Sleeplessinthesaddle 24Hr 2001 Trentham Gardens Stoke on Trent

This new addition to the calendar provided a more laid back and less busy affair than the RedBull 24 Hrs, with around only 120 teams competing, and very little showing from the bigger shop/manufacturers riders.

With only one elite team they were set a challenge to complete 38 laps (24hrs divided by their 1^st lap plus the run time) which they rose to superbly.

The course was tough with 3 non-rideable climbs and other sticky rideable ones, one particular descent caught most people out at some point causing many retirements through accidents in the night. Add 10 hrs of darkness and this was a challenge.

Numplumz team of Adi and Nigel Scott, Gregg Payne and last minute replacement Bob Mitchell, got off to a steady start in 5^th place as dusk fell. But a slow night due to running 2 lap stints, to allow some sleep in the laid back style of the event cost about a lap overall due to the riders slow 2^nd lap times, and they dropped to 9^th place, its got to be fun though!

Once the sun came up at 6am, and with the course drying in places for a fast line, a fastest lap contest started to develop with Nige narrowly coming out top with a superb lap of 38.33 on his last circuit., enjoying his new superlight Surge Hellbound bike (details to follow soon)

The team were now gaining time back in chunks and in two laps caught the Ghostshifters for 6 mins, and then put in a 10 minute gap for 8^th place. With 6^th and 7^th in sight, Bob set off on a Raging last lap with only 44 mins left to the24hr deadline. He had to be back in under 44 mins, faster than he'd been all race, to allow the team another lap.

Although very tired he pulled out all the stops losing some skin on the way and flew back into the arena at speed to cross the line with a minute to go. Poor Adi, being the only rider not changed had to go out again, but to no avail 8th place it was, 32 laps of 7.5 miles a lap to total 240 miles

Early solo leader Matt Carr put up some great early times but as night fell disaster struck as he hit a slower rider and suffered bruised ribs forcing him to retire. This gifted the lead to the incredible Veteran Roy Hunt, with Patrick briefly on his heels in 2nd untill feeding problems slowed him to 6th by early morning. At the finish after a magic Chocolate milkshake! some strong times saw Patrick rise to 4th with an excellent 25 laps completed

Jack well, I wimped out after 8 continuous laps. Knowing now what these solo boys have to suffer mentally, personally I'll stick to riding fast and having fun in future.

Roy Hunts secret after his 2^nd 24hr race victory, well he never got off his bike, or changed or added any extra kit, and every laps re-fuelling consisted of an energy gel, half a tin of rice pudding shoveled in, washed down with some coke. Then he was off with two fresh water bottles, yes water only, simple, cheap and efficient, the guys a machine.

Numplumz individual laps times for the record, The severity of the course means the 24hr distance record still stands to the team who did the Sandwell park Redbull way back in 1998. Next year its got to be Mixed again and a podium place. See you there.