The Jetblack 24 Hour 2023 truly tested the endurance, spirit, minds and legs of our Rocky Trail Racers. Jason English and Ronel Cook are our 2023 Solo Outright Champions.
With short but strong showers moving through on Saturday morning, the start of the 2023 Jetblack 24 Hour event was delayed by 2 hours.
A strong field of almost 300 racers – as well as supporters and crew – braved two more downpours in the afternoon and even the edges of a passing storm before settling in to a more calm evening and night race pace. The Sunday then, rewarded us with a magically misty morning and a steamy, hot and sunny finish.
The 7-time 24 Hour Solo World Champion Jason English once again took home the Jetblack 24 Hour Solo Outright Victory. In second overall was Hunter Valley’s Geoffrey King (-1lap in 22h06:38) and Nick Swanson from Langwarrin on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria came in third also on 34 laps in 22h30min.
English said that he was surprised at how well the trails held up in the wet, actually bounced back after the downpours, and that he was glad Rocky Trail didn’t call it off.
“I couldn’t believe the amount of water out on course, but come lap to I was like ‘I’m so glad this race has gone ahead’. The trails were in really good condition and come to five hours it was awesome!”, English said.
A flat tire could stop the and reigning 24 Hour Solo National Champion English and of his night racing experience he said,
“I was looking at the stars and the moon and was thinking ‘Game On‘, this is going to be a real good finish to the race.”
English added that he enjoyed passing the “rock music” out on course at the mid-way marshal point, which he ended up passing 35 times – 35 laps completed in 21h23:12. Watch the full video below.
Race organisers from Rocky Trail Entertainment said that conflicting weather forecasts across the multiple platforms they monitored had made the decision to delay the race start challenging,
“Ultimately, our main concern is rider safety and looking out for the trails”, Rocky Trail’s Martin Wisata said.
“Our core team has become used to monitoring weather patters over the years and because Rocky Trail has held events at Rydal since 2018, we could bank on the experience and historic data as well as our local contacts within in the Central Tablelands Club who were on-site and also participating.”
He said that he had been confident in the week leading into the event that the event could go ahead. He explained that the delayed race start on the Saturday had allowed the trails to “process and digest” the rain of the morning, which had been more than what had been forecast.
“We have settled at Rydal Showgrounds and in Lidsdale State Forest for our Jetblack 24 Hour for a reason. It’s a beautiful venue and the track has a good mix of fun and entertaining trail features paired with a gentle elevation that simply suits such an endurance event. However, we learned that these trails can withstand tough weather conditions, which has been driving decisions this weekend.”
Ronel Cook wins the women’s title
In the women’s, South African rider Ronel Cook from Condobolin near Parkes took the outright win with 25 completed laps in 19h30:57 ahead of Lauren Dadd (25 laps in 22h33:39) from Hornsby. In third was Canberra’s Samantha Morley with 21 laps completed.
Ultra-endurance racer Ronel Cook placed second in Rocky Trail’s marathon event in Canberra in the 100 Miler classification behind the 24 Hour Solo National Champion Kate Kellett. Her race in Rydal once again showed her strength in long-distance events. She said that camping on-site with rain falling overnight was a bit unnerving in the lead up. However, she had tried to set a strong pace right from the start even on the busy – and wet – first lap,
“The rain was heaviest late in the afternoon and I had to take my glasses off to see – I was close to the event centre, so decided to take a quick break, get dry and then continue on.”
Ronel said she had been struggling throughout the night, trying to get used to the night at race pace. She had taken breaks trying to stay hydrated and get nutrients into her body to sustain the challenge. The sunrise had been beautiful she added, the mist rising up and hearing the music coming towards and through the event centre. Watch the full interview:
Jetblack 24 Hour donates 10 bicycles to World Bicycle Relief
Rocky Trail is committed to changing lives through the Power of Bicycles and at this year’s Jetblack 24 Hour helped spread the word about the World Bicycle Relief organisation’s mission. The World Bicycle Relief mission is to create access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity in low-income, rural communities where distance is a challenge. Equipped with a purpose-designed Buffalo Bicycle from World Bicycle Relief, which was be on display (and was put to use at the Jetblack 24 Hour!), children can reach school, healthcare workers can visit patients, and small business owners can build their incomes.
To date, World Bicycle Relief has distributed 750,000 bicycles, and is now focused on its goal of 1 million bikes by 2025. The Jetblack 24 Hour generated donations to fund 10 bicycles.
Maureen Kolenyo, who is World Bicycle Relief’s East Africa Regional Director, based in Nairobi, Kenya was at the event with representatives of the WBR Australia Office. She said,
“Many children in rural areas must walk to school and the long distances are a challenge. Our Buffalo Bicycle is something that changes these children’s lives. They are safe. They can get home on time. They can improve the quality of their life. And with more energy and time, they can perform better in the classroom.
“Partnership is a core value at World Bicycle Relief, and we are thrilled to have the support of Rocky Trail Entertainment, as well as the broader cycling community in Australia, as we work to create a world where distance is no longer a barrier to independence and livelihood.”
The next edition of the Jetblack 24 Hour will return to the Seven Valleys and Rydal Showground in Lidsdale State Forest on the weekend of 30 November – 1 December 2024.
