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Cheshire Cat Sportive
30th
March 2008
This being my first sportive I was
a bit nervous about the distance but also excited and
really looking forward to the event. My training up to
this had not been the best, but I still had put a lot of
miles into my legs this year so was confident the
distance and the climbs would not beat me.
Both Darren and I set off on
Saturday morning so to get there before 5pm and get
signed to beat the rush in the morning. We arrived in
plenty of time and after signing in decided to drive
over to Mow Cop just see what lied in store. It looked a
very tough climb on its own and how it would be after 70
miles in the legs did play on my mind.
I also decided to take part in a
nutrition promotion being run by High 5. The regime was
to consume 4 bottles of 4-1 Carb protein solution and 3
x Gels every hour and nothing else. I was told that
after 70 miles I would be feeling like I had only just
started. Well time would tell.
The Weather on the Saturday when we
arrived was awful with torrential rain and high winds,
but we did not let this dampen our spirits. We had a
nice meal in the bar and a couple of glass’s of wine
before getting to bed nice and early as we were to loose
an hour due to the clocks going forward. I put the clock
forward on my phone and set the alarm for 6am.
Unfortunately I did not sleep to well and was awake from
about 3am and was pleased when the alarm went off. I got
up and so did Darren. Then Darren realised it was
actually 5am as my phone had automatically changed the
time less the hour I had already taken off!!! We then
went back to bed for another hour – not a good start.
When we did get up we were pleasantly surprised with the
change in the weather, clear blue skies and quite warm
with hardly any wind.
We got to the start by 8am as we
wanted to be off nice an early we went and waited on the
start grid as there was already a queue forming, however
it was 20-30mins waiting before we were sent off, during
which time I was not feeling to great and got very cold.
I was pleased to finally get going
to get warmed up, but within the first 5 miles I was
already blowing quite hard and my heart rate was a lot
higher than normal, Darren on the other hand looked
strong and said he felt really good. We pushed on at
18-20mph and even the slightest gradient uphill I was
really struggling and after around an hour the pain in
my lower back started. I was feeling guilty as every
climb Darren would disappear into the distance and then
wait for me at the top.
The first feed stop was at 29miles
and was not far after a series of climbs that ordinarily
would not have troubled me and therefore I had lost
contact with Darren. We had agreed we would not stop at
the first one however I needed wee and was expecting
Darren to be there waiting for me – yet again!! However
Darren was not there and after a pee I was about to set
off when Darren turned up, he had taken a wrong turn so
had just put an extra 3-4 miles in the bank. At this
time Darren’s front mech had jammed in the big ring and
we agreed to stop at the next feed stop before Mow Cop
to sort it out.
After leaving the feed stop I was
feeling a bit better and we soon hooked up with a group
of riders that were doing a nice pace between 20-22mph.
I thought the nutrition plan I was on was starting to
work and I actually felt quite strong. I at last was
starting to enjoy the ride as we passed some amazing
scenery highlighted by the wonderful weather. To my
surprise the 2nd feed station was only 20
miles after the first which was a shame as this meant
the group we were with got lost in amongst all the other
riders. Darren sorted his front mech by putting into the
smaller ring which meant he would be spinning like a man
possessed for the rest of the ride. Although he did have
an 11 cog on his cassette so he was not overly
concerned.
Soon after this stop my back
started to really hurt to the point that even the
smallest climb I was gasping for air, this was not good
as I knew what lie ahead. I was feeling pretty guilty at
this point as I was conscious that I was holding Darren
back and seriously considered pulling out. Darren kept
reassuring me that he was fine and was not worried about
the time. So I decided head down and tough it out. The
rise up to Mow Cop could be seen from about 15 miles
away and not feeling great I can assure you it looked
quite daunting. At Alsager we were sent on a diversion
due to a road closure and this took us up a climb which
maybe not as steep as Mow Cop it was at least a 2 mile
climb and I was really struggling even in the granny
gears!! Just after this climb Darren again was waiting
for me and we headed down a long decent to the foot of
Mow Cop. On this decent I hit a pot hole and punctured,
which was a blessing in disguise as the rest to sort it
out was very welcome.
So off we set and we started the
climb up Mow Cop. Darren powered off and looked really
strong as he passed the majority of other riders on the
climb. Whereas I was just happy to climb very slowly but
still had to get out of the saddle every now and again
just to keep going. I then hit the 25% ramp at the top
and cramped up big style and had no choice but to get
off. I was gutted as I really wanted to beat this
monster. I walked to the top of this bit and then got
back on only to turn a corner to be faced with another
albeit shorter very steep climb to the top. With 20
yards to go I cramped up again this time so bad I
actually yelled out in pain and fell off the bike as I
could not even turn my foot to release the cleat. I then
remounted at the top and started the long descent to the
final feed stop. The descent was very hairy as the road
surface was very poor, covered in put holes and loose
grit together with lots of sharp bends. I caught up with
Darren at the feed stop. Darren telling me he had
climbed Mow Cop without getting off only added to my
disappointment of being beaten by it.
We soon sent off again, by which
time I was really suffering with a bad back and stomach
cramps and within a mile we were faced with the 2nd
largest climb of the ride. This one I managed without
getting off!!! Soon after I caught up with Darren and
about 60 other riders at Junction with no signage with
know one knowing which way to go. Fortunately I had the
route on my Garmin and was able to get us all back on
route. It turned out that a marshal had sent us the
wrong way and we were off track. Well done Kilotogo as
there were a few more turns that were not signed!!!
I again lost site of Darren as I
struggled to go above 15mph and with about 15 miles to
go I was physically sick. I then plodded on with the
occasional rider including women passing me. I then saw
Darren riding towards me, which believe was a welcome
site. He then towed me all the way back, although I
still had to stop again as I thought I was going to be
sick again as the stomach cramps and back pain was
bringing water to my eyes.
I was so relieved to finally cross
the finishing line and I can’t thank Darren enough for
getting me through it. It was such a shame that I was
not very well as we were blessed with fantastic weather
and the route was really good. This experience has not
put me off and I’m already looking forward to the next
one. I will be back next year to beat the monster Mow
Cop!
The Nutrition plan I was on did not
help, but I believe it was down to me not being well, as
I was the only rider that did not benefit from it,
although at the time I was blaming it and told Darren I
was going to give the man from High5 what for when we
got back.
Once again a big thank you to
Darren for all his support
Shane Chapman |
