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