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Merida 100 - Rhayder
The weekend began with the long three and a half hour drive to Wales. Luckily the plays off finals were on to keep us occupied. The day had been a mixture of sun and rain. Luckily when Mick arrived Pete and Dave were sat in the sun with a cool bud in their hands. A great start to the race weekend. This goes against all recommendations.
'First rule of fight club - no alcohol before a marathon'
After a quick beer the team headed into Rhayder to have a scan around the place. This was Dave's first 100K outing so he hadn't been to Rhayder before. After watching a group of lads playing run over the stuffed Parrott and visiting a couple of the local watering holes the team headed back for an early night. That's if you call 11pm early.
'Second rule of fight club - get plenty of rest before a marathon'
The camp was pretty noisy all night with people milling about and a down pour of rain, but the team slept quite well in preparation. Apart from Pete that is, who has a 1952 sleeping bag that doesn't keep anyone warm. Apparently 'Ronhill tricksters are really warm to sleep in' (quote Pete). No more comments needed.
The morning was quite bright and it looked like the weather was going to be quality. The camp had gone from a cool surfy looking party on the Saturday night to a gay pride march. All the riders were pottering around with their all in one Lycra suits. Not a pretty sight really.
After a hearty breakfast and some tinkering around with the bikes the team were on the starting line waiting for the count down. Unusually the team were in plenty of time and not rushing. This must've been the influence of Dave, as it's never been seen before.
'Third rule of fight club - Test the bike before Marathon day, don't tinker on the day'
The count down came and went with the usual anticlimax of not being able to move because there are too many riders. Eventually the team were away and climbing into the hills. There was a good atmosphere with everyone chatting to each other as they ride. The country lane climb eventually pitted away and the team entered the wooded section single track. The weather had played its part over night and the track was a river of mud. After walking the majority of it all riders appeared out of the wood and onto a Forest track with a good 20 minute climb ahead. These Forest tracks are renowned in the 100K's. They make up the majority of the climbing.
The most memorable parts of the ride after the first 10K were a really steep and technical track that wound its way down through the trees between to Forest tracks. The corners were steep and every rider's skills were put to the test. A really triceps burning descend that was both fun and exhausting. The other memorable section was the second mud slide that was part of the loop and so had to be completed twice. It rained twice during the race just to top up the mud even more. Mick at this stage was zonked and so lost control and made the only fall of the ride ripping his riding top. However it was a soft fall into the mud.
Through the ride the team stuck together until about the 50K mark. Pete was in good form and so was powering up the hills way ahead of Dave and Mick. After the 50K mark it was apparent that he could achieve a time faster that last year so he headed off trying to beat the 5 hour 50 mark. Dave's turbo training also seemed worth while as he was moving at a good constant steady pace. Mick nearly bonked around the 55K mark. However with Dave's guidance and a life saving food station his energy returned to help complete the whole ride.
'Fourth rule of fight club - Train before a 100k marathon'
The times of the team were good. Pete rolled in comfortably at around 5 hours 21 minutes whilst Mick and Dave finished in 6 hours 6 minutes.
(30-05-2004)
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