The longest day

Germany´s motorcycle and off road community gathered over the Ascension weekend near Neiden/Torgau to compete in the seventh edition of the 24-hour Endurance Day.

The quads came first with their 12-hour race on Friday, with the start at noon and the finish at midnight. The bikes were next sent into their own 24-hour non-stop running on Saturday. The teams, usually constisting of four riders, soon learnt that 24 hours can take terribly long. It means riding through the night. It means battling 10-kilometer laps time and again. And it means on more than one occassion pleasure becomes agony. The participants in this unique event are particular persons, just the mentality you find in long distance runners, extreme alpinists or ironman competitors.

The race exists since 2004 under the name 24h Endurance Day. Off road promoter BABOONS invented this extravaganza, then made it a cult object. The event is not so much about pro racing and elite riders. It´s rather a race for Joe Public to meet with his buddies and take on the challenge. Yet there´s a prestige class also, where factory teams and importers show themselves off. The Ironman class belongs to those daredevils who are doing it for 24 hours on their own.

Many swear after the race to never come back, only to submit next year´s entry a couple of days later. BABOONS regularly have to close the entry procedure many months before the actual event gets underway.

Altogether around 1,000 riders took part in the Endurance Day 2010, which has been well supported by Red Bull. The famous energy drink maker upgraded the party atmosphere with their own event truck.