Bimbache Extrem

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A Day of Extemes

Rob Howard / 24.03.2006

Day 3 of Bimbache Exrem began with one last team struggling down from the mountains above Zunheros after a night of storms and torrential rain, and ended with Team Finland crossing the finish line to win.

During the second night the remaining teams still out on the long, long trekking stage were moving slowly but surely back towards transition 5 at Zunheros. For some teams the trek took over 24 hours, and their second night out in the mountains was a harsh one. The skies may have been clear and the stars shining shortly after dusk, but by the early hours of the morning the wind had risen to storm force and heavy rain was making life even harder for the teams.

One of them was Bosi Colombia and they wisely looked for shelter. “It was terrible and we found a mountain hut to sit in for a few hours,� said Jorge Diego “The trek was so, so long and we were so, so tired that we couldn’t stay out in that weather. It was strange that there was no tent or sleeping bag on the mandatory gear list, when we went to such altitudes, but we survived OK.�

Surviving the Night

The team were taking their mandatory rest and Diego was sat on a hotel landing studying the map for the next biking stage. But he was also looking at the trekking maps again as his team had missed CP20 on the trek. Showing great determination they went back to get it before continuing on their bikes, as did team Gallaecia Bugarent.

At that time (08.30) there was only one team still to arrive, Team No. 7, Deporte Andaluz-Intersport – and they didn’t walk into town until 14.10 – having spent an incredible 37 hours 51 minutes on the trek! Given such determination it was no surprise they were up again after their 3 hour rest and setting off on their bikes in good spirits. With another high trek still to do they may have to take a short cut or two to reach the finish in time however.

The heavy rains affected the teams at the front of the race on the next cycling stage, and it was here the lead changed hands. “We took a different route to Lundhags,� said Seppo Makinen of Team Finland, “and it was a better choice. The way they went the trails were washed out by the rain and difficult to ride and we passed them in the night to take the lead.�

“I was enjoying the mountain biking,� said Ville Niemela. “We have so much snow at home we can’t train on mountain bikes in the winter, so it’s autumn since we’ve had a good ride.�
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