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Well, I knew I wanted a challenge this year, and it turned out to be the TwentyFour12, 12 Hour solo. 😀 😯
Me and my brother are doing it together (not as a team, just riding together and taking breaks together).
Any training tips beyond getting the long days in? I'm no racer, but I'd like to try and manage 12 laps, which I think is a decent challenge for me.
I'll be riding my SC Superlight I think. It has light wheels, but also has a dropper/bash guard/short stem/wide bars/120 forks. Too gnarr* for the course/too heavy?
I have a rigid Surly Karate Monkey, it is a much faster bike on smooth stuff and uphill, but I'm thinking the SC will be better in terms of managing aches and pains as its a full sus.
In terms of the course, anyone raced previous events? Is doing 9 MPH easy on the course, or is that going some? Is it smooth and flowing, or quite technical?
Would appreciate any advice.
Steve.
* I know it's not that gnarr really, but compared to a nice light XC HT.
rigid is hardwork but not impossible around newnham, never ridden a full round there, be marginally quicker, but its hilly. the laps are usually around 50mins at 24hr pace or i think tim D did 19 in 12hr this year. its a good course for first 12hr, camp site visits really help moral, helped me
[url= http://chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/ ]http://chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/[/url]
Iv done it twice as a pair and am considering 12h solo this year.
In terms of xc it is my favorite UK course. For me this means it has a good variety of terrain, not many flat boring bits, a decent amount of none techy climbing with some really fun, fast descents to keep you interested. I do it on my 120mm hardtail and I think its perfect for the job. I wouldn't want a full suss as I dont think its required and equally I wouldnt want a fully rigid as its too rough in places. But saying that I wouldn't do any proper mtb on a fully rigid if I didn't have to.
I did it last year, 12 hour solo night. On a hard tail. And it was great!
I didn't do any extra training, but I do ride a lot anyway.
My only mistake was not having any sleep during the day before the midnight start, which made me get off the bike for about 2 hours nap around 4 am... 🙄
12 hour solo for me for the 3rd year this year 😆
It's ace, and I even managed 6 laps last year, fully rigid on 4" tyres! The race suit was a tad warm though 😉
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Ha ha, yea, those suits look a tad warm!
I think I'll see how I go, guess I'll know after doing a few long days in the spring which bike would be best.
I can always pop a suspension fork on the surly if needs be.
[b]ciderinsport[/b] Respect for that, man! You guys looked awesome! 😆
Ive done the 12 hour solo 4 or 5 times now and always on a short travel fs . The course is quite rocky and rooty in places and find it more comfortable, especially later on when you're getting tired and your line choice can be a bit off. It's a great event with a nice atmosphere to it,I think you'll enjoy it . I've signed up for the 24 hr solo this year as there was an early bird discount for anyone who did last year's. Unfortunately I'm now double booked so will miss it. Hopefully back next year.
Deinfitely choose the superlight over something with a rigid fork if you are riding it for 12 hours!
Dropper post not necessary if you are into lightening the bike, the hairiest bits of newnham usually don't feature in the 24/12 (i have done all of them and plenty of normal xc racing in between), i guess because it has lots more people new to racing and lots of very tired and unco-ordinated riders by the end!
Also if it rains(i think we are overdue a rainy one this year!) you will be laughing as the superlight has fantastic mud clearance at the back. Team that back end up with maverick sc32 like my wife's and on a really muddy race you will gain 5 minutes a lap not stopping all the time to unclog your bike.
Thanks for the advice. I think the superlight will do, I may take the dropper off and put a longer stem on for the day, but probably not.
Looking forward to doing some specific training.
The surly is surprisingly fast and comfy with big, soft tyres though.