2009 National 12 Hour Championships

Kevin Thomas rode the National 12 Hour Championships as part of his build up for even longer challenges.

Three years ago I read an article in a magazine about the 3000 mile Race Across America (RAAM) which had to be completed within 12 days, but the winner somehow managed to do it in only 8. The article stated that more people had got to the top of Mount Everest than had ever finished the RAAM. I was completely inspired and knowing I would never get to the top of the world, I wondered if I might be able to cycle that far. So my long distance dreams were hatched and a while later I went to Sigma Sport and bought my first bike.

After a couple of years of gradually increasing my distance I had managed a few solo rides of 200 miles and I looked for the next challenge, so I thought I’d try my first time trial and entered the National 12 hour championships on 16 August 2009. I filled in the application form that requested my best results for the last 3 years in all TTs – 10, 25, 50, 100 miles, 12 hour and 24 hour. Rather embarrassed I sent them back a blank piece of paper apart from the words “I’m having a midlife crisis” and they let me in.

As all the really fast riders seemed to be given the later start times, I assumed the convention was slowest goes first and I was given position no. 3, which meant setting off shortly after 6.00 am. I was having to race unsupported so I got to the race early and parked my car full of food and drinks as close to the start as possible, which coincided with a proposed turnaround point several times during the day. At 6.03 am I was clipped in at the start line, feeling extremely nervous but not being helped by the starter who kept asking if I was OK. I obviously looked even worse than I felt.

After being given the signal to go I was pushed off into a warm but windy morning. I can’t remember much about the first few miles until I looked down at my speedo and realised I was running on pure adrenalin as it showed an average speed of over 20mph. My goal was to complete 200 miles meaning an average of 18mph, allowing for 30 minutes of stops during the day. I was going way too fast and slowed down to 18mph, which felt very easy. I understood why when, after 20 miles, I arrived at the turn around point and started the return leg into a gale. I quickly learned to pace myself, going slowly into any headwind but pushing harder with the wind behind.

The first competitor passed me around the 30 mile mark. I could hear him coming with that peculiar noise disc wheels make getting louder and louder. He flew past me without saying a word and I can remember getting upset that he hadn’t even said hi. Until this point I’d been doing what I’d always done on any ride; as the other riders cycled in the opposite direction I’d been saying hello and waving. Now I realised that very few had been returning my morning greeting. This race was serious. From then on I only acknowledged riders overtaking me by raising my hand, but there were enough of those during the day to make my arm sore anyway.

After 76 miles the course took us back to the start and time to replenish my food and drink. I’d parked the car in a pay and display car park, next to what turned out to be a motorbikers’ café and became their source of amusement as I searched for my keys. I all but ripped my shirt off trying to get into the tiny zipped-up pocket at the back. After filling up the drink bottles I was off again, heading south this time.

I went through the 100 mile mark in 5hrs 02, much faster than anticipated but still feeling good. The wind appeared to get even stronger and I managed to pass one of the elite riders as we struggled into it’s full force. Ok, I admit he was running a huge single speed gear whilst I was in my Granny ring but it still felt great. He also shot passed me when we turned round, never to be seen again.

I was due back at the car for supplies at 140 miles but 7 miles from the ‘start’ the organisers changed the route and told me to turn around. I’d already run out of food and drink and politely informed them of this fact, but they insisted I stayed on the course. One of the supporters of the other riders heard my protestations and ran to his car to get some water so that I could fill up my bottles. Without his generosity I would not have finished the race.

The longest training ride I’d managed prior to this event was 8 hours so as I got to this point in the race, mild panic set in; could I continue? What helped me get through the next truly dark hour was the magnificent support from people watching the race. At one particular roundabout, as I approached many supporters stood up and clapped and cheered my arrival. At least I’m sure it was for me and nothing to do with Andy Wilkinson (a local lad and the eventual winner with a distance of 302 miles) overtaking me at this point.

At the 10 hour mark all riders were directed onto a 12 mile finishing circuit. I still felt reasonably good and did the first couple of laps in a reasonable time. However, looking back, this circuit was on a much poorer quality road with more hills and just starting the third lap, I bonked completely. It took me an hour to get round, by which time I was hurting in more places than ever before but the race was over.

As I write this, the provisional results have given me 238 miles putting me in 19th position (or 4th for my age as a 48 year old vet). However, I am convinced that I only did 224 at an average speed of 19mph and came 31st. Either way it was the best cycling day of my life and next year I will be going for the 24 hour challenge. If I can do 400 miles, then I will qualify for the RAAM. Any one care to join me?