Strathpuffer 24hr MTB race
The Dark Side
Neil Atkinson (Both in the Buff) / 21.01.2009
Driving up the M6 early Friday morning, we then were having second thoughts! 17 hours of darkness, torrential rain, high winds forecast, snow showers and freezing conditions and we wondered why we were having doubts! I was lucky as I had partnered up with someone with a massive camper van! We had already put some hours in to preparing our bikes, brake pad and the camper van just to get there! Eventually we met up with friends (Keswick Mountain Bike team) and drove on to the course to start erecting the camp and unload the endless amount of gear we had brought just in case anything went wrong! All preparations went well and we still had time to spend being social in the pub!
After a great night of sleep in the campervan we made our breakfast with freshly ground coffee and a smile came on our face when we realised that Bruce Duncan was in a tent for all of the weekend! Sorry Bruce – we tried to find you with a coffee, honest!
Janet and I talked tactics. Our “plan� was to go out and just enjoy the course and event! That did not last long! Janet forced me to do the run, so we could get a good start. The first lap was fast, too fast for me as my lungs exploded and my legs filled with lactate acid, I slowed for my second lap... I had to, I was not going to race for 24 hours at that speed! I finished my second lap and handed over to Janet for her 2 laps. That was our “plan�, race 2 laps rest for 2 laps.
The course was excellent, it started off with a good forest climb leading on to a technical section. Then up some single-track switchbacks, on to a boulder field (well it felt like that), more forest track climbing then on some single-track that climbed to the top of the course, where I was told that there was a great view! After passing the first aid stations on the way we thrust up a small but painful climb, then a new part of the route was added from years gone past. It was a fast flowing down hill single-track, fantastic! But that did not last long as smooth rolling track shot up into the sky! The lung popping, leg pounding and head messing up hill eventually ended, giving way to an even better downhill section.
I can only describe this section like a toboggan run, you jumped on the pedals to get some speed at the top and let the rest flow past! Whilst trying to see where you were going through the mud spitting of the tyres into your face, you weaved through the trees with a huge smile on your face, Even 23 hours later you still were smiling! This exited into a sloppy mud fest for 50m then you were at the start finish line, ready for another lap!
SleepMonsters
