It was with some trepidation that I stood on the start line of this uniquely American 12 hour event, along with 180 fellow cyclists. I’d heard about the heat, the strong winds, and the fact that Chris Hopkinson had come to ride this event 5 years ago and finished 5th. All in all I’d started to doubt the reasonableness of the idea of coming to Florida in February (not traditionally our racing season) to visit my father and get some miles in by way of a “quick 12hour event”.
It was some 17 years since I last finished a 12 hour, but I did have the advantage of my supporting team (my father) having ridden and won many 12 and 24 hour events – so he was ready with plenty of bottles, food, and sensible advice.
The event began at 06:30 on Saturday 13th February. Unlike British races it is a bunch start with three laps of the 3.7 mile Sebring racing circuit first. This was mayhem, at 25mph plus lined out in the semi light, as day began, but we were soon off the circuit and onto the 100 mile loop up north into central Florida.
The wind didn’t disappoint with a steady 20 to 25mph wind all day, but the warmth did – at around 10 degrees centigrade most of the morning it was tights and gloves weather. The first 100 miles shot by with attacks going off here and there and being chased down. By the 110 mile point where we rejoined the “pit area” at the track the group was whittled down to 5 riders, with just two of us working hard to get away.
The next 5 or 6 hours were on an 11 mile loop, which meant two stretches with hard cross headwinds, the second with a series of climbs, and a fast return straight with a tailwind. I was drinking a 750ml bottle every 45mins or so, and during the day eating an energy bar every 2 hours, and also had 3 ham sandwiches handed to me, which made a nice change. In addition chocolate and peanut butter cakes also made a tasty appearance twice.
The race was quickly whittled down to myself and my nemesis, a big fellow (like me) from Arkansas. After trailing him for almost an hour, when the gap went up to over a minute I gradually hauled him back in. At about 195 miles I passed him and got away to find myself alone with no other bikes other than the ones I was lapping who would sit in for a while if they could. The long headwind stretches were hard, and the tailwind stretches flat out.
Finally at just over 11 hours we were guided back onto the motor racing circuit for a final few laps of pain. With about 20 minutes to go I caught my nemesis who was now a lap behind and thus 3.7 miles behind me and the final 2 laps were an absolute pleasure, to finish just short of 12 hours with a total of 247 miles.
I had ridden the event on my Planet X road bike, and was as such the only rider in the top few who rode without tri bars which caused some comment in the results hall. Anyway I got to hold up the pride of Britain, and came back with a winners medal and quite some Kudos with the Americans.
It was some 17 years since I last finished a 12 hour, but I did have the advantage of my supporting team (my father) having ridden and won many 12 and 24 hour events – so he was ready with plenty of bottles, food, and sensible advice.
The event began at 06:30 on Saturday 13th February. Unlike British races it is a bunch start with three laps of the 3.7 mile Sebring racing circuit first. This was mayhem, at 25mph plus lined out in the semi light, as day began, but we were soon off the circuit and onto the 100 mile loop up north into central Florida.
The wind didn’t disappoint with a steady 20 to 25mph wind all day, but the warmth did – at around 10 degrees centigrade most of the morning it was tights and gloves weather. The first 100 miles shot by with attacks going off here and there and being chased down. By the 110 mile point where we rejoined the “pit area” at the track the group was whittled down to 5 riders, with just two of us working hard to get away.
The next 5 or 6 hours were on an 11 mile loop, which meant two stretches with hard cross headwinds, the second with a series of climbs, and a fast return straight with a tailwind. I was drinking a 750ml bottle every 45mins or so, and during the day eating an energy bar every 2 hours, and also had 3 ham sandwiches handed to me, which made a nice change. In addition chocolate and peanut butter cakes also made a tasty appearance twice.
The race was quickly whittled down to myself and my nemesis, a big fellow (like me) from Arkansas. After trailing him for almost an hour, when the gap went up to over a minute I gradually hauled him back in. At about 195 miles I passed him and got away to find myself alone with no other bikes other than the ones I was lapping who would sit in for a while if they could. The long headwind stretches were hard, and the tailwind stretches flat out.
Finally at just over 11 hours we were guided back onto the motor racing circuit for a final few laps of pain. With about 20 minutes to go I caught my nemesis who was now a lap behind and thus 3.7 miles behind me and the final 2 laps were an absolute pleasure, to finish just short of 12 hours with a total of 247 miles.
I had ridden the event on my Planet X road bike, and was as such the only rider in the top few who rode without tri bars which caused some comment in the results hall. Anyway I got to hold up the pride of Britain, and came back with a winners medal and quite some Kudos with the Americans.