The Ride The Dolomites; the only way is up

 For the last few months The Ride Dolomites had been a little black cloud on my racing calendar.  The starting date coming nearer and nearer and me feeling less and less prepared for it. For a few months earlier this year I was led into a false sense of security that I was on the road to recovery with the least amount of pain in my legs and back I had felt in the past two years. But then about two months ago, for no apparent reason my back injury raised its ugly head again. With nerve pain shooting down into my legs, my glutes, my hamstrings and lower back, everything hurting again. From sleeping, showering, walking the dogs, working, driving, and riding my bike. Simply living my life was painful.  Being in constant pain was exhausting creating a lack of motivation I was not used to. It got me so down that I wondered why I was still trying to be an athlete if it caused me this much distress. And at the same time not wanting to let go of something I loved doing so much. 

So I really had no choice but to ride through it. Literally. With The Ride only a few weeks away, I joined a local group ride to spend some more time riding in bunches to get used to it and get some road cycling fitness in at the same time. Not without pain I must add. But riding in company often distracted me from what was physically going on and slowly but surely the pain receded to just my lower back. And then suddenly it was time to pack.   

The evil master minds behind The Ride; course directors deep in thought...

The Ride was a Dutch owned company targeted and attracting mainly Dutch people.
It worked like a proper race tour; for 6 days we would be crossing the Dolomites riding from campsite to campsite. With a whole bunch of volunteers looking after us as if we were professional athletes. From Physio’s to bike mechanics, first aiders, cooks and support vehicles we were spoiled with attention from the first moment we woke up to the last moment we went to sleep. Every stage included a challenge which were all climbs, these timed sections counted towards a General Classification over all the stages. Each route had an option B for riders who were struggling and needed an easier ride. The support vehicles were on stand by the whole day sweeping up riders where necessary. And mechanics fixing broking down bikes. Every night we were treated with a recap of the day involving pictures, video clips and stories of the day in true sarcastic Dutch humour which I had missed so much! It was a really well organised event with good food, great people and amazing cyclists. 

I was teaming up with cycling guru, Maan Klomp who had done an enormous amount to boost women’s cycling especially in Amsterdam. She was a bit of a cycling celebrity realloy! Maan and I were both ambassadors for StrongHer whom we were riding for. It was an absolute honour and pleasure to ride with Maan. From the moment I arrived at camp late on the Saturday night she took me under her wing and made me feel at ease. Maan also had her list of troubles getting ready for The Ride including a trip to the hospital with broken ribs only a few months ago! My plan for the week was simple, I was not allowed to push myself. Hmm. Yes. This is a lot harder than you think when the evil master minds behind this event had chosen to send us over some of the toughest climbs in the area. And with a racing mind in my head, I had to let go of my ego and stick to the plan.

we quickly formed a tight group

We started with two massive days, both over 140km of riding and close to 3000m of ascend. And a tight little group was easily formed; Maan and her husband Harco, Joyce and Ger, Marc, Siegrid and I. Riders would come and leave us but this was the core of our bunch for the week.

Our pace maker Harco in conversation with Marc before setting off 

On Day 2 (143km, 2800m ascend) the heat and steep gradient got to me in the final km of the challenge climb and I decided I needed a lay down in some nice looking green grass (which actually ended up being stinging nettles)  When the ambulance drove passed me, they jumped out and came running towards me thinking I had passed out. I immediately got to my feet “I am ok, I am ok” I said to the concerned but smiling faces. This all to the amusement of a fellow rider who witnessed it all, not shy of teasing me about it for days to come! The shero's from first aid gave me some magnesium, lots of encouraging words and off I went on again just as Maan caught up with me who was struggling equally as much as I was. The final 1km felt like 10000000000kms!!

Absolutely not pushing myself...

It worried me that after two days I already felt so empty, and there were still 4 days to go

with some of the hardest climbs still to come. But the atmosphere was electric, the weather was amazing and everybody including all the volunteers were so upbeat that the suffering was easily forgotten. 

amazing scenery creating a happy heart

Having a moment with Siegrid to take it all in 

On day 3 (113km, 3000m ascend) I struggled riding in a bunch, it is something I do not do very often and I felt the constant change of pace was taking its toll. We lost Maan to the support vehicle half way through the day which made me sad for her. I myself felt a bit uninspired. Feeling mentally and physically exhausted. In the final 16km climb of the day I was lucky to be able to keep Joyce in sight up the mountain. It started raining as the last km's came closer climbing into colder air. I had to laugh out loud when a bunch of riders who were hiding from the weather at a cafe cheered us on full noise, lifting up my spirits.  As we reached the top of the climb the rain had now turned into heavy hail the size of small ping pong balls, causing a slippery mess on the road. Joyce and I decided the last descent to camp was not worth getting injured for and we called for help. There were at least 20 people still stuck on the mountain but within minutes riders were taken down, given hot drinks and emergency foil blankets to get warm. A big shout out to Jos from the support vehicle and a huge credit to the organisation for taking control of a situation which could have easily ended up out of hand.

Nothing makes me happier 

Day 4 was the mighty Queens stage, 114kms and 4000m of climbing. We were staying at the same camp that night which meant riders could opt out, have a rest day or ride an easier route B. As people were talking more and more about how brutal this stage was, my adventure heart started to sing. It included Passo di Fedaia, a brutal climb with a straight up 3km section averaging 17% gradient. And I wanted to ride it. I did not care if it would take me the whole day. Whilst riders were coming up with reasons not to do it, I started to convince myself I was strong enough to do it. This was a bucket list stage and my name was written all over it. We discussed it in our group and 5 of us were going for it; Joyce, Ger, Siegrid, Marc and I. 

Mighty stage 4

waking up on the first climb with a scenery which was breath taking

The support of Ger and Joyce over the week was very much appreciated

I can’t really describe the magic which told the story of day 4. The connection I felt between our little group, the amazing scenery which simply made me feel the happiest I had been in a long time. And having legs which for whatever reason just kept on giving. We all rode within minutes from each other which made the day flow so effortless it felt like one big great smile. Riding into camp that night having achieved the full stage was one the most satisfying moments I have had for a long time. Something which had absolutely nothing to do with pace, power or speed, but absolutely everything to do with mental strength. One of those days you will recall sipping a cup of tea in the evening sun at the age of 110.

Exhausted with Siegrdid after an epic day 4

Day 5(125km 2900m ascend) was always going to be a tough one after such an epic day before but we were now on the home straight and it was another day with scenery to keep the soul happy forever.
               

Ready to go after refreshments at the feed zone

Enjoying the incredible views

Maan back in old form in the last couple stages

The final day(110km, 2700m ascend) was not without drama when Siegrid suffered a mechanical just before the last climb. Reluctantly we left her behind whilst she waited for the mechanics to arrive. Nothing can get Siegrid down however and ala Annemiek Van Vleuten she stormed up the last mountain to join the rest of us for the final descent back into Levigo. 

In these final km’s of The Ride a lot of what had happened in the last couple of years went through my mind and I felt satisfied in a way a great race can only satisfy you. But this time I had not won anything or set any record times. It was simply an amazing week with incredible people. A week which had given me an awareness of my mental strength which I have never had before. Giving me some control back of my physical performance which I had lost through injury.

Although none of us were focussing on the challenges, our little group kicked some ass! With Piet and Stephan (who joined us in the final two days) taking out the men's master duo's, Ger and Joyce coming second in the mixed duo's, Harco coming 2nd in the super speedy master male category, and Siegrid coming 2nd in a very strong master Female field. I myself was very happy to finish 4th master female!

Trying to eat as much as possible at breakfast time

Camp

A huge thanks to StrongHer for giving me the opportunity to do The Ride, our little group for all the support and everyone involved for creating such a special week. Back to reality in little old Scotland preparing for my last adventure of the year, Worldwide MTB Stage race The Yak Attack in Nepal. 

“What you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you create” Buddha 

The Dukes Weekender; just what the doctor ordered.

I love sport. I love following athletes in their pursuit of excellence at whatever level that may be. I love stories of adversity, overcoming struggles and disappointments. People who when the world has given up on them, will lash out and make the impossible happen. I get inspired by those real stories, the truthful, honest and relatable ones. It is what has inspired me to challenge myself, to dig deep, to push my own limits, chase dreams in what ever way, shape or form they may come. To not, no matter what the circumstances, ever give up. 

Adversity is something I am very familiar with and to overcome them my true instinct has always been to fight against it, to push against pain. Wether that is physical or mental pain. It has resulted in multiple injuries including ignoring a broken back to the point I could barely walk and alienating a childhood which is just as much a part of me as my present. I have always felt that my ability to suffer in training and races is what enabled me to fast track through the amateur ranks to elite level after getting involved in sport late in life. Rather than having natural talent. And equally this ability to suffer put an end to my short lived pursuit of elitism when I nearly managed to destroy myself by ignoring all the signs of serious injury.

Chickensoup for the soul; bikes, trails and dogs

I have mentally really struggled in the last couple of months to redefine my dreams and goals as an athlete. Chronic injury and debilitating nerve pain prevented me to deal with the feeling of being stuck the only way I knew how to, by fighting through it. Thanks to my coach James McCallum who took the time to sit down with me, helping me make plans with very short term goals I slowly but surely have started to move forward again. Thanks to friends like Laura Cunningham who pulled me out of my own isolation and included me into her cycling family, I have started to feel inspired again. And as the pain in my legs started to recede, my mind has become calmer, or vice versa I wonder?

I am not someone who seeks company from other people to feel better but equally I do feel the need to connect with like minded people to feel inspired. With that in mind I entered the Dukes Weekender, a new race on the calendar involving a hill climb TT and a 65km gravel enduro race. The Dukes Weekender was advertised as a social cycling festival, including a

kids race and a social gathering with inspiring speakers in the likes of Graeme Obree, Andy McKenna and Lee Craigie. With Michael away on holiday it meant I was going alone. I had been improving with leaps and bounces in training but felt a bit anxious about racing. I nearly talked myself out of going when I received a message from my lovely friend and Scottish MTB champ Kerry MacPhee who had noticed my name on the start list. I had to laugh to myself, a social cycling event in Scotland always means it attracts some of the best riders in the country! Kerry’s message got me to pack up my van with bikes and dogs and head to Aberfoyle.

My support crew

Within minutes of arriving I had already made a friend in multi sport champ Pippa Tanner and her husband Nick. Before the weekend was over we were planning adventures together after discovering we only lived 20 min apart!

The event started with a 2km Hill TT, although not my strength, I wanted to really dig deep on the hill climb, empty the tank, give it all I got.The atmosphere was buzzing and hearing Rab’s voice yelling my name through the loud speakers made me want to go that little faster. The bells and whistles, the chalk writing of support on the tarmac disappearing underneath me, the sound of drums and cheering people, it was such a cool experience racing to the top of Dukes Pass. The atmosphere was electric and everyone was in such good spirits. Happy with my performance I went back to the start to cheer on Kerry and other competitors.

Hanging out with Danny Macaskill 

The Dukes gathering on Saturday night was hosted by Rab Wardell and Lee Craigie. Entertaining, inspiring, and buzzing all at the same time having Andy McKenna and Greame Obree speak. Both men having this amazing gift of captivating people with their incredible presence. I had to pinch myself when I found myself engaged in conversation with Graeme Obree after the event. We chatted about his achievements, mental health issues and pursuit of acceptance. An absolutely fascinating brilliant man to talk to. Not much later I found myself in the company of Danny Macaskill chatting about his adventures on Killimanjaro. What a night! I returned to my van filled with inspiration and energy after an amazing day on the bike with awesome people. Squeezed in with my dogs and bike buzzing from the days adventures I did not get much sleep! 

Meeting Graeme Obree and Andy McKenna

Waking up to torrential rain in the morning was not exactly ideal. I felt awful after a rough night in the van, “but its only 65km” I thought “how hard can that be?"

Very hard. Very hard indeed was the answer to that. It ended up a very wet, windy, tough cold solo ride for me. At times I felt like I was not moving through the insane headwinds riding over tyre sucking water soaked gravel roads. I completely messed up the racing style riding on my own, wanting to get back as soon as I could. Which resulted in not really having the legs to smash the timed really cool, twisty stages! There was a lot of cursing against the torrential rain, but I always find it amazing how these bad memories quickly fade after a change into warm clothes and lots of good food! The afternoon was spent with old friends and newly made ones, lots of laughter and planning of new adventures. We all took amazing prizes home with Kerry outclassing the overall women’s field and Pippa and I dominating the podium in the slightly older athletes category over the three races. I was most happy with my 2nd place in the hill climb! A huge thank you to all the volunteers out on course and the organisers for putting up a professional run super fun event. I will be back next year for sure!

Driving home I felt inspired in a way I had not felt for a while. I knew that I still had to take it one step at a time with a back injury which needed continuous management. But the Dukes Weekender had managed to awaken and inspire the competitor in me to keep on trying and chasing, to keep on at it. Dreams really have no time limit. And I needed to 
remind myself of that.

A massive thanks to Sandy Wallace Cycles especially John Woodrow for being so supportive of me and coach James for guiding me through some tough months. I am very lucky to have a good support network around me. 

Next stop for me; The Ride Dolomites.

                                           “You will get there, but only if you keep going” 

Photo credit : Pam La Craig