Into the Last Night

Rob / 01.10.2002

The ride out of the white water centre lead up alongside the river and across the dam, before heading northwards towards Betws-y-Coed forest, but not before the route crossed a couple of major valleys. There were some big climbs and the final ascent to PC16 was brutal, but at least when they got there competitors could set their bikes aside, the final two stages are on foot and then in the kayaks.

The setting at PC16, for those who arrived in daylight to see it, was superb - a grassy pull-in overlooking Llyn Geirion, now filled with support crew vehicles surrounded by put-up tables, stoves, chairs, gear boxes and other race necessities. Race marshal Scott was trying to catch up on some sleep when the leaders arrived, so Team Lythgoe gave him a swift kick to wake him. Good job they did, the top 5 teams arrived within the next 11 minutes! The North Face had had a particularly good ride, despite Ski Sharp taking a nasty fall and gashing his leg badly and gained some time on the top 4 teams. A race of a different kind was now on, to get through transition quickly, reach the nearby abseil first, and not get held there waiting for other teams to go down. Salomon X-a got there first, then let the others pass them as being better navigators they didn’t want to lead them to the checkpoints!

Once down there was another special control – set in a disused mine tunnel. In the valley below were a jumble of old mine buildings, but the large entrance to the tunnel was easy enough to spot. There was a choice of routes inside and the ceilings were just low enough to force most to duck and run as they searched, splashing along the damp, echoing tunnels. Ju Panter of The North Face was left behind by her team, who had the lights and bashed her shoulder, shouting out for them to come back with the lights.

Teams needed lights by now anyway as dusk was falling outside. Ahead of them was a long, dark, climb up on Carnedd Llewelwyn (1064m) before they could come down to PC17 and camp once again. They had to camp for a third time as no-one is being released onto the water until 8.00am tomorrow - to catch the outgoing tide on the long 50km paddle to the finish line.

Some of the later teams in hadn’t done all the bike controls, but had cut them out to ensure they got around the course in good time. ACE Races particularly wanted to do the mountain climb, so missed out some of the riding, but others may just ride to PC16 and then miss the mountain out – going straight to camp. Unlike the lead teams (who were in camp around 10 minutes) the later teams, not so experienced at transition, were taking an hour or more. They were sat out in camp chairs round fold up tables, set with lanterns, and tucking into meals prepared for them.

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