**Features

24-hour solo racing: Preparation is key

Before I embarked on a four man team entry in the Bontrager Twentyfour12 last weekend, I took the time to poke my head around a couple of solo entrant tents.

Having attempted two 24-hour solo races in the past (and failed both times) I know how important setup, preparation and support are. I was impressed, and surprised, at the high level of attention paid to ensuring everything was laid our methodically, as these photos show.

The Mandrobe: Have you ever seen anything as organised as this? The inside of a VW Transporter had been turned into a wardrobe, with everything very neatly laid out.

This supporter was laying the different foods out in small tins and bowls

It's important to be able to easily and quickly grab whatever the solo rider demands at any time during the race. So marking the tin lids with the contents seems a good idea to save some faffing

Sometimes solo victories can be decided by minutes, so handing up a bottle with several energy gels taped to the bottle will save the rider having to stop, and loosing time

This solo rider was doing the race on a vintage Proflex 857!

**Features

Mountain bike altitude world record smashed

Swiss mountain biker rides to 6175m in the Indian Himalayas to set a new world record

Mountain bike altitude world record smashed

**Video

Video: Brighton trails with Rob and Josh

Brighton has more to offer than fish and chips and a good night out. We explore some of the fantastic riding on offer

Video: Brighton trails with Rob and Josh

**Features

Going for a ride along the South Downs Way

The South Down Way is popular with mountain bikers, a dramatic ridge that runs from Winchester all the way to Eastbourne through rich landscape, rolling...

Going for a ride along the South Downs Way