The Blwch a.k.a.The Bitch

Last year, the Dragon Ride was my goal for the season. This year, it was a preparation ride to my goal. I like many others at the start line, were using it in preparation for a Continental ride. Some for La Marmotte, others for E'Tape du Tour. Me, I was riding for Maratona dles Dolomites.

This year I stayed with my cousin Karen, husband Nic and their kids Thomas and Daniel. Nic was doing the ride also. We had ridden close to identical times in 2008, but this year Nic's training had been severely hampered. Finishing his studies had restricted his time on the bike, as had a nasty mountain bike accident. As a consequence we decided to ride the Medio rather than Grand Fondo course.

It was an early start Sunday. We wanted to avoid the traffic associated with 3000 riders, so alarms were set for 05:00. After a breakfast of Weetabix we hit the road before 06:00. We did avoid the traffic. In fact we were the 25th car in the car park, and had an hour to kill prior to the official start.

It was at this time I realised I didn't have my timing chip. After a few choice swear words I composed myself. I had my race number so would be able to ride, I just wouldn't be able to record an official time.

We took our time getting to the start line, but still ended up in the fourth group to be released on to the road. Soon we were climbing a couple typical British climbs - short and sharp hills. With these out of the way, we started up Blwch (4.7km at 6%) and Rhigos (6.3km at 4.5%). I enjoyed these climbs immensely and felt strong.

At the bottom Rhigos the Medio Fondo participants turned left and the participants of the Grand Fondo turned right. I turned left and found myself alone. In the distance I could see two riders, so I decided to chase them down. Soon after making contact with these two, we found ourselves in a group of 5 and started doing rolling turns. This was good, but I soon realised I was behind a rider who had no idea on how to do such turns. Evey time he came to the front he would accelerate, requiring me to match his acceleration to keep his wheel. After a number turns, the accelerations started to take their toll and I needed tosit at the back of the group.

In good time we reached the base of Cimla (2.7km at 4.4%), which quickly broke up the group up. Though I was second to the top and to the drink station, the rest resumed their rides quicker, and I was once again by myself. I was comfortable with dispite the second climb of Blwch (7km at 4.6%) approaching.

This climb was really a bitch. The whole way up, I was exposed to the sun and it was intense. However the real issue was the fact it was still. I had my jersey fully unzipped in an attempt to get some air over my skin. I am not sure how successful this was, but it felt very professional.

It was a hard slog. The whole way up Blwch, I was fighting off cramp and I was by myself. When the two London Dynamo girls wizzed past me, I let them go. It was hot but I realised I had an empty bottle and was close to the bottom of my second. I was drinking lots very quickly, or had stuffed up at the drink station. In reflection, I think it was the later.

Either way, I reached the top. I had struggled against the cramp but otherwise I felt good. I crossed the crest and immediately put my foot down. On the flats following the steep descent, I caught the London Dynamo girls and wizzed past them in much the same way they had earlier. Soon I caught one of the group of 5. We recognised each other, I asked him how he felt and it seemed he was in a similar state to me.

Though we both claimed our legs were done, there were occasions we were cruising along in excess of 40km/hr. There were two little climbs on the way back, but once over the second we put ours heads down and raced to the finish as best we could. We crossed the line together, collected our goodie bags together, then said good-bye - implicitly saying thanks for the company - and went our separate ways.

I finished the 130km course in 5hr 01min. As I did not have my timing chip, my time is not official. However my time would have placed 63rd out of the approximately 850 riders of the shorter course, a result I am extremely pleased with. Bring on the Maratona ...

Link to Blog entry for 2008 : Slaying the Dragon

Cyclotour du Léman mk II

For the second year in a row I made the trip to Lausanne to participate in the Cyclotour du Léman - a lap of Lake Geneva. Last year it was my second sportive, my first on the continent and I was very much still learning the ropes. For a variety of reasons it didn't go very well - I punctured, found I was carrying the wrong tubes, ventured off the course and then bonked. While happy to have participated, I returned to London disappointed with my result. This year I aimed to set the record straight.

Same flight out, same hotel - beyond these items, this year's trip couldn't have been more different to last year. By hiring a car we were able to register and collect our race number and jersey Saturday afternoon rather than Sunday morning. With a better understanding of the layout of Lausanne, we were able to get a better meal Saturday evening. Beyond these things, I was better prepared - it was my 5th sportive for the year and I had done many more miles and hills this year in my training.

Last year I aimed to finish, this year I had specific times in mind. Though I set myself the goal of 5hr back in September, I realised several weeks ago this was probably a little too ambitious and revised this to 5hr 30min. Even to achieve my revised time I knew I would need to ride within a group, so at the start line I eyed two strong riders to my left and made sure I immediately took their wheel when released. (See the two in black gillets in these photos.)

For the next hour I rode within the group. In this time we had covered nearly 40km of the distance. Our passage through the various round-abouts, intersections and towns had been aided by our accompanying motorbike. Normal road rules didn't need to be followed - thanks to our motorbike we didn't need to give way or stop for anyone. Or nearly anyone. After the town of Villeneuve, our passage came to a halt at a railway crossing. It was very Paris-Roubaix - ok without the cobbles.

I had hoped to continue with this group, but the stop didn't agree with me. Once the train passed, I found it very difficult to resume. My legs had cooled during this time and suddenly my saddle wasn't very comfortable. It took several minutes for me to get back up to speed, and during this time the rest of my group had sped down the road. That said, the stop brought together several other groups, so I continued with new companions.

Soon after the first drink-station we were in France. In time a group reformed, and we were once again accompanied by a motorbike. Bret, then Meillerie, Lugrin, Blonay, Maxilly-Petite-Rive, Evian-les-Bains - we kept a good pace through France. 60km after 1hr 39min. 80km after 2hr 15min. 100km after 2hr 51min.

In Geneva, I missed my second "break" of the day. I am a conservative rider in traffic, and as we passed through the city at low speed I once again lost my group. Crossing Pont du Mont Blanc and turning back for Lausanne I soon realised how costly this was. The wind was straight into my face and I was by myself.

Consequently my pace slowed. Where I had been consistently lapping 5km inside 9min, even 8min prior to Geneva, suddenly I was lapping outside 9min. I started to panic. To this point I was on track to achieve my goal time, but suddenly it seemed I would miss it. The mental games had started.

At my lowest point, I realised I had been carrying half a dozen riders. They had been happily sitting in behind me, allowing me to do all the work. Straight away I swung off the front, and without any words we started to work together - each taking turns. This continued all the way to Lausanne.

Whereas I had struggled back to Lausanne last year, I felt strong to the finish this year. Crossing the finish line I punched the air. Despite being outside my original goal time, I was absolutely delighted with my time - 5hr 13min.

Garmin Connect : Cyclotour du Léman

My time was the 412th fastest on the day. The fastest riders completed the course nearly an hour faster - a group of 8 recorded the time 4hr 14min (42.4km/hr), and nearly 300 riders recorded a sub 5hr time (36km/hr).