A long way from a jaunt on the South Downs ...
Exactly, which is why I said.... "I can dream"
Having said that, there is talk of getting a team together to do this.
http://www.enduresaddlesore.com/ No e-mtb's but I'm not worried about that aspect of things, as I'm now using the e-mtb less and less, and using the pedal mtb more and more. My now regular riding with an ex cycling pro, forced that one, and I'm now finding it more and more addictive, and also more rewarding. Shared between 8 of us, this is a potentially doable event for me. My knees being the only major concern. But with two time options, the 12 hour option could be just about right.
The event is also right on my doorstep, and up until a few weeks ago when I was stopped from ever riding the on grounds again
it has been one of my regular day and night time riding haunts, and I probably know the place better than anyone else.
Ref the German event. It isn't 20 batteries. Bosch are allocating 20 batteries for the event. My understanding, is that solo riders are allowed two batteries and two bikes, and battery usage would need to be carefully planned, swapped and charged. Supplying 20 batteries to each rider would mean hundreds of batteries, and wouldn't exactly make for a challenging ride.
You also don't have to ride solid for 24 hours, that is simply the allotted time for completed laps.