There are some good pointers here. Here are a few more.

1.Yes, definitely get help. You will need someone to take care of getting your lights recharged cause some of you will have to do more than one night lap. It helps if someone is there to do maintenance on bikes, i.e. even just lube chains between laps, etc.

2. Have a chalk board or ink board that can be wiped off that states what lap you are on and what times, the riders basically did for each of their laps, and who is up next. This helps everyone know where you are, especially at night when you kind of lose it sometimes! Remember, some people don't lose much time at night some really do. If you get tired, your laps will slow down a lot too. Watch out for that lap right before daylight - it is a killer!

3. There are varying styles of how people ride these things. Some people prefer to do two laps at a time (this gives more rest between laps); others like to just rotate the four riders one lap at a time. (This is the way I have always ridden 24 hour races on 4 person teams.) Make sure this is planned and you know what is going on before your race starts.

4. Keep your basic riding clothes in separate bags for each lap you think you will do. You probably don't have enough jackets, arm warmers etc. to do each lap so just keep them in a separate place so you can find them quickly. Trying to find things at night when you are sleepy is no fun!

5. Stay warm between laps. try to sleep but if you can't put your feet up. Eat a lot. I usually try to keep it to simple foods. Potatoes, rice, chicken, bagels, peanut butter, sports drinks for recovery (very key), find one that works for you well before you try this race, bananas, sports bars, beans (not too many). Make sure you have used it when you are really tired, cause they can act up when you are tired more than when you are feeling good. Cook all the food ahead of time cause you won't have time or feel like it when you are riding. Eat gels and bars while you are riding. You cannot take in enough fuel for this type of riding!

6. Be prepared for a flat tire and basic bike maintenance on the trail. You must be able to change a flat and fix basic bike stuff (so take a tool).

7. Don't know where you will be riding as far as temperature, but even in the summer, in some places, it can get cold at night so take good gloves with you. You want dry warm clothes when you start your laps.

8. Get a good night rider helmet lamp. They are the best. I have ridden with only a handle bar light but it was not as good. then I tired a handle bar mounted light and a really good helmet lamp. I found the helmet lamp by itself worked the best for me. The helmet lamp you can direct where you want to go, the handle bar mounted lamp just points in front of you so if the trail is curvy, it doesn't help much.

Can't think of anything else right now, but I've done a 4 person team three times so if you have questions, just holler, I'll answer if I can.

And, the last thing you have to remember is: Have a Good Time, and Go your Own Speed, don't let the pressure get to you of having other team members, you will ride as well as you can this way and not get hurt!



Spoke