2009 solo 24 hr Nationals

I had such a great weekend I'll certainly be back next year. We had the whole MoB camped in one area which made for an enjoyable time.
CORC did an amazing job of the track and running the race, thanks a lot Guys.

Thank you to the support crew (my family and the NoBMoB clan) who worked tirelessly though out the 24 hours to keep us all fed, watered and the bikes running nicely. I'd bring a bike in filthy due to the rain and when I came back in for it, it was shiny clean and the drive all running sweet, awesome effort!

The race took off and I was having a ball, the track was so much fun. I was racing Garry James, last years winner in my age group and I didn't have any time to waste as he employs the classic plan of, lap the opposition early and never let you get that lap back. So I for the 1st time in a 24 hr I went out fairly hard, the laps were clicking over fast and it felt like they were taking only 15 mins each, Garry had pulled an 8min lead but by lap 15 I caught him up to my surprise and we rode together for quite a while.

Normally I have a cast iron stomach and can eat anything, at this pace the food was making me feel crook and most of it was a liquid diet so I was coming in without finishing my camelbak and slowing down. Garry was slowly but surely opening up his lead once again but I was feeling confident that I could bring him in once I felt a bit better.

Around 3am I slid off the track in the wet and did a face plant onto a log causing my nose to to bleed profusely from both barrels, I was a bit dazed and groaning so a rider offered help but once he reassured me my nose wasn't spread across my face we rode off. I thought if I continued racing my nose would keep bleeding and I was right for next 7 hours after a rough section I'd have to wipe away the blood (still sore 4 days later).

I was working on getting my briefly held lead back but it wasn't happening, I was very low on energy and struggled to get any speed. Still thinking there was a chance to win my category but starting to relise I wasn't going to feel any better during this race. With 4 hours to go Garry lapped me
and I threw in the towel, I keep riding and did 5 more laps before the finish, but had given up the futile chase.

Despite that I still had a great race, (2nd ain't that bad) I've closed the gap significantly and really didn't get the best I could do, to happen on the day.
Can't wait for next year and even starting to think about the Scott solo again (now that one hurts)
John