Grävde fram en gammal race report från mitt första
ordentliga försök på en 12 timmars solotävling för tio år sedan där jag
lyckades somna på cykeln.
D2D 4th October 2009
by Malin Tindberg
Ever since I did my first 12 hr solo at the ‘Hit the North’
race in June 2008, I thought I should give it another go. Although I found it
pretty boring doing lap after lap, I realised I could probably be quite
competitive. As a beginner to the sport, I just came along for support, but
having done only 2 races ever up to this point; one being an open Gorrick cross
country race and one a 6 hr pair; I was obviously keen to do some more racing.
So when I was informed on the day that there was room for another racer, even
though it was a soloist, I didn’t hesitate at all.
With ‘Hit the North’, and the rest of the 2008 endurance
races for that matter, ending up being proper mud fests, it’s become a big
concern when entering these long distance races. This year it was looking
pretty dry the days before the race, but when arriving to the Dusk Till Dawn
race venue on the day, I wasn’t too sure it was going to stay this way. It was
really windy, and the clouds looked threateningly dark. Going out on a practice
lap a good 6 hours before the race started, I quickly realised that no rain in
the world could make this course get muddy, so when it started to drizzle, I
wasn’t too worried.
Thetford has always been a favorite race venue and although
most people think there’s no place to rest and it’s generally know as a
‘back-killing’ venue, I’ve never found it too bad and the courses here normally
suit me. So did this year’s course of Dusk Till Dawn. With the pre-ride out of the way, I focused on fueling up
and getting mentally prepared for the challenge. I’ve got to know quite a lot
of people during this year of racing and it was good to catch up with a few of
them. The strategy for the race was to go out on a couple of quick
laps to get a good lead in, as we knew I would probably be quicker than my
competitors. With multiple 24 hr solo winner Sally Daw and solo endurance
specialist Lorraine Staley in my category, I was worried their experience would
be my downfall.
With my new set of Ayup lights firmly attached to my bike
and helmet, it was finally time to get lined up at the start line. I was
desperately trying to find Sally in the crowd, as I thought I would be chasing
her, but when I didn’t see her I decided to ride my own race. Having had Trevor
from Ducati holding my bike near the front of the group, I was one of the first
riders out off the venue when the quad took off. It’s hard pacing yourself with all these quick riders around
you. I knew I wasn’t giving 100%, but I knew I was going pretty quick. Coming
through the arena after my first lap, the plan was to come off the course and
ride via the Ducati tent to get a bottle and indicate I was going through. This
was almost impossible due to the amount of spectators gathered around the pit
area. I got really stressed, as I felt I lost a lot of time asking to come
through, and once I reached the tent, nobody was there. However, just seconds
after, both Trevor and Keith was there handing me a bottle and helping me get
people out of the way to get back out on the course. With that incident I
decided I wouldn’t go via the Ducati tent the following lap. Putting in another
quick ish lap and going out on my third without changing bottles, I started to
feel a bit tired. This wasn’t good as I normally don’t get tired after just two-three
laps. What I’ve noticed this last year doing mainly XC races, is that when I’ve
finished racing, I’m not tired and feel I can continue doing a couple more
laps, so feeling tired at this point was definitely not a good sign. I knew I
had to stop in between laps three and four for battery changes so was quite
looking forward to this even though I, at the same time, was worried losing
time compared to my competitors. At this point I didn’t have a clue where they
were and was afraid Anne Dickins from Cloud9 was leading, as she was in front
of me on the start line.
 |
| Solo Woman leader :-D |
When coming in from my third lap, I was pleased to hear I
was leading, and that I, after my first two laps, had 15 minutes on the rider
in second. Being told to slow down was exactly what I wanted to hear. Putting
in two pretty consistent laps, and chatting with Ant from Cloud9, the entire
fifth lap, helped. Trevor had cooked pasta for me after finishing my fifth lap,
which was, at this point, more than welcomed. After a good 10-minute food break,
it was time to go back out before I got too cold.
During lap six I started to get seriously worried I would
get caught. This fear was based on my lack of energy. It just didn’t feel like
I had it in me this time. With a few 12/24 hr pair races this last year, I’ve
started to recognise signs, and today was just not the day. With work being
very busy at the moment, I haven’t been getting much sleep in this last week,
which probably played an important role in my performance. From this point I
started taking breaks after every lap, and after lap 8 I had another ‘long’
break. Having changed clothes and had some food I went out on what would be my
slowest lap. At this point I was so sleepy I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Several times I woke up by hitting a three or coming off the bike in the bushes
on the side of the course. I would not be lying if I say I had my eyes closed
for more than 50% of that lap.
Reaching the climb out of the second bomb hole from the end,
Lorraine had caught me and she was asking if it was me, saying that from the
nicest possible way that she didn’t want to see me as I am always kicking her
butt racing. I told her I just didn’t have it today and that she should go for
it. She said she didn’t want to, she just wanted to finish her last couple of
laps.
Coming out on the flat section I went into a higher gear as
legs felt strong, and I heard L behind me saying ‘see you later’. I was now
wide-awake and had started to realise what was happening. Reaching the pit area
I told the crew L had caught me, but was calmed down by the fact that she’d
stopped in the feeding area. That was all I needed to hear. I was off. The last
10 hrs had been too painful; I was not going to lose this race.
Although I was desperate for a wee at this point, I was more
desperate to win the race. I knew that, even though L had told me she only
wanted to finish her last laps, I knew she was going to go for it. Who
wouldn’t? With the sun now coming out I felt stronger and stronger. Just above
an hour and the crew were surprised to see me back already. ‘Gel and Ibuprofen’
I shouted. The Torq Guarana gel normally does the job and I really needed the
painkillers as knees were extremely sore. Waiting for the Ibuprofen I heard
Keith saying ‘we will do it!’ and I thought ‘yes, you’re damn right we will do
it’!
7 am and just one more lap to go. I was hoping I’d made up
some time during my last lap, but could not be sure so there was nothing else
but to go out 100% for this last lap. One third through the lap I was told I
had managed to get a 5 minute gap to L. At this point I knew I was going to do
it. Almost flying round the course I started to worry about what I would do if
I reached the finish line before 8 am. I would do another lap if I had to, but
I didn’t exactly feel like it. Could I assume L was so far back she would not
be able to go out again?
Constantly turning around during the last 2 – 3 miles, but
with no sign of L, I finally reached the finish line at 8.02. Once again I’d
finished a lap in much shorter time than the crew had expected, and had to make
them aware I’d finished already. After this point I found myself on the ground,
laughing and screaming with happiness. I was knackered but so pleased I’d done
it. Several times during the race, I’d thought I was not going to make it, but
here I was, first back of all the solo women. I’m not sure I’d enjoyed all of
it, but I certainly enjoyed this moment. With this years XC Masters field
having been so competitive, especially for a newbie like me, there can be no
better way of finishing the season and/or joining the new team.
 |
| Made it to the top step with Lorraine Stanley 2nd and Anne Dickins (Usher) 3rd |
Thanks to the Thetford people for another well organised
event, to the Timelaps guys for always smiling and cheering me on, and to all
the random people for cheering me on in the middle of the night. However, my
biggest thanks goes to my new sponsor ‘AKO Ducati Womens Cycling Team UK’ for
feeding and looking after me and for never losing faith in me. I have never
been as spoiled before and I hope I made you feel you’ve done the right thing
having me in your team.
