James Heraty used his ABSA Cape Epic fitness, riding to a strong 7th place in his age group. Photo: Matteó Cappe/WEMBO
The 2013 WEMBO Solo World 24hr Championships are just days away, taking place at Mt Stromlo outside Canberra, Australia. We know the course, we know what some of the riders think of it – but surely people have questions. How many solo races can someone do? What do you eat? How do you keep going?? Some questions were put to riders who will be racing at Stromlo this weekend – can anyone else stomach 48 gels?
Jason English – Merida
1. How many 24hr races have you done, solo, up to this point?
I’m guessing around 25ish by now. Jen would know, she reminds me how much time I owe her!
2. Does 24hr racing challenge you more physically or mentally?
I find this varies too much. Sometime the race hurts big time if its muddy, cold and your tired othertimes when there is a sub 10km lap it is just mental battle to go out again and look at the same track.
3. Who is your ideal pit crew?
A baker, a dietitian and a mechanic
Jason English has winning ways leading into the WEMBO 24hr World Champs.
4. Does a standalone 24hr Worlds race make the racing more prominent, or do you miss the atmosphere of a ‘race within a race’?
I think it is always fun to have some team riders around, but I think to be a fair race it needs to be a mostly solo only track.
5. Food: what gets you through 24hrs?
Shotz caffiene gels, Shotz electrolytes and an assortment of savour options, soups, pizza and sangers.
Andrew Hall: Cannondale-Sugoi #Pro
1. How many 24hr races have you done, solo, up to this point?
Six solo races done so far … no I idea on the number of km. Feels like a lot though!
2. Does 24hr racing challenge you more physically or mentally?
It is at least 50% mental. The body is an amazing thing, and it can actually be pushed way beyond normal limits. Getting your head into a good thought space, and keeping it there during a 24 can be a real challenge.
Andrew Hall rides into transition at the Scott 25hr. Photo: Kylie Webb
3. Who is your ideal pit crew?
My wife Robyn and a good mechanic.
4. Does a standalone 24hr Worlds race make the racing more prominent, or do you miss the atmosphere of a ‘race within a race’?
I always enjoy the solo-only races more then the 24hrs with teams. It means you can focus on your riding without all the slow traffic or the teams wizzing by. Plus, you know everyone on track is in the same position you are – solo and hurting.
5. Food: what gets you through 24hrs?
48 gels. Does Nurofen count as food?
Matt Page: Pivot Cycles – A Cycling
1. How many 24hr races have you done, solo, up to this point?
This will be my 10th solo race I think. Not 100% on that. It will be the 3rd in Australia though
2. Does 24hr racing challenge you more physically or mentally?
These days it’s more of a mental challenge. Especially the final 12hrs.
3. Does a standalone 24hr Worlds race make the racing more prominent, or do you miss the atmosphere of a ‘race within a race’?
For the Worlds I prefer solo only, it makes it a better race IMO. For nationals and other races where numbers might not be as high then teams can help improve the atmosphere.
4. Food: what gets you through 24hrs?
Pretty much just TORQ gels and energy drink, but I’ll also have lamingtons, jelly babies and banana bread on standby. All sweet stuff though.
Jess Douglas: Liv/Giant
1. How many 24hr races have you done, solo, up to this point?
I think 10 solo. Plus 1 x solo 24hr road race in April this year.
2. Does 24hr racing challenge you more physically or mentally?
I find it far more mentally challenging, the lead up and the racing. The big strain is “brain fatigue”. People ask, “what do you think about for 24hrs?”, I say, “actually not much, it will be a succession of, oh that rock came up again quick, a snippet of a song punctuates my thoughts, yep, just get up out of the saddle here, go hard, go 1% more, yes, downhill – I love this section…off the brakes…NOW, oh I made it up the other side further than last time – YEEESSS. must have a drink Norm will force me to drink more if I dont go in with empty bottle…and the thoughts go on in rotation
Jess Douglas on her new Giant Lust.
3. Who is your ideal pit crew?
My ideal pit crew is Norm, he just does what needs to be done, he is not perfect but he just deals with things on the fly. He is not anal, he allows me to run my show freely and yet give me structure and support. He is the SPLIT man around town, he knows what everyone is up to and their times etc…and he loves me!
4. Does a standalone 24hr Worlds race make the racing more prominent, or do you miss the atmosphere of a ‘race within a race’?
I loved the 24hr worlds in 2010 when it was held with the Scott 24hr. I find the solo events stand alone kind of like a very special vintage car rally, where only the enthusiasts and their families turn up. If 24hr solo racing is to get any hype people – teams and all their supporters,need to be on track even if only for fire road sections or selected sections of trail and also seeing us look like death coming in at 5am. That is what inspired me to get involved, I saw James Williamson come in the 2006 Australian 24hr Solo Champs at The Scott at Kowen Forrest and win. He was totally wasted, covered in dust and made me excited about racing 24hr solo. That year i raced in a team of mixed 6, and I was the token female and it sucked.
5. Food: what gets you through 24hrs?
white bread with crusts off with anything from peanut butter to nutella or jam or vegemite
brioche – perfect and melt in your mouth
cheddar cheese rice crackers
jube style lollies like raspberries, jelly snakes, jelly beans etc…
some various chocolate yummies
pumpkin soup
chicken risotto
tomato based raviolli
electrolyte drink from Torq
Recovery shake from Torq every 3hrs or so
red bull and / or coke
fruit salad in juice
salt and vinegar chips
…and anything else that I can stomach
My pet hate is shopping for a 24hr, you never ever know what you will really feel like – you just know that you need a variation on hand at any given moment.
I have given up trying to love food whilst racing and just go with carbs carbs carbs and eat for fuel, not for love!
Matt Clutterham
1. How many 24hr races have you done, solo, up to this point?
This is my first 24 solo.
2. Does 24hr racing challenge you more physically or mentally?
I’m not sure if it will be more physical mental or nutritional.
Matt Clutterham high above Stromlo.
3. Who is your ideal pit crew?
My first time pit crew is headed up by my pairs race team mate from last year. He knows racing, is well researched, organised and reliable.
4. Does a standalone 24hr Worlds race make the racing more prominent, or do you miss the atmosphere of a ‘race within a race’?
Being the worlds gave me an extra incentive to enter. I am glad there will be no teams rushing around at the same time.
5. Food: what gets you through 24hrs?
Food is a tricky one. Lots of options will be on the table. Starting with savoury for as long as possible. I have made some home cooked savory energy foods too.
