I was pretty nervous about this one, 150 km of off road riding, Id never ridden that distance off road before.. !But its really was´nt that bad.. The route was all on old railway lines , so climbing was just on shallow gradiants and required technical skills were minimum.
The ride Started from Villalonga close by to us in Denia and ending at Elche in the south past Alicante. Onroute we stopped for breakfast & lunch all very civilized..
The final 70 km was an all out race.. The best bit, PLUS it was virtually all down hill to the finish in Elche .
500 riders ! and are group of 4 were just about the only foreigners..
We stopped at Castalla for lunch,, not just sandwiches but a four course meal.. Meats and Salads & bread, followed by Pasta, Then ice cream and cafe .. We also tucked into beer wine and the odd glass of water .
500 or so mountain bikes parked outside whilst we had lunch
After the lunch the fun really did began. 70 kms of racing it was almost all down hill.. & fast..
What I hadnt repaired for were the TUNNELS..
What I hadnt repaired for were the TUNNELS..
They were long and very dark & I didnt have lights !!
Going into the first tunnel i was just off the front group.. losing them Until the first crash..a few riders went down infront of me,, and i made up some places..
But I was worried about the next tunnel.. I tried to hold onto a group of guys with lights..
They were just to fast,, I got dropped off and went into the tunnel on my own.
I hoped it would´nt be to long,
But after just a few mtrs I was in pitch black,, and could´nt see a thing. PANIC
Expecting to crash or for another rider to hit me in the arse i stopped and dragged the bike over to the left side of the tunnel.. where there was a pavement section.. fell over and then very nearly go run down by the following rider.. So next time ill bring some lights.. !!!!
Going into the finish and positioned for my best place in 10 years or so at around 30th. .......
I punctured in the last 500 mtrs in sight of the line..
Mended the puncture and then got the chain wrapped around its self..
Just impossible to sort out I decided to walk the finish line.
This was a great event and ill def be back next year.. with lights..
