24-hour solo racing is the hardest form of mountain bike racing. Just to complete the distance is tough, to win takes astounding levels of fitness, perfect preparation and mental toughness of the highest order.

Huw Thomas proved he had the perfect combination by taking victory at the 2012 24 Hours of Exposure, held last weekend in Newcastleton, claiming the UK and European 24-hour Solo title.

Fresh from winning, and concentrating on recovery, we had a chat with Huw:

You’ve just won the 24-hours of Exposure. Congratulations. How does it feel? Has it sunk in yet?

It hasn’t really sunk in yet as the weekend is all a bit hazy, what with the travelling, the manic setting up, the lack of sleep and of course the racing. Looking at photographs, people’s comments on social media sites and looking at both the European and UK national jerseys draped over my sofa is bringing it all back though, and it’s an amazing feeling.

Was this your first 24-hour solo race? Have you done many 24-hour races before?

This was my third 24-hour solo. I first tested the water at 24-hour solo racing at Twentyfour12 in 2010 and came 4th, which got me thinking that I could work on that result. In 2011 I raced at Relentless 24 in Fort William and won the Senior Male solo title. I said to myself before Relentless 24 that if I did well in that then I’d enter the UK and European Championships in 2012, so in the six months between, I trained and prepared hard for it, and it paid off!

24hr solo racing is tough – 2-3 am is always the bit I struggle with. Were there any points when you struggled?

There were many points where I found it tough. For me the time on the clock becomes insignificant, I try not to clock watch as it can soon wear you down mentally. But I guess the toughest time is during the night when your body is telling you that you should be asleep, the hardest part I find is waiting for dawn to break, something that doesn’t come quickly when you’re waiting for it!

I knew I should be able to handle the distance as that’s where the seemingly endless hours of training come into play. But on top of that you have to cope with the attacks from the other racers, and also chasing down gaps between myself and the riders ahead. That’s a mental struggle in itself and 24-hours of it is a long time. Not only that, add the effects of sleep deprivation and the constant battering your body has to cope with and things can get extremely tough out there.

How was the course at Newcastleton? A good route for solo 24hr racing?

The Newcastleton course is one of my favourite endurance event courses. It’s tough, with some 500m climbing over an 18km course. The climbs include some quite steep singletrack sections which are usually wet but you are rewarded with some excellent fun, fast and flowing singletrack and it’s something to look forward to on each lap. After 20 laps (some 360km) I got to know the course very well, knew what lines to take, where the passing places were and what to avoid.

What bike did you ride? Did you make any particular changes to it for the race?

I had two bikes as usual, and being part of the Niner Ergon Stans UK (with Loco Tuning) Team this year I was racing on a Niner Jet 9 RDO and a Niner Air 9. Bike setup is pretty important for a 24-hour solo race and it needs to be sorted weeks, even months in advance so that you get used to the bike and also to give plenty of time to tweak the setup.

I presume you had a support team? How important were they to your success?

My support “team” is my wife, Louisa, and she is with me at every solo race. She’s as much a part of the race as anyone, and I couldn’t complete, let alone do well, at these races without her. She stays up and awake for the duration of the event, pretty much knows what I need, when I need it, and that’s without me asking.

Not only is she at the races she also works “behind the scenes” reading up on nutrition and training so that I can get the most out of the preparation. She gives up as much, if not more, than I do. I’ve never heard her complain about me heading out on the bike for hours on end. Our “normal” life outside mountain bike racing fits around my training and racing calendar.

I said not long ago that all she needed to do was to ride my bike as well and I wouldn’t need to do a thing. I’ve got a very long list of IOUs!

As well as Louisa, I’ve got a lot of very supportive network of friends and family out there that I’m eternally grateful for, from riding buddies, help with training, even just encouragement on things like Facebook and Twitter, it all helps.

I’m also very lucky to have the support from team sponsors Niner Bikes, Ergon, Stans No Tubes, Loco Tuning, Topeak, Geax, Rotor and Exposure Lights, as well as Rab (Sorry for the blatant plug there!).

Riding a bike around the clock is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. How did you keep your head focused on the goal, do you have any secrets?

Everyone has a way of coping with the mental and physical stresses of 24-hour racing and what works for some doesn’t for others. For me, I start by breaking the 24-hours into smaller pieces, starting with splitting the day into 4 slots of 6 hours and go from there. 6-hours is a normal long training ride for me that I do at weekends so I know I can do that – I just need to do it four times for the race!

I also focus on riders ahead and behind me, closing the gap up ahead, and trying to distance myself from the guy behind. That’s the racing side of things.

Also, some other things that help are to stay positive as much as possible. You go through some seriously bad lows during a 24-hour race, but the lows only last 10 to 15 minutes or so and then you’re on a crazy high again. It’s a proper emotional rollercoaster.

I also try to talk to people, just briefly, but even just a hello to someone can make you feel better, and receiving it back is also a huge boost.

There’s also the added bonus of having a great atmosphere in the event arena. Everyone was supporting and encouraging each other on at the 24 Hours of Exposure and I looked forward to all the shout outs as I passed on each lap.

There are also the unexpected things that take your mind off the mental and physical struggles during the race. For example a Gorilla fishing from a footbridge playing a ukulele in the dark. Last year, he was playing an awesome drum solo in the woods. For a gorilla he’s got quite a musical talent.

Congratulations to Huw on an emphatic victory in one of the hardest disciplines of mountain biking.

Thanks to Joolze Dymond for the photos, see more of her photographs at www.joolzedymond.com

Marin has reworked its venerable Mount Vision for 2012, with a new Quad Link 3.0 suspension system, slacker geometry and lighter build, making it a serious contender for the perfect UK all-round trail bike.

Improved suspension and frame

Visually the new Mount Vision is a radical step forward. That’s because of the all-new Quad Link 3.0 suspension, which was designed as a result of needing to overcome problems the previous Quad Link 2.0 imposed when penning their first 29er. The subsequent repackaging of the ‘twin links’ suspension has been rolled out onto the 26in-wheeled bikes too.

As well as allowing Marin to bring a 29er to market, Quad Link 3.0 brings other benefits to the Mount Vision; lighter weight, easier shock access, improved shock tune and space for a water bottle.

The new bike looses the traditional elevated swingarm in favour of a more conventional design. Now that the down tube doesn’t have to mount the shock, it can be lighter. And for those people who prefer water bottles to hydration packs, there’s now enough space inside the front triangle to fit one.

While the suspension looks radically different, it still retains the same dynamics as those that have made the Marin such a popular choice for UK trail riders and racers. That didn’t deter the Marin designers from a little tuning, the two short linkages have been modified to deliver a slightly more linear rate in the early part of the stroke, and a little less progressive later into the travel, changes that make the available suspension more usable, more of the time.

Not only is the suspension changed beyond recognition, so has the frame. The new bike looses the traditional elevated swingarm in favour of a more conventional design. A sleeker and lighter downtube, now that the shock mount has been relocated to the bottom bracket area, connects to a short tapered head tube. The top tube has a generous dip for standover clearance. And for those people who prefer water bottles to hydration packs, there’s now enough space inside the front triangle to fit one.

It’s a good looking bike, though not as distinctive as before, we’ll take the improvements in suspension, lighter weight and provision for a water bottle any day.

A classic ride, made better

Bikemagic has always been fans of the Mount Vision. At one time it was one of the most popular bikes spotted on UK trails and was pivotal in converting many mountain bikers to the benefits of full suspension. With its place in the history books confirmed, the company hasn’t rested on its laurels.
It’s constantly evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of modern riders, gaining more travel, loosing weight and getting more contemporary (slacker) geometry over the years.

Any fears the new design would disappoint were quickly banished after a few short miles around the Surrey Hills, the location for our first ride on this new bike. Climbing a variety of climbs proved the Mount Vision still has that mountain goat ability it always had, the suspension proving very supple and active in the early stage of the travel and providing tons of traction. Point it at a rooty steepy climb and it’ll scrabble up with little fuss.

The difference in the suspension feel is noticeable on the descents. Marin’s used to ramp up quite considerably; the changes seemed to have made a big difference in the mid stroke, the upshot being there’s plenty more traction on tap when the going gets fast and rough. It’s a more bottomless feel than previously, but still with the progressive ramp up as you approach the limits of the suspension.

I felt right at home on the MV. The size large tested had a good stretch with the short 70mm stem and 710mm wide bars, giving a great fit right out of the box and feeling right at home on the trails. The geometry now focuses around a 67.5 degree head angle, putting it right in line with other 140mm bikes on the market.

The XM8 model we rode will cost £2499 and came built with a Fox 32 Float RL FIT fork with 140mm travel, a Fox RP23 shock, SunRingle Black Flag wheels, Maxxis Ardent 2.25in tyres, SRAM X7/X9 2×10 drivetrain, Formula R1-X brakes, a Marin branded stem and bar and a WTB saddle.

First ride impressions

Despite limited ride time on the new Mount Vision, it’s abundantly clear that the changes have all resulted in a bike that is a serious contender for the best UK trail bike. Geometry that works, decent sizing, great specification and improved suspension make it a bike worthy of anyone looking for a competent all-rounder.

www.marin.co.uk

Marin Mount Vision XM8  photo gallery

Hi Lee, I bought the book and built one of your tracks. Then bought your MTB book and the bmx book. Now I want to buy a dedicated pumptrack bike but am trying to be cost effective. Two questions: Question 1: Do I want/need a front shock for pump track? Some things I read seem […]

Pick the Perfect Present for Mom This Year

Hello Lee, I just started reading your MTB skills book. Awesome read! Only a few chapters in and have learned many new techniques. One of my favorites is the brake lever position. I moved mine as you recommended and WOW what a differance. So much better leverage and control. Anyway, I do have one question […]

As the weather continues to improve and spring is really getting going, we’re all finding more time to be out on the bikes. For many thoughts are turning to getting fit for the summer. All around us people are getting more serious about their training and riding time.

That’s why we’re introducing our new King of the Hill Challenge. Quite simply, for the month of April, we want you to record how much climbing you’re doing on your regular rides, here in the forum. The person with the most climbing at the end of the month, wins, and a prize beckons for that person. We’ll also be handing out spot prizes as well, because it’s about the taking part that matters.

It doesn’t matter how you record your climbing. A cycle computer, GPS device or your smart phone, they’ll all do. After each ride, take a note of the metres of climbing and add using the format below. We’ve deliberately kept it simple so it’s super easy to use, and only takes a couple of minutes.

Head to the forum now to get involved…

It’s been a big year for sweet new bikes. First the Stumpjumper FSR 29 Carbon S-EVO and now a new p.bike, dubbed for now the p.pump. We rode today. Check it out: Mission Go back to a dedicated pump/jump bike. Captain America has been a great all-around bike, but, as much pump track as I […]

It’s interesting to see just how much detail and preparation goes into fine tuning bike and suspension setup. This video shows SRAM and World Champion Danny Hart, plus his team mate  Andrew Neethling, doing some extensive testing in San Romolo, Italy.

Have a listen to SRAM BlackBox program manager Jon Cancellier and the staff of Giant Off-Road Factory Team taking us through just what is involved in finding the sweetest setup for Danny’s bike.

Photos Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Due out in May, Strength in Numbers is the latest film from Anthills, the same people who brought us the excellent Collective and Roam.

We’re not allowed to embed it here so hit this link to watch the trailer, or click the poster above.

Strength in Numbers features a diverse selection of riders with some of the biggest names in the sport, including: Andrew Shandro, Brandon Semenuk, Cam McCaul, Gee Atherton, Graham Agassiz, Matt Hunter, Rene Wildhaber, Thomas Vanderham and Wade Simmons.

The cast consists of a mix of established pros, up and comers and local riders, with Anthony Messere, Adam Billinghurst, Rachel Atherton, Ryan Howard and Steve Smith also appearing in the film.

“It’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to see what the Anthill boys have put together,” says world cup downhill champion Gee Atherton. “For me, as a rider, it’s exciting to be part of something like this – it’s a chance to help progress and grow our sport.”

anthillfilms.com/strengthinnumbers