This year I have decreased my race distances and rather than competing over two, three or four+ day races, I’ve been trying my hand at 24-hour time-trialling. I’ve been getting to grips with a shorter, faster race and learning quickly through a huge process of trial and error, just how to pace a 24-hour non-stop effort in the saddle.
My outing at the UK National Championships, hosted by the Mersey Roads CC was, on the face of it, not particularly successful given that I withdrew with about six hours remaining, but beyond that was a wealth of learning about my body and the kit I was using. A major reshuffle of ideas (bike set up, clothing, food, lights, helmet, seemingly everything) and some great design innovations have turned what was 18 hours of discomfort into a far more suitable, comfortable and efficient (for 24 hours) position. You see, there is a trade off between comfort and aerodynamics. I’ve had to incorporate a little more comfort to ensure that I’m able to ride for the full 24 hours. Neck, knee, shoulder and forearm problems have been eradicated from the experience, leaving a for more comfortable position to maintain for the single day on the hot seat.
I’ll be racing at the UMCA 24 hour World Championships in a matter of weeks time. November 2nd-3rd, Coachella Valley, California.
