Think 4 degrees C, wind, rain...mud mud mud...sloppy gravel...and almost 4 hours of biking...capped off with some nasty muscle cramping on the very last hill before the finish line. I swore I'd never do that again. Ever.
And I didn't. I learned a whole lot about what the deal is with riding a longer event. I hadn't ever even ridden 50k before. I looked at the course map before the event and decided it looked pretty easy with a lot being on the road and broken up with a few sections of singletrack. Sounded like a really fun time! Well if you aren't prepared it definitely is not fun.
Maybe because I am a mountain biker I assume all road parts are easy. What's so hard about riding in a straight line on a smooth surface? Singletrack is the tough part - roads are rolling, gentle, easy peasy. Wrong. Not when you are on a mountain bike with big knobby tires in the wind. Hills go on forever. Especially hills you have only ever zipped over in your car! Distances I assumed I could cover easily and quickly...were definitely not easy and quick. The spray of water and grit from the road was awful. I am used to riding in a nice leafy forest in the rain! The roads on a bike in the wind and rain are just plain nasty. Oh ya - especially the wind. I knew nothing about wind.
And eating - for a longer ride you need to eat. I didn't & barely drank much either since it was so cold and rainy. All I wanted was a hot drink. That plus the idea of a hot tub steaming at the finish line kept me turning the pedals. Please let there be a hot tub.
Plus, I wasn't alone either. Some of my best mountain biking buddies (those awesome girls I met that first Wednesday night 3 years ago) were suffering and freezing too and none of us gave up.
And so I finished it. Barely. I was so cold it took hours of soaking in a hot bath to stop my shivering. And swore I would never do that again.
September 30, 2012 - 2nd annual Tour de Hell (I mean King)
Ok, I know I swore I would never do that again...but a last minute switcharoo gave me a chance for a do-over and I took it. For 2012 my riding distances are way up. Mostly because my skills are up and I can cover more trail! This time I know I can ride 50k. Thinking positive. But still...it's Tour de Hell...and it's making me nervous!
I also race in the Ontario Cup cross country mountain bike series. Those races are pretty tough too. Basically ride a race course twisting through the woods in whatever weather as fast and hard as you can without puking. It's actually really fun and very addicting and the girls I race with in my category are super friendly and fun to race with. I know racing with them has improved my skills and pushed me to improve my fitness.
Anyhow, none of those races - even the final race in Duntroon, ON which is one of the toughest most technical courses on the circuit that also includes wicked hill climbs up the Niagara Escarpment - none of them made me as nervous as I felt lining up for the Tour de Hell (I mean King)! Yup last year was that bad!
On Tour de Hell (I mean King) race day morning, while having brekkie, I took a look at the weather to figure out what clothes to ride in. Out the window it was wet. Crap. The weather network actually showed a pretty nice day to take shape later on...part sun and 15c... but it sure didn't look like a nice day out my window. I munched on my pre-race granola , and checked out the facebook pics that pop up...noticing one of them was of one of the race organizer guys from a few minutes ago...in rubber boots. Double crap!
Back again to thinking positive. The weather this summer has been so fantastic and September has followed suit. The weekend before Tour de Hell (I mean King), I had completely submerged my bike in a giant puddle/pond while playing at a biking cottage weekend in Haliburton so I brought it in to Zach, the best mechanic in the world, at Trek Aurora so he could get the water and grit out of it so it will be running awesome for the Tour de Hell (I mean King). I even brought him my speedy tires that have barely any knobbies so my bike will roll faster on the road. If it rains and there is mud I will be in big trouble with these tires! Last year I had big knobby tires for the Tour de Hell and was suffering on the road but thankful in the forest but still spinning and sliding everywhere. But this year...positive thinking...it won't be wet...
And for clothing...layers. But not too many. Thinking positive...short sleeved jersey, arm warmers, vest, knickers, wool socks, warm gloves.
I line up at the back of the pack. As I ride over to the start area I notice the riders at the front are big names in mountain biking...wow...lots of really fast people are here...I totally will go to the back...
And while waiting at the back of the pack for the race to start...I scope out the riders around me. Say hello and good morning to them, talk about the weather, and check out their bikes as the sun starts peeking through the clouds. (..hmmm maybe they were right about the weather.)
I like checking out bikes. Old, new, clunky, sleek...I like them all. And a bike race start corral has a great selection. Especially for this race because it is such a mixed bag of a race course. Roads, paved, gravel, and dirt, road allowances that are kind of like ATV trails, and my favourite, singletrack through the woods. So there were lots of different bikes to look at.
Plus these weren't the usual people I line up with (pretty much all men!) so I was curious to know if I could keep up with these guys...or better...pass some of them along the way...
And we're rolling...
We head out of Cold Creek and up the 11th...and turn right on to the 16th. And I'm still at the back. A friend is on the road in his van with his kids cheering & sees me...takes a pic and says umm...Go Holly! Ummm you'll catch up! It was funny hearing him trying to find something nice to say! I think he felt badly that I was at the back but I was fine...and...gradually...
Catching up! Don't know how many people I caught up to but gradually as we rode across the 16th and up to the 8th (yay good tire choice, yay 29er - new for me this year - bigger wheels!)...I had passed quite a few riders and was rolling along in a little pack of 4 who were at a pace I was happy with... blue shirt guy, red shirt guy, myself and another girl. A girl who looked speedy in her race kit and I decided I would work to not lose her. As we rode up the 8th she and I took turns being in front and I kept reading her jersey. Riding on the road isn't too exciting. No trees, rocks, roots or corners every 2 seconds. Just annoying wind to pedal into. No wonder I love to ride in the woods. Some reading material was a nice distraction from the wind. Arrow Racing. Ontario Power Generation (really? did she have power? hahaha)...
Then mid way up the 8th we popped into the first section of singletrack we all call the 'private trails'. They are not open to regular riding and the people who live there kindly have allowed us to race through their property. It's pretty cool. The trails aren't technical - but there are lots of hills. And I managed to pass 'race kit girl' on a steep hill...and she passed me back on another climb...then I caught her again when her chain fell off...and I thanked Zach in my head as I zipped by her...and then she got me again...
So cool to be back and forth with someone. Totally fun. Then we popped back out on to the 8th again and I was really happy to get that section done because last year it was the hardest part of the Tour de Hell. This year it felt like it was maybe 10 mins of trail. What a difference without mud!
Continuing up the 8th and then we turned on to the 18th heading east to the 7th. I caught up to race kit girl again. We chatted a bit for the first time too along here. Mostly about how nasty the 18th was last year - and how nice of a day we were having today.
Then we headed south on 7th...up up up...the road goes up to where the road allowance starts and then continues up. Crazy steep. Guys were laughing at the the first crazy hill as we got to it. 'Seriously?' 'Classic Chico' 'hahaha' I have been in here before so know there are 2 trail sections of crazy unrideable (for me) steepness so I wasn't going to waste energy...just pedal up then hop off and hike in the line like everyone else. It reminded me of a show we watched of people climbing Everest in a big line. Some people tried to ride up but I didn't see anyone make it all the way. There was no room to pass in there anyway since the hill is basically a giant people sized rain rut. Thank goodness it was DRY!
After those 2 crazy hill sections...and a very short section of flowing downhill...there is a weird final hill of gravel. Very steep. But I know I can ride it. It's near my house and I've ridden it before. And...I see race kit girl is on it now and pedalling methodically...and so I scrunch forward on my seat and start pedalling...and notice my friend & kids who had seen me from his van on the 16th were at the top cheering for people. Cool - a distraction. Pedal pedal pedal. Look up at the van. Pedal pedal pedal. Hey I'm tire to tire behind race kit girl already. Pedal pedal. Hmm it's too steep to change gears...gotta go by her can't go her speed...'sneaking by on your right'...pedal pedal pedal...look up at the van...pedal pedal...pass a couple more people hike-a-biking...pedal pedal pedal...yesssssss!
And... get a happy hello and cheers from the gang at the top!
Wooo hooo downhill to meet up with the 16th again...aaaaaaah......
Then back in to the road allowance that goes from the 16th over to Weston Road. Fun, easy...lots of people riding along in a big train...and now I am smoking hot on fire. No wind in the woods. Sun streaming through the trees. Beautiful day especially with the trees turning colours. And my hair is falling out of my ponytail. If I lose that I'll have hair everywhere for the whole rest of the ride and that will drive me nuts & I don't have another one with me. So I pull over to take 2 secs to fix my hair and strip off my arm warmers. Which turns into probably 3 mins or so to get merged back in to the train of bikes. No big deal still lots of distance to cover.
Too bad I didn't realize I was about 100 feet from the aid station! We pop out of the forest at Weston Rd and there it is. Oh well. I'm cooler and ponytailed and have my own water and snacks on board so blow by the aid station, across the 16th to Jane St. and into the King Trails!
I still hadn't seen race kit girl and now we're in my home trails so I can make up some more time. I know every turn, bump & dimple in the trails in here so I feel like I'm pretty fast - not the fastest for sure - I get reminded of that every Wednesday - but way faster than normal people who don't race in here all summer.
But NOT when stuck behind a cross bike. ('cross' - Cyclocross bikes are like road bikes. Crazy people race them off road. Some riders are very very fast on them. Not this guy.)
UGH.
'How is he even riding that in here. That's actually pretty awesome. Look how his tiny skinny back tire is bouncing off the roots. Ouch. And oh so slow. And this is supposed to be where I can make up time. Darn. No room to pass safely. Should be a climb coming up he won't be able to do and I'll pass then. Oh...wait...thank you!'
I guess I had been following a bit close waiting for a hill to come...(actually if he didn't have such skinny tires I probably would have buzzed him)...so he pulled over...and zoooooom I'm freeeeeee!
La la lal la la King trails..flowy fast easy...oh no...UGH another cross bike.
Ok same plan...wait for a climb. One with roots. I know them all...hmmm...depends on which trail they send us on...
Oh! Thank you! He pulled off too! That was easy...free again......
Then out the back way....and we pop out on to Keele Street...cool... so close to the end just the Seneca Trails to go! Wow I am almost done!
Then the Seneca trails. These are very fun trails and I was looking forward to them. Just riding along now. I am so close I can hear the band at the finish line. I can smell the BBQ.
Then it started. Left leg. Ow ow ow ow. Cramping!? Why??? I thought I had prepared properly. Hydrated in advance, eating well in the days prior - even pasta 2 days prior.... I've been eating and drinking throughout the race too - something I didn't do last year. Ow ow ow ow ow.
OK I'm almost done just pedal soft left and hard right...that's better. Way slower, but better. Still going. Not as bad as last year. I am still going. Soft hard soft hard soft hard. Still going. Have to let people by. Crap. But still going. Sucks to let people by who I passed already. Oh well still no sign of race kit girl. Still going.
Reach a bunch of people stopped on the trail. Oh I see - big climb coming. Guy in front of me stops too - I have to clip out to not run into the little crowd stuck ahead on the trail...OW OW OW OW OW! My soft/hard pedalling was working fine - slow but working...stopping and clipping out was BAD. Now my leg is cramped up and I can't clip back in. My leg is going crazy! Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow.
.....And there goes race kit girl......
Oh well. Who cares about her anyway. Now my other leg is going crazy. Ow ow ow ow ow. I really have to figure this out. The rest of me feels so awesome! I feel like I could ride all day! Stupid legs!!
OK never mind just walk a bit to get going. Hiking up the hill.
Sucking on gummies two at a time. I can't hear the music anymore. The swearing in my head is too loud.
At the top get on & clip in & pedal soft both feet. Ow ow ow. Both now. Dammit. Now I get that Shut up Legs thing. So SHUT UP. Suck it up. Pedal pedal pedal pedal. So slow. More people passing me.
Forget them. Pedal pedal pedal. These trails are supposed to be fun. If I could ride them with normal legs they'd be really fun. ow ow ow ow. Look at the pretty greenery along the edges of the trail. ow ow ow ow. Pretty fall colours. ow ow ow ow Forget the legs look at the pretty leaves. ow ow ow ow.
And then suddenly I see the 1 km to go sign which I wanted to hug. Then a corner, and I could see the finish line! On a hill! A HUGE hill that really is just a rise in the landscape that my legs are making HUGE. Over the tape and I'm done! Roll over to a nice spot in the grass...clip out without falling over...sit down...DONE.
Then message my hubby - DONE!
And...very cool...race kit girl walks over (showoff - don't know if I can walk yet) and shakes my hand and introduces herself! So cool. She said she was surprised to have caught up to me so close to the end. She thought I was gone. Almost. Next time maybe. Such a great ride. So happy to be done!
Check my bike into the secure area and then start to look around for people and head over to the BBQ. And on the way I notice the results screen. Cool. Even with my slow crampy last section I know I was better than last year so I stop to check out my time compared to last year.
WOW - I was WAY better than last year. Not only was my time a whole hour faster....I guess most of those people passing me were men!
I finished third! WOW!
Another message to hubby - PODIUM BABY!!
Ya hoo Tour de King!
