TRAVERS BIKES.COM
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Chains/Wax
  • MTB east
    • FAQ's
    • Enter
    • Venues
    • Results
      • League
    • Marshal
    • Race News
    • Organisers
    • Previous Years
      • 2024 Dates/Timings
      • 2023 Results
      • 2022 Results Page
      • 2021 Results
      • RESULT 2019
        • OVERALL 2019
      • Results 2018
        • Photos 2018
      • 2017 and Older
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Chains/Wax
  • MTB east
    • FAQ's
    • Enter
    • Venues
    • Results
      • League
    • Marshal
    • Race News
    • Organisers
    • Previous Years
      • 2024 Dates/Timings
      • 2023 Results
      • 2022 Results Page
      • 2021 Results
      • RESULT 2019
        • OVERALL 2019
      • Results 2018
        • Photos 2018
      • 2017 and Older
Search

Relentless 24

23/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Another superb write up by Saul Muldoon

Stadium Riders Advent(ure) Calendar
Day 23-Relentless

A curious coincidence sealed my decision to ride the Relentless 24 Hour race at Fort William this year. The lack of a singlespeed bike over much of the summer and consequently less miles in my legs than normal, had left me in two minds as to whether battering myself over 24 hours was such a good idea. I was also aware that good friend and riding companion Andrew Beever was looking for pit crew to support his ride. So in late September I text him to say that I’d not ride but would be more than happy to look after him at Relentless. Literally 5 minutes later I had a text from former Relentless Winner Sally Buckworth to say that due to injury she wouldn’t be riding this year, but would be happy to support both Andrew and myself if we wished. Cue a quick volte face, a swift online entry and another text to Andrew this time explaining the change of plan and the fact that both of us would now be lining up at the Nevis Range ski resort come the end of October.

And so there we were on the final Saturday of October, in traditionally damp, grey, drizzly Scottish conditions. Andrew and myself, along with 70 odd other solo competitors, and also team riders from the pairs, quads and 8’s, all lined up at the Nevis Range ski centre ready for the off. Unlike in 2016 when the solo category start list read like a “Who’s Who” of British endurance mountain biking, this year the start line felt a little more relaxed with some of the big hitters absent, or choosing to ride in the pair or quad categories. That’s not to say the solo category would entirely be lacking in competition however, and as I briefly chatted to Steve Day, two time world 24 hour singlespeed champion whilst awaiting the off, I reminded myself that there’s no such thing as an easy 24 hour race.

24 hour races are seldom easy for event organisers either, and a glitch with the timing system had Fraser from No Fuss Events postponing the start for a hour whilst the computer geeks did their remedial stuff. After 60 minutes of pedalling around try to stay warm and sitting in the Stadium Riders EZ-Up eating crisps (salt loading for the rigorous ahead-honest!), once again we were good to go. This time the timing computers played nicely and at bang on 1pm the field rolled across the start line and began to wind its way up the switch-backed forest road climb and up into the hills of the Nevis Range.

It usually takes a few laps for things to settle down in a 24, for the field to find its natural order, with the quicker pairs and quad riders heading things up, whilst us soloists settle in trying to find our own rhythm for the long haul. On this occasion I felt remarkably comfortable from the off, and quickly settled into a good steady race pace, resisting the temptation to be pulled along by faster riders, preferring simply to ride my own race at my own pace.

The course was as usual superb, providing more than enough technical interest to keep me amused as I ticked the laps off throughout the afternoon. Particularly wet weather over the preceding days (not unusual of course for Fort William in the autumn), had necessitated some minor amendments to the route. A steepish climb along some wet singletrack, familiar from previous editions of Relentless had been removed and replaced by a longer but more gradual fireroad climb, winding its way up to the tunnel at the highest point of the lap. This more gradual ascent suited us singlespeeders particularly well, allowing an uninterrupted grind, as opposed to having to get off and push when fatigue would be kicking in later in the race.

Another thing that was suiting me well was my new Travers Angus 2 singlespeed frame, which I had taken delivery of and built up only a few weeks earlier. A combination of its superbly predictable yet responsive handling and my familiarity with the course, was enabling me to churn out very consistent lap times through Saturday afternoon and well into the evening. In fact aside from having to adjust the chain tension once (not unusual when singlespeeding a 24 Hour), Angus performed faultlessly throughout the entire race.

Late afternoon saw lights being mounted on helmets and bars in preparation for the dark hours ahead. In many respects the night laps are my most favourite times of a 24 Hour. This is especially in the early hours of the morning when the field has thinned down and you are able to spend longer periods riding alone focusing entirely on your own effort. One of the many advantages of having Sal as pit crew was the fact that she had brought along her extensive collection of Exposure lights too, meaning Andrew and I were in no danger of being left in the dark should our batteries expire before sunrise.

Night is also the time when music plays and important role in my race strategy, listening (and occasionally singing along) to my special “24 Hour Power” mix of tunes, all selected to motivate and maintain my focus when times are tough. Rather frustratingly in the massive planning and packing operation that precedes any 24 Hour race I had forgotten to include my usual headphones. A cheap replacement pair purchased at a motorway services on the way up, did an adequate job but annoyingly kept falling out of my ears on some of the rougher descents.

One of the aspects of 24 Hour races I always enjoy is the opportunity to chat with fellow racers and friends in the course of the event. Catching, or being caught by someone I know and spending a few minutes riding along together comparing experiences is one of those small but important factors that maintains my motivation in a race of this type. At various times during the race it was great to spend a few moments with Richard Rothwell, Keith Forsyth, Nigel Morris, Richie Scott, Simon Haslam, and various others, all of whom were happy to exchange words of mutual support and encouragement. Thanks to each and every one of you, it is exactly this kind of camaraderie that makes 24 Hour racing so enjoyable for me.

Another very important aspect of the race, and one which I simply could not do without is pit crew, and to this end Sal did a stunning job. As a veteran on numerous 24 Hour races herself, Sal was very attuned to the needs of both Andrew and myself throughout the race, staying awake throughout the night in order to attend to them. I like to think I’m quite an easily pleased 24 Hour racer, as long as there is a fresh water bottle, a couple of energy gels and an occasional Muller Rice available when I need them I’m quite happy. Andrew on the other hand is a little more “high maintenance”, requiring tea, coffee, particular foods (including at one point a hot jacket potato), all of which Sally conjured up in characteristic unflustered style.

As many of you will know the role of pit crew is multifaceted and not simply limited to catering. Aside from keeping our pit absolutely spotless and ordered (I hate a chaotic pit!), Sal was also acting as chief motivator, strategist, coach, lap counter, timer, photographer, social media updater, and a host of other important roles. She even approached the race organisers to very effectively resolve some minor confusion regarding race categories, around about sunrise when most other people were struggling to think straight due to sleep deprivation. Both Andrew and myself were immensely grateful for Sal’s efforts, and the invaluable contribution she made to our respective race results.

As dawn broke I was still feeling good and continuing to steadily add to my lap total. As is usual in a 24 Hour I had no idea where I was in the race standings, preferring instead simply to ride my own race to the best of my abilities minimising any additional external pressures. The course had held up well during the night with few muddy sections, aside from the brief incursion onto the World Cup downhill course which in my experience always seems to be wet. I was aware Andrew was also riding well, and although I knew he was a lap or two behind me I was hoping he had done enough to secure a podium position which would mean so much to him.

The final few hours are always tough, and for me generally pass in a mix or good a bad laps. One lap I’ll be struggling up a climb, barely able to turn the pedals, and then the next time I’m powering up the self-same climb feeling like a riding god, such are the physiological and psychological curiosities of spending 24 hours on a bike. In my first 24 hour a few years ago a former National Champion gave me some advice saying that however bad you feel, if you keep pedaling, keep eating, keep drinking and keep positive, then you will feel better. I have always remembered this little bit of wisdom and it has seen me through tough times in numerous subsequent endurance races.

The last lap invariably comes as a relief, as by that point despite the luxury of suspension forks my hands struggle to maintain a grip on the bars due to the accumulated fatigue of 24 hours worth of battering. The final lap is also an opportunity to thank the marshals, many of whom have completed their own feat of endurance being out on the course for 24 hours ready to help any rider in need.

On crossing the line for the final time it was great to see Sal and Andrew (who decided not to opt for another lap) there to offer congratulations, hugs and confirm that I’ve finished first in the Singlespeed category fourth solo rider overall. It was equally great to learn that Andrew had done enough to take third spot on the podium, behind the 24 Hour singlespeed specialist David Ernest Glover.

However Andrew and myself were not the only winners from Yorkshire at Relentless 2017. Our friends Mitchell Jones and Nigel Smith raced hard to take victory in the Open pairs category whilst Donna Waring had won the Women’s Vet Category, so all in all it was a satisfying weekend all round for us Yorkshire folk.

Well done to everyone who competed, 24 Hour races are never easy, but the sense of satisfaction and enjoyment from spending a weekend suffering with like minded mtb’ers makes the pain well worth it. Thanks also to Fraser and Spook of No Fuss events for delivering yet another superb Relentless. Will I be back next year when Relentless doubles as the WEMBO World 24 Hour Champs?........We’ll see!

Podium pic by Sally Buckworth.
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    TRAVERS BIKES

    HAND BUILT TITANIUM FRAMES.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    120 Tpi
    26+
    27.5
    27.5+
    29+
    29+
    29er
    29er Plus
    29+ SS
    3 Peaks
    650b
    650b+
    7roads
    Absolute BLACK
    All Mountain
    Angus
    Angus II
    Badge
    Bat Fastard
    Battle On The Beach
    Battle On The Beach 2015
    Battle On The Beach 2016
    BB200
    Beach Racing
    Bespoke
    Big Bike Bash
    Bikepacking
    Bitcoin
    Bivvy
    Black Eagle II
    Bontrager Twenty Four 12
    Boost
    Bottle Cage Bolts
    Bottle Cages
    Brighton Big Dog
    Brighton Big Dog 2018
    Cache Battery
    Calshot-track
    Carbon Bottle Cage
    Carbon Forks
    Carbon Rims
    Cassettes
    Chainline
    Chain Wax
    Clearance
    Clothing
    Club Championship
    Club Champs
    Complete Bike
    Custom Wheels
    CX
    Cx Elite
    CX Prong
    Cycle To Work
    Cyclocross
    Demo Bikes
    Dirti
    DIRTI Aluminium Rims
    DIRTI Cyclocross Alumium Rims
    DIRT Prong
    Discount Code
    Dorris Day
    Downhill
    Dual Slalom
    Dusk Til Dawn
    Dynamo
    Eastern Cyclocross
    Eastern Region Cyclocross
    EBay
    Ebike
    ESES
    ESES 2016
    ESES 2017
    Essex Summer Evening Series
    E*thirteen
    EVO Prong
    Fabric Badge
    Facebook
    FARR
    Fat Bike
    Fat Biking Europe
    Fat Prong
    Fat Race
    Fat Tyres
    Fibrax
    Finance
    Flare C1 Handlebar
    Fork
    Frame Registration
    Frames
    Front
    GARBARUK
    GB Divide
    Gears
    Gift Vouchers
    Gold Frame
    Gravel
    Great British Divide
    Group Ride
    H1 Titanium Handlebars
    H2 Riser Handlebar
    Hadleigh Park
    Handlebars
    Handmade
    HC1 Carbon Handlebar
    Head
    Headbadge
    Headset Bearings
    Headset Cap
    Helmets
    Hoodie
    Hope Pro 4
    Hope Tech
    Hope Tech XCR Pro X2
    Imprint Grips
    Inline Seatpost
    Japan
    #JennRide
    Jungle Fox
    Kit
    KLite
    Knard
    Lauf
    Lauf Carbonara
    Lauf Grit
    Mongo
    MTB East
    Mud Sweat And Gears
    Multitool
    Newsletter
    Nextie
    Nextie Crocodile
    Nextie Enduro
    Nextie NXT29AM35
    Nextie NXT90WD-IIX Review
    Nextie Vista
    NXT100KL
    NXT20T02
    NXT26SW80
    NXT26XS85
    NXT27AM35
    NXT27AM40
    NXT27WD85-II
    NXT27XM36
    NXT29AM35
    NXT29CD42
    NXT29RM30
    NXT29UL27
    NXT29XC27
    NXT32RC
    NXT38C06
    NXT38T06
    NXT50C02
    NXT50C07
    NXT58RC
    NXT88C02
    NXT90WD-TS
    Pinion Gearbox
    Pivot2412
    Plus Tyres
    Polaris Bike Box
    Potash
    Potash Race
    Potash Spring Classic
    Potash Spring Classic 2017
    Potash Summer Classic
    Potash Summer Classic 2016
    Potash Summer Classic 2017
    Prong
    Prong 29
    Quick Links
    Race Report
    Races
    Reusable Links
    Review
    Ringtool
    Road Elite
    Road Elite Stealth
    Road Prong Fork
    Rohloff
    Rotor 3D30
    Rudy 29er
    Rudy Fat
    Russ Ti
    RUSSTi
    RUSSTi Aluminium 27.5+ Rims
    RUSSTi EVO
    Rusty
    Schmidt Son 28
    Shipping
    Silca
    Sinewave Revolution
    Singlespeed
    Socks
    SOFTi
    SRAM
    SRAM ETap
    SRAM Groupset
    SRAM NX
    SSEC
    SSEC17
    SSEC 2016
    Stage
    Stans Crest
    Stans Crest Mk3
    Stem
    Steve Day
    Stickers
    Strandrace Brouwersdam
    Sunrace MX8
    Surly Dirt Wizard
    T47 BB
    Tandem
    Team Jersey
    Team Kit
    Test Ride
    TiBYK
    Titanium Finish
    Titanium Hex Bolts
    Titanium Rainbow
    Titanium Stem
    Tools
    Top Caps
    Torq In Your Sleep
    Tour Divide
    Tour Divide Bike
    Travers
    Travers Angus
    Travers Bidon
    Travers Bikes Demo
    Travers Bikes MTB Series
    Travers DIRTi
    Travers EVO
    Travers MTB Series
    Tri-Ambla 2016
    Trispoke
    Trophies
    Tshirt
    TTR
    Tubeless
    Twentyfour12
    Tyres
    Tyre Sealant
    Tyre Width
    UKXCNews
    USB Charge
    Vee Bulldozer 29 X 3.25
    Vee Trax Fatty
    Vee Tyres
    Warranty
    Waxed Chains
    Wedding
    Welsh Ride Thing
    WEMBO
    Wheel Building
    Wide Road Bike Tyres
    Wild Dragon
    Workshop
    World Champion
    WRT 2017
    XC Prong
    XC Racer
    Youtube
    Zwatt

    RSS Feed

Travers Bikes Ltd
4 Pudsey Hall Lane, SS4 3RY
[email protected]

07890 451705

VAT No: 187246282
PRIVACY POLICY
WARRANTY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
STORE
REVIEWS
CONTACT
JOURNAL
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Chains/Wax
  • MTB east
    • FAQ's
    • Enter
    • Venues
    • Results
      • League
    • Marshal
    • Race News
    • Organisers
    • Previous Years
      • 2024 Dates/Timings
      • 2023 Results
      • 2022 Results Page
      • 2021 Results
      • RESULT 2019
        • OVERALL 2019
      • Results 2018
        • Photos 2018
      • 2017 and Older