A Perfect Weekend for the 24 Hours of Great Glen
(More news)
The 24 Minutes of Great Glen, just one of the many events throughout the weekend.
Pinkham Notch, NH—As the sun rose on Sunday morning one competitor exclaimed, “Could it be any more glorious than this?” That was the perfect description of the 12th Annual 24 Hours of Great Glen on August 11 and 12 at Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch, NH.
Blessed with perfect weather, 474 competitors took to the trails to compete for 24 consecutive hours in the premier 24-hour mountain bike race in New England. The race featured 167 teams, made up of 2, 4 or 5 racers, from throughout New England and beyond. Riders can also ride as teams of 1, or solos, and 59 competitors who tackled the course as solo-riders. Competitors raced around the clock for a total purse of more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. Not just a mountain bike race, the 24 Hours of Great Glen is a weekend-long event for the whole family with contests and games, including the 24 Minutes of Great Glen—a mountain bike race for the kids.
The 8.5-mile course for the 24 Hours of Great Glen has become legendary among racers for its technical single-track, steep drops and tricky corners. Its difficulty is compounded when riders tackle it in the dark as the race continues non-stop for the entire 24 Hours from noon to noon.
This year’s race drew one of the largest fields in the event’s history, including more than 100 new racers. Brimming with anticipation and excitement before the race, many of the rookies had wondered what they had gotten themselves into as they rode their first night laps. Marty Basch, a freelance writer from Conway, NH, was one of these first-time riders and agreed to blog about his 24-hour experience. Following his first night loop, which he finished around 11:30p.m., Basch’s blog contained only one word: “Stupid.” Although, the bagpipes playing as he completed another lap shortly after dawn certainly improved his mood, which was the case for all the racers. To read Basch’s blog about his experience at the 24 Hours of Great Glen, visit www.24HoursOfGreatGlen.com.
This year’s race also featured new single speed divisions, in which racers select bicycles with only one gear, as opposed to traditional bicycles with multiple gears that allow for easier climbing and more efficient pedaling power. Ten men competed on single speed bikes as solos—a truly impressive feat.
The overall men’s solo champion was Peter Ostroski, 18, of Intervale, NH. A very impressive showing for a junior, Ostroski completed 24 laps in 24:03:06. The women’s solo title went to Melanie Brown, 30, of Bethlehem, NH. Brown completed 23 laps in 24:02:13.
In the team competition, it was a tight race for the overall title, which came down to the final lap. Fish Brook Design Studio Male All-Stars from Boxford, MA turned 35 laps in 24:23:34 edging Team Go Ugly Early by a mere 17 minutes. Not to be outdone, the Fish Brook Design Studio Female All Stars took the overall women’s title with 27 laps in 24:17:37.
Racers competed in 27 separate divisions for all ages and sexes from beginner to pro. Impressive performances were laid down in all divisions, and complete results are available at www.24HoursOfGreatGlen.com.
The cycling events at Great Glen Trails continue into the fall with the Porky Gulch Classic on November 3 & 4. The Porky Gulch Classic is a true test of all around cycling with three unique stages over two days. The first stage, The Toughest Two, is a two-mile hillclimb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The second stage, the Story Land Criterium, is a race through the popular amusement park. The race concludes on Sunday with the Rockpile Rampage, a cyclocross held at Great Glen Trails.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for mountain biking and paddling.
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Blessed with perfect weather, 474 competitors took to the trails to compete for 24 consecutive hours in the premier 24-hour mountain bike race in New England. The race featured 167 teams, made up of 2, 4 or 5 racers, from throughout New England and beyond. Riders can also ride as teams of 1, or solos, and 59 competitors who tackled the course as solo-riders. Competitors raced around the clock for a total purse of more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. Not just a mountain bike race, the 24 Hours of Great Glen is a weekend-long event for the whole family with contests and games, including the 24 Minutes of Great Glen—a mountain bike race for the kids.
The 8.5-mile course for the 24 Hours of Great Glen has become legendary among racers for its technical single-track, steep drops and tricky corners. Its difficulty is compounded when riders tackle it in the dark as the race continues non-stop for the entire 24 Hours from noon to noon.
This year’s race drew one of the largest fields in the event’s history, including more than 100 new racers. Brimming with anticipation and excitement before the race, many of the rookies had wondered what they had gotten themselves into as they rode their first night laps. Marty Basch, a freelance writer from Conway, NH, was one of these first-time riders and agreed to blog about his 24-hour experience. Following his first night loop, which he finished around 11:30p.m., Basch’s blog contained only one word: “Stupid.” Although, the bagpipes playing as he completed another lap shortly after dawn certainly improved his mood, which was the case for all the racers. To read Basch’s blog about his experience at the 24 Hours of Great Glen, visit www.24HoursOfGreatGlen.com.
This year’s race also featured new single speed divisions, in which racers select bicycles with only one gear, as opposed to traditional bicycles with multiple gears that allow for easier climbing and more efficient pedaling power. Ten men competed on single speed bikes as solos—a truly impressive feat.
The overall men’s solo champion was Peter Ostroski, 18, of Intervale, NH. A very impressive showing for a junior, Ostroski completed 24 laps in 24:03:06. The women’s solo title went to Melanie Brown, 30, of Bethlehem, NH. Brown completed 23 laps in 24:02:13.
In the team competition, it was a tight race for the overall title, which came down to the final lap. Fish Brook Design Studio Male All-Stars from Boxford, MA turned 35 laps in 24:23:34 edging Team Go Ugly Early by a mere 17 minutes. Not to be outdone, the Fish Brook Design Studio Female All Stars took the overall women’s title with 27 laps in 24:17:37.
Racers competed in 27 separate divisions for all ages and sexes from beginner to pro. Impressive performances were laid down in all divisions, and complete results are available at www.24HoursOfGreatGlen.com.
The cycling events at Great Glen Trails continue into the fall with the Porky Gulch Classic on November 3 & 4. The Porky Gulch Classic is a true test of all around cycling with three unique stages over two days. The first stage, The Toughest Two, is a two-mile hillclimb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The second stage, the Story Land Criterium, is a race through the popular amusement park. The race concludes on Sunday with the Rockpile Rampage, a cyclocross held at Great Glen Trails.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for mountain biking and paddling.
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Great Glen Tidbits
Great Glen Trails has a cross country Olympian on the teaching staff.
Great Glen Trails has a cross country Olympian on the teaching staff.
