24 Hour MTB Challenge May 22-23, 2004

Day 2

And so it went through the night with each of us getting three night rides before dawn.  The camp site we had was fantastic - no generator noise and the band was stopped before midnight.  Well, we think it was a band, although these days it's hard to figure out the difference between some bands and a generator.

As dawn approached JohnD went out in the night and came back in the daylight.  A very foggy daylight. 

The system worked out well.  Everyone got some sleep, we all got to eat, we all got the same number of night rides.  Yarro basked in the night rides with only a couple of minutes difference between his daylight and night times. 

Needless to say we were getting weary and the likelihood of an accident grew.  Unfortunately JohnD had a tumble, no fault of his own.  On the big downhill before you get back to the transition area some guy came stopped in front of JohnD.  He tried to stop and get past but came off drawing "claret" from a knee.  St Johns patched him up and he was good for his last daylight ride.

Breakfast after each daylight ride was welcomed.  Particularly the fried eggs, bacon and fried bread with butter.  Thanks Paul.  You don't know what you missed out on.  But thanks for the catering.  Coffee was great too.  We hope you can make it next time.

We all managed a daylight ride but just the one on Day 2 - except for Richard who was keen as.  Oh and the pocket power plant Iain.

Matt and Ann turned up to watch and Matt stepped in for a ride and did a great time.  He and Ann also managed to witness the big crash of the weekend.  Same place as JohnD, on the downhill to the camp site.  Anyway some guy came off at full speed, came down hard, got back up to the cheers of the crowd and slumped back down not to get up again until the St Johns guys and an Ambulance carried him away.

Looks like he'll be fine but probably a cracked rib or two.

Fortunately the worst of it for us was a bloody knee.  I think we're learning to take it easy and finish the rides off - not finish ourselves off. 

Iain came in at 12:26 but we'd long decided it was time to pack and head home.  We thought about a beer on the way home however the need for a good wash and a kip was overwhelming.

Back to Day 1

More photos online http://members.ozemail.com.au/~loomberah/24hour.htm

Results from 24 Hour http://www.26inches.com/26inches/24race/results.asp