The latest installment in our series looking at preparation for 24-hour racing sees us chatting to last year’s 24 Hours of Exposure winner Matt Page.

Bikemagic: What are you top preparation tips the night before the 24 hour race?

Matt Page: Try not to worry too much, stay calm and don’t be too active. Have a sensible meal and get an early night.

BM: Nutrition tips before, during and after a 24 hour solo race?

MP: Before, just eat a sensible balanced diet. Don’t go crazy as you will just make yourself bloated and feel horrible.During, eat what you are used to. Don’t try anything different and have lots of variety. You will crave strange foods and may not feel like eating a gel at 3am, but a double egg sandwich might be what your body is asking for – listen to your body.

After, get a recovery drink or two down your neck and then just enjoy the fact that you have burnt off well in excess of 10,000 calories!

BM: I’m not sure how to pace myself in a 12 or 24 hour race? What’s the best approach?

MP: Don’t get carried away and head off too fast, but also don’t start like a snail. You will only get slower, no matter what pace you start at.Pick a pace that you are comfortable with, but is still an effort. If your pushing at a pace that you cannot talk then ease up, but if it seems very easy then pick it up a little. Stay consistent.

BM: To carbo-load or not to carbo-load?

MP: If I were to tell you then I’d be giving away one of my biggest secrets! Yes, but no.

BM: Should I make any modifications to my bike for the event?

MP: The only modification I will be making to my bike that is different from the Elite XC race a few weeks ago is adding a light bracket. Ride what you are used to riding.

BM: Clothing: What’s the best kit to wear?

MP:If it is dry then shorts & jersey. Have arm and leg warmers on stand by.If it is wet, then have spare jerseys ready to change and think about water-proof shorts.

A wet backside for 24-hours can’t be nice.I’m not a believer in two pairs of shorts as some are. What works for some people wont work for others, so if you haven’t tried something before then don’t try it in the race.

BM: It’s just a couple of weeks to 24 hours of Exposure. Is it too late to do any last minute training?

MP: Probably. There is no point getting in any long miles at this stage, you won’t see any benefits. A few short but hard interval sessions will help waken the legs a bit and give you a small boost. Don’t go crazy in the week before hand, but try and ride every day – even if it is a gentle spin for 15 minutes.

Thanks to Matt for taking the time out of his training schedule to answer these questions.

Missed the first article with Rob Dean? Read it right here. There’s more coming next week, stay tuned to Bikemagic for those.