I returned from my 3rd World Cup in three weeks today. With conditions ranging from 30 degree smog in Madrid to 8 degree wet and windy in Fort William, each weekend has provided new challenges to body, mind and equipment. This is what I love about mountain bike racing.
So, the past few weeks have comprised the second World Cup round in the centre of Madrid, the third World Cup round in the Belgian Ardennes at Spa and the fourth World Cup round here in the UK on the 2007 World Championship course at Fort William.
Jenny at Fort William
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As current British National Champion it was nice to begin the UK domestic season with a victory at Sherwood Pines. This served as a good indicator that my training had gone well and that I was ready to deliver solid results for my Subaru-Gary Fisher team.
The Madrid World Cup was the second of the World Series. Those who had competed in the opening round in Curracao benefited by being at the front of the grid. The rest of us had the prospect of 120 riders trying to get in front before the single track. I was able to dodge the scuffles and fights but the effort required to establish position during that first lap was immense. I suffered during laps two and three as a consequence before regaining full power in the final two laps. I finished 54th, a disappointing position but a positive time behind winner Gunn Rita Dahle. By going into the red so dramatically from the gun there was an undoubted payback.
After a shower, and the best Spanish Omlette I have ever had, it was off to catch my flight to London. A delay saw me return after midnight. I had to work a shift at the restaurant first thing Monday morning. I was truly exhausted by Monday evening. I had not stopped since race morning… arrgghh!
By the time I had unpacked it was time to go again, this time by car to Belgium. Having treated myself to a sports car the journey was going to be fun. I hate airports but love sports cars so it was a win win. The Subaru-Gary Fisher team had a house for this race, which allowed us to relax and cook for ourselves, always a novelty. The weather become nasty, with 80mph winds and driving rain to greet me. I decided to make Friday a chill day, with a spin in the afternoon as exercise. I pre rode on Saturday, the course was a mess! I spent a single lap seeing where it went. There was little point spending further time and energy learning it. This was going to be a race of improvisation not course knowledge…. time to get the shoe studs out.
Race day dawned wet and horrid. To acclimatise I donned my waterproofs and rode to the course. The start at Spa is better for me than Madrid. For those well gridded it is a nightmare, a long road climb with opportunity for those further back, like me, to move up. Lap one was a right laugh, running through scrub and jumping over bodies and bikes on the descents. Lap two saw groups form. I made ground on the rideable sections and was efficient on transitions. I continued to make progress until the fourth and final lap when I lost air from my rear tyre. I limped a mile or so the tech zone where I swapped wheels from the Trek team manager. I had lost the riders that I had been riding with, been overtaken by four others and had 3km left before the finish. I did catch two back to claim 49th spot but was disappointed after an epic race.
I was showered, packed and away from Spa by mid afternoon. After a fun drive to Calais I was home by 10pm, ready to unpack and break out the Vanish soap. This time had until Wednesday to clean up and pack. My final World Cup got even more creative with the travel, I took the overnight sleeper from Euston to Ft William. This proved a fantastic way to get to Scotland. With a cosy cabin I had time for dinner before going to bed as we passed through Watford. Other than a bump as they shunted our carriage around Edinburgh, I slept well and awoke to the sight of Scottish snow capped mountains. After breakfast I had two hours as we chugged through the mountains north of Ft William. I sat and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery to the soundtrack of Zero 7. I cannot think of a more perfect way to get to a World Cup.
The weather from Spa followed me to Scotland. The team had a house but this one came with its owners! I am sure a mountain bike team is difficult to come to terms with in your B&B, particularly if crocheted toilet roll covers and tea cosies are more your bag, but these guys bore a scar from previous bikers, and we incurred the anger that skid marks (on carpet presumably) had imparted. This meant that massages took place in the lounge (don't want to impress the shag pile in the bedroom), breakfast timekeeping punctuality was measured to the second and a request for real coffee was considered akin to one for a champagne breakfast in bed. You will never be able to “stand your spoon” in Nescafe. Mind you, the view was undoubtedly worth one of those four stars on the board outside. I reckon if they'd pushed the boat out and flicked the hot water switch in the afternoon they'd have garnered a fifth star, a star too far methinks.
So, Fort William, our (bloody long way from) “home” World Cup, provided the biggest arena and finest course. Even with a week of heavy rain, the circuit remained almost fully rideable and lots of fun. Having punctured every time I have raced here, I opted for safe, sensible 2.2 Bontrager ACX tyres in a bid to get round. I rode just one lap the day before the race. It went so well that it could not be bettered, so I left it at that.
Race day was wetter than Spa, and much colder, yet still the obligatory singlets were out. I donned my waterproofs and rode to the course… déjà vu. The atmosphere was not dampened and I couldn't wait to get going. With 30 seconds to the start a race official remained in front of me on the grid. As the gun went he was still there, doing what I don't know, but he managed to baulk my hopes of a good start as I swung around him to get going… nothing like a helping hand for the home rider. This meant that I had to bide my time since I was way back. I waited until the track began to climb, put in a big effort and started to climb through the pack. The usual hold ups and arguments took place early on, but by lap two I got going, riding with a group of good bike riders. The course rode well and I had fun on the descents, the crowd was amazing. I missed my water bottle on lap 2 which left me thirsty by the time I came around again. Otherwise I seemed to be having a good day, riding in the 30's. On the final two laps my progress was hindered by rear brake issues that neutralised my advantage on the descents, particularly on the final lap. This was frustrating but I crossed the line a good 33rd anyway, and so rounded off a solid few weeks.
Post race was a nightmare! Everything was filthy. I jet washed my bike and began to clean myself only to realise that jet washers are way too powerful to clean skin, they clean skin off! Eventually a hosepipe was found. After this I had a couple of interviews before getting properly cold and riding back to the B&B to warm up. Thankfully Julie had flicked the hot water switch on.
On Saturday evening we had team dinner and celebrated JHK's fantastic 5th place ride in the men's event. On Sunday I spent time at the course, watched Tracy win the downhill and met with loads of people that I haven't seen for ages, before getting my train at 7pm. This is the perfect time to depart Fort William. It leaves 5 hours scenic travel before darkness creeps in. I now have a few days before the National Series second round in South Wales and then a mid season rest!
A well earned rest too we think - Ed!
