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“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up” – Babe Ruth
The human body is probably not designed to do any one thing
continuously for 24 hours. That’s why we come readily equipped with a handy
circadian rhythm.
Awesome pic of 24 Hrs of NDuro by Raewyn Knight
Almost a year ago, I was on a road trip to Rotorua for my
second Moonride. It was my third 12 hour solo race and I was quietly gaining
confidence exploring my personal boundaries of ultra-endurance racing. As a physician,
the capacity the human body holds physically, if we are able to temper the
tricks the brain plays, never ceases to amaze me and there is probably no
better way to continue to surprise yourself of that than experiencing it
firsthand.
The last year of racing has been all about discovering some
previously hidden capacity, so it was fitting that the World 24 Hour Solo
Championships were scheduled to migrate south to Australia after last year’s
event in Europe at a time when I had promised myself to be on the startline of a
major championship event when one returned to the Southern Hemisphere.
With the resurgence of 24 Hours of NDuro to the kiwi race
calendar, there was the perfect opportunity for a practice run. It was the
first time I had been that nervous about a race for a while, mainly driven by anticipation
of that step into the unknown - this challenge was double the longest period of
time I had ever spent on a bicycle and while I knew it was only twice as far it
would be ten times as hard. Safe in the knowledge that my challenge was one of
gaining experience, I was certain I was in for some tutorage with the women’s
field boasting depth including ultra-endurance regulars Megan Dimozantos and
Erin Greene, who have chalked up World Championship third and fifth finishes
respectively over recent years. 
What the hell did we just get ourselves into, Ryan?
Any pre-race hype about the women’s race was satisfied as an
excitingly close clash evolved between Erin and I, which saw an intense battle
gapped by a mere 15 minutes after 20 hours of racing.
Support crews were equally tested to make sure bikes and brawn kept running smoothly
with less than 30 minutes cumulative off the bike despite incredibly wet, muddy
conditions. Both racers and crews kept the pressure on each other through 14
hours of darkness, with their efforts being rewarded by seeing two women
punching through the men’s field by dawn to take control of the race overall and
consolidating over 300 kilometers of racing with over 8,000 metres of climbing
in under 25 hours by finish.
Erin v Kim
Dunners game face - credit Shane Wetzel
I was stoked to be able to ride that close to her, be part
of a race that saw the fairer sex level the ultra-endurance playing field, as
well as learning some valuable lessons for Canberra when no doubt another North
Island versus South Island battle will ensue. You know you have done something
special when former junior World Champion and fellow 24 hour soloist, Thomas
Lindup, says it was a women’s race like he had never seen in New Zealand.
Here’s to the grudge match across the Tasman!
