The Longest Day

The winner of the 1891 Bordeaux-Paris G. P. Mills  was a member of the North Road Cycling Club. (in fact the whole podium was) NRCC promoted the very first 24hr time trial too.

This year, the National Championships 24Hr TT was held on the summer solstice, and circumstance meant I was riding  ‘un-supported’

Lack of prep meant I had a fairly late night after changing tyres, chain, jockey wheels on the bike. And an early start to catch the train down to Berwick (Sussex) At the sign in I met Marcus from Willesden CC who I rode a good proportion of LEL with last year. It’s always nice to recognise a friendly face, and he was also unsupported.

With no-one to hand up food and drink, my plan was to stop as little as possible, so I was carrying 4 large bottles (two behind the saddle), and a tri-bag for food to avoid loading my back. Lights were also attached so I wouldn’t have to stop early to add them.

Race numbers on two sets of kit, waterbottles filled, food/drinks/clothes box packed and handed over. I think I was ready to go.

My ‘day’ began officially at 12.45. I know I start faster than I ‘should’ but it works for me. Out past the Arlington Resevoir and up to the A22. This is the only bit of road I’ll ride once. A left turn onto the bottom part of the Broyle circuit triangle gives a rare opportunity to see the riders in front returning, as from then on it’s mostly one-way traffic on the circuit loops.

Up to the Little Horstead circuit. I know this bit is lumpy from training, but it’s different on the road. At the end of the first lap I spot the ‘riders feed’ where my drop box will be, but I am well loaded and make a mental note only. There is a burst water pipe on the circuit with temporary traffic lights. It’s about 50/50 whether I stop at them. on my second? (these things eventually roll into one long lap) circuit I see Simon and George who I rode with on LEL who are cheering riders on. It’s a good lift. There is a car crash at the end of the circuit. People are trying to rip the door off one car to reach an elderly lady, but there’s lots of people around to help, and me stopping won’t make matters better. Round again. At the end of the next lap they are transferring riders to the Broyle circuit. The drop boxes have already gone.

Down to Halland and onto the Broyle circuit I spot the second ‘feed’ just after Ringmer. Next time round I’ll have to stop as I’m almost out of water after close to 100 miles. A bottle jumped out of the cage on my saddle on a descent. Fortunately I had a spare in the box. Bottles are filled already so I swap everything out and grab a couple more bars to replenish the tribag. On the next circuit I spotted my bottle on the road so made a brief stop to collect it and shove it up my jersey to dump back at the box. Round and round I go. I have lost count.

At some point we are transfered to the ‘Night’ circuit. It is still light enough to get one clear lap in daylight, and spot the hazards for later on. It is a mixture of A-road/dual carriageway, and steep pot-holed lanes. Rob from Catford CC catches me on an ascent riding an 80″ fixed. Unluckily for him, there are a few big descents coming up, and my freewheeling capability keeps me in touch. Past the Night HQ on the first time around I mark it on my Etrex. This one is about 25miles/lap, and as I have lights already on the bike I can continue. Round again. Lights go on. I’m starting to run low on fluids but determine I can reach 300km before stopping again.

Next lap round I have to stop. I got some water from another riders support RV parked up and filled 3 bottles. The 4th with coke. More food went in the tri-bag and gels in pockets before donning arm warmers, gloves and gillet and setting off again. More laps. I started getting sleepy on the A roads – hypnotised by the white lines and spot light. Caffine and a brief pull over to let it kick in and I was back. Hot foot struck several times and I had to ease off a bit. It was starting to become a compromise between bum and feet hurting most. The sections riding through woods were lovely – the heat radiating from the trees kept the night warm for these sections, but the cold dips and hollows took my breath away. Somewhere around 3am dawn starts to break, but it remains cold. It’s around this point you start to realise how much longer is left – another 1o hours. It’s soul-destroying. I get one more lap in daylight, and I’m rationing my water. My second stop at Night HQ and half the boxes are already loaded into the van. Esther the organiser opens the hall back up so I can get some more water in two bottles, and I refill the 3rd with more coke. At least I know it’s my last time round on this.

Back up the A22 to the Little Horstead circuit. Still ages left. Pedal. Keep pedaling. Tell my body that it can hurt later, as long as it keeps going now. I’ve decided to hate this circuit, with its hilly sections, and am relieved when I get moved off it and head to the finishing circuit. The sun is up properly now, and it’s starting to get very hot again.

8am. I have 3 bottles left. There is no water at the box drop. Can I keep it going for another 4 3/4 hours. I’m beginning to crack up I think. Timekeepers are setting up. By now my default response is to shout “45” at anyone in a hi-viz vest. I forget how many laps I’ve done. At about 9.45 I pass 600km. Fastest 6 I’ve ever done, and still 3 hours left. I start estimating how far I can go. 25kph seems reasonable for the last 3 hrs, so all my focus is poured in to that 675km target. It’s about 4 more laps. Have to force myself to keep eating.

At around the 400 mile mark, I am on the verge of tears as I climb up past the Wok Inn, where most spectators are. 24hrs is so bloody unreasonable. Properly losing it now, but if I can keep it going I’m going to set a PB. George and Simon are still out on the course encouraging riders as we turn back on to the A22 and snap me back into the race. Another lap. Or make it two. Time is finally down to minutes as at last I pass TK6 for the final time and get told “2 minutes” left. Emptying whatever I’ve got left onto the road as final distance will be averaged between this and TK1 at Halland roundabout depending on how quick I can cover these last few miles. TK1 and it’s with relief I shake my head at the marshal on the roundabout immediatley after. I am done finally. Climb off, lay the bike down carefully onto the grass verge and collapse almost hyperventilating onto the ground into as close a fetal position as my aching body can form. I think I’m crying, but I don’t know if it’s pain or relief.

I do know it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done on a bike.

My longest day lasted 24hours 4 minutes

There’s still the matter of the club team record.