So what’s all the fuss about then?

You often read in articles that it’s difficult to describe in words the sheer elation of a respectable finish in your first 24hour solo. Having been lucky enough to experience that exact thing for the first time last year, I agree that this view is right on the money. I can now understand why seasoned 24hour soloists endure these events for their Masters Degree in Pain Management so here I am signed up again too - back for another shot of agony and ecstasy.

Hydration for GR2 athletes

How about Heather and that brilliant vodka filled hydration pack idea then? I’m not sure it’ll translate well from Glastonbury to Eastnor though as with my particular style of riding (i.e. according to Mr Miles a bit like my school reports – “could do better”) I need to have all my wits about me so I’m going to have to the save the beer-fest until the finish line. I’ve already been stocking up the fridge in eager anticipation but I’m sure that Heather will kick my butt on this one as no doubt I’ll have one post-race beer and fall fast asleep!! 

A bad case of piles….

There are little piles of “stuff” all over the house at the moment as I gradually work down all the checklists of things I think I might need for the whole 24hours. I think there may even have been a blip in the National Grid as I charged up all the lights I could find.

Apart from the obvious things (like a bike and twice as much comfy riding gear as you think you might need), other essentials on my particular list include Guinness Marmite, various bum chafing creams (must remember not to get these mixed up in the middle of the night), bar tassels (with built in sense of humour), baby wipes (for the drooling that ensues when you are truly knackered to the core) and a fully loaded ipod shuffle to calm the nerves on the few days before (currently rammed with some old favourite therapeutic tunes from Clutch, Isis and Cult of Luna).
Well that’s pretty much all for now folks - I’m off for some intensive sessions of resting with my feet up.

Here’s hoping to having a great 10th Anniversary time at Eastnor with friends old and new and if you do happen to see me out on the course please say hello. Don’t forget also to call in and see Jo & the GR2 gang who’ll be doing an endurance event of their own by bringing the shop full of gorgeous girlie biking outfits to peruse whilst also delivering some fantastic encouragement to keep me going round and round!!

Hopefully we will all live through both Mayhem and Glastonbury and have some very interesting tales to tell (!) so check back soon and see how it all went……..