With running having been off the agenda for a while now, I’ve taken to getting out on my bikes and to keep the motivation going I entered this ages ago as focus to get me going through the winter months. Falling off on ice didn’t help but fortunately I had another wrist for the important things in life, and at least it showed my commitment to the cause.
However, all too soon last weekend was upon me. So up out my scratcher for an early start on Saturday saw me head down to Kielder for this gravel bike event. Couple of course options – 200/130Kms – both taking you on a single loop in and around the forest. I was on the 200 along with Nick Williamson.
Weather was excellent and after a clear frosty start turned into quite a warm and sunny afternoon out the wind. Not really knowing what to expect or how I’d go I set off in one of, if not the last of the rolling starts. Within only a few kms of hitting the woods I lost count of the people with punctures and gear & bottles that had fallen/vibrated out on the first bumpy decent. And I’m thinking is this a sign of things to come as it’s not how my rides normally pan out (in the end I might have had heavier/slower tyres but I didn’t get any issues).
Eventually things seemed to settle down and a bit of space opened up to do your own thing. There were three main CP’s which were well supported with food and drink, the second of which you could drop your own food. I took advantage of them all having several cups of tea to supplement the pizza & pork pies I took along. I’ve done a few things over the years in Kielder but the route certainly takes you on a magical mystery tour. Now I need to get the map out and figure where I went as at the time it was a bit of a blur. To take yours eyes off what you were doing was to court a trip to the drainage ditch.
Nick was round in 8:33:19, I was much further back rolling in 11:59:44, but the broom wagon never got sight of me. Really well organised and route marked so you just had to focus on enjoying the riding and staying up right. Only one down side to the day for me was the amount of wrappers/dropped gels, etc… I kept coming across. Fortunately it wasn’t windy otherwise these would have been scattered far and wide. Maybe an activity related issue, hopefully not an attitude thing but definitely not come across this level littering even on the big running ultras.
Good to be back doing things, but more work required on my cycling PPT (phish poor technique).
https://www.dirtyreiver.co.uk/event/
https://www.resultsbase.net/event/3797/results
Matt Davis