chewybrian 

Is anyone else going next week or have you been before? I'd appreciate any insight into the terrain, etc., or just general 24 hour race strategy. ( a CUE SHEET, instead of a map, would be great if anyone has one).

This will be my first race of any kind. However, I've done a few SR series and a 1000k, so I feel my chances are good to stay moving all day. I've worked on my speed all winter, while trying to maintain a fair level of endurance. I used coach John Hugh's PBP training plan from the RUSA newsletter (a mix of intervals, brisk rides, and steady distance). Even with the training effort, I'm not sure my all day speed is much more than 15 to 16 mph. So, I'm thinking I'll start out in that range, and only try to ramp it up a notch after the 121 mile loop if I feel like I've got more to give. If I can hold my pace, I may get a decent placing within my age group, anyway. I think it's more about fun and experience this time around, but I'm still going to give it my best shot.

Good luck to anyone giving it a go, and thanks in advance if anyone has any hints or info.

Worknomore

Do you have a link for the course? I have lived in Mi my entire life and have been pretty much everywhere in the state.

chewybrian 

www.n24hc.org/Event/maps-and-rules

Richard Cranium

The two main strategies to these events - at least in my experience - is to either "go with who ever goes fast" - or to have a preset "ride this many hours out of 24" plan.........

I suspect that so many high quality riders with a lot of speed show up at these rides that hanging on to the fastest bunch may be counter productive if you want to go for you own overall PR. If I were going I would hang on to the second or third fastest group that lets me stay comfy -and gives me a chance to stay on the bike 23 out of 24 hours. If the weather is right I could go 400 maybe......

My perspective suggests that most people cant ride for 24 hours, but they love to go fast as they can for as long as they can.

chewybrian 

I'm not sure how many riders can't go for the full 24, if they go at the right pace. I would assume you show up at the start of an event like this ready to go the full 24, but some people may have a different agenda, or just lack the ability. For me, riding all day is more about a long stubborn streak than ability, assuming I'm not messing up on nutrition.

Looking at past results for my age group (graduated in the Reagan administration...), it seems there is always a big gap between 300 mile plus riders to under 200's. It tells me that many people either go out too fast, or just show up with a plan to ride for a certain time or distance for their own amusement. I suspect your strategy is sound, and I will try to hook up with a group that goes at my (estimated) best all day pace, and see how long I can keep it up.

One more question; if you ridden in these events, did you try to sleep at all? Did many riders sleep a little? Is it productive, or are you just losing miles?

Homeyba

I think Richard is pretty spot on. I personally wouldn't even contemplate getting off the bike (let alone sleeping) in a 24hr event. I don't worry about sleeping unless I'm going beyond 48hrs. Having said that, if you are falling asleep or getting drowsy then getting off the bike and closing your eyes for 15+/- minutes makes a lot of sense. You don't even have to sleep, just closing your eyes for that short time makes a huge difference. Believe me, you will go faster if you are wide awake and it's better than crashing!

tastest

I have done this ride for several years. Technically it is a challenge, not a race, but the riders at the front are competing. I am very slow and my perspective is from the lantern rouge.

The route is hilly, but more rolling and no really long or really steep hills. The hills are more in the first loop and I think more in the second and third leg, although the first leg has the longest, but not steep, hill. The event is very well organized, but it is not a supported century type ride. You will need to carry your food/drink mix, unless you have support at the checkpoints. There is water and fruit and apparently something from Hammer this year. There are a few stores along the route, not many, so try and carry enough water. The distance between the first and second checkpoints is the longest and for me requires at least three large bottles (more if hot) so I will stop at the store around mid way. Sometimes the water at the checkpoints is also not the best (warmish and some aftertaste) and I get ice at the store.

It can be very hot, and this has killed me some years. My biggest problem has been eating and drinking in the heat, especially if first really hot day of the year for me. You should be okay on that front with your experience, but it can be a problem if you push too hard for this "race".

A tricky mental issue is to not stop too often on the night loop. It can be appealing and easy when you go past the school every half hour.

It is a fun event and most riders are very friendly. The atmosphere is also fun with all the tents and people sleeping in the gym. Personally, I now sleep in Grand Rapids and drive out in the morning, as I had trouble sleeping in the gym with heat and a problem back, but I am not a camper.

Pacing is very important and your strategy sounds great.

As RoadiJeff said many years ago, stay on the bike, stay on the bike, stay on the bike.

chewybrian 

Thanks for all the inside info. I had planned on using a camelback early to avoid stopping much, anyway, and ditching it after the big loop. Rollers are not a big deal, but I'm glad to hear there are no serious climbs. I can deal with the heat well enough, though my plan is to do my more serious riding (if I'm able) at night.

Good luck and hope to see you there if you are going this time.

tastest

Yes I will be there again, though I am not always sure why . I am number 302 or 303, can' remember mine vs my wifes.

The map with gps files shows the elevation. I remembered today that there is a bit of a hill after the third checkpoint, but it didn't show as that big on the gps elevation, maybe just tired regularly at that point.

I carry the one page map just in case and it has the phone numbers, but you don't need to look at it as the route is well marked - just remember to pay attention at every cross street (there aren't that many).

It is a great event and you will have fun.

Say hi when you pass me.

StephenH

One of my fellow riders here holds one of the records at Sebring, and offered up the observation that a lot of people that were there for a 24 hour race just didn't race for 24 hours- they got 21 hours into it and pretty much quit.

On some of the these races, you've got super-serious big-name riders out there, and then you have people like me out there, that don't have a prayer of actually winning the thing, and your approach can vary a little bit depending on where you fall in that spectrum.

One problem I had in trying such a race was it started at 6:00 PM, and I wasn't able to get any sleep that afternoon like I had planned, and that makes a big difference in how it goes.

Richard Cranium

I don't know for sure what goes on at of the current races. I'm over the hill. But typically, good riders - wanting to set records - will have rabbits that pull them and then sit out every other lap later on. (like after 150 mi9les) I watched one of my records fall when this strategy was used by a rider who had more resources than me. This guy had three domestics and never pulled anywhere near as much as I did..... when I set a 24 hour record.

The main deal - a 24 hour ride is a "thinking man's" ride - plenty of people can burn you for a 100 or 200 - only the special riders make it much over 400.

downtube42

Useful info here, particularly about food/water.

This will be my first year as well; I'll be unsupported and most likely riding solo. I plan to ride through the night and keep stop time to a minimum, like on a brevet.

I'll be riding a white recumbent with a blue front fork; pull along and say Hi.

tastest

I hope my advice that the route is well marked did not mess you up with the turn with the markings that were paved over. I heard that quite a few riders got bonus miles. Sorry if it did. I did terribly, with the heat doing me in. Hope you all did well.

downtube42

The route was well marked up to that point. I had a map within reach, but between the good markings and people to follow I just didn't bother looking. Unfortunate, but I can't blame anyone. Kudos to the guy who acted as a human Dan Henry.

The route was a little tougher than I anticipated, the heat was not what I expected in Michigan, and the wind was brutal for a few hours. The big numbers put up by some people were truly humbling. I guess I did okay - about what I expected given my conditioning.

chewybrian 

I heard a lot of people missed a turn because there was some gravel over one of the marks on the road. It didn't get me; being a rando vet, of course I had a map clipped to the stem, and read the street signs.

I stuck to my strategy and tried to do all real my work on the night loop. I think it paid off, as I got over 300 miles, at least. Maybe I could have hit a bit more with an aggressive approach, but I also saw and heard about a lot of people giving up from working too hard in the heat. I think I left about 50 people laying down at checkpoint 3 (only like 70 miles in).

I got lucky that my strategy linked up well with the conditions, between the heat and the hills on the big loop, as I saved my legs for quick rolling on the night loop. I'm not sure if 300 is much of a milestone, but I'm happy with it for now; maybe 400 next time, eh?

I'm sorry to hear you guys had a rough time, but I can certainly understand, given the conditions.

downtube42

Fortunately the missed turn only cost me a couple miles, so at most maybe one more 7-mile loop. My plan was to keep stop time to a minimum and take a short nap only if necessary. I did 30 minute nap around 1:30 am, which was needed for safety. Being self supported I did eat two meals in the cafeteria, but that was pretty quick. If I were to guess, I'd say my stop time was 90 minutes.

I could do better with nutrition, I could improve my conditioning, and with a better night's sleep Friday, I could avoid the nap. I'm happy with my number, but yeah, I'm thinking 400 is doable with some improvements. The BIG question is, do I have the motivation to make that happen? At the present time, I think... not.