I just signed up for my first 12 hour solo MTB Race (6&12 Hours of Bootleg Canyon).
I’ve never done anything close to this, but all my Mtb friends say these races are a blast.
Any suggestions on what to carry? Its on an 8 mile course, I plan to try to just cruise the first
two or three laps and then go from there.
Anyone that has done one of these: do you stop for lunch? They have a main tent at the lap start/finish area
for refueling/medical etc. Do you eat on the go or just drink on the fly and stop to eat?
I guess it will be a great way to work off Thanksgiving dinner!
I’ve done 100-milers with 5 aid stations, rather than 8-mile laps… you probably have more opportunity to fuel assuming the 8-miles laps will take you under an hour.
I’d take a camelbak with water and a bottle on the downtube with electrolyte drink - and then a flask of hammer gel. 2-3 gels per hour along with drinking should be plenty to get you 300-400 cals per hour. if you get hungry later in the race (which I never have personally, but maybe you would), plan to have powerbars at your pit stop and definitely plan to have coke or red bull for the last couple hours. Don’t stop for longer than it takes you to refill bottles & camelbak, fwd momentum is your friend…
This advice above is only if you want to go fast. If you’re there just to soak in the experience, i recommend a 12-pack at the aid station and you shotgun a Pabst Blue Ribbon at the end of every lap. Make sure you have chicken wings or cheeseburger sliders there for later in the race when you start to get hungry.
Tom,
I did a 2 person for a 24 hour race and do lots of adventure racing. I would recruit a support person and establish a “meeting spot” where you will pass them each lap. Prepare a couple of different foods, as well as energy bars, gels and drinks. My favorite race food is pizza (homemade so it isn’t too greasy). Have them ready with fresh bottles and food at the designated spot, so you can refuel as necessary. You should be able to estimate your lap time after a couple loops, so your support person will get an idea of when you will be coming through, versus standing there the whole time.
Tamela
It sounds like your objective is more about fun than going as fast as possible.
Either way, it’s really helpful to have someone to help with pit stops. I’ve done a few 24h races and ate a lot of gels mostly, but real food… bananas, pasta salad, cookies, sandwiches are great. Coke has been really helpful in helping get a lot of sugar and break things down in your stomach.
Hey
One of my favorite races of all times was a 12 hr mtb race in Big Bear.
They probably are going to give you a spot for your pit. It would help a lot if you have a pit crew… it makes things more fun, they can prepare your drinks, food, etc… help with cleaning the bike… Bring some sort of roof for your pit, as you dont want you or your friends in the sun while resting.
Also if you are taking it somewhat competitively its a good idea to carry a walkie talkie in your back pocket. I used to tell the pit guys in advance if I was stopping and what I needed, or if I just needed to change water bottles, a few gels, etc…
I did stop to have “lunch”, but it was very quick, and while I was resting, one of my friends was wiping and re-lubing the chain.
I brought bannanas, powerbars, powergels, pb&j sandwiches, but I didnt bring any salty stuff and I regret it.
Your pit crew will also have a lot of fun, specially if the pit crew next to your spot is made by two really hot girls =).
I carried two camel backs so that I could only change camelbacks and not have to refill them, again this is with someone to help you with filling it while you are riding, and handing it over at a spot that you agree on.
Also plan on how you are going to go back home. I finished WASTED (but very happy =)) I couldnt move, so one of my friends drove my car back. It would be nice if you could stay for the night after the race so that you can relax.
I’d love to do one more of those!
Also, start SLOW… talk to other riders and enjoy it.
How long to stop, whether to stop for lunch, etc all depends on your goal and fitness. To win, the stops have to be extremely short and very well pre-planned. I used a cooler with bottle and bar/nutrition wrapped together so I can just grab and go each lap. If the goal is to have fun feel free to have chairs, changes of clothing, new socks, stop for lunch, etc.
Since it’s only an 8 mile lap, you don’t need to carry a huge amount. Look at the weather and be proactive with clothing, etc. Be prepared for things to go wrong, both mechanically and nutritionally. Have extra chamois cream and parts available. And have a backup nutrition plan in case what you plan begins to make you queasy.
As others have said, I agree with carry as little as possible and having a pit crew. Even if that is only one person. For an 8 mile lap one bottle and 2 gels on the bike should be plenty and limit the amount of weight you will be carrying. If you are going to do it with no assistants I would make a little area near the tent (if not provided by the race itself) to have the extras sitting and easily accessible each lap. At the Pat’s Peak 6/12/24 hour race some guys had wooden stakes with water bottle cages attached to them set up right after the timing tent and they would not even have to stop to grab a new bottle, just ride by and grab. You will still have to have someone replace the one you just took or at least stop every other lap to redo the setup. The less you stop the better. Think of it this way, if you stop for a minute each lap that adds up over 15+ laps.
Agree with everyone else on carrying as little as possible since you’re doing laps. One word of warning, depending on how much saddle time you’ve got, your hands and lower back might be the things that will give out long before your legs do.
I did not race the race but just wanted to be out there for 13 hours.
I think the winners had 21 laps and I ended up with 18.
You won’t need to carry any extra food fluids with 8 mile laps. That’s
about what mine was.
We had a pit and my wife was my main crew - if your crew member is
someone you care about - apologize before the race for something stupid
you’re going to say in the next 12 hours.
We had a 8 foot table loaded with everything you ever thought you might
want to eat and then some. Plus, they had a grill going so that cheeseburger
at the 8 hour mark was just about the best burger I ever ate.
I found a list of what I had that day
Cliff Blocks
GU’s
Pretzels
Tortilla Chips
Cheeseburger (1)
Muffins
Raison Bread
Chicken on a Stick
Beef on a Stick
Rice
Gummy Bears
Sharkies
Reg Coke
Mexican Coke
Gatorade
Ginger Ale
Water
Hammer Gels
Fig Newton’s
GU Roctane
Succeed
Only got off the bike once to stretch.
Also load up the area with a pump, tools, tires, glasses, gloves.