The highlight of all our seasons is taking place this weekend in Surrey. The Action Medical Research 24 hour race around the BBC’s famous Top Gear test track starts at midday  Saturday and finishes at midday on Sunday, followed by a celebration lunch and a well earned beer (or two..).

There is still chance to enter our prize draw – click above to go to the website.

How have we been preparing?

Dave: Lots and lots of miles including a 24hr race last weekend. It has hopefully given Dave some wisdom of how a 24 works and how we can utilise the time and hone the change-over to perfection. See Dave at the Castelli 24hr race here interviewing a Cervelo Test Team Pro . There can’t be much better preparation than doing an identical event!

Nick: Some miles including a 24hr race 2 years ago. He’s now fully recovered having been on a diet of Port, noodles and black coffee.

Fatty (Adrian): Some big rides around the lakes in the last few weeks. He may have had some time off the bike, but he can still give as good as it gets on the flat, which is ideal on a windy airfield!

Chris: Many miles and a couple of TT’s. Hailing from Lincolnshire, the flat parts are the least of my worries. All this effort has been undertaken (mainly) to have an excuse for rather a lot of red wine afterwards.

Logistics!

The race is over 300 miles away, so planning is key here. The day before leaving and we have some Light and Motion lights arriving along with a massive sugar stash to help us through the night.

There is a long list of items for the van: spare tubes, tyres, wheels and chains. Thankfully we get all our food provided so a pasta-fest will ensue from 12:00 onwards. We will also have to make sure we eat after riding to recover well for the next stint – nothing feels worse than going out on tired legs.

Does beer count towards carbo loading?

Along with rollers, bikes and tents, this alone should almost fill the van. I’ve only been camping once, so a Saturday night spent camping and riding my bike sounds great! (I’ve factored in an hour to pitch my tent). We now have to come up with some tactics – something which we will have plenty of time to discuss on the drive down (Driving while England are playing their second group match in the 2010 Football World Cup – brilliant timing).

Now for the plea and questions:

• Have you raced a 24hr event? Tips please!

• Does anyone have tips for racing in changing light conditions, with the pits floodlit and the outfield pitch black.

• Any games we could play while out riding/the journey down to pass the time?

• If you haven’t sponsored us, have a look at the great prizes you can win – they may change your mind! They include Speedplay pedals, DT Swiss wheels, Lezyne Tools, PBK Team kit and lots of energy food. Also in there is a Giro helmet and glasses package worth £150.

I’ll be doing a full report of the weekend’s events in next weeks blog, so you can get a first hand account of a 24 hour race from a weekend warrior!