Beginner-info

[robgrovetonemd]

hello all ...have been thinking of going one year as an observer first to see how everything operates --however after reading previous post's I may try it this year ...anyone have any light recommendations? how does the recharging hut work? If I show up on friday but the rest of my team cannot make it until Saturday can I reserve so spots for them? just a lot of general nit-picky questions as I form my team...
by the way how come you cannot have a team of 3...just curious
Thanks in adavance to all that respond and hope to see you all on the 14th of Aug...

[danodrum]

Don't come to observe, you will wish you were racing. I am one of those guys that uses this as a personal challenge and as something to help keep me focused with riding regualarly. I am not going to win my class any time soon. As far as lights go just get something that is reliable and bright. There are many good companies out there just do some research and try a few systems out at your local shop or ask friends to borrow their systems. I have my powerful light on my helmet and it runs all the time and I run one on my bars as well and only use it on the technical sections and as a back up. I run Cygolite lights for what its worth. If you show up on Friday you can just set up camp and reserve a few spots for your friends. Just spread your stuff out and park a car there to hold the spot, be reasonable with your spacing though. You don't want to reserve a giant area for a few tents. In my experience there is always enough room. I am not sure why they don't have 3 person teams, I wish they did, although last year I raced 12 hour solo division. Good luck!! You won't regret signing up.

[robgrovetonemd]

Thanks so much for the response...I have a team together and look forward to the challenge...we won't be in it to win it just to have a good time....

[danodrum]

That is what it is all about. If you see me say Hi. I'll be chasing my 3 year old around on his green Strider bike, I'll be on the black KHS XC Team.

[webmaster]

Don't forget about the family too! Festival 24 goes on all weekend with lots of different activities for the kids and those on your support crew! Kids can race in the 24 Minutes of Great Glen! And this year we are celebrating Disco Style, so don't forget to wear your best digs and decorate your camping area for a chance to win prizes! Keep checking the website for updated information regarding additional contests that will take place to celebrate our 15th Annual 24 Hours of Great Glen!

[sven]

You'll have a blast at this race. On the lighting front go for the best light you can afford for your helmet and as danodrum said try and pick up a less expensive second light for the bars. The bar light does help in the technical areas as it can remove some shadows, but you may find the helmet light will serve you well by itself. That being said you must have two lights each time you head out so you might as well have one that is useful! The big thing with lights- get out and ride with them BEFORE the race- for a host of reasons- positioning on the helmet, understanding how the system works in a non-race situation, knowing the battery life and the charge time, figuring out how you want to carry the battery, getting used to your helmet being three inches taller (low branches), etc. You may also find that night riding is something you really enjoy!

Good luck! See you at the race.

sven

[ilovemountains]

This is probably obvious to everyone else (though it wasn't to me last year), but to add to Sven's suggestions on lights, don't try to share lights with your teammates! I did last summer and halfway through my lap at 2am my main light started to dim. My backup light was a small handlebar mounted thing that wasn't very useful, and then my front wheel fell off after catching the quick release on something while running a section of trail. It made for an interesting lap! The race is awesome and I highly recommend doing it your first year and not watching! I got sucked in at the last minute and it was so worth it!

[robgrovetonemd]

Thanks for all the awesome response...didn't know about the 2 light thing...I used to ride with a light on the handlebar..NEVER on the helmet...that should be interesting to do.
I am still trying to find a 4th before Friday....can I sign up as a 4 person team and then add the person in?
Anyone know the answer there?
I am sure I will find someone just other than the 3 first-timers we have no one ready to pull the trigger on joining us-will take a few more months of convincing.
any other recommendations on helmet lights?

[sven]

If you've only ridden with a bar light you will be pleasantly surprised by using a helmet mounted light- especially on singletrack where you making lots of small course corrections- as the light goes where you are looking! Also with the light higher off the ground you get shorter shadows- which certainly helps you figure out what is behind that rock or root coming up.

Regarding what to get- depends on budget. I'm a fan of Lights&Motion but their product can be hard on the wallet. That said I would spend it again in a heart beat as the light (Lith-ion Arc) has been fantastic. The newer LED technology is even better- offering the same amount of light as the HID's but using less power, staying cooler, and weighing less. Another light I've been curious to try is the Cat Eye triple shot, have read good reviews but haven't needed to buy another high end light. Here is a good review of a bunch of lights: http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/lights-shootout-introduction/

I hope you pulled the trigger on registration as you can add in riders later.

Have fun riding this summer and see you in August.