worldtraveller

For all of you who have participated in 24 hour competitions.
This can be those 24 hour mt bike races. Or even a road double or triple century.

I like feedback from the people who actually rode all or most of the time in a 24 hour period. Be it a mt or road bike race?

How did you manage your pace?
were your pushing 100% the whole time or really going somewhat slower?

How were your feeling the whole time, physically and mentally the whole time?

What thoughts did go through your head at the time?

What events and where did you do your 24 hour event?

Would you do it again?

How many times did you have to stop for the calling of nature?

Did you find it was an awarding experience, of completing the event?

Do you like the long distance events compared to shorter events that last 2 hours etc?

Thanks for your time.

And no to anyone who has followed my posts on here. I am not trolling as i try to keep the topics different and its nice to learn new things from other cyclists.

but we are all free to express your opinion on anything.

Machka 

I talk about Rowan's and my 24-hour TT here: https://www.machka.net/24hour/2006_UMCA24hour.htm

chewybrian 

I've done many long rides, though they are not races. My most recent brevet was 250 miles, which I finished in 19 hours. This is not a brutal pace. You can't piddle around all day, but you do have time to stop for dinner, for example. Call of nature--it is surprisingly rare, as you are sweating and burning up as much as you can keep down (and more).

Physical and mental well-being can really go all over the place in the course of these long rides. Weather, nagging injuries, discomforts, or lack of energy can bring you down at times. It's important to carry on, though, as your energy level can and usually does return if you are managing your nutriton well.

I'd do it again, and I find long distance events very rewarding. It's a great feeling when you find yourself nearing the finish, and still have legs. I can't compare to shorter events, because I don't do them.

I would like to hear reports from those who have completed 24 hour races, and see what it takes to go from a triple century pace to a quad century pace for the day. I am eager to try a couple 24 hour races next year, but I need to pick up the pace to be competitive.

Steamer

In my admittedly limited experience, a 12 hr race can feel a whole lot worse than even a 600K. In other words, the peak of discomfort during the 12hr race (where you might ride, say, 200 miles or so) is much worse than the most discomfort you'll have at any point on the 600K. Even the hardest brevet is ridden at an overall lower pace / level of intensity than something that is actually a race. Its a race, after all. You should finish the race devistated. I haven't finished any brevets feeling absolute devistated - like having trouble standing up or walking. I felt that at a 12 hr race. I don't really want to think about a 24hr. Yikes.

Richard Cranium

Having ridden at least six quad-centuries - I would guess I am qualified to answer these questions.


Selecting pace for a 24-hour race is like any other competition. The conditions of the weather and route -as well as your competitors will offer clues to what pace to choose.

This kind of question requires understanding the role of the cyclist in an event. Are you riding against the clock or are you riding against another cyclist? If you are riding to win an event - a pre-race scheduling of a pace will seldom work the best. You have to take advantage of conditions or bide your time. The clock can't always dictate strategy.


This is just silly talk. Every event is unique, every rider goes through a range of emotions with respect to any massive athletic endeavor.


It is likely that even the best riders will dismount to urinate. In half my rides at least one bowel movement is necessary. (at least that's my experience - others may vary)


If you win or set a record -you can trash talk others on the Internet.


Silly stuff - there is no comparison between the two. I guess it should be noted, any exercise lasting over 12 hours becomes largely self-defeating. You don't get stronger -just older and more worn.

If you don't have an extreme interest in your own performance - and are willing to find satisfaction and value riding against the clock - you may find your effort unrewarding. Hence- the popularity of Long Distance Time Trialing in the US.

StephenH

(Based on my one 12-hour race!)

How did you manage your pace? Tried to ride at a pace I could maintain, then slowed down when I got more tired.

were your pushing 100% the whole time or really going somewhat slower? If I pushed 100% the whole time, I'd be exhausted in 10 minutes and have to stop.

How were your feeling the whole time, physically and mentally the whole time? First 100 miles- "Hey, this is okay, not doing too bad." Next 25 miles- "Why did I ever sign up for this? What WAS I thinking?" End of race- "Never again!!!" Next day- "That wasn't THAT bad!" Next week- "It was kinda fun!" Next month- "Let's do it again!"

What thoughts did go through your head at the time? I forget.

What events and where did you do your 24 hour event? Texas Time Trials in Glen Rose, Texas.

Would you do it again? I'm signed up for the 500-mile/ 48-hour race this time.

How many times did you have to stop for the calling of nature? As often as needed, and not something I count. That course is 26 mile laps, so probably a couple of times to pee in 12 hours, don't remember how may poo breaks in there. Some people don't stop to pee, and to me, that means you're taking yourself way too seriously.

Did you find it was an awarding experience, of completing the event? Yes. I was not, and generally will not be, competitive at this kind of event, but it was still neat to do it. (I finished 11th out of 16 in my class.)

Do you like the long distance events compared to shorter events that last 2 hours etc? My daily rides are a couple of hours, and I enjoy them. I don't do anything like crit racing, and generally don't have much interest in it.