Le Mans 2002

24 hour skate marathon

By Steven Runyeard

(With Arnage team additions by Brian Thackray)

3rd July 2002

Day 1: Friday 28th June

For most of the participants, the day started at 9am on Friday morning at the first pick-up point outside Paddington station in London. Within 15 minutes we were all trundling our way through rush hour traffic towards the second pick-up at Waterloo. The absence of Marcus (Raven) was cause for concern. After waiting for a few minutes we had to continue without him in order to reach Dover for our planned ferry crossing. With much phoning around Naomi managed to get in contact with Marcus and discovered that he had overslept by half an hour and would make alternative arrangements to get to Le Mans.

The ferry port was reached in plenty of time but due to delays we didn't get to board until almost 1pm. Once loaded onto the ferry it didn't take long for the regular Vic crowd to set up camp in the bar and make use of the 'four for the price of three' offer on Smirnoff Ice. The crossing went without hitch and within one-and-a-half-hours we were rolling off the ferry at Calais and heading south towards Le Mans. The London part of the journey felt speedy compared to France and in the next couple of hours we didn't seem to get anywhere at all. By 3pm we all needed a toilet break and stopped off at the most barren motorway 'service' stop I'd ever encountered. The toilet was also extremely basic and the men's urinal was essentially a wall with a roof lashed to the top. While everyone was off the coach we made use of the group photo opportunity.

Clockwise from top left: Etienne, Gary, Brian, Steve (Tooting), Rick, Johannah, Lex, Steve (Big), John (Spanish), Erica, Erik, Lenka, Steve (Slalom), Naomi, Neil, Susi and Ruth

The next 100km passed by just as slowly as the previous one and by 6pm we had only completed around half our journey on the French side of the channel. We passed thought Rouen and then made a second pit stop at Brionne. Once again we encountered an open-plan toilet.

Rick making use of the facilities

After we had all made use of the luxurious facilities we wandered into the town in search of nourishment. The pub was the first stopping point followed closely by a visit the boulangerie to buy almost everything in sight and have an impromptu picnic on the roadside.

Roadside snack

The last leg of our journey took a further five hours and at long last we reached our destination by around midnight CET. Our camp site was to the north of Le Mans and around 15km from the racing circuit. Even thought the coach had only been booked to drop us off on the Friday night and collect us on the Monday, Andy, our friendly coach driver kindly offered to drive us to Le Mans circuit the next morning. The only obstacle left to overcome was erecting the tents in the dark, some of which had never yet been pitched in daylight. Add to that the lack of instructions and the tiredness we were all suffering and you can imagine the fun and games we had trying to work out how to put the things up. Thanks to the combined intelligence of a bunch of IT geeks and an engineer we managed to construct suitable sleeping environments for everyone.

Everyone getting ready to hit the sack

 Nobody managed to get a very good night's sleep. Not only was it very cold (and required some people to cuddle up and get very friendly) but the dog and donkey didn't help matters either.

Day 2: Saturday 29th June

The following morning we were all awoken by Rick arriving with breakfast which consisted of fresh bread, pan au chocolate and water, which didn't fail to get everyone on their feet and moving around. Breakfast was served with no style or grace and simply arrived in a paper sack. This didn't bother anyone as we all just ripped off a lump of bread and munched away while walking around trying to warm up.

As soon as breakfast was over and we'd showered and got cleaned up it was time to get back to work taking down the tents and trying them out. Once packed it was time to head off to the racing circuit to the south of Le Mans. Brian had left the camp site early and along with Ricks mum and dad staked out a claim big enough to contain all the tents. The queue to the circuit was relatively short but very slow moving and it took us a good hour to complete the short journey from the rear of the queue to the camp field. Upon arrival at the camp site we all got to work setting up our tents and had little time to spare before Simon was due at the track for the time trials. The circuit was opened up briefly for competitors to have a trial lap before the time trials got underway.

Arnage team captain, Brian, consulting his notes

Once the time trials were over (Simon was 91st and Jon 115th), virtually all the skaters got on the track and waited for the announcement to be given that we could go on another trial lap. After half an hour in the baking sunshine we were given the all clear and around 4,500 skaters headed off up the hill that was soon to become a living hell for all the participants. To make matters worse the lap counter that was triggered by a chip attached to one of your skates was positioned right near the bottom of the hill and caused you to lose a lot of your momentum as your stride was interrupted. The 300m hill was rewarded by an even steeper drop down the other side into 'the well'. The sharp curve to the right certainly sorted the men from the boys and resisting the temptation to brake was a good test of nerve. Skaters were easily reaching 30mph at the base of the hill and all the way around the curve you were hanging onto your edges for dear life. Everyone was painfully aware that one false move and you were toast.

Once round the curve there was a short but steep incline that helped absorb a lot of momentum. This was soon followed by a curve to the left, another short straight and another curve to the right before hitting the back straight. This section was around 1km in length and was a chance to really get into your stride. After another left turn followed by a right there was a short straight section before hitting the chicane. Once around the final bend the pit lane was in sight and a chance for a breather. The total length lap length was in the region on 4.5km (about 3 miles). To a seasoned street skater that kind of distance will probably sound like child's play but in reality it's a real test of stamina when attempted at sprint speed. Street skates are a walk in the park compared to a flat-out circuit of Le Mans.

Each team was split into three roughly equal groups. The Arnage team had two groups of four and one of three and the Mulsanne team had three groups of four. Each group were to take shifts and allow other groups time to sleep and recover. The Mulsanne team decided on a shift of two hours followed by a middle shift of four hours and then finishing off with the further two hours. The event got underway at 4pm and sidesurf Simon was in the first shift for the Mulsanne team along with AK47, Christophe and Jon (Spanish). While they were setting the pace for the rest of the team, the next groups were mutilating their t-shirt to make them more appropriate for the hot weather conditions and making some impressive fashion accessories to boot.

Naomi wears quad socks with attitude

In the Arnage team the first unit of four skaters was Patrick, Pope Jon, Big Steve and Erica. Arnage started with two hour shifts but only took three hour shifts during the night, as it was tough on the unit of 3 (Jayne, Neil and Brian) to do more time.

Next up for the Mulsanne team were Naomi, Rick, Lex and Steve (Slalom). The first lap was a real eye opener and everyone was surprised just how demanding the pace was. From the very start we felt as though we were doing well simply by the sheer number of skaters that we were passing. We also soon realised there was more to this speed skating lark than just going as fast possible around the coarse. There are lots of tactics involved and if you play the game correctly it's possible to wipe minutes of your lap time.

One of the most effective ways to increase speed is to 'draft' another skater. This involves picking out someone who is able to skate faster than you and then getting very close behind them and matching stride. It's really quite astounding how easy it is to follow another skater in this way and you are able to match speed using a fraction of your normal energy usage due to the lack of wind resistance. Because the rear skater is using less energy they will sometimes give the person in front a bit of a push. This will not only cause the skater in front to go fast but will also mean you are able to go that little bit quicker and the combined speed becomes greater than that possible by the two individuals.

The second shift for Arnage was handled by Johanna, Etienne, Gary and Tooting Steve and lap times were averaging about 11 minutes 30 seconds. Mulsanne began to lap Arnage but spirits were high going into the night and the opportunity for cooler skating.

Johanna & Jayne get ready to roll!

The average lap time for the Mulsanne team was around 10 minutes. After skating this long at sprint pace the pit lane becomes a very welcome sight. The third shift of the Mulsanne team was taken by Marcus, Al Head, Lenka and Erik.  They were joined by Neil, Jayne and Brian taking the third shift for the Arnage team.

Marcus limbering up for his first lap

With the first shifts out of the way everyone was treated to a barbecue expertly prepared by gumbieBen. Not only did he give us all some badly needed nourishment but also our first chance to really relax with our fellow competitors and supporters.

Flash red-eye or too much gin?

Day 3: Sunday 30th June

The event continued through the night around a well flood lit track. For some, the night time part of the event was an easier skate due to the reduction in temperature. Others found it more difficult as the road surface was not as well illuminated. The average lap time evened out quite well and equalled that achieved during the day.

Dawn came just as the middle group for the Mulsanne team was coming off shift.  The Arnage team third unit had the benefit of skating through the dawn into the daylight.  Sunday was just as scorching as the previous day and frequent re-hydration was essential.

Everyone was feeling tired, but many skaters from both teams managed their best times in their final shifts, such was the level of energy and commitment. During these last hours a continual check was kept on the team positions board, which changed every two hours, showing the teams’ progress. At one point Mulsanne was lying 45th and Arnage 186th!

Skaters were not allowed to return to the pit lane during the final 15 minutes of the event which meant that one skater from each team would be requited to do two or three laps in a row in the closing stages. Jon 'the pope' was elected for the Arnage team and Simon for Mulsanne. On completion of the first lap both looked drained of energy but had to continue up the hill for a second time.

 
 
Some pro skaters showing how it's done

Everyone from the London camp felt a great sense of team spirit when Jon and Simon came past the stands at the end of the second lap working together as a team. This was the proudest moment of the whole event for both of the London teams.

Jon and Simon doing us all proud

It was only to be expected. On the final lap Simon did what he knows best and performed what must have been one of the fastest side surfs ever witnessed from the top of the hill right down to the bottom of the well and back out the other side. Apparently photographers were frantically taking photographs but sadly none have been spotted yet.

Enjoying a well deserved drink

Jon and Simon celebrating after completing the final three laps without a break. Considering the tough competition both teams did exceptionally well. Out of the 400 or so teams, Arnage came 136th with 121 laps and Mulsanne came 54th and completed 136 laps. Now all the excitement was over it was time to relax and head back to camp for a celebratory pizza.

Day 4: Monday 1st July

The next morning we were up bright and early for the journey back home.

Packing the coach ready to head home

Relaxing on the ferry during the crossing back home

The coach arrived back in London at 8:30pm - around 12 hours after setting off from Le Mans. Everyone was totally exhausted as there had been barely a moment to rest during the whole trip. Would we do it all again? Ask us now and we will probably say no way, but next year? Of course!

Steve is an IISA Level 1 qualified instructor and an avid slalom skater (cone head) based in London, UK.  He can be contacted here.

Brian Thackray is organiser of Team e2xn London and a director of the UK National Skate Patrol. He can be contacted here.

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