It was the weekend of the 14/15 June and I joined my team Beauvallet to compete in the 24 Hour Mountain Bike race at Bonnac-la-Côte. A 24 hour race is just that – riding a 6km offroad circuit for 24 hours. The objective is to do as many laps as possible and we were competing for the mixed team (50/50 Men to Women) prize.

Steve’s brother Andrew flew over from the UK to join us to make up our team of 8 riders. We spent all of Friday afternoon frantically packing the car, trying to work out what to take to make the whole thing more comfortable. The forecast was for a good weekend and we were off at 7.45 Saturday Morning.

Beauvallet Team Camp

Arrived at the site and met Theo our team captain. He had already set up camp for us and he’d brought his big wagon which was full of equipment. First job was to connect up to electricity using meters of extension leads. This was going to provide battery charging and also power for the all important fan heater for drying clothes if necessary.

Grub Ticket

We were all given a number board for our bikes, a souvenir T-Shirt, a band for our wrist so that we could take food from the 24 hour revitalement available and finally a card for our 3 food entitlements – lunch, evening meal and breakfast.

After a quick lap of the circuit, it was nearly 11am and everyone gathered at the arena for the Le-Mans style start – all riders had to run to collect their bikes from a team mate before setting off on the first lap. I was given the job of holding the bike for Olivier our first rider out. The countdown started and then they were off. We did a good exchange and then I found myself in a mellay of bikes and riders all trying to get a good start – chaos but all part of the spectacle.

The Le Mans style Start

READY

STEADY

GO!

I was due to be the 3rd rider out. The lap times were roughly 16 to 20 minutes so it wouldn’t be long before I was away. The change over area was set up just before the finish line so that riders could exchange the small electronic timing device on their ankles and ride over the special mat which registered the lap time and lap number – all important for the final results.

Team Captain Theo, Olivier and Steve have a chow down

Everything went fairly smoothly all day. The sun was shining and our team of 8 were doing consistant lap times. In the arena was a large tent where you could pick up your meals and sit down in comfort to eat whilst watching the entertainment and other riders. There was a marching band, jazz band and some riders doing very clever tricks over obstacles (like cars!) in the arena.

The rivitalement area was next to the change over pen and you could go there at any time to get a bite to eat. Cake, dried fruit and fresh juicy orange segments available as needed.

Theo’s Bike with home made light set up

The day was starting to draw to a close and we were now getting prepared for our night time riding. Lights are all important for this stage of the race – the brighter the better. As always, Theo had come prepared. He’d brought every conceivable light set up imaginable and there was some pretty interesting home made systems getting fixed to the fronts of bikes.

My Bike with LED light strapped to the front – Merci Theo!

I had a set of second-hand lights, which we bought a few seasons previously, mounted on the top of the helmet. Theo didn’t think that would be sufficient so he zip tied a huge LED wand light to the front of my bike – I was now a light house!

My first night shift was due around 11.20 so at about 8pm I decided to take a shower to wash off the day and get my evening meal. Arrived at the shower block and it was completely empty and seemed unused. I soon found out why. There was no hot water and I had to wash down as best I could with cold water and a flannel! Very refreshed (!), I went with Andrew to get my nosh and there was a blues band playing for the evening entertainment – very civilised.

During the night we decided to change from doing 1 lap each to 2 in order to make the rest period longer through the night. The average time for 2 laps at night was about 40 minutes. This meant between us, we could get about 3 1/2 hours rest before our next shift.

Olivier (lef) and Cyril (right) rigging up another home made Light set up

My shift was rapidly approaching. Feeling a bit jaded after a long day, I got kitted up and set off to the warm up area. I was a bit late for my shift after a problem with a puncture and unfortunately Cyril had to go out and do another lap (thanks Cyril).

11.40 pm and finally on my way and I dropped down the first descent. Cripes where did all those rocks come from? Riding at night is quite a different experience. The lights flatten the terrain and now you can’t see the bumps and dips in the trails. It’s a much more bumpy ride and overtaking was interesting!

Out for my 2nd lap and still feeling quite good. About 1/2 way round the circuit I start to fade and by the time I finish I’ve gone bang! After the change over, I get back to the car, strip off and try to wash off the 2 laps with some cold water on a flannel. Now feeling dog tired, I crash out on the matress in the back of the car – ahh bliss.

In a flash it’s 4 hours later and my next shift is due in about 45 minutes. I feel rough. I don’t think I’ve eaten enough during the day and early night hours and starting to suffer a bit. Luckily I saved a piece of baguette from dinner last night so I stick a banana that I’ve brought with me into it and get that down as quick as I can. Then into my kit for another 2 laps.

Slightly recovered, it’s nearly 5am and so the light is better but I still go out with lights as some of the trails are under the darkness of trees. I put in a reasonable 2 laps knowing that I should only have about 1 more to do later that morning.

By now I’ve run out of dry shorts and jerseys and everything is damp from the night. Theo sets up the fan heater and I hang everything on the meat hooks in the wagon and shut the doors. I go over and get breakfast – orange juice, coffee, bread, jam, 3 dognuts and some fruit compote. Downed the dognuts, juice and coffee – that’s all I can manage to stomach for now. Saved the bread and jam for after my lap.

Kit has dried after an hour and I’m due out at 8.40 (ish). I roughly calculate that this is probably my final lap and I have to say I’m feeling quite relieved by the thought. We have been so lucky with the weather. We’ve had no rain and the course, although damp with overnight mist and morning dew, is still riding well and fast. I put in one last good lap and a bit saddle sore went off to get another cold shower!

It’s All Over

The horns went off at 11am as riders came charging in trying to get an extra lap in for their teams. That’s it, all over a full on 24 hours of riding mountain bikes. Everyone looked tired but happy. The event was very well organised and all credit to the Bonnac-la-Cote crew and all the volunteers.

Beauvallet Team on the Podium and the Flowers received by all the Girls

The prize presentation was at 11.30 and there was the usual words from the Mairie and the organisers. Our team won the mixed category and we went up onto the podium all in our kit. Andrew, was really chuffed and stood there proudly wearing his new Beauvallet kit. Steve’s team came 2nd Scratch – they had won last year but were beaten by a team from the Dordogne this time.

Olivier pouring us all a well earned glass of champagne

In his usual style, Theo gathered all the team together for a celebratary drink of Champagne and treated us all to a sausage sandwich. All packed up, we headed home, fortunately only 40 minutes drive away. When we got back we had the van and the car to unpack and then we all had a nice hot shower and another glass of champagne to finish. By 5pm we were all in bed and amazingly, we slept right through to 7 am the following morning – wonder why?

Here are some of the rest of the team

Team Captain – Theo – MERCI Theo

Celine, Cyril and Chukka their 7 month old puppy (so cute and well behaved)

Andrew (Steve’s Bro) rode really great throughout

Me still managing a smile (with lots of saddle sore)