It was the weekend of the 14/15 June and I joined my team Beauvallet to compete in the 24 Hour Mountain Bike race at Bonnac-la-Côte. A 24 hour race is just that – riding a 6km offroad circuit for 24 hours. The objective is to do as many laps as possible and we were competing for the mixed team (50/50 Men to Women) prize.

Steve’s brother Andrew flew over from the UK to join us to make up our team of 8 riders. We spent all of Friday afternoon frantically packing the car, trying to work out what to take to make the whole thing more comfortable. The forecast was for a good weekend and we were off at 7.45 Saturday Morning.

Beauvallet Team Camp

Arrived at the site and met Theo our team captain. He had already set up camp for us and he’d brought his big wagon which was full of equipment. First job was to connect up to electricity using meters of extension leads. This was going to provide battery charging and also power for the all important fan heater for drying clothes if necessary.

Grub Ticket

We were all given a number board for our bikes, a souvenir T-Shirt, a band for our wrist so that we could take food from the 24 hour revitalement available and finally a card for our 3 food entitlements – lunch, evening meal and breakfast.

After a quick lap of the circuit, it was nearly 11am and everyone gathered at the arena for the Le-Mans style start – all riders had to run to collect their bikes from a team mate before setting off on the first lap. I was given the job of holding the bike for Olivier our first rider out. The countdown started and then they were off. We did a good exchange and then I found myself in a mellay of bikes and riders all trying to get a good start – chaos but all part of the spectacle.

The Le Mans style Start

READY

STEADY

GO!

I was due to be the 3rd rider out. The lap times were roughly 16 to 20 minutes so it wouldn’t be long before I was away. The change over area was set up just before the finish line so that riders could exchange the small electronic timing device on their ankles and ride over the special mat which registered the lap time and lap number – all important for the final results.

Team Captain Theo, Olivier and Steve have a chow down

Everything went fairly smoothly all day. The sun was shining and our team of 8 were doing consistant lap times. In the arena was a large tent where you could pick up your meals and sit down in comfort to eat whilst watching the entertainment and other riders. There was a marching band, jazz band and some riders doing very clever tricks over obstacles (like cars!) in the arena.

The rivitalement area was next to the change over pen and you could go there at any time to get a bite to eat. Cake, dried fruit and fresh juicy orange segments available as needed.

Theo’s Bike with home made light set up

The day was starting to draw to a close and we were now getting prepared for our night time riding. Lights are all important for this stage of the race – the brighter the better. As always, Theo had come prepared. He’d brought every conceivable light set up imaginable and there was some pretty interesting home made systems getting fixed to the fronts of bikes.

My Bike with LED light strapped to the front – Merci Theo!

I had a set of second-hand lights, which we bought a few seasons previously, mounted on the top of the helmet. Theo didn’t think that would be sufficient so he zip tied a huge LED wand light to the front of my bike – I was now a light house!

My first night shift was due around 11.20 so at about 8pm I decided to take a shower to wash off the day and get my evening meal. Arrived at the shower block and it was completely empty and seemed unused. I soon found out why. There was no hot water and I had to wash down as best I could with cold water and a flannel! Very refreshed (!), I went with Andrew to get my nosh and there was a blues band playing for the evening entertainment – very civilised.

During the night we decided to change from doing 1 lap each to 2 in order to make the rest period longer through the night. The average time for 2 laps at night was about 40 minutes. This meant between us, we could get about 3 1/2 hours rest before our next shift.

Olivier (lef) and Cyril (right) rigging up another home made Light set up

My shift was rapidly approaching. Feeling a bit jaded after a long day, I got kitted up and set off to the warm up area. I was a bit late for my shift after a problem with a puncture and unfortunately Cyril had to go out and do another lap (thanks Cyril).

11.40 pm and finally on my way and I dropped down the first descent. Cripes where did all those rocks come from? Riding at night is quite a different experience. The lights flatten the terrain and now you can’t see the bumps and dips in the trails. It’s a much more bumpy ride and overtaking was interesting!

Out for my 2nd lap and still feeling quite good. About 1/2 way round the circuit I start to fade and by the time I finish I’ve gone bang! After the change over, I get back to the car, strip off and try to wash off the 2 laps with some cold water on a flannel. Now feeling dog tired, I crash out on the matress in the back of the car – ahh bliss.

In a flash it’s 4 hours later and my next shift is due in about 45 minutes. I feel rough. I don’t think I’ve eaten enough during the day and early night hours and starting to suffer a bit. Luckily I saved a piece of baguette from dinner last night so I stick a banana that I’ve brought with me into it and get that down as quick as I can. Then into my kit for another 2 laps.

Slightly recovered, it’s nearly 5am and so the light is better but I still go out with lights as some of the trails are under the darkness of trees. I put in a reasonable 2 laps knowing that I should only have about 1 more to do later that morning.

By now I’ve run out of dry shorts and jerseys and everything is damp from the night. Theo sets up the fan heater and I hang everything on the meat hooks in the wagon and shut the doors. I go over and get breakfast – orange juice, coffee, bread, jam, 3 dognuts and some fruit compote. Downed the dognuts, juice and coffee – that’s all I can manage to stomach for now. Saved the bread and jam for after my lap.

Kit has dried after an hour and I’m due out at 8.40 (ish). I roughly calculate that this is probably my final lap and I have to say I’m feeling quite relieved by the thought. We have been so lucky with the weather. We’ve had no rain and the course, although damp with overnight mist and morning dew, is still riding well and fast. I put in one last good lap and a bit saddle sore went off to get another cold shower!

It’s All Over

The horns went off at 11am as riders came charging in trying to get an extra lap in for their teams. That’s it, all over a full on 24 hours of riding mountain bikes. Everyone looked tired but happy. The event was very well organised and all credit to the Bonnac-la-Cote crew and all the volunteers.

Beauvallet Team on the Podium and the Flowers received by all the Girls

The prize presentation was at 11.30 and there was the usual words from the Mairie and the organisers. Our team won the mixed category and we went up onto the podium all in our kit. Andrew, was really chuffed and stood there proudly wearing his new Beauvallet kit. Steve’s team came 2nd Scratch – they had won last year but were beaten by a team from the Dordogne this time.

Olivier pouring us all a well earned glass of champagne

In his usual style, Theo gathered all the team together for a celebratary drink of Champagne and treated us all to a sausage sandwich. All packed up, we headed home, fortunately only 40 minutes drive away. When we got back we had the van and the car to unpack and then we all had a nice hot shower and another glass of champagne to finish. By 5pm we were all in bed and amazingly, we slept right through to 7 am the following morning – wonder why?

Here are some of the rest of the team

Team Captain – Theo – MERCI Theo

Celine, Cyril and Chukka their 7 month old puppy (so cute and well behaved)

Andrew (Steve’s Bro) rode really great throughout

Me still managing a smile (with lots of saddle sore)

Today is the 1st May and the start of the La Grande Traversee du Limousin 2008. Andrew (Steve’s brother) and Dave (from Pearce Cycles) arrived on Tuesday to do the event.

The weather the last couple of days hasn’t been kind – heavy showers with hail, windy and not feeling warm at all.

We all watched the forecast last night and although todays weather isn’t perfect, there’s a big improvement with Friday and Saturday promising to be Scorchio!

6am this morning I got up and made tea and toast for everyone. There was a lot to do, sort out bags, load bikes and three people needing to have nervous poos before leaving at 8am.

It’s a good 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to the location where they will finish on Saturday.

They need to sign on, get their numbers and arrange for their bags to be transported to the first stop over tonight.

The bikes and riders are transported to where the start is, about 1 hour drive to Nantiat.

I arrived at Nantiat to find a mellay of bikers, buses and lorries. Managed to locate the boys and they were raring to go – even though the rain had started and black clouds were looming. Also met Raymond and his wife who are doing the event after reading it on Steve’s blog.

After the usual pep talk by the organiser and strategic manouvering of various cars, the 1/2 dozen off road motos started up and tore off down the road.

This is it, the Grand Depart. Steve was on the front row but it’s a long 75 km in the saddle over some really tough terrain today.

“Bon Courage” and they were off. I stood and watched the procession of riders filing past and then see them all snake up the road and disappear into the distance.

I’m wondering what it will be like as I leave for home in the comfort of my car ….

Well I didn’t really believe that a marked improvement could be made in only 4 weeks, but what can I say – it worked!

Discussing my disappointment at the 10 minute gap after the Departmentals in March I asked Steve what I needed to do. “You’ll never improve your speed and stamina by just going out and riding up to it all the time” he said, “you need to ride over it, faster than your race speed would be.” Steve hands me a book “This is a great book, it’s won me races. It’s written for road and criterium racing but the principles of training are the same.”

The book is written by Eddie Borysewicz (BOR-E-SAY-WHICH) and he was the 1980-84 U.S. Olympic Coach. He is actually Polish and has a bit of a history before going to the US and he is a fascinating bloke. No sooner had I started reading it, my head was stuck into it at every opporunity. It’s a must read for the competitive cyclist, very well written and not labourious and full of jargon.

Getting back to my training programme. As I mentioned before, I have this problem with working hard in the garden clashing with working hard on the bike. In recognition of this, Steve gave me a schedule which tried to strike the balance.

Over the past 4 weeks, I hadn’t really felt as if I’d spent a huge amount of time on the bike and it didn’t feel like a chore. Although some of the sessions were tough, I didn’t feel the continuous tiredness that I had experienced previously when I was just going out and battering myself on rides.

So on the day, I didn’t really believe I had made much of an improvement. How wrong I was. I could feel the difference. Yes it was just as hard but I could cope.   Better still, the girl who beat me at the Regionals addmitted afterwards that I gave her a bit of a fright at being so close!

Too Afraid to try – Physically I’d done a good job, mentally not so good. If I was honest, I didn’t have the confidence at the top of that first climb (at the Regionals) to stamp on the pedals, get past (the eventual winner) and give it a go. “What have you got to lose?” Steve said on discussing the issue after the race “If you try it and they fold then great. If they come back past you again then that’s ok too. It might have been tactically better to get in front of them before a tricky section to give you that buffer you need. If you don’t try it, you’ll never know”.

It sounds obvious when you sit and talk about it sitting in the relative calm of your living room. All too often we think about how much it’s hurting us when we could be thinking how much it’s hurting them.  Another lesson learned, which is what it is as much about as anything else. Each race is a learning experience and you can use it to improve the next one.

The Nationals - I’ve been invited to represent the Limousin to ride at the Nationals. Although daunted at the prospect, I gratefully accepted as it is a great opportunity and sounds like a good weekend. It’s a busy time in the garden now spring has arrived, but I’m going to ask Steve to write me a program to the Nationals. If I can do at least as good there as I did at the Regionals, I will be very happy.

After the Departmental Championships back in March, I was a little disappointed at the 10 minute time gap between me and the winner, Sylvie. So during the last 4 weeks, I have been trying to improve my speed and stamina ready for the Regionals. Steve who was duly appointed as my coach, wrote a training programme for me to follow. The programme wasn’t overly taxing but what mattered was the quality of what I did when I did it.

The big day arrived, I didn’t feel as if I had improved that much but I decided to keep cool and be positive. I’d had a great night’s sleep and the forecast, although cold, was for dry weather – a bonus!

We arrived at the race venue in Ambazac about 11.30 so we had plenty of time to sign on, eat, and take a look at the first and last sections of he course. We had already ridden the circuit a couple of weeks previously and there was a tricky muddy section near the start to evaluate.

The drier weather had turned what was a sloppy muddy bog into something more like stiff porridge. There were a number of riders there looking at lines and riding sections. I made the decision to ride the first section and run the next. We went and checked out the finish. There was a twisted chicane of tape routing you round a small lake across the horse trodden fields back up through to the start finish area. Fortunately it was hard packed, and fast, but very bumpy.

As start time approached I watched as they set off the other categories, including Steve. Next thing I knew I was sat on the start line with 5 seconds to go. I took a deep breath and we were away. I was amazed to find myself in front of Sylvie. She passed me just before a right turn and onto the first climb. I gritted my teeth and stayed with her to the top. As we crested, I was still with her and now on the rivet, I just kept saying “stay with her”.

Down the trail and over a small road climb, left onto some gravel and into the muddy section. I rode into it with the intention of keeping a good momentum but found myself grinding and sinking into it. Meanwhile, Sylvie had seemingly floated over it. But, she was still in sight and I hammered down the next descent to make up some time. I got back up to her, and as we continued onto the next few climbs I fought to stay in touch.

Into the arena for end of lap 1, she had about a 30 second gap so there was still a fighting chance. Into the second lap a typical scenario of her cresting the climb as I was at the bottom of it. Hit the muddy section again – same result – by which time she had disappeared from sight. She wasn’t that far ahead so I kept at it, making the most of the descents.

At the start of the last lap the gap had widened but I kept up the momentum as there’s always a chance. I was beginning to fade a bit now on the climbs, but one thing that my training had given me was the ability to cope better with the hard effort.

As I came into the arena for the last time I could see that Sylvie was into the final chicane, and heading for a 1st place finish. Still determined to keep the time gap to a minimum I pushed on and finished about 2 minutes down.

Overall, it was a good race for a number of reasons. I reduced the time gap on Sylvie significantly from our last meeting, and although I was still tired, my stamina was much better. I think that on the right day Sylvie is beatable, and that day is now closer than before. Best of all though, I have my official invite to be part of the team representing the Limousin region at the French National Championships in May!
A BIG THANKYOU to Steve for sorting out my bike. He got a disc converter from one of the lads at the shop and now my trusty old Stumpy has disc brakes. Not only that, he also let me borrow his fastest race tyres.

March has been a very wintery month. We have had icy cold nights, hail storms, strong winds and especially for Easter Weekend – Snow.

Yesterday, we went to a VTT Randonee at Breuilaufa just to the east of our favourite spot, the Monts de Blond. When we got up at 7am, there was a sprinkling of the white stuff in the garden. As we drove towards Breuilaufa, the scenery changed and there was a good layer of snow lying all over and it felt noticibly colder.

On arrival, there were lots of folk milling about. As usual, everyone turns up whatever the weather. We set out about 9am and the first descent was a long trail of really slippy mud. There were riders everywhere, sliding sideways, some were off and walking. I managed to get down in one piece although with a fair few comedy moments along the way.

This was pretty much how all the trails were for the whole of the 32 km circuit as the ground wasn’t frozen. Very slow going in places and you couldn’t make fast progress. All in all though, it was a good ride and it got you out there and all done by lunch time.

It didn’t warm up at all during the morning and I had no feeling in my toes by the time I’d finished – about 2 hours 15mins. There was the usual drinks and snacks at the end and we had a chat with everyone before returning home and spending the afternoon washing…. the bikes, cycling kit and shoes!

Let me set the scene:

After being pursuaded to join the Beauvallet Cyclo Club recently, I was also pursuaded to race in the Departmental Championships at St Leger de Montagne.

Now my problem is that I don’t have a nasty streak (like Steve!) and am probably the least competitive person you would meet. Also, training is hard and I have this conflict of interest with mountain bike training and working hard in the garden (which I love). With 4 weeks to go I made the effort to up my riding a bit and take on board tips from my trainer (Steve of course).

Also, the 2 weeks before the event hadn’t really gone to plan. Steve had been ill with the big ‘D’ and then caught a chest infection and although I didn’t catch it myself, I felt generally “under the weather”.

On the Day:

Although we had been having lovely spring weather, we awoke Sunday morning to rain and grey skies. We packed the van and set off at 11am, raining hard now!

Arrived at the Stade in St Leger de Montagne and there were already plenty of people there – still raining. Got signed on and sat in the back of the van – made a cup of tea and listened to rain. In the usual French way, we all had to be called up number by number so we were instructed to be at the start arena by 1.30 – the first race was at 2pm.

All kitted up with waterproofs, we headed to the start and spent a good 30 minutes warming up and getting very wet. Finally we were all gridded up and I watch as Steve’s category went off – more about him later. As we sat on the start line, they announced our laps had been reduced from 3 to 2 because of the deteriorating conditions. I took off my waterproof top and completely forgot that I had my overshoes on. I only wore them to keep my feet dry during the warm up, I didn’t want to race in them.10 seconds and then the gun went off. I was on the 2nd row and as we sprinted across the field, a ‘yoof’ rider behind me came past cutting across my line and knocked me into the rider next to me. Thankfully, we stayed upright but by this time, the world and his wife had gone past.

Out of the arena I was trying so hard to keep the pace high it felt like someone was cleaning my throat with a wire brush and my lungs were screaming at me to stop.

We came to the first climb, but the conditions were so bad, it wasn’t rideable and we were all off the bikes pushing them hard up the hill whilst our feet sank into inches of goey sticky mud. Remember those overshoes I forgot about? They had slipped off my shoes and as I re-mounted they were catching in the chain rings. All I could do was undo them and throw them to the side of the course.

On the next climb, the conditions were so hard. It felt like riding on a matress with all the brakes on. A young rider came past me like I was standing still but I kept on, determined to finish the climb. Over the top and down into a really muddy section. The young rider in front suddenly stops and throws his bike to ground and runs to the side of the course to throw up forcing me to go around it, off line and getting stuck into the gloop.

I get going again, and come to the first main descent, really rocky but great as finally I could get the bike going. Frustratingly I was getting held up by a younger rider and I couldn’t pass him until some minutes later. Managed to get clear and onward to the top of the course.

Riding fast down the descent, trying to gain some time, no steering front end all over the place but somehow I manage to get down. Near the end of the first lap, it’s a sharp muddy climb into the arena which is now not rideable and someone shouts me to dismount. I feel like I have weights on my feet as I drag myself to the top.

Jump back on the bike and out for a second lap. The commentator shouts, “Deuxieme Feminine” but I’m feeling so tired now and asking myself why I’m doing it and am past caring. Everything seems like 100 times harder and I’m trying to concentrate on getting it finished. Whilst I’m slogging up the next climb I can hear Steve’s voice in my head “anyone can ride when they are feeling good …”, suddenly being 2nd matters. I’ve no idea where 3rd place is and I tell myself “I’m buggered if I’m going to be 3rd” and try to keep it going as best I can.

I reach the last but one descent and my concentration is lapsing. The front end slides out and I’m down. Swearing, I jump back on and make a slightly steadier descent – confidence knocked a bit.

Finally, I reach the last steep climb into the areana. Horns blaring and people shouting. I make it to the top and get back on, don’t know how. Over the line, Theo is there cheering, “Bravo, tres bien”. I can’t speak, I’m dribbling, want to throw up, collapse in a heap. Theo’s telling me about Steve in the lead and I want to hang on to see him over the line but I’m starting to get cold and I’m so exhausted.

I get back to the van and would be quite happy to curl up and die, but I remember the other words of wisdom that Steve is always telling me. It’s important to get cleaned up and warm clothes on as the immune system is weak at the end of a race. In auto pilot I strip off and get myself sorted. All I can think is – God that was hard!

At the presentation ceremony, I was so pleased at getting my trophy for 2nd Female, and although I vowed never to do anything like it again, that sweet talking Theo (Mr Beauvallet) has pursuaded me to do the Regionals and the Nationals – it’s a love hate thing!

Steve’s Story:

What bad luck he had. It was in the bag until the last descent when he punctured and the 2nd place man came past him whilst he was fixing his puncture.

I felt desparately sorry for him but “c’est la vie” as they say, though I’d call it “Sod’s Law” – probably the only the 2nd time he’s ever punctured in a race and it had to be the Departmental Championships! Read his story here.

Another lovely blue sky, sunny day, we decided to pack ourselves off to the Monts de Blond for a Valentines Day ride. We arrived about 2pm and although the air was a bit on the cool side, it was lovely and warm in the sunshine.

I couldn’t decide if it was legwarmers, knee warmers, arm warmers …..? We set off along some lovely trails, which were all bone dry by now due to the glorious weather of the last week or so.  We did some of our favourite routes and we were having a great ride.

After out about half an hour when I had to stop and take off my leg warmers – far too hot!

Another half an hour or so later, we came across a couple of walkers who were trying to find their way back to Vaulry. Steve being the font of all knowlege of this area, told them the best way to go. His french has really improved since last year!

We carry on up some of the knarly climbs and rocketing down the descents. We make our way along a quiet country lane, heading to one of the big climbs of the day. Up above the woodland to our left, we hear a shout from another pair of walkers. They want to know where the road goes. We shout back “Arnac”, “Merci” came the reply and we make comment about how all these people venture out but don’t actually know where they are going.

We’ve done about 2 hours now and Steve says, “another 5 or 15 minutes”. I reply “another 15, it’s such a lovely day”.

Steve shouts “Left here” and we find ourselves negotiating about 200 meter section of the muddiest, smelliest water we ridden in a long time.

We persevere as we know the trail is a good one further down the line.

Arriving at the fork in the trail, we stop for a minute and take a left. What a descent, we seemed to be going downhill for miles! Then at the bottom, Steve had to admit that he’d taken a wrong turn somewhere and was completely disorientated.

We needed to be further up and over so that long descent turned into a very long climb! Some 40 minutes later, we ended up where we started. The lovely warm sunshine was beginning to cool and I stopped to put my leg warmers back on while Steve had a look down the road to try and get his bearings.

He worked out the general direction we needed and so we followed a small lane then took a foresty trail which we had never been on before.

It dropped down into a valley and then climbed back up the other side. When we finally reached the road, Steve got his bearings back and within 10 minutes we were back at the van. It was blinking freezing by now but we’d had a great ride and found a couple of new trails.

We both chuckled about the fact we had made the comments earlier about people going for walks and getting lost!

We headed home for a well earned Valentines dinner with a bottle of Plonk. The perfect Valentines Day – don’t you think?