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CLIC 24, Mendip Hills

The CLIC 24 hour event is now in it's 5th year. It is a much smaller event than the 'mountain mayhem' or 'sleepless in the saddle' but still as entertaining. This year it was not a race and so it's much more of a relaxed atmosphere than other events. Even so, when on the course it sure does feel like a race.

The event is a fund raising weekend for the charity CLIC, which offers advice support and hands on care for children effected by cancer or leukaemia and their families.

Mick competed in the event solo. On arrival the wind was near gale force and the start area seemed tiny compared to the bigger events. The first imprssion was it was much more extreme and isolated than other events. However after an hours sleep the camp filled out more.

The camp itself was based on a farmers field. The size matched the builth wells campsite. There was the single white start/finish tent where all riders checked in and out for each lap. Then there were two other tents situated nearby, one for charging lights and one was the massage tent. Across a small country lane was the local centre which stocked all the food, coffee and tea.

The Start Tent

The Course

The course was a rocky affair with two big climbs to keep your legs moving. From the farmers field the riders turned right onto a country lane before turning left after about 500 metres to hit the first climb. The climb itself was steep, a granny ring was often required, but not tricky as the terrain was flat. The climb last a good three quarters of a kilometre.

From the top of the climb the fun began. Immediately the riders hit a single track rocky path that went slightly downhill between the fields. This was the first and least of the boneshakers on the course. A slight climb at the end of the descent and the riders went through the first of four gates, took a sharp right where the land levelled. It was no ride in the park though as the constant rocks along the way took it out of the hands and knees. This section went on for around a good three miles or so. There were short descents and inclines along the way (below).

One of the many short sharp climbs

At the end of the section the riders came out of the fields onto some open space, did a few right and left turns before heading into the wood. Once in the woods there was a slight descent that passed through the second gate. From the gate to another entrance in the wood was the most boneshaking path that even rivalled 'the field' in the past 'Red Bull' 24 hour event. It was a real challenge not to let go of the bars. Once the smooth section appeared you were deep into the woods. The course then hit the fire roads. The first road came out of the trees with a slight downhill where some speed could be gained. At the bottom the riders went round a slight left bend before hitting a sharp right turn and heading on the straight to the bottom of the big climb.

  
The Mile Long Hill

At this point you were easily into the last third of the course. The mile or so long hill started from a sharp left turn hitting a 20 metre steep incline. This was a definate granny ring until you reached the small brow where the steepness was still there but the rider could relax a little more. At the top of the first section the riders completed a little S'bend, grabbed a drink, and then hit the first of three long slogging sections to the top (above). These really took it out of you. Each section was possibly 400 metres in length.

Then, to rub salt in the wound, if you had managed to climb that you got a sense of security with a 20 metre flat fire road before taking a sharp right and being faced with another steep tricky incline of around 50 metres (another granny ring).

Then the riders passed through the third gate and onto the open land. Motorbike tracks and groves made this flatter section a little tricky, but it was still a slight relief from the climb before. The fourth gate appeard where the riders turned right through it and started the fastest downhill of the course (below). This took the rider between two fields and again shook the hands to numbness. At the bottom of the decline was a left onto the fast country lane for a mile or so back to camp. This sounds boring but was light relief for the hands and knees. All in all a challenging, enjoyable course (if you only had to do it once)

Rocky Downhill - Anyone for numb hands?

The 24 Hours

Lap 1 - To start the event off all the riders, solo or a member from each team, lined up in number order. The event began with the starting of the clock dead on 12pm. All riders swept through the field and onto the country road to reach the first climb. The plan was to reach around 20 laps leaving 2 to 4 hours in total of interval resting. The first lap was an eye opener and Mick wondered if the rocks would really take it out of him placing some doubt as to whether it would be an enjoyable event. The lap was completed at probably around the hour mark.

Lap 2/3 - As the event went on the laps seemed to get more enjoyable, possibly because the riders were getting spread out and there was more room to move around on course. Mick noticed a large abundance of cockney accents and the in colour for the season surely is red, as most people seemed to be wearing it. Anyway these two laps passed by quickly and the final flat road really was becoming the area to gain time. After the third lap a well deserved break was taken to refuel.

Lap 4 - By now all laps were rolling into one. However during the next couple of laps two major accidents took place in the exact same spot. It was strange as it wasn't a tricky section and must've left the majority of riders thinking how such bad injuries could've occurred. The first was on this lap. After a particular corner a guy was slowing everyone down with an ambulance behind him. There was a rider curled on the floor with blood pooring from his face. It was later established that the guy had been rushed to hospital and had to have plastic surgery (not nice!!!). This was definately a wake up call to take your time.

Lap 5 - Everything was going swimmingly until the seat slipped on the stem, probably due to the rocks. So lap 5 became an on course 20 minute break. Time to fix the seat, eat and call home to let everyone know of the progress (there was no mobile signal in camp). The lap must've took around 1hr 20mins. However the last section on the country lane was increasingly becoming a part of the course to aim for. It was light relief from the rocks, the end of another lap and a section to pull a lot of time back. Riders took it easy on the road which was strange as it was one of the fastest sections particularly if you could hang off the back of a team rider.

Resting on Course

Lap 6 - This lap was the second of the two accidents. This time the helicopter ambulance had to land and stretcher the rider away. It was never established what happened to the injured party.

Lap 7/8 - Two laps that were uneventful. Again as mentioned before the course seemed to get more enjoyable in certain area's. The last mile on the road was enjoyable, but also, as wierd as it sounds, the mile long climb was becoming more enjoyable and a rest from the rocks. The endless hours of spinning classes were definately paying off for the climbing. After lap eight it was around 9.15pm, a chance for a 30 minutes rest, refuel and time to put the lights on the bike. That pasta salad was really doing the trick.

Dusk in Camp

Lap 9/10 - Unsure of how long the light battery lasted, energy had to be saved on the hills by switching down to the 5 watt bulb. These two laps were tricky in the dark and Mick dismounted the bike twice with school boy errors. The first was due to a post sticking out that had been there the whole race, however Mick was sure it had disappeared in the dark only to find it hadn't. The second was in one of the motorcycle ruts, unable (forgetting really) to un-clip from the pedals, Mick decided to lay on the ground (well it was nightime). Lap 10 was finished at 12.30am. Halfway to the target of 20 laps and 30mins behind.

Lap 11 - It was now pitch black, very strange on course and this lap was to be the slowest of the 24 hours. Lap 11 was done totally without seeing anyone on course. The climbs were scary as things move in the bush and make you jump. These were the slowest two laps and fatigue was setting in. Lap 11 was finished at 2.30am. The second battery time was close to running out so Mick made the executive decision to stop, eat as much as possible and get an hours kip.

Lap 12 - At 4am it was getting light. A hearty breakfast was consumed before heading back out at around 4.30am when the course could be seen fully. Totally refreshed and ready to go for the day, what seemed like one of the fastest laps was completed. However hands and knees were beginning to hurt. Worse than that though was the aching in the back when climbing

Singletrack

Lap 13/14 - The thinking by now was to to get 15 laps and then anything was a bonus. 13 and 14 were long slogs but very rewarding. A 20 minute rest on course allowed for some photos, food and another progress call home.

Lap 15 - A milestone was reached with lap 15. The pace had picked up, the pain had picked up. Even sitting was hurting, nevermind holding on to the bars. However the final road to finish this lap was one of the most enjoyable of the event. Knowing the 150mile mark had been reached was great!!!

Lap 16 - After a quick 10 minute stop the energy had picked up knowing that the last two hours had been reached. The end was near. Psychologically this was a massive boost. The pace picked up and the lap was finished at 10.45am. This meant that the final lap had to be done in 1hr 15mins. Was it worth attempting was the question?

Lap 17 - The pace was alot quicker knowing the time the lap had to be done in. By now everthing hurt but to get that final lap was very important. The first climb was finished as quick as on lap 1. Things slowed down on the rocks but the mile long hill was attacked with energy. There were a big group of riders from Wales on a morning ride climbing the hill for the first time. It was a great feeling for Mick knowing 165miles had been done previous and still had the energy to overtake them. The final road was a whirlwind and was attacked in top gear. The final lap was completed in just under an hour, maybe the quickest lap of all. The pins were dead and strowling back to the car hurt. The feeling was great though. The last lap was completed with 16minutes left on the clock.

Short climb

Results

The big result was the success of the event and the money raised. However the feeling of completing a 24hr event is a result. Mick finished in joint 3rd (but it wasn't a race). Check out the results by clicking here. Notice that Paul Newman entered, must've been for his latest film.

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