Mersey Roads 24 Hour TT - 2023

[24hourmaths]

Perhaps you fancy a go at the race that beat Beryl.

Part bike race, part endurance challenge, part festival of cycling - it's a race about people living their best lives. Memorable for all involved.

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/articles/view/807

Enter below, weekend of 22/23 July 2023

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/24910

[24hourmaths]

Deserved of a whole chapter in Jeremy Wilson's excellent, "Beryl" - William Hill Sports book of the year. He narrates the race as BB and Roy Cromack race through the night so see who would be the first to reach the fabled 500 miles first...

[24hourmaths]

A fantastic blog from Nick Tarmey (fullgas) who competed in last year's event, detailing his prep etc can be found here:

How to ride a 24 hour time trial*;(by someone who hasn't done it yet…)

https://fullgas.uk/author/nicktarmey/

[24hourmaths]

The late, great, Damon Peacock produced some excellent videos of the 24 Hour alongside his work with Audax events. These videos are a real labour of love and show many of the personalities that make this unique event so special.

Here is Andy Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) breaking his own competition record in 2011 and becoming the first person over 540 miles:

East Sussex 2011 - Andy Wilkinson 541 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tix9iF3reSE

Then Damon was there, as was Andy himself, in 2019 when Graham Kemp (Team Bottrill) added another 3 miles to the record distance:

Mersey Roads 2019 - Graham Kemp 544 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olrg5-ylDjY

[24hourmaths]

Meanwhile, the womens' competition record edges closer to that 500 mile mark...



One day, someone will do what Beryl set out to do in 1969.

[cygnet]

Same offer as last year folks: I'm happy to add support as crew for folks from here (can drive/no car)

[felstedrider]

Go and have a go if you haven’t tried before.  My 3rd attempt in 2019 was probably my most successful weekend of cycling ever.  I think I’m unlikely to get to that level again.

Champions like 24hr maths will encourage you as they pass.

I think I’m helping at a local 400k this year.

Rob

[Ian H]

I've ridden it five times, not in anyway record-breaking, but I have got four age-group medals.  This year I shall be supporting a club mate.

[John Stonebridge]

Clashes with our trip to Semaine Federale which is a week earlier this year so no 2am timekeeping slot for me sadly.   

[Jethro]

Start sheet now available.

[felstedrider]

Some interesting entries this year.  Almost makes me want another go.

Almost.

[cygnet]

I'm going to miss being involved. No way I could ride this year, I can't even get my elbow on the pads.
And as no one wanted for additional support, I've arranged other riding things.

Good luck to team Audax UK 
Stick with it. Sometimes you just have to outlast the others. 

[basset]

Good luck to all the riders  for this weekend 

[Ian H]

Just for added fun it looks as though it's going to be pissing down most of Saturday and through the night.

[felstedrider]

Numerous Battlefield legs due to roadworks.  Interesting switch for the night circuit.  Some riders complained it was a bit busy on the old one but I don’t remember that.

I think this will make it slower overall as I think that gives more climbing.

I’m helping on a local 400 overnight so will be awake to look for updates.

[cygnet]

So, who are we looking out for this year? No obvious forum member stands out.

Otherwise
Back with her favourite number, 63 Chris Murray
65 Doug Hart
70 Robbie Mitchell
13 Rose Price (on a bicycle this year after her senior debut on a trike last year)

35 a tandem of Ian To and Ingeborg Oie

Not as old as I thought they were: Hoppo (69) and Dr Hutch (45):Numbers not ages 

4 Teams:
Royal Navy and Marines
Arctic Aircon
Fibrax Wrexham (reigning champions)
Audax UK

With the main circuits being Battlefield and QB, (no Esplay/Shawbirch) it's not likely to be super fast, Battlefield at 25km long will test the refueling and weather predictions of those with less mobile support crew.

[felstedrider]

So, who are we looking out for this year? No obvious forum member stands out.

Otherwise
Back with her favourite number, 63 Chris Murray
65 Doug Hart
70 Robbie Mitchell
13 Rose Price (on a bicycle this year after her senior debut on a trike last year)

35 a tandem of Ian To and Ingeborg Oie

Not as old as I thought they were: Hoppo (69) and Dr Hutch (45):Numbers not ages 

4 Teams:
Royal Navy and Marines
Arctic Aircon
Fibrax Wrexham (reigning champions)
Audax UK

With the main circuits being Battlefield and QB, (no Esplay/Shawbirch) it's not likely to be super fast, Battlefield at 25km long will test the refueling and weather predictions of those with less mobile support crew.

The tandem were very fast on Fenland Friends last year.  Back under 24hrs I think.

It was pretty tricked out so I figured they were planning something but thought it might be some RRA records.  I believe Dr Hutch has a very experienced supporter.

Also look out for Kent fast man Neil Lauder.  He’s done some good 12s but was also 3rd in Pan Celtic.

[D.A.L.E.]

The Audax UK lot mostly, be interesting to see how what Shaun Hargreaves does on his fixed gear(s).

[tatanab]

13 Rose Price (on a bicycle this year after her senior debut on a trike last year)

Start sheet does not show it, but the "rider list" on the CTT website says tricycle.

[cygnet]

13 Rose Price (on a bicycle this year after her senior debut on a trike last year)

Start sheet does not show it, but the "rider list" on the CTT website says tricycle.

[felstedrider]

The Audax UK lot mostly, be interesting to see how what Shaun Hargreaves does on his fixed gear(s).

A 24 on fixed ?   Daft.

[basset]

Weathers not as bad as forecast , slight headwind down to battlefield, now moved to the qbrook circuit till about 10 when it is battlefield overnight .

[cygnet]

RN&M didn't start, 1 AUK DNSd as well so all teams left have 3 riders.

[basset]

 Now absolutely lashing it down
 

[felstedrider]

Last time the rain was terrible I climbed off at 7 hours, unable to get warm enough.  Mate of mine commented this morning that they should try holding it in Summer.

Has Dr Hutch packed ?   He was lying second but wasn’t on the last Twitter update.

*edit*. Ignore me.  They have posted an update.