What an awesome adventure that was. 4 weeks ago I twisted my knee and developed sciatica - forcing me into lots of rest and thinking hard about even attempting to start... So glad I did!
Setting off in a fairly fast group I got my first experience of the great cycling infrastructure and amazingly cycling-friendly car drivers that you see around most of the country.
I let go of the group after about 100k, then coasted in to the first control at a more comfortable speed. Stopping for some well needed food, I felt for the riders that got there a bit later only to find the kitchen closed. That was indeed the theme of the ride - eat or buy food whenever you can...
After that we hooked up with a couple of German riders and headed down towards France, through ypres And the Menin gate then down to Roubaix. Seeing some bikes outside a kebab shop we stopped for food, chatting to Ivor and Dan ? From Loughborough and Derby area (Sorry I keep forgetting the names!), then it was on to the F1 hotel for a couple of hours sleep. I thought it was too soon in the ride, but I needed it and was glad of the rest.
In the early hours we got up again & headed out into the rain, nothing too bad really but did go on for a few hours. We hooked up with John OTP, and the hills started, then, boom an unassuming corner and my mate was down. Ripped shorts, jacket, arm warmers etc and the obvious sight of gravel rash poking out
three locals came to check on him, John spoke good French so reassured them and asked about pharmacy etc. After a rest and some coke we got him back on the bike, John and I just pootling along whilst he sat on the wheels and recovered. John originally from oxford but now living in Belgium filled us in on some of the culture and practicalities of Belgium living. Next control we stopped at the supermarket for food and then a cafe for coffee and rest. After a long stop Glenn felt ok to carry on, but maybe 1 hour later he coasted up the top of a hill and announced the need for a reality check - his leg was hurting and he couldn’t go on.
John also wasn’t feeling it so they agreed to stop and ride to near Neufchateau and find a train. They both voiced that I was way behind time and not going fast so it seemed impossible I could finish. That was the motivation I needed, I said my goodbyes and push hard on the next stretch.
We had plodded the leg so far with an average of only 13.9kph, but on the tribars where possible and some adrenaline got me up to 19kph for the leg only 2 hours later, & it felt like I had a chance... either way I had to do at least half the distance
It got very cold in the dark, but when I got to the next control I found a couple of Hackney riders and some others some other getting their cold weather clothes on. This gave which gave me the boost I needed - I wasn’t on my own! I put on all clothes I had whilst everyone else shot off, then set about chasing them down... I didn’t managed to ride with any of them but said hello at least as we yo-yo’d past eachother. I got tired and slow again towards the control , the hills and cold taking their toll.
At last, the control @3am, eat, shower, sleep, eat. Back on the road for 6am (4hrs over time). There were maybe 20 riders at the control but the relentless hills kept me riding on my own. Lunch stop with 10 other riders saw the sun come out, and my spirits lifted, I set off again on my own but promptly got lost and spent over an hour/16k off route. Now I felt like I’d blown it
Assuming I was last again I plodded on , once at the 710k control I saw a handful of riders set off, but two stayed until i’d eaten. We tried to form a group, I managed to be a similar pace as Dave_c and we stayed together until the end.
Not long after and the hills were done, We were still 3 hours over time, so pushed on using the tri bars to make up good speed. Dave is faster than me but company helps, we rode next to eachother along the canals etc clawing back the time. Stopping for a picnic felt surreal and normal - thanks for the food Dave!
We both struggled with sleep deprivation crawled the last few Km in the last sleep stop again in the very early hours. food , shower, sleep in our own dorm for 1.5 hours , back on the road at 6. There was a group up the road so we chased them down and hung in for 50km. I was struggling with the pace, but boy it was worth it! I knew by the. I could make it on my own, but a little group draft sure made it pass quicker and easier! A nap at the next cafe whist my coffee cooled and I was set for the day.
Into Antwerp we hooked up with Aidan and Ivor? Stopped for a long lunch/beer in the sun, followed by a gentle pace through to the end, we even stopped for a ice cream with 10k to go.
I think I had 1.5 hours in hand at the finish, and my riding buddy have made it back to meet me at the finish (even wearing the same clothes as I had the car keys!
I ended up 25k over:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1835263896Legs are shot, hands are sore, but all in all I really enjoyed it
I think 1000k May be my new favourite distance, though the drive home on Monday took ages as I kept stopping to sleep, and i’ve been a bit sleepy all week
Thoroughly recommend event - just take note that it’s hard to get food/water!