I've done a couple of 24hour MTB races but in teams rather than solo. A couple of my friends have gone solo at the same time so I got to see it up close and personal.

Most of the friends who have struggled have had unrealistic expectations of what is required to go hard for 24hours. Almost without exception they have gone out too hard and paid the price by underestimating the mental commitment required.

Part of the training must involve spending very long periods in the saddle. One friend even used to get up at midnight and ride for 5hours to simulate the witching hours on the bike.

It seems to be the little things. One guy over-trained and got a cold and it pretty much stuffed his race. Another time the same guy messed up his nutritional needs and cramped up. Another just got bored and sat down for a while and then lacked the will to get back up and go out there again. And another got a really sore butt and it just hurt way too much to keep riding. For what it's worth, he did keep riding but made the comment "I'm afraid to change knicks because I don't think I'd like what I'd find! Took him about a week to walk normally afterward.

So, I think it's as much about getting all those little things right as the actual miles on the bike. Make sure you get your nutrition dialled in, that you get your kit sorted so you have a comfy butt and that you have had a few rides in the wee small hours and with your adventure experience you should be set.

I know the only reason I would go solo would be because I didn't want to be the slow person in a team and wanted to just ride as much or as little as I felt like on the night. I expect I would not ride continuously and would stop for meals and a chat etc. Besides, I got a really sore butt from the knicks I wore in the first 24hour I did as a team so I have NO chance of making it through 24hours Solo!

Hats off to you Drtgirl - you're a tough chick! Hope you do great.