Sleepless in the Saddle (SITS) is a series of 24-hour mountain bike races held in the UK, Australia and the USA.
The format of the race allows entries to either be from solo riders, or by teams of varying sizes who ride in relay.
This is an endurance style event based on cross country tracks. The terrain is not so much the challenge as the battle against your mind and the elements. Racing continues throughout the night, with riders mounting lightweight but powerful lights onto their bikes.
The winner of the race is the person, or team, who cover the maximum distance in the 24 hour time period. Tactics are key, especially for solo competitors. Sleep and ride fast or battle through the tiredness and notch up the extra lap?
From 2005 to 2007 the event became part of the Kona Global Series. The races were held in the USA, UK, and Australia.
Sleepless in the Saddle races have been held at Catton Park and Trentham Gardens.
Famous quotes containing the words sleepless and/or saddle:
“I thought of Chatterton, the marvellous boy,
The sleepless soul that perished in his pride;
Of him who walked in glory and in joy
Following his plough, along the mountain side:
By our own spirits are we deified:
We poets in our youth begin in gladness;
But thereof come in the end despondency and madness.”
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
“It is beautiful to remember that he passed away as he wished, in the saddle riding hard.”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)