Alright folks, here is your "Everything I ever wanted to know about the 24 Hours of Light but was afraid to ask" post.
First of all, this is the 15th annual running of the event and I just want to give a little shout out to everyone who has ever been involved in making the 24HOL a reality. From the days of this thing being run out of the Riverdale Cycle bike shop or by VeloNorth, this event has grown in leaps and bounds and it's all due to love of the sport and of our awesome Yukon summer weekends. Plus of course there are you dedicated riders - thanks for being awesome!
Next weekend's details:
1. Registration: $95 per rider, $20 off if you are a CMBC member $10 extra if you sign up after June 22 Registration closes on June 25, 11:59pm More info in this previous post
2. No dogs allowed on course or anywhere in the Biathlon Yukon area The good news is that we have partnered with Sunshine Canines to offer those who are registered for the 24 Hours of Light a discount for their services from noon Saturday June 27 to noon Sunday June 28. Get in touch with Karen if your pooch needs some care during the race.
3. Camping
Camping on-site is available and RVs will be allowed into the start/finish area of the course at Biathlon Yukon. However, if you want to park inside the gates you need to go up to the site between 9am and 10:30am. After that, the gates close and you will only be able to get out again after noon on Sunday. Please note that the yellow areas on Grey Mountain Road are no-parking zones. You should have received an email with more detailed instructions and the below image. If you haven't and you need this - please get in touch.
4. Food & Water There will be some food provided at the race (a late night BBQ and a light breakfast) but we encourage you to bring whatever sustenance you need to get through the whole 24 hours. There is no water available onsite so you must bring your own water.
5. Youth and Run-bike races The youth race will be on a shorter course and will run from 12 noon-8pm. Registration is online, just like the grown-ups. See the 24 Hours of Light site and click on the orange sign up button! The run-bike race will start at 3pm and registration is onsite. No charge for the run-bike festivities.
6. The course
This year's course will be very similar to, and possibly exactly the same as, last year's. Our highly talented and very speedy duo of Sammy and Josh will be flagging the course starting Wednesday next week. For a visual, see below. For those of you who prefer a verbal description of where you'll be riding next weekend, the course begins and ends at Biathlon Yukon. You will ride down Yellow Brick Road and then head over to Magnusson Green, Woodcutter’s Road, Midtown Boogaloo, Go-T and Mother-Tucker. It's approximately 12km in length and includes single and double-track.
7. Captains' Meeting & Film Night There will be a mandatory captains' meeting on Friday June 26th at the Beringia Centre. Meeting is at 6:30pm. At least one person from each team must be there to pick up race packages/swag, listen to the rules and other useful information about the event and ensure that your timing chips are working. All team members are welcome to attend.
Following the meeting, there will be a showing of the film unReal from Teton/Anthill Films. This film tour has just started and Whitehorse is one of the first cities to be screening it! Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at Sports Experts in advance or at the door. It helps us out though if you are able to buy them before the night of the show. There will be beer and pizza available starting at 7pm as well as some door prizes! All proceeds from this event will go to CMBC so bring your friends!
8. Jerseys and posters
Both will be for sale at the captains' meeting. $85 for a jersey, $75 for a limited print of the 24 HOL poster featuring the 24 unique bicycles. These prints are large high quality giclees and fit in ribba frame from Ikea.
9. Volunteers We still need 'em. We need people to help with timing, parking, and food prep. If you volunteer, you will be entered to win a bicycle. That's right folks, Icycle Sport has donated a Kona Humuhumu as a volunteer draw prize. So get on it! Wander over here to sign up: https://www.volunteersignup.org/Q3KH9
10. Sponsors They are listed last here but they certainly are not least. These organizations have been amazing to CMBC and to this event. Icycle Sport is our title sponsor and has provided us with a significant financial contribution, including the volunteer draw prize. When you visit these businesses around town, please take the time to say thank-you.
Last words:
Race is noon-noon.
Bring your own bowl/utensils to help make the event as green as we can.
There will be free coffee onsite so bring your own mug.
Costumes encouraged!
Bring cash for the beer garden.
Parking is limited.
Carpool if you can, bike up, or have someone drop you off if possible.
No dogs.
No lights.
No complaining.
Wheeeeeeeee bikes!