Ride Entry – 5th September 2009 – Kielder 100
by admin on Sep.06, 2009, under Uncategorized
Bike:Handjob
Distance:53 miles
Well that was a huge disappointment! The event was ace, lets get that straight, well organised for the first attempt, very ambitious and a great location. The weather was pretty crap and the ground was very wet, especially in the campsite. The course, that I saw, was great, wide variety of trails.
Now to the bad bits, namely me. Started off great, as soon as the car was out of the way I picked up the pace a little and my fitness from the last two months training was totally awesome! I was charging through the field without expending any real effort. Rode along for ten miles or so passing plenty of people on every climb. I had visions of a top five place in the vets at this rate, all the chaps I was passing were young guns so assuming there wasn’t a gaggle of superfit veterans leading the race out, I was sorted.
Then I had a puncture, not a major problem. Quick repair and off I go again, a bit faster this time to try and get myself back on track. Then my middle ring started sucking, big time. So bad I couldn’t go into the middle so ended up either slugging away on the big or spinning like crazy on the granny. My back was starting to twinge a bit too. Another 10-15 miles further on and I’m starting to experience some serious back pain. It really is starting to cause me grief and it affects my speed. Then my back brake dies completely, no amount of pumping is sorting it out, pants, I slow down even more. I’m OK on the steep climbs where I’m spinning in the granny and I’m still passing people there but the flat and descents are killing me. I’m very stiff going downhill and as a result I puncture on another fast descent. I fix it, take some pills and carry on but as I approach the fifty mile mark my back is starting to seize up and is making my arms ache.
At the 47 mile feed station I realise I’m no longer competitive and more importantly realise I can’t do that again with this back so call it a day. (This is helped by me realising I am the nearest point to the castle so getting back will be easy) . I still have to ride the mile or so across a boggy lake above that feed station, find a marshall and let her know I’ve wussed out.
Riding the three miles back to the castle was a very low time for me. I was extremely disappointed about not completing, particularly since my legs felt absolutely fine. The bike not running properly is my own fault but I’m sick of this back causing me problems (this isn’t the first time I’ve dropped out of a long race with a bad back). I need to get it sorted, not sure what it is, if it’s the banging about or the camelbak or the position or just a crap back. it’s fine on the road, never get a problem with it. Ho hum.
September 6th, 2009 on 1:45 pm
Hard luck Jon. Back trouble is rubbish
Ditching the camelbak has got to be worth a try, certainly helps me and stops you from carrying junk that you don’t really need. Couple of bottles, pump mounted on the frame, saddlebag with tubes & tools/keys etc, food in rear pockets.
September 6th, 2009 on 5:22 pm
What Simon says. The fast guys that were coming into the finish had all their essentials in three back pockets (or up the leg of their shorts – always a handy place for gels/energy bars), or fixed to the bike.
Next year I’m carrying as much as possible on the bike. Seeing the brilliant organisation I also have much more faith in using the feed drops and stations (my experiences have been coloured by the Kona 100 events where they fucked off before the last riders came through).
Last man came through the finish just after 8.30pm, and there were still marshals to check him in, and a small crowd (3) to cheer him in.
September 6th, 2009 on 10:32 pm
Yeah, I’d carry a lot less food (I had loads in my bak), and water (3 litre bladder mostly full at the start). With bananas at each food station I don’t need any more really. I was upset about the punctures, I guess these tyres have seen their best.
As I said, I think the event was ace. Which is why I left early, I was seriously pissed off with my performance and knew I’d just sit in a corner getting drunk and pissing everyone else off.
I’ll try ditching the bak first, damn I’m frustrated. My back is still hurting now but everything else is like a powerstation waiting to be turned on!!
I was very stupid thinking the crappy brakes and well worn chainraings would be up for the job, my fault by far. Another lesson learned.