were. The ground was wet and muddy and it was
already being churned up. With everyone’s tyres clogging and fighting
for grip I gave thanks to Andy for the skinny mud tyre on my rear wheel.
into the woods I met Andy again, just as we hit the start of the first lap
congestion. We pushed through the trees and had a nice chat before
emerging from the other side to get on with the race in earnest. Now
the field had been strung out we could ride, and get to appreciate how
bad the conditions were. The ground was wet and muddy and it was
already being churned up. With everyone’s tyres clogging and fighting
for grip I gave thanks to Andy for the skinny mud tyre on my rear wheel.
| A wet riders briefing |
| Lining up for 24hrs of racing |
| The LeMans start |
Lap two was the same but without
the congestion, so I got to ride a
lot more. It was on this lap I
the congestion, so I got to ride a
lot more. It was on this lap I
started to notice the carnage. The trails were mainly grass on a
clay-based soil. They were now completely churned up into a sticky
sludge, the grass and mud mixed together like fibreglass, perfect for
building mud huts with but not for riding bikes on. It clogged tyres and
frames and got dragged through the drive train. This caused a lot of
rear mechs to be ripped off, reducing those riders to pushing their
bike for the rest of the lap.
clay-based soil. They were now completely churned up into a sticky
sludge, the grass and mud mixed together like fibreglass, perfect for
building mud huts with but not for riding bikes on. It clogged tyres and
frames and got dragged through the drive train. This caused a lot of
rear mechs to be ripped off, reducing those riders to pushing their
bike for the rest of the lap.
(below) Me and Andy just after the Bomb Hole
| Finishing Lap 1 |
(above) On a short climb at
the halfway point, Lap 1
the halfway point, Lap 1
I planned to do three
laps before a break,
which in the dry would
have taken just under
three hours. After 2 ½
hours I finished my
second lap and pulled
into the solo area for my
first pit stop. My pit crew
quickly hung my bike up
on the work stand and
set to work with a bucket
of water and brushes.
laps before a break,
which in the dry would
have taken just under
three hours. After 2 ½
hours I finished my
second lap and pulled
into the solo area for my
first pit stop. My pit crew
quickly hung my bike up
on the work stand and
set to work with a bucket
of water and brushes.
After hearing about the queues at the jet washes I was glad to have my own bike wash service.
| On the steep slippery descent near the end of the lap.... |
| ...and the muddy climb just after that I cleaned twice before the mud got bad |
| The last climb, on my second lap |
A few pasties and a change of clothes later I was back out again. These two laps were different again. The
trails were drying out but this meant the clay turned from sludge to the consistency of warm plasticine. It
was hard work riding over the sticky earth, especially as it stuck to the tyres and gave them a heavy, leg
sapping, coating of mud. At this point my head went a bit 80’s….”I will survive, hey, hey, I will survive, tra la
la la la la-la la la”. I knew the tune but not the words. Same with ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and all the other random
songs with survive in the lyrics that popped up in my head.
trails were drying out but this meant the clay turned from sludge to the consistency of warm plasticine. It
was hard work riding over the sticky earth, especially as it stuck to the tyres and gave them a heavy, leg
sapping, coating of mud. At this point my head went a bit 80’s….”I will survive, hey, hey, I will survive, tra la
la la la la-la la la”. I knew the tune but not the words. Same with ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and all the other random
songs with survive in the lyrics that popped up in my head.
| The Endura 'Shorts Amnesty' bin |
| The queue for the Muck-Off jet wash. One of the trials I didn't have to endure |
| Singletrack mugs with a charity flyer in each one |
I was happy when it rained on lap four as it reduced the trail to sludge again. Pedalling was easier as the
heavy mud didn’t cling any more, although it did make staying upright harder. On the way round I got
talking to Glenn, a fellow soloist. He knew who I was, from the Singletrack news articles, and that I was
riding for Paul. When he found I only had one bike, and a hardtail at that, he offered the use of his spare
full-sus if anything went terminally wrong with my bike, as my need was greater. Although I didn’t need to
take advantage of his fantastic offer the gesture was something I will never forget.
heavy mud didn’t cling any more, although it did make staying upright harder. On the way round I got
talking to Glenn, a fellow soloist. He knew who I was, from the Singletrack news articles, and that I was
riding for Paul. When he found I only had one bike, and a hardtail at that, he offered the use of his spare
full-sus if anything went terminally wrong with my bike, as my need was greater. Although I didn’t need to
take advantage of his fantastic offer the gesture was something I will never forget.
Some of the 'Crew' hard at work
cleaning the gunk off my bike. A
task that was repeated again and
again and again and again and......
cleaning the gunk off my bike. A
task that was repeated again and
again and again and again and......
At the end of lap my bike was in a real mess
again but my crew didn’t flinch and got on
with the de-gunking while I had a good
feed and a change of clothes. I set off with
my lights, planning on doing two laps.
Unfortunately the sun had set when the
track was in the worst condition, so that's
how it would stay till the morning. The mud
was like treacle filled with grass again, but
with a few more hours of churning inflicted
on it. My lights gave no help with judging
how deep the mud was, so I couldn’t avoid
the worst bits. The mud stuck easily to
every part of my bike and built up without
falling off, drastically increasing it's weight
and clogging my wheels to the point where they couldn’t turn in the frame. This meant stopping to remove
the grass and mud to get them spinning again. It was also hard to control my direction and speed, so after
a few close shaves I started pushing on some of the descents as well. It took me 2hr 10mins to complete
that lap, at the end of which my cleaning fairies were needed again.
Lap six felt worse as I found myself clearing my bike of mud every 50-100m to keep the wheels spinning. I
noticed there weren’t many people out on the course at this point, a lot of riders having packed in for the
night. The lap was a 2hr 15min slog that took so long I felt my stomach go empty near the end. I always
need something substantial in my stomach to go with all the sugary stuff I eat to keep going. Once that's
finished my stomach goes weird and no amount of energy food will help, I need pies.
the grass and mud to get them spinning again. It was also hard to control my direction and speed, so after
a few close shaves I started pushing on some of the descents as well. It took me 2hr 10mins to complete
that lap, at the end of which my cleaning fairies were needed again.
Lap six felt worse as I found myself clearing my bike of mud every 50-100m to keep the wheels spinning. I
noticed there weren’t many people out on the course at this point, a lot of riders having packed in for the
night. The lap was a 2hr 15min slog that took so long I felt my stomach go empty near the end. I always
need something substantial in my stomach to go with all the sugary stuff I eat to keep going. Once that's
finished my stomach goes weird and no amount of energy food will help, I need pies.
I returned to the tent at just after 1am and knew I had get some food down me,
even though I didn’t feel like eating. A small plate of pasta took almost 30mins
to eat. A packet of crisps and a ham sandwich took another 30mins. I then sat
in a chair for 45mins to let the food work into my system. At 2.45am my dad gave
me the prod I'd requested and, along with Sabine, encouraged me back on to
my bike. With a new set of clothes and a replenished backpack I got going
again. It was still hard work. The first climb felt Teflon coated and it was almost
impossible walk up. This was followed by the now familiar push, jam, clean,
push, jam, clean.
Things started to improve at the halfway point. As the eastern horizon started
brightening I had a feeling the worst was behind me. At the end of this 2hr lap I
had another long pit stop to force more food down and wait for it to settle.
Even so I set out on the next lap as soon as I could, while fighting to keep my
food down.
| Riding sideways to go forwards |
By now I no longer needed lights
and the circuit conditions were
quickly improving. The track
started to fill up with all those who
had taken the option to pack in for
the night. It was nice to have
company again and all the extra
wheels soon had a dry line
appearing on the ground. I was
back to riding 1hr 45min laps and
feeling good, enjoying the dawn
chorus and early morning sun.
and the circuit conditions were
quickly improving. The track
started to fill up with all those who
had taken the option to pack in for
the night. It was nice to have
company again and all the extra
wheels soon had a dry line
appearing on the ground. I was
back to riding 1hr 45min laps and
feeling good, enjoying the dawn
chorus and early morning sun.
| Mud at the start of the last climb |
| End of Lap 8 - 17hr 39mins completed |
On Lap 9 I was still having problems eating and was trying to think of
something I could stomach. Finally I thought of soup. Yes, my
stomach agreed it could handle that. I returned to the pits and sent
my sister off on a soup run to the catering tent, while my tired little
helpers cleaned my bike for the umpteenth time. The soup was
gorgeous. For the first time in hours I felt full, warm and ready to go.
The way I’d been feeling I was only thinking of getting one more lap in
but two now look possible. My crew urged me on and I hit the circuit
with a new determination. I was able to ride a lot more of the course
by now and even enjoy it.
something I could stomach. Finally I thought of soup. Yes, my
stomach agreed it could handle that. I returned to the pits and sent
my sister off on a soup run to the catering tent, while my tired little
helpers cleaned my bike for the umpteenth time. The soup was
gorgeous. For the first time in hours I felt full, warm and ready to go.
The way I’d been feeling I was only thinking of getting one more lap in
but two now look possible. My crew urged me on and I hit the circuit
with a new determination. I was able to ride a lot more of the course
by now and even enjoy it.
| No I'm not asleep, just staying warm while trying to digest some food |
I completed Lap 10 in 1hr 20min and crossed the line just before 1pm. After
10mins for a quick bike clean and feed I was off on my last lap. Minutes later the
pit area received a drenching but I missed the rain, which allowed me to ride in
short sleeves for the first time in 24hrs. The last lap was wonderful, despite a
broken chain halfway round, which I fix in 10mins.
I still had a few miles to go when I heard the count down to the end of the 24hrs
from the start/finish area. I counted along with every one else “…5, 4, 3, 2,
1…Yaaaay!!”. Well, not just “Yaaaay” but that’s the printable bit. My body was
now full of energy, I had a cheesy grin on my face and the last miles were easy. I
was going to make it after giving it my all, happy that I had done Paul’s memory
justice. I can’t remember being so happy at completing anything, ever.
10mins for a quick bike clean and feed I was off on my last lap. Minutes later the
pit area received a drenching but I missed the rain, which allowed me to ride in
short sleeves for the first time in 24hrs. The last lap was wonderful, despite a
broken chain halfway round, which I fix in 10mins.
I still had a few miles to go when I heard the count down to the end of the 24hrs
from the start/finish area. I counted along with every one else “…5, 4, 3, 2,
1…Yaaaay!!”. Well, not just “Yaaaay” but that’s the printable bit. My body was
now full of energy, I had a cheesy grin on my face and the last miles were easy. I
was going to make it after giving it my all, happy that I had done Paul’s memory
justice. I can’t remember being so happy at completing anything, ever.
Climbing up to the steep muddy drop halfway round the course, on Lap 9
| Feeling much better after a big mug of soup |
| Lap 10 pit stop |
| Halfway round the last lap |
Crossing the line, 24hrs+ 21min 44sec
| Riding down the start finish straight for my handshake with Pat |
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
