[Event] 24Hours Of Oak Valley MTB Relay

[dev null]

I don't mind getting molested, as long as it's prefaced with a "Please" and followed by a "Thank you". Forget your manners and I can get annoyingly wide and slow.

 

I think by the morning you will be tired of hearing 'Track asseblief oom', followed by the 'Dankie oom'. 

[Kooskoos]

This is also going to be my first 24h. We are racing under the name : Laas jaar se wenners, we are 2 Bloemhof girls and 2 Paul Roos guys all U/17. 

 

We just want some advice from guys who raced the 24H before, what to expect, what to pack etc.

 

Your advice will really help!

[dev null]

This is also going to be my first 24h. We are racing under the name : Laas jaar se wenners, we are 2 Bloemhof girls and 2 Paul Roos guys all U/17. 

 

We just want some advice from guys who raced the 24H before, what to expect, what to pack etc.

 

Your advice will really help!

 

Definitely both a headlight and handlebar light.  The ST at the ravine is quite dark and have some overhead branches.  Warm stuff for the night.  It gets bloody cold.  Lots of Steri Stumpies and Droë Wors.  Spare socks.

[fandacious]

Defintely both a headlight and handlebar light.  Warm stuff for the night.  It gets bloody cold.  Lots of Steri Stumpies and Droë Wors.  Spare socks.

 

there was a spur stalletjie there selling spur burgers. lifesavers

[Tau]

https://www.hammernutrition.com.au/info-centre/steve-born-mountbike-race-tips/

 

 

When I read this my plan of living of Steri stumpies and biltong seems a little inadiquite.

 

But seriously I have only done one and last years some of the blokes in my team or that camped near us had stomach cramps  and the state of the toilets gave clues that more than one person had the trots. I think you need to realise that such a high concentration energy drinks and Gu's will upset some. I suppose that is why I enjoy the Steri Stumpie so much.

[Velouria]

I think by the morning you will be tired of hearing 'Track asseblief oom', followed by the 'Dankie oom'.

You'll be surprised - any interaction with voices not in my head always comes as a welcome relief.

 

And I'll take one for the team if it means that the next generation grows up with decent trail manners.

[(Deon)]

Discounted early entries close tomorrow! Who will all be there?

Are you going and will you bring the couch?

[stringbean]

A lot can happen out there in the dark single track in the wee hours in the morning.Any youngster calling me oom and shouting track at me is going to get bliksem.

You might see some youngsters coming thru the start/finish in snot & trane so tell them to be polite.

[stringbean]

Team Hievrekonsvandag is ready to rock in the Mixed and OneFourZero categories. Had our meeting, discussed our strategy, and ready to execute... will it be flawless, only time (24hours) will tell...

I know that team,I give them 1 hr before the red wine gets opened.

[Velouria]

This is also going to be my first 24h. We are racing under the name : Laas jaar se wenners, we are 2 Bloemhof girls and 2 Paul Roos guys all U/17. 

 

We just want some advice from guys who raced the 24H before, what to expect, what to pack etc.

 

Your advice will really help!

Obviously, for a team, the objective is to ride each lap as fast as possible, which means that you're in for 30 to 40 minutes of leg and lung busting torture. It's flat out, as fast as you can go. At 35 mins a lap, you'll be doing a lap every 1h40.

 

This means you need to be warm and ready to race when your teammate finishes a lap. Also, once your lap is done, you need to recover as best as possible. It's going to be hot, so stay hydrated, and make sure you eat - not just for the lap you finished, but for the lap you'll be doing in 16 hours time.

 

The old saying - the brighter the light, the fast you go definitely holds true. The more light you have, the better your night riding will be. I wouldn't go as far as advocating for both head and bar lights (I rode solo, so by the time darkness comes I have had 7 hours to memorise the course and don't need the additional light from a head lamp), but if you've got both, use them.

 

The secret to 24hr racing is to go as fast as you can with the least amount of energy expenditure. A wise old 24hr racer once told me that if you have to brake, you're using too much energy. Rather carry a lower speed. This isn't as applicable at Oak Valley with the monster downhill, but the concept is still valid. Try to stay as smooth and fluid as possible.

 

In a team, your night time strategy can make or break your race. Some teams opt to do two laps per rider at night, which allows the other teammates time to sleep. Others opt to let a different rider skip his turn each cycle, giving each rider the same 6 laps off, but still allowing the other riders to do 1 fast lap each, rather than two so so laps.

 

If possible - get clear lensed glasses for the night. Bring warm clothes just in case (same goes for rain clothes). Bring spare kit. Nothing lifts the spirits like the feeling of a fresh pair of bibs on a tired butt.

 

Eat normal food. Use energy gels/juices etc sparingly. Look after your body.

 

Lastly, have fun. Wave at the imaginary things that stalk you. Be polite to the riders around you. You never know when you might need a hand, be it from a puncture, or a light failure.

 

(There - all my secrets are out!)

[Iwan Kemp]

Obviously, for a team, the objective is to ride each lap as fast as possible, which means that you're in for 30 to 40 minutes of leg and lung busting torture

 

...

 

 

 

Cool tips

[dev null]

Last year the battery on my son's light went flat somewhere early in the morning.  He then just tucked in behind one of the riders with a light.  Also, riding at dusk can be deceiving:  it might still look very light at the change-over, but on some of the forest trails the light will already be bad, so put the light on the bike early.  You might need it later on your lap.

[Jewbacca]

I ride the whole event with my head lamp attached, then just pick up batteries. I only use the head lamp for the descent as I have a dynamo bar light.

 

Advice... Eat real food. Pre make some pasta, some chicken breasts and lay off the sugar.

 

Avoid comfort! Getting comfortable is the beginning of the end.

 

I dont mind sweaty socks but I do take a change of shirt for the last 6 hours. Nothing worse than having a stiff as a board shirt when you start sweating in the sun!

 

I don't mind the laaities calling 'track' or what not, but not if I am also held up. If there is a train of people in the last 1.5km of the roller coaster bit of the track, chill and wait your turn you little whippersnappers!

 

Otherwise good luck good peeps.

 

See you out there. 

[GLuvsMtb]

I am so looking forward to this!
So here's the plan:
- no camping. I am planning to drive in from home (SSW) at about 11am to be ready for the 12pm start
I'll probably only pack my bike, a camping chair, a cooler box, shower goodies, clean civvies, some basic cycling tools, some spare kit and my lights.
- I presume that there will be food vendors again this year? (otherwise I may just have to trade beer for food at the camp site).
- do a few laps during the day to get to know the course (if its not hot, I'll try and do say 4 laps, if hot, just 2)
- do a few night time laps (say 4 if it was hot, or 2 if I managed some laps during the day)
- go home at about 11pm, in bed by 12am
- get up at 6am, start riding again at 7am
- do 2 or 3 laps, rest, and start the last lap so that I finish at around 12:05pm.

 

The plan is to see how slow I can climb the first 5km and how smoothly I can descend on the second 5. This way I manage my HR
I will also try to do 2 laps at a time minimum, unless its hot. Getting on and off takes it out of you.
I will be happy with 8 laps or more as I have not been able to train as much as I would have wanted.

 

Does anyone know what the minimum laps are for a medal?

[Jewbacca]

I am so looking forward to this!

So here's the plan:

- no camping. I am planning to drive in from home (SSW) at about 11am to be ready for the 12pm start

I'll probably only pack my bike, a camping chair, a cooler box, shower goodies, clean civvies, some basic cycling tools, some spare kit and my lights.

- I presume that there will be food vendors again this year? (otherwise I may just have to trade beer for food at the camp site).

- do a few laps during the day to get to know the course (if its not hot, I'll try and do say 4 laps, if hot, just 2)

- do a few night time laps (say 4 if it was hot, or 2 if I managed some laps during the day)

- go home at about 11pm, in bed by 12am

- get up at 6am, start riding again at 7am

- do 2 or 3 laps, rest, and start the last lap so that I finish at around 12:05pm.

 

The plan is to see how slow I can climb the first 5km and how smoothly I can descend on the second 5. This way I manage my HR

I will also try to do 2 laps at a time minimum, unless its hot. Getting on and off takes it out of you.

I will be happy with 8 laps or more as I have not been able to train as much as I would have wanted.

 

Does anyone know what the minimum laps are for a medal?

It is usually 8 laps with the last completed after 12:00.

 

Sometimes 9 depending on the average and the conditions.

 

Looks like a good lazy leisurely plan you have there!!!

[Vanzyl]

Weather report says it will be wet.... Some DIY mudgaurds planned! Looking forward to this race...firts 24h

Weather report says it will be wet.... Some DIY mudgaurds planned! Looking forward to this race...first 24h