i was just wondering what people did for training for a 24 hour race when doing it solo. just wondering and thinking about doing one in a couple years maybe....
thanks

Could go on and on about preparing for a 24hr.

In a nutshell, I'd say to train mostly as you would for a traditional cross country race, except throw in a long ride (over 5 hours) once a week, and keep the pace/ effort up the entire time. Ride as frequently as possible and give yourself plenty of rest in between. Try riding at wierd times (late at night, 1st thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, etc....mix it up)

Also practice eating & drinking lots while on the bike & in motion so that your stomach gets "used" to this.

GO SOLO!!

Could go on and on about preparing for a 24hr.
Try riding at wierd times (late at night, 1st thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, etc....mix it up)

GO SOLO!!

Happy somebody suggested this. I thought my idea was possibly a little overkill but clearly not.

I am just about to begin my training program for 12/24hr racing and thought this would be a good idea. I was thinking of riding at some obscure times like 5:00 in the morning and possibly even taking in a trail ride a little later than normal at like 1:00am just to get and idea of riding tired in the dark SOLO....

I have already started trying different foods. After a killer climb I decided youghurt is not a good food :o

Trevor!

Happy somebody suggested this. I thought my idea was possibly a little overkill but clearly not.

I am just about to begin my training program for 12/24hr racing and thought this would be a good idea. I was thinking of riding at some obscure times like 5:00 in the morning and possibly even taking in a trail ride a little later than normal at like 1:00am just to get and idea of riding tired in the dark SOLO....

I have already started trying different foods. After a killer climb I decided youghurt is not a good food :o

Trevor!

If you want to be competitive then probably nothing you can think of in terms of preperation is overkill. The tough part is achieving a balance between all the elements that you want to test and train.

Last year my buddy and I competed in the 24 Hours of Allamuchy as a two-man team. Loved it and am going back this year as solos. We found that we both wanted to ride more. Some suggestions:

- If you train alone at night tell someone that you're going out and that you'll call them when you return. I had a pretty bad crash at 1:30 AM on a training ride. I would have been laying there in the dark if not for my partner who dug me out of the bushes. (hospital visit, awesome contusions and scars..perhaps I'll upload the pics)

- Ride at weird times and for different amounts. For example, ride for two hours and then go back to your car. Rest for a 1/2 hour, eat, drink, change and go back out for another ride.

- Get a good night lighting system. We're upgrading ours as we need a longer battery. Allamuchy required lights on bikes (amount of use was your call) from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

- I have some more advice for race day stuff, but that's for another post....

Happy Riding!!1