24-hour champs survive epic conditions
Cycling Weekly|July 27, 2023
Heavy overnight rain at the National 24-Hour Championships tested the mental resolve and bike handling of the hardy competitors
Ben Goddard & Tom Thewlis
24-hour champs survive epic conditions

Long-distance specialists Robbie Mitchell and Chris Murray used their experience to regain the 24-hour titles at the weekend - a repeat result from two years earlier. Mitchell, from Berwickshire, won his first National 24-Hour Championship crown in 2021 and then had to abandon last year's event after falling ill.

But he was not to be denied this time, recording an average speed of 21.6 miles per hour to see him cover 519 miles in the 24 hours, beating Mark Turnbull (TORQ Performance) into second (511 miles) and Timothy Welsh (Cambridge CC) into third (501 miles).

The rain fell constantly for the first 14 hours of the event. "Once it got dark it was like a monsoon, the roads were like rivers," said Auchencrow Thistle CC rider Mitchell. "The standing water was quite treacherous, you really had to trust that where you were putting the bike there weren't holes underneath.

"Last year was a huge disappointment - after leading at halfway I had to pull out. I just couldn't keep my eyes open at around 13 hours in and I found myself dozing off.

"That's been in my mind for a year. I think it makes you want it more when you fail."

This story is from the July 27, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 27, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CYCLING WEEKLYView All
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Cycling Weekly

"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"

Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
Cycling Weekly

RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499

A Brompton for running riot in both town and country

time-read
4 mins  |
October 17, 2024
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
Cycling Weekly

How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?

There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Cycling Weekly

FEAST OF SWEDEN

Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 17, 2024
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Cycling Weekly

THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS

Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya

time-read
7 mins  |
October 17, 2024
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Cycling Weekly

THE CALL OF THE WILD

Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road

time-read
7 mins  |
October 17, 2024
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cycling Weekly

Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes

Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
Cycling Weekly

JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE

I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.

time-read
1 min  |
October 17, 2024
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Cycling Weekly

Lowden not ready to stop after retirement

Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene

time-read
2 mins  |
October 17, 2024
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Cycling Weekly

Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia

Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024