Cycling Weekly - Lakeland Monster Miles Adventure X – the Ride - English version

Before you know it, you stand there, on a Sunday morning half past seven, being part of the first group on route for the Massif (62 miles) of the Mini Massif (44 miles). There is a possibility to switches routes during the ride, because the long route will just make an extra loop around another hill, before it joins the short route again. This first group is a mix of MTB and CX bikers, in total about 30 riders. Officially it is not a race, but a timed ride. I have an electronic and numbered sticker on my helmet and a number on my bar, with all the emergency info on it. I could run into trouble today. I’m in that mood at the moment of getting myself in trouble…

We depart in an easy enough pace. Meanly because it is up hill from the start. The first miles are an abandoned railroad track, I’m thinking steam trains, seeing the old iron bridges and the stone beddings. It’s still dry weather, but the road is pretty wet. The rain is waiting for us at the other side of the hill. Rain jackets are mandatory today. As are two spare tires, mini tools, pumps etc. the usual stuff. And off course food and drink for the day out. Two food stops are in place, but I think it will be tea and biscuits only. So, you better come prepared yourself.

My Camelback is filled, accompanied by two bidons, four energy bars and a couple of gels. But I’m NOT carrying a rain jacket. I got something better. I’m wearing my new Castelli Gabba, water and wind proof. It will be invaluable during the ride today. Together with the Nano flex arm and legwarmers and my Sealskinz socks I’m protected against the worse of the weather, I hope.

We ride across all possible surfaces that you can think off. Sometimes the advantage laid with the CX riders, then again the MTB riders have the upper hand, but more often than not, free riders have a ball on the downhills. On my CX bike it rattles my bones, something my broken rib is not enjoying. I try to compensate with my arms and core, but core stability is the one thing I could not exercise, due to this injury. It’s all hands on deck!

After 14 miles the first climb is completed and starts a stormy descend. The wind pick up a lot on this side of the hill and rain is coming in from the North. The sheep hide behind the little stone wall and look at us sheepishly. Little streams cascade down the hillside and we cross more than a one or two. The rain is a constant drizzle and colours our little world grey.

 

I have to make a decision, Massif or Mini Massif? There will be a point of no return at 30 miles. My body says it’s okay to do the Massif, but sense tells me take the Mini and hit it hard. Not having the healthy body I need to have to do the 62 miles of the Massif, the decision is made. Min Massif it is. To keep things interesting, I will try to use the outer ring (46T) only for the remainder of the ride. Little less bounce little more push. Legs, bum and back will hurt, but the rib will be safe.

Now I have only 9 sections instead of the 13 on the Massif. I enjoy myself every inch of the way. Not an easy way, with some nasty climbs (+20%) and some heart stopping downhill thru a forest.  Rocky and wet! If I drop of the bike it will be over and out. But I manage to stay upright and reach the bottom safely.

The last 10km is signalled thru a sign. All of the route is perfectly signed and with marshals on key locations is as safe as it can be. Well done!

These last 10 km I drive home in “high” speed. Up and down it goes. But it’s not that heavy any more. Only one little climb, 23% up, the heaviest 30 meters of my ride! I encounter no riders anymore, like I’m alone on this ride. That’s the advantage of starting in the first group and a 2-3 minutes delay between the groups. No gathering of riders anywhere. So a solo finish it will be. A warm welcome, a goodie bag, a printed timesheet and a bike wash by the local scouts, that’s what you get when you are one of the first riders back. But most important, a nice shinny medal!!!

In the end, I set the 33^rd time on the Mini Massif of a total of 330^th riders and I was the second rider crossing the finish line of the first group of riders I started off that morning. 4 hours and 7 minutes, not bad considered my current heath, the wet weather and the unfamiliar terrain.

Beautiful ride!!!

Start and Finish Keswick, Lakedistrict, UK.