10 Under the Ben - CycleOther

My bottom bracket broke last weekend, so into teh bike shop for a service and the pin on my chain that was loosened to get the cain off, spent the opening mini-loop working its way free again.

About 6 minutes into the 1st lap proper the chain blew apart and I ground to a halt! I'd given up on a field repair and just started jogging back to base camp and I happened upon my team mate Roddie with his bike - I handed over the chip and he took over the 1st lap with a mega fast catch up lap!

My first proper lap was done in much the same vein, except I was trying to compensate for the mess of the first one (I have a new maximum heart rate!)

Rod's 2nd lap had his rear derailier seize up, which he had to have replaced while I was out on my 2nd. After that we just plodded on...

His 4th lap, we agreed, would be taken easy - 1hr 10! (when he was out I managed a great recovery and was ready for a final blast, so when he came in all pumped up and full of race adrenalin I was able to carry it on.

I was trying to take it steady (and survive!) when 3 guys went tanking past me like it was their 1st! I was just thinking they were a bunch of w@nk3rs - wot's the fuss - no one can fit in anymore laps when I glanced at my watch and realised I only had 15mins left to complete my lap before the course was closed and the lap wouldn't count! I managed both Laps 3 & 4 in 1:15! Absolutely knackered!

Drink more isotonic - I obviously sweat alot of salt and for the first time ever, I was beginning to suffer cramp (fortunately only during the breaks, but not nice! Even more salt goes in the drinks next time!) - and not have the bike in the shop in the same week as a race!

Ate and went to bed!
Had a ForGoodnessShake after each lap (and the last 3/4 of a mile of the circuit is pretty slow technical riding - Northshore boarding - so the course warms you down as you go...)


Dehydration and the heat!


No fuss events are exactly that! Top notch! :)