Format
For those new to this, this event is open to Solos, Pairs, Teams. For Pairs and Teams it is essentially a relay race and team captains will be issued with the event baton that needs to be handed over in the transition area (this is the only area for hand over and riders handing over outside of this area are liable to penalties and possible disqualification). The 24 hour race and the 12 hour race begin together at midday on Saturday, it is an on bike start. At midnight on Saturday the 12 hour race will end (all riders will be able to finish the laps they are on as long as it was started before midnight) and the new Torchbearer 12 race will begin. At midday on Sunday the 24 hour and Torchbearer races will end (again all laps started before midday can be completed)
Schedule
Thursday July 22
1800-2300 Site opens for first campers, water and toilets available but no catering or showers (please do not arrive after this time on Thursday as gates will be locked for security)
Friday July 23
0900 Site opens for all with catering and showers available.
1300-2000 Course open for official practice
1930 Live music in Main Marquee from Remember The Alamo
2300 Bedtime
2400 Site entrance closes
Saturday July 24
0800 Site Opens, final registration
0900 Final Practice
1000 Twentyfour12 minutes begins (free to enter for under16s)
1100 Race briefing from Keith Bontrager...and me
1130 Registration closes
1200 24 hour and 12 hour races begin
2000 Live music in main marquee from V8.
2400 12 hour race ends, Torchbearer12 race begins.
Sunday July 25
1200 Race ends all categories
1300 Presentations all categories
Monday July 26
1000 Campsite closes
Facilities
The event is set up so once there you shouldn't really need to leave the site (unless you run out of beer). Quaver catering will be offering an excellent range of food from Friday morning onwards and will be open throughout the whole 24 hours of the event. The For Goodness Shakes Recovery Zone will also be on hand all night with free recovery drinks and massage on offer and our lighting sponsor Exposure Lights will have 24 hour light charging facilities for all lighting brands at no cost in the Bike Cellar area. Clif Bar will have free samples and will be inserting one of their great tasting bars in the event goody bags. Other brands exhibiting include Torq energy, Swinnertons, Kinesis/Morvelo, Trek, Silverfish and Shred. There will also be a free Bike Wash facility available. This year we have added the Weldtite Workzone with free mechanic support and, if you want to fettle your own bike, free access to the Weldtite tool range.
Course
Newnham offers a great range of tracks for this race and we are confident it will hold up well in the wet, both the main climbs are solid and most of the singletrack is well bedded in. We expect the final course to be just over 13k, there is very little riding on grass other than in the camping arena where the desire for trackside camping has made it inevitable. There is one river crossing that can be tricky but there will be a walkable footbridge at the side so you don't have to get your feet wet. There is 260metres of climbing per lap, spilt predominantly over 2 main climbs and one short climb to the fringes of the moor, overall we think you're going to love the lap, nothing to scare you too much but plenty to keep you on your toes...
Camping
The site is well served by drinking water taps and there will be plenty of portaloos and even some nice proper loos near the main arena. The event showers will be available from Friday morning and will be on throughout the night on Saturday night we have more showers this year so less queueing hopefully but try and avoid the early morning peak times if you can. There is a separate camping area for solos and another quiet camping area where generators are not allowed. We also have around 1km of trackside camping available to allow the 12 hour riders to keep the 24 hour riders motivated after midnight and there are additional overflow camping areas with trackside access if you dont mind being a little further away from the main event hub.... The Newnham Estate have requested that all dogs be kept on a lead at all times, they also request that you do not light campfires and all barbeques are kept off the ground.
Who are you Racing?
Entry lists for all 3 categories can be found here, please tab down to look at lists for the three different categories (if you have amended names in the last 10 days this wil not be on the list but has been done on the downloaded file). Prizes from our event sponsors will be awarded to top 3 in each of the 12 hour and 24 hour categories, for 24 hour sub categories prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. Prize money will be awarded to the top 3 solo riders in the 24 hour and 12 hour categories.
Recycling
As you know we are continuing to make the event greener but to do this we will need your help. We will have recycling stations placed around the arena and campsite offering recycling facilities for plastic/cardboard/paper/glass/cans, each one will be clearly marked but all we ask is that you use them as much as possible and you try and take the time to put the right things in the right containers. The caterer will be using biodegradable cups/plates/cutlery, the event T-shirts are Organic cotton. With your help we hope to continue to reduce landfill from a previous 30 cubic yards down to around 10. Clif Bar will also be offering goodies for the people who car shared and saved the most mileage.
Other stuff:
No you don't need a rear light...please don't use one
We recommend a good front light and an additional helmet torch for back up and extra vision...make sure you use the charging facilities, they are free.
We would like everyone to attend the race briefing if possible.No we cannot reserve you a camping space.
No you cannot change categories now.
There will be live TDF coverage in the main marquee
The Timing system is live race timing, no need to dismount your bike but it helps them if your cover your lights as you cross the line or switch them off. The timing system gives times for each lap but not the name of each rider in the team so keep a log of who does which lap if you want to compare.
We have a few surprises up our sleeves and the www.twentyfour12.com website has some details of these including some tarmac chalking, free CycleActive coaching sessions, a Bontrager £500 giveaway and more.
So pack your bags, charge your lights and we'll see you there...
The Twentyfour12 Team
Race Info 