My First 12 Hour Cycling Race: 2023 Mid Atlantic 12

#cyclingrace #roadcycling #ultraendurance #midatlantic12 #12hourrace
Here's my race recap of my first 12 hour cycling race - the Mid Atlantic 12 that took place on August 12th, 2023. The course a flat, 26 mile loop in Washington, NC. It was so hot that day! Can I ride the most miles I've ever ridden in one ride? Tune in and find out!
Check out the ride on Strava: / strava
Mid Atlantic Ultra Sports website: midatlanticultrasports.com
The route: ridewithgps.com/routes/15859771
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Follow me on Instagram: @ericbarnettcycling
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Equipment used:
Bike: Specialized Tarmac SL6
Wheels: Boyd Prologue 60mm
Tires: Vittoria Corsa 30mm
Cycling computer: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar: amzn.to/40KeXJS
Heartrate monitor: Garmin Dual HR: amzn.to/3UejcL3
Nutrition: GU Energy Gels: amzn.to/41372a8
In my water bottles: XTEND BCAA Powder: amzn.to/3UdsXsS

[@bobwillix4229]

Hey Eric. You did a great job out there for your first 12 hour race. We were definitely going too fast the first few laps but you played it smart and slowed down. Now I’ll see you for the 24 hour race next year!!!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks so much for the encouragement, Bob! You killed it! I am thinking about that 400… I’ll have to see what the weather trend is lol. Also, I think I stole a mile from you with a typo at the end of the video - sorry!

[@dansobutta7157]

Hell yeah Eric! Stoked to see your progress right from the start, this is an incredible effort, an inspiration!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Dan! So hard in the moment, but the training paid off and I’m proud of it in retrospect.

[@ImGlossy63]

Great job Eric!! 12 hours in the saddle is one thing.. 12 hours in that heat just makes it a mess. Way to knock it out and get on that podium!💪🚴

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you Chris! I think I was just to stubborn to quit.

[@OhioMTBTrails]

The sweat dripping off you helmet in the beginning really shows how hot it was. Well done!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

CGI. All shot on a soundstage. Just kidding - thanks man!

[@JakeTheKangaroo]

Good stuff Eric! Very impressive 💪 The heat can really take a toll on you in these conditions.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Jake! I’ve been indoor on Zwift ever since - waiting for it to cool down a bit.

[@MarkyMarkZwifts]

Chapeau Eric!!! Awesome riding, especially in that heat and for so long. You are an endurance beast! Congrats on the podium. Nice bike too, I've got the same but in camo 💪💪💪

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Ooh, I bet that bike is pretty! I really like the endurance riding. My 20 minute power isn’t great, but I can stay in the saddle for a long time. Thanks Mark!

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

That’s sooo impressive. I’ve never attempted anything other than breathing in that kind of heat and that was hard work. I even feel like a better person by virtue of knowing someone who has done this. Huge kudos and great video!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks, Rob! On the reverse side of it, I have no idea how you smash multiple races every day. It’s cool to kick back every now and then and think “hey, we’re pretty good at bikes!”

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

@@ericbarnettcyclingwe’re doing a big episode of ITDs on Friday night UK time, I’m guessing that would be late afternoon for you. We’re inviting all previous guests, if you’re free?

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@ZwiftyZwifter I am, actually! I have the day off work.

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

@@ericbarnettcycling sweet! Will get you the invite

[@user-oz4pl6pl9o]

big ride , surviving that in the heat , massive kudos , and a podium , booom and take care

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Stef. In a way, it's sort of a long time trial.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

An incredible effort! Congratulations!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks - it was a tough one!

[@isaacchung1049]

whar a champ and motivation to witness....be safe under heat

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Isaac! I’ve been in Zwift ever since - it’s still so hot outside!

[@RoyImahara]

Outstanding effort and a great placing!! Looks like you had your fueling and hydration pretty spot on since you didn't bonk. The high temps are nothing to mess with.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks Roy! I had a lot of electrolyte mix, BCAA, & liquid carbs in my bottles, but was really craving plain ice water as the day progressed. Also, wish I’d had an ice dump every lap! Live & learn!

[@RoyImahara]

@@ericbarnettcycling Here in Southern California the temps can get really high. I've seen teams that put ice in women's nylons. Tie off and cut into sections this creates small bags of ice in a nice mesh. They then tuck them down the back of their jerseys to slowly melt while riding.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@RoyImahara I need that!

[@MarkBruceUK]

That sir was outstanding!!!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you!

[@mrmadmogli7]

Impressive Ride , Congrats Eric 👍🏆

[@ericbarnettcycling]

🙏 🙏🙏!

[@bobbo5896]

that is awesome bud, 3rd place is an amazing result.... super happy for you, and you werent far from second place either. Good stuff.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

I was pleased with the race - the first place guy is so fast, he almost doesn’t count!

[@bobbo5896]

@@ericbarnettcycling exactly he doesn't count, so technically you nearly came first ! Haha 😂

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@bobbo5896 well, at least second!

[@laurippt]

Really incredible ride! Well done!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

🙏 Thank you, Lauri!

[@Alan-Turnbull]

An amazing achievement Eric, you are a beast on the bike. I highly recommend clip on aero bars they make a big difference. Lots faster or same speed less watts and comfy too 👍💪

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks so much, Alan! I’ve tried aero bars before, but never felt comfortable. I’m considering a tri bike if I do this event again. At the very least, I should practice a bit with clip-ons (I have some, but hadn’t used them prior to the race).

[@Alan-Turnbull]

They do take a bit of getting used to and are a bit wobbly at first steering with your shoulders. Just something to try that’s all. I’d love a tt bike if I ever ride outside again that is 😁

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@Alan-Turnbull I actually have some clip-ons. I should give them a go

[@MrPedel]

You are a hard man, Eric. Incredible achievement - would have been even without the podium!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks so much, Thomas! I’m proud of this one!

[@lydiavanhoose-davis5240]

Great job! Really enjoyed the video, keep up the good work

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Lydia! Been Zwifting lately?

[@lydiavanhoose-davis5240]

I'm getting back to it with all the rain we've had, nice to escape the elements! @@ericbarnettcycling

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@lydiavanhoose-davis5240 nice! Ever hit up any local rides? I think Y-not in Lexington still does some..:

[@PeterMcMullan01]

Nice video Eric. Great ride!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you Peter!

[@marcorufer2342]

Hey Eric. Thank so much for sharing this. i could feel for you every second. the horrendous pace at the beginning with the other guys. The group getting smaller and smaller. The fight against the heat, the thirst and the time. And finally the incredible feeling that you have achieved something very strong. Concratulations, you can be really proud!👋

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you Marco! I can’t help but think the heat actually helped me out. There were a lot of riders who should’ve had faster days if not for the heat. I was either to stubborn or delirious to quit at times when a sane person should have!

[@TheLankyCyclist]

I get cranky when a 45 min cross race goes closer to an hour. Good work dude! Anything you'd do different next time?

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks, man! I think I need to familiarize myself with aero bars and get better at begging a crew to come along next time! Also, double the water and triple the ice. Beyond that, more time on the bike equals more miles. I was only moving for 11 of the 12 hours. Excited to see the cross videos this season! Maybe someday I’ll learn how to handle a bike and give it a go!

[@AdamJennison]

35c 😶 Yeah.. but no.. anything over 20c (70f) and I'm too hot.. An amazing ride - I don't think I'd be able to get half of those miles even under perfect conditions. You're one tough cookie 🙂 And a very deserved podium.. 🎉

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you so much, Adam. I really do think about the N+1 crew watching the video eventually and wanting to ride a good race for everyone to enjoy. I don’t think I’d have stuck to cycling this much without the community in Zwift, Strava, & KZbin! Looking forward to getting in Zwift for a spin, sometime! Did I hear someone say Pretzel group ride!?

[@HuddoThePaceline]

Yay.

[@HuddoThePaceline]

Massive kudos mate huge congratulations 🎉

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thankya, Huddo!

[@johnrichardson7195]

Great ride, how do you keep the sweat off your glasses or just deal with it? I live in the upstate and use the Halo headban, works okay

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you John - mostly I use a head sweat skull cap. That day was way more sweat than usual - the glasses were covered by the end

[@dmoore4520]

Been looking forward to this one. Great video and great accomplishment dude. Remember seeing it pop up on Strava, 200+ 🤯

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks so much!