Race 33: Torq12:12, XC, Minely Manor, 28/08/2011

The Torq 12:12 is an endurance event which runs from noon until midnight, as many laps as you can. I was a pair with Emila, we took turns for the whole 12 hours. The course did not play to our strengths, no long climbs, very rooty and potentially very muddy. Tight and twisty in the trees, 8 miles a lap. Should be interesting!

It turns out that it's a crazy idea to do a 12 hour endurance event in a pair the week after the Trans Wales! I felt fine all week, sitting at my desk, but to try and push it was a whole other story..


The first lap was fun, Dean (from the Skedaddle boys team) and I got a good start spot near the front. There were 800 riders in total, not everyone was out at once though. We followed a quad for a lap of the event field before passing the start again and doing a normal lap. This was to string us out a bit before the singletrack. The quad was absolutely flying around the last corner, it looked like great fun! I kept a good position and did a reasonable 1st lap, my legs felt empty but I hoped it was just because they were cold. One very nippy girl passed me, I didn't see any other girls. The lap was busy but good. Emila was waiting when I got back & so I handed her the race band and she was off. The 1st lap took 50 mins I think, including the extra around the field.

Saddle Skedaddlers

The 2nd Lap was a disaster, it rained a lot, which caused a few issues! 1) I couldn't see a single thing, 2) my race tyres slipped & slid all over the place and I just wheel spun up the climbs, 3) I got really bad chain suck with all the grit and mud so had to keep stopping pedalling. So a disaster! I was glad to get to the end.

I had a rush to change my tyres whilst Emila did her lap, Dean helped me, I found some more suitable ones and we set to work. One of them was flat as soon as we'd finished so had to do that one again but couldn't seem to find an inner tube anywhere! Finally got them on and Steve from Skedaddle sorted my chain & gears for me, which was nice of him. I had a couple of minutes to try and eat something. It didn't really happen though as I was cold and feeling a bit sick.


This about sums it up!


So I had another gel & went straight out for lap 3, big mistake, felt rubbish! Tyres were good though, less chain suck too. I had nothing in me at all, everything was a struggle, needed food. Got around and tried to eat but couldn't! Was shivery, light headed and feeling sick. Managed to have some of Emilas homemade soup so that saved me a bit. PhD friends turned up which was really nice :o)
 
Lap 4 & I felt a little stronger after the soup. Lap 5 back to useless but it was more interesting as it was getting dark. Some bits I couldn't see anymore under the trees! Managed to get down a corner of baked potato in the gap then out for lap 6 in the dark. My favourite lap as I like night riding. Felt weak but I enjoyed the 'disco bridge' which was a bridge with DJ pumping tunes. Managed some crisps and half a kit kat before the final lap 7 at 23:15 or something.

I had checked the results and seen that we were in 3rd place with 4th 2 laps behind. I was too weak to consider going for 2nd so decided to take it easy and just make it round without doing any damage. The roots and mud were so slippery. I knew it was all over when I heard fireworks! 00:00 Monday morning. I came over all emotional with the stress on my poor body, partly with relief and partly because I actually had quite a long way left on the slippery roots and mud.

I passed so many people slumped over their handlebars at the side of the track in this race. I asked each one if they were OK and luckily they all said yes. Not sure what I would have done otherwise! I think the mud and rain just made it such hard going.
The event was fun, even though ill (my own fault!) I had a great time! We had prize giving at 01:30, Emila and I got to go on the podium and we won Torq stuff and a nice shiny silver plate. It almost made it worth it :-) having a 3 week rest now..

A collage of proofs taken by Joolze Dymond
These shots & lots more are available to buy at http://www.joolzedymond.com/

Race 32: TransWales 7 - Cilycwm - Builth Wells, 20/08/2011

It was raining when we set out for the final day of the Trans Wales. I was really rather tired after 7 days of biking and the tiredness, mud and rain got the better of me this morning. I was really annoyed for the first hour or two! I was climbing up wet muddy mountains grumbling away and even walked down a most excellent steep descent as I couldn't see a thing with all the rain on my glasses. Tried taking them off but the trail just looked like one of those photos where they shoot the rider and pan the camera so the background is all streaky. Anyway, the grumbling passed and the rain eased and we got to the lunch stop, which I was very much looking forward to. It was rubbish! Rainy and a million midgies! We left as quickly as we could and after a push up a vertical track and  nice descent on the other side it was road all the way back. I was fully cheered up and it was a bit strange climbing up the driveway in Builth Wells to the finishing Gore Bikewear arch for the last time. I didn't want it to end then!

The last special stage was a climb up into the woods, a few twists around the trees and then a fast descent down a grassy field. We both felt completely trashed and wondered how we'd get up the climb. The answer for me laid in a banoffee Torq gel, they really are magic! We weren't allowed to start together so I went just in front of Lisa, my legs were fine on the climb (tired obviously but not too painful). I caught the bloke that set off in front of me, but I wheel span on a log inset across the track and he got in front again - it was quite cool because I only did 1 extra pedal stroke but it was enough for him to get the lead back. I followed him down the other side and it was fun to have someone to chase after. I didn't do a particularly good special stage but it was enough to get 2nd place and we ended up 2nd on the final podium and received a nice lot of Gore bikewear vouchers, which is brilliant as I am very much a fan of their clothes.



Poised on the starting line for the final special stage

 A most excellent week, made all the more exciting as we were chasing the Scottish girls. The highlight for me was the Climax trail, I really found that stage amazing, it was our one chance as it was the only stage without climbing, I was nervous that it was too much pressure but we were at our best when we needed to be and the leaders jerseys were completely unexpected. The whole atmosphere of the Trans Wales event is brilliant, it's hard work but it is totally worth it!

Guest blog from Lisa:
Today was wet, very wet! But cannot complain too much as it has been a very dry un-welsh-like week! Tents down for the final time in the rain and first time grumpy team mate due to spectacle-rain-vision issues! Seems coronation chicken sandwiches are the healthier version of happy drugs for her. Sad to be on the last day, but was very pleased to see the Gore finishing arch for the final time. Very sore knees and achy legs did the special stage with barely enough oomph to get though the last ascent. Sweeping grass downhill to get my finishers tshirt and can of 7up! Last podiums then a feed up and the drive home. Looking forward to crisp sheets tonight :-)

Lisa on the final special stage

The start / finish arch

The final podium

Day 7: Cilycwm - Builth	6th Special Stage
Route Distance: 62km	At the very end!
Total Ascent: 1650m	Descent: Cefndyrys Woods 2km
Total Descent: 1530m	Ascent/Descent: 70m

Race 31: TransWales 6 - Cymystwyth - Cilycwm, 19/08/2011

Today was my favourite stage of all, the one with all the river crossings. My legs felt good after the massage I did on them last night. We spent much of the day in knee deep water. Great fun & it was a nice warm day so we didn't even get cold. We were back well within the time limit, which was good because last year we were late on this day!

It started raining when we got back and it continued for the special stage, which was a shame as I have to wear my normal glasses at night. We were just in time to get up on the ramp and there was a proper count down as we all had start times for this one.

I pedalled like crazy off the ramp and into the darkness. I could see Lisas light behind me and that was the only thing I had to try and beat because there was nothing else to see and nobody to catch. I began to see the 30 sec man in front so made up the difference and passed him, but not until the top of the fire road climb. It was Tim & he had blue flashy spokeys on his back wheel :-)

I passed another 3 people on the single track climb and they all moved aside without me even asking! Then it was the descent and I went way too fast for what I could see, I got to a big drop off which confused me as I didn't remember anything like that last time. by the time I'd finished thinking that I hadn't noticed the sharp left and flew off the top into the brambles. I had to scramble back up onto the track and the medics were all shouting as they heard my scream. I passed them though and said thank you I was fine.

I took it a lot slower after that. One bloke caught me back up so I said to overtake and then I followed him down. It was much easier that way because you could see where the track was going next.

When I finished I looked down and saw my leg was all cut from the brambles. Scottish girl number 2 said she had literally just got back so I would have caught her if I hadn't fallen (they started before us as it goes in time order, fastest first).

The other Scottish girl got a puncture! We saw her walking back down the climb when I was going up. But they let her FIX IT AND START AGAIN!!!! What is that about?!!!! Not happy at all..... That has robbed us of the stage and the overall win.

  

Guest blog from Lisa:

The most coolest day so far by a long way, the mass started off from the campsite unfortunately taking a wrong turn and flocking like sheep up a narrow singletrack road to a house. An about turn following shouts of 'has anyone seen an arrow' found 200+ riders jossling for a line as all needed to pile over a small stile. Most amusing and confusing! On to the beautiful 'seven rivers valley', can they not count - we gave up at 15. Rolling tussocky grass hills leading to narrow cliff edge singletrack, an unfortunately the female rider in front of us (out of sight) did not take heed of the caution sign - we found her in amongst the weeds at the bottom of the clif having slipped down a small landside! She seemed OK.

Back in time for a big dinner and a lay down before the night stage. Left it a bit fine and on arrival at the night stage start was only time for a quick faff and onto the starting ramp minus a gel! Thankfully missed the sounds of a 'screaming Steph' and finished my night stage with no incidents (but still gutted that puncture wasn't classed as a 'mechanical'). Fabulous evening finished with a burger in the cow shed. And I'd like to point out I did shower... Unlike some...

News update:

Foiled again by the Scottish hill climbers!!

Day 6: Cymystwyth - Cilycwm	5th Special Stage
Route Distance: 75km	EXPOSURE DIABLO Night Stage
Total Ascent: 2200m	Loop: Cwm Rhaiadr 6km
Total Descent: 2300m	Ascent/Descent: 260m

 

Race 30: TransWales 5 - Machynlleth - Cymystwyth, 18/08/2011

Today was the most tiring ever! The special stage was really long and I gave it everything. There was a loose rocky climb followed by a loose rocky descent and then into the trees for an ultra smooth absolutely brilliant jumpy and twisty descent that seemed to last forever. I was completely focussed on making it flow and looking ahead because that is the part where we could gain time on the Scottish girls, to make up for the time we'd lose on the climbs.

Then it was a fireroad climb that went on and on, I was anaerobic for the whole thing and I wondered if I'd make it before I blew and luckily I did. I was passing people and they were cheering as I was making some funny wheezy heavy breathing noise all the way! At the end it went to single track and came steep right at the top. I crossed the timing mat and literally fell off my bike into the heather and lied there for some time before I could get up. I don't think I've ever been quite that bad before! But I thought if we had any chance of getting the stage and keeping the jersey, it had to be done.

Unfortunately, just before the special stage I flung my bike forward onto a bridge and missed, so the whole weight of the bike crashed down on to the rear disk brake on the concrete. It bent and I straightened it out as much as possible but it was still rubbing a lot. There was nobody around with any tools so that's the way it stayed for the rest of the day unfortunately. The wheel just stopped when you spun it. Not ideal for the special stage!

I couldn't eat lunch after the stage so had a bite of sandwich and an apple & orange. Then there was so much climbing you wouldn't believe. I felt rubbish! I was tired and everything ached. We ended up doing the most miles and climbing so far. I wasn't pleased because every corner we turned there was yet another climb in front of us!

We finally reached the camp site and I had a recovery shake from the  Gore bike wear truck within a moment of getting in. I also showered and put compression tights on before washing my bike. I hope the nights sleep heals me or I'm in big trouble tomorrow!

Guest blog from Lisa:

A wet river day! Knee deep and bike on my back early on... Wet feet all day! 18miles til the special stage so just enough warm up time,rounding the final corner prior to it I started to recognise the landscape from last year-and recalled the very long climb out!A fab stage :) if painful! A very long day with lots of climbing,but the rain never came and all very enjoyable :)))

News update:

The Scottish girls beat us! They are very good climbers indeed, I couldn't of tried any harder! They have a 41 sec lead now too. 2 more half climbing half downhill stages left so the jersey is gone but at least we got one and also a stage :-) we'd need to spend a lot of time practising sprint climbing to beat those girls!!

Day 5: Machynlleth - Cymystwyth	4th Special Stage
Route Distance: 75km	Distance from start: 18km
Total Ascent: 2350m	Loop: Nant yr Arian 8.5km
Total Descent: 2150m	Ascent/Descent: 426m

 

Race 29: TransWales 4 - Llanidloes - Machynlleth, 17/08/2011

Today was the best ever! It was sunny and warm and we were on fire! Actually, when I woke up I wondered how I'd possibly get through another day. But it was most excellent because although we did the most miles so far and the most climbing, it was by far the easiest day. Mostly road and fireroads. With a couple of really technical bits and just one grassy climb.

The special stage was at 70km and it was brilliant!! I couldn't believe it when I saw the two Scottish girls lining up to do it. I squeezed behind them and asked the starting man to start me after 45 secs rather than the usual 30. As they are leading by 43 secs, all I had to do was catch them for a 2 sec lead :-)

The climax trail was way longer than I remembered. The start is really pedally too. I pedalled like crazy and caught sight of her on the rocks. I was gaining quite quickly.

Last year I scared myself in this race and vowed to never cycle that fast again.. But in the moment I seemed to forget and just didn't brake. It's funny how that happens only in a race whilst under pressure like that!

I was behind the Scottish girl and she wasn't letting me past. I was stuck for what seemed like ages and then spotted an opportunity and went off piste around a tree, one leg up at 90 degrees for balance screaming as I thought I was a gonner! I made it on to the trail in front of her and floored it. I did slow down for the corner where I went off the cliff last year. I almost caught the other Scottish girl but not quite. It seemed like ages before the one I did overtake got in.

Lisa seemed to take forever to get in and I thought we'd lost it but it turned out she started a whole minute behind me so that made me very happy!

I think we won the stage, unless one of the other teams turn out to be deamon descenders. There could be some new teams as the 2nd mini trans Wales started today. I cannot call it on the leaders jersey but I have everything crossed!!!

Guest blog from Lisa:

Fully agree with Miss Fountain, a brilliant day with the miles passing by with only the odd twinge or three of pain :) A cold start (hats on at the campsite in the morning and armwarmers to start), ending in a wonderful sunny afternoon.

Fantastic scenery today, plus 'the slab' which Steph fell on last year (greasy and steep!) which we walked today, watched by the field ambulance crew... But 'gramps' -74 year old - did it! Admittedly some of it sideways but all hail :) Special stage was excellent! The starter-man wouldn't let me ride down on the tail of Steph so just got to wait now and see how I did - loved it :))))

News Update:

We won! Got the stage and also the leaders jerseys! We made up the 43 secs and now have 21 secs in the bank :-)

Day 4: Llanidloes - Machynlleth	3rd Special Stage
Route Distance: 84km	Distance from start: 69km
Total Ascent: 2260m	Descent: Climax Trail 6km
Total Descent: 2440m	Descent: 290m

 

 

Race 28: TransWales 3 - Clun - Llanidloes, 16/08/2011

Trans Wales Day 3 - very tiring indeed! 99% of the day was spent on steep wet grass climbs. There were some downs but they were slippery mud and not the best. The best thing about today was lunch! It was most welcome after the energy sapping morning :-)

There was no special stage so positions unchanged. We did the most miles today but less climbing, even though we spent the whole day climbing, hmm...

Guest blog from Lisa:

Today started out as a knee warmer, waterproof  shorts and waterproof jacket day... Very pleased to advise that before the 9am off through the arches the jackets downgraded to gillets and by the first (sizeable!) bump the shorts and knee earners were off too :)  Drizzle and bright sunshine and lots of Welsh hills today, downhill plastercine mud in the woods being our preference today over the grass stuff! Added bonus of an ice cream van at the end after a rather rutty unnecessary cow field (we could see the finish in the other direction to their arrow... Most frustrating !)

Day 3: Clun - Llanidloes
Route Distance: 73km
Total Ascent: 2000m
Total Descent: 2100m

 



I caught some lucky heather



Lunch time with the oldest rider at 72 yrs!!!

Race 27: TransWales 2 - Knighton - Clun, 15/08/2011

A rather shaky start as I laid awake all night unable to sleep! I tried counting sheep but after visualising the 200th jump over the fence I gave up.. So completely shattered I lined up with everyone else and we began day 2.

The special stage was supposed to be 20km in but we came across it at just 8 miles. It was an interesting one as it had a steep technical descent full of tight berms, roots & jumps. I didn't do so well on it, didn't really get any flow and then got trapped behind a man who managed to take up the whole track and I couldn't get around him. In the end I went around a tree off the track to get past. Most odd he wouldn't move aside. After that it was a level fireroad then a climb, that part was fine with lots of room for overtaking.

The rest of the day passed without incident and it seemed a lot easier today. Probably because two of the climbs were on road rather than boggy wet grass! We met Mr Gore Bike Wear at the last food stop and he rode back with us, a nice tow home :-)

Tomorrow there is no special stage so all we have to do is get back within the time limit. I'm taking Nytol tonight! And it's raining..

Guest blogger Lisa:
Hmm Steph failed to mention the 'climb out' of the special stage in true colours; 'horrendous' would cover it for me! The downhill was great, tho I did need to stop and realign on one tight bend as I overshot! For once seeing Steph closer than before on the climb out I was filled with hope that I had much improved, to learn that it was due to above said man explained it! The climb that went forever! Grr! Sure it was longer than the down (which may help keep us off 1st on the podium as those Scottish ladies are climbers!!), a short flat and then up up, a corner, and up up up oh and more of it - some encouragement though from those finished and whizzing down, and another day of instant collapse once over the finishing mat and a feeling of overwhelming sickness. MmM nice... Rest of the day mostly sunny and fairly pleasant post 10hrs sleep for me ;)

Results are in, the Scottish pair beat us by 13 secs! We'll have them on Wednesday :-)

Day 2: Knighton - Clun	2nd Special Stage
Route Distance: 84km	Distance from start: 18km
Total Ascent: 2500m	Loop Bucknell Wood 5km
Total Descent: 2500m	Ascent / Descent: 250m

 

Race 26: TransWales 1, Builth Wells - Knighton,14/08/2011

And so it begins!...

The first day of the Trans Wales and I had 2 near death experiences before lunch! The first was a fast grassy descent that turned rocky & I was going too fast & got in a channel that had a massive rock at the end with nowhere to go. I thought I was a goner but I hung on over the back wheel and somehow the bike went up the vertical side and I just bruised myself bashing into the back of the seat. I slowed down a little after that!

The 2nd was on another descent where a family of sheep decided to walk out of the heather just as I was passing. I slammed on the brakes and did a rather stylish endo (my 1st one ever!) narrowly missing the 3rd sheep, luckily landing back down rather than going over the bars. The sheep seemed pretty unconcerned that they were a whisker away from death!

We took it a little easier after that and made it to lunch with just one more mishap, in that we (about 20 people) got lost! It was the garmin that saved us. We went down a bridleway and through a field with cows then popped out on the road, right by a Trans Wales arrow. The boys thought we were amazing, must be all that orienteering practice :-)

The special stage was before lunch after just 4 miles. I wasn't even warmed up. I quickly ate a gel and wasted time nipping to the loo to try and give it a moment to work. The special stage today was a 1.5km climb. We pedalled as hard as we could and I had a strange out of body experience with the effort. It seemed to go on forever! As I rounded a corner and saw the finish way up the hill, I wondered if I'd make it. Of course I did but had to  get off and lie down as soon as I'd gone over the timing mat. It took ages to return back to normal! Very hard indeed. My legs were pretty rubbish for the rest of he day after that. We were back an hour before the cut of time though so happy with that.

So far it's been brilliant! Sun shining, friendly people, OK food and a feeling of being part of a massive adventure. We'll just have to wait and see if we did enough to win the stage and get the leaders jersey!

News update: We did not do enough!!! 2nd place and lost 34 secs to the leaders. Let's hope they are bad at downhills as tomorrow's stage is half and half!...

Guest blog from Lisa:
I get to be guest blogger due to the fact I'm riding with Steph as the other half of the female pair under the Skedaddle banner, having been gifted a fantastic jacket by them... I'm cheap!! I can confirm the sheep nearly met his maker... Hysterical but scary at the same time, they just kept following their buddies-the endo was pretty cool from The Fountain-unsure the sheep learnt any lessons from the experience though. Today's special stage was horrible for me, quite near the start indeed - but after a very long slow pulse raising grass climb! My heart rate was already high before I started! Went over the timing mat just behind Steph but dropped slowly back. Watched with interest a mixed pair who had the (very large) man towing the (very little) lady on a dog lead, presumably as not stated as a 'no' in the rules that was ok-not sure of the benefit tho as it's the average time of a pair! And would you follow 2 females you have never met before when lost? Seems many would... interesting! A mostly sunny day, some gorgeous scenery, excellent banter and finishing with a 'proper 'shower at a football club was already very welcome (warm might have been nice ;) )

Route Distance: 81km	1st Special Stage (within):
Total Ascent: 2300m	Distance from start: 9km
Total Descent: 2240m	Technical Climb: 1km
Predicted Riding Time: 7 hrs	Ascent: 140m



Race 25: Ryedale Rumble Road Sportive, Ampleforth, 07/08/2011

Lisa and I did the 70 mile Ryedale Rumble, which is the middle distance. We have the Trans Wales  next week so didn't want to overdo it with the long one.. It was a nice day but windy. The route is hilly with 5000ft climbing and a couple of steep (20%+) banks. We set off pretty much last as I didn't want to get up early! So we passed the miles counting up the number of people we overtook.

By the first feed we'd got to 11. The feed was great, sandwiches, cakes & fruit - perfect! In the middle section we were tussling with the 13th as he kept re-overtaking us. But we got rid of him on Blakey Bank, where we were surprised to see everyone else walking. Two men had even taken their cycling shoes off as they were in it for the long haul! We reached 19 overtakes by the time we got to the 2nd feed station at Hutton Le Hole. There was a strong cross wind on the descent, it was a little disconcerting at speed, there were lots of sheep poised to run into the road at any moment too.

We didn't really eat at the feed station as it only seemed a moment since the last one. In the last 3rd we were up to 21 overtakes when we fancied a coke as we both got sore legs battling with a really strong headwind. We stopped in Hovingham and had a quick drink. Luckily, we only lost 2 places and overtook them when we got going again. On the approach to Ampleforth a group of 4 Rapha boys overtook us, they were the 1st group back on the long route, racing snakes. There was quite a climb to the finish and we got 3 more to finish at 24 overtakes and overtaken by 4. When we checked in we found we got silver and were 1 min 3 secs off gold - what a shame we stopped for that coke!!