#AmazingAccrington - Autumn 2019

MOUNTAIN BIKE Challenge A scorching June weekend saw local lad JamesWhittaker take on a huge

James, 37, lives inAccringtonwithhis familyandcompetes in24hour solo mountainbike races across thecountry. MarstonLodge,MarketHarborough, was thevenue forMountainMayhem 2019, theoriginal UK24hrmountainbikeendurance race. The racebeganat 12noononSaturday22nd Julyandfinished 12noonon Sunday23rd. 100sof riderswaitedanxiously for theklaxon toget the race underway. Jamesexplains “I race in thesolocategory.Therearedoubles, quads,mixeddoublesetc. In this race therewere 109 riders entered in the solocategory.” Talking tactics “Due to theheat, I decided to take it steady, stayhydratedand tried tokeepmy lap times consistent. 24hours is a long timeonabike, so I didn’twant toburnmyself out in thefirst 6.Thecoursewas toughand rough. Lotsof hills toclimbandgooddownhill sections toenjoy. I wouldsay it took about 2or 3 laps tomemorise thecourse.Taking it easyaround the tricky technical sections atfirst as I didn’twant to ruinmy race in thefirst few laps by comingoff.” James has hisownpit crewthat helphimout along thewayduringhis races. “MybrotherAlexandmybest friendSimonare fantastic support. Every lap I haveaquickpit stopand they replacemyenergydrink, energygels andgive meplentyof encouragement! AlexandSimonare there tomakesure I’m there for theshortest timepossibleand togetmebackout on thecourse.” “During thenight thecourse is completelydifferent. Youonlyhave lightson your helmet andon the front bars tohelpyou seewhat’s comingup. I prefer riding through thenight thoughas it’s a lot cooler.Thecoursegets quieter as riders start toget tiredandhave longer breaks.That’swheremy pit crewcome intoplay.They forcesandwiches, chocolatebars andcupsof sugary coffeedownmeandgetmebackout for another lap. It’sgreat coming back into thepits after a longdark lap in themiddleof thenight, they really liftmy spirits!!” “The real racingstarts at about 6am. People jostling for positionswith6 hours togo.When thesuncomes up it giveseveryoneahugeboost and everyoneputs in theextraeffort.” Training for the races includes adaily commute toClitheroe. “I have recently startedanew jobat 3M, Clitheroe.Thishasbeengreat formy training regime

as I’vebeenable toget somedecentmiles inwithout going too much intomy spare time. Leadingup to the races I tryanddo over 120milesperweek” “Thiswasmy5th24hr race. I raced in this competition2years ago andcame22nd. I competed in theworldchampionships, Fort William, back inOctober last year andcame6th inmy category. I’vebeen improvingandgainingexperiencewithevery race. I racedona fully rigidcarbonfibre frame this time. It’s a lot lighter thanmyold frame, butmyhands andarmswere in somuchpain due to thevibrationof thecourse. Addingsuspension toyour bike improves your lap timesbut it alsocostsquitea lot of money. I’mhoping that by thenext race inOctober tohaveat least front suspension forks added.” James’sefforts havenot goneunnoticed. Local businesses have got onboard tosupport himalong theway. IntackSelfDrive provide James andhis teamwith the transport, RockAwnings provide themwithagazebo for thepits, ACakeOccasion, Smiths GardenMaintenanceServices andBloomNatural Remedies are alsoonboard.Wealso thought that thiswas agreat opportunity toget involvedsoyouwill see#AmazingAccringtonappear on James’s next race jersey! JamesfinishedMountainMayhem in 14thplaceout of 109 riders, completing24 laps, 5.8mileseach, 139miles in total including 19000ftof climbing. “I’d like to thankmy family, friends, pit crew andmy fantastic sponsors. I really couldnot do itwithout all their

support.Mynext race is inOctober at theUKchampionships inFortWilliam, Scotland.” Follow James’s races and progress on instagram@james_ticker and twier @ticktickboom82

Opposite: James,37, lives inAccrington withhisfamilyandcompetes in24hoursolomountain bikeraces. Above: (clockwisefrom left) JamesfinishedMountain Mayhem in14thplaceout of109. Hisownpitcrewthathelp himoutalongtheway duringhisraces . Jamesatthefinish. Relaxingattheendoftherace.

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