What day is it? I think it is now Thursday and the European cup is ont' telly. 1-1 at the moment and time for multitasking and getting this finished which I started Monday!!
That was painful. Waking up at 5.45 on a Sunday morning is painful and particularly unpleasant. Bag and kit packed the night before and my lift turned up at 6.10am. Had a double espresso - Illy of course, and gave a double to Simon, which gave him all the go he needed, and then packed the car and went to Grassington. Eee lad!!! Drive took a little longer than anticipated, but arrived by 7.25.
The car park was already filling. Parked up, put bike together and signed on and had another double espresso. Put number on bike and data tag on wrist. Made sure wheels went round and then wheeled to the start where there were a number of other Yorkies.
Managed to set off about 07:45 and dibbed the data tag. Set off, out the HQ, turned right and onto the road. Up a little hill and then just about 20 miles to the first Hill, sorry - HILL. The ride out was fairly fast, but not as fast as last year where I was at 170-180bpm for the first hour = not what you want on a 110 mile ride. This year I kept it under 160 (ish). Anyway a few groups came screaming past and I resited the urge to tag along.
First hill came - Fleet Moss and 585m. That hurt, but not too bad, just seemed to go on for ever, but bottom gear of 34x27 duly selected. Turf Moor next and more pain too, then a screaming descent where I hit 48mph before the long drag to Tan Hill. Tan Hill just drags on and on and with nearly 40 miles of hard hills in my legs already, it dragged even more. Also getting short on energy drink and food so starting to feel the bonk was coming to bonk me. Just made it before it said hello and filled my face at the Tan Hill pub. The supplies supplied were good and munched on bananas, Powerbar and SIS Go before filling my bottle with Viper and off again.
Beautiful descent (watching out for sheep) before the climb to Lams Moss. That was not too bad but the descent was very steep, winding, fast and technical. One guy I passed was walking as his pads had gone through and at the bottom I saw a Yorkie who had not done such a good job of gluing his tub on and with the heat of constant braking it had melted the glue and the tub had shifted and de-laminated. NOT what you want at nearly 50mph.
Things started going all blury after then and melted into a sea of pain. I do remember Ribblehead though. 420m of PAIN after about 70 miles. I was so tired from climbing out of the saddle and my triceps hurt from holding my bulk up, I just sat down and ground it out at about 40rpm. It really really hurt. HR was not responding at this point and wouldn't go above 150bpm, but finally ground to the top.
One last feed and the last climb of Silverdale which was steep to begin with and then seemed to go on for ever. At the top I had a Powerbar energy gel and settled down for the long run to home which was rolling but with a tail wind. I had my second wind too and upped the pace to try and make up some time from going so slow up the hills.
I now started passing people and was certainly going better than most at this point. 27mph and flying along picking up stragglers and spitting them out the back. Finally, 10 miles to go and whilst tired, I had home in my sights and upped the pace some more. I'm sure the blast back couldn't have done me any good but I was feeling as though I could pedal the bike at last amd not just grind. Surprisingly I caned it the last 10 miles catching more people and spitting them out. Last 5 miles passed a club group of about a dozen riders - but they didn't tag along. £ miles now and almost feeling euphoric and digging deeper as I wanted to do the ride in under 8 hours. Completely caned the last couple of miles, but didn't sprint to the last check point as I was so spent.
In the end my certificate stated I'd done the ride in 8 hours 19 mins. Gutted - what a long way off getting under 8 hours. And the fastest guy did it in under 6 hours. 6 HOURS - incredible.
I downloaded my polar on Monday and my actual ride time was 7 hours 50 mins so I wasted 30 mins at feed stations. 395th out of over 800 starters, just half way. Still can't believe half a dozen riders cracked 6 hours. Skinny climber geeks. Give me a sprint any day. One for a fat sprinter.
Results published below so there is no hiding of sins and embellishing one's (lack of) achievements.
Finally got home and felt so tired - really tired. Throat sore to add to the aches. Throat a bit funny all week so far. Perhaps I can console myself with the fact that Amy and Lukas had a cold for the week or so before and perhaps I wasn't on top form (I was ill - Mr TG excuse ;). Feeling coughy but hope to ride in Friday as not yet ridden my bike yet this week. Anyway, a lot of positives to take out of the ride. Even though I wasn't 100% still managed 110 miles in BIG HILLS and the alpine climbs aren't quite as steep. they just go on for ever. As long as I can pedal a gear I'll be alright, it's the really short steep ones that get me. Still a bit more training to be done before the White Rose Classic on 8th June. That's 120 miles of HILLS. Only 10 more miles to go. Will also keep trying to become slightly less of a FAT Sprinter.
Results:
http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2008/Etape_du_Dales_2008_checkpoint_ti mes_LONG.html
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
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2 comments:
wow - excellent effort - rather you than me! you're not completely over it yet though as the football was on Wednesday, not Thursday :-)
Those hills do look like total stingers though! I think I'd have gone for the old triple chain ring for those beasts!!! Plus, if you keep that place in the pack that puts you 3rd to the top of Alp D'Huez... Cracking effort - look forward to hearing about the war of the roses...
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