Dartmoor Classic 2011

Sunday 26th June
Dartmoor Classic
Riders: Colin (Silver), Stephen (Gold), Greg (G), Julian (G), Rob McD (G), Steve B (S), Gidon (S), Dave (*), Glen (G), Richard Russell-Johnson (G), Andy MacNae (G), Nick Foxton (S), Ian Robinson (G) & Vicky Woodbridge Harris (G).
Route: Kingsteignton, Bovey Tracey, Manaton, Ashburton, Holne Chase, Venford Reservoir, Hexworthy, Two Bridges, Princetown, Two Bridges, Postbridge, Moretonhampstead, Doccombe, Dunsford, Teign Valley and finish @ Kingsteignton.

Its the day of the Classic....

Sunday morning dawned with a blanket of greyness enveloping Willowby Park and the westcountry. At 6:30 in the morning, in walked Rob McDermott, tea cup in hand ready for an early morning brew to be made by me for him and guest Richard Russell-Johnson. Little did I know that I had, in my midst, two of the brightest of a number of stars emblazoned with GOWCC on their broad chests. Outside a large percentage of the team were expanding those chests and making final pre-travel 'in lycra' bollock adjustments before loading bikes, feeds, clothing and selves into the 'support' vehicles. A convoy of 5 vehicles headed east to Kingsteignton from WP carrying 10 riders who were either regular or guest riders of the GOWCC. In WP, curtains twitched as those that didn't know wondered what strange ritual was about to unfurl.

There was lively talk in the car on the way up...Steve T, Rob McD and I were not discussing the event ahead, but the pros and cons of Federated schools, however as we approached Kingsteignton the discussions were quelled as some of the intrepid 100 milers were seen setting off. "Must have a go at that one day, I privately thought, can't be too difficult!". Pah! six or so hours later, I was to make one of my biggest U-turns on a decision in life yet.

In the car park/change area there was a rush to get going by some - the GOWCC riders all suited, booted and lathered up, down and infill made their way to the registration tent. There was a buzz of anticipation all around amongst the collage of participants, the weather was improving and the group expanded as first Iain, Glen and Dave appeared. Vicky, lady like in pink, was spotted already in one of the departure boxes. Boy, was she to ride well!

Predominately decked in blue and gold, the group colours chosen for the day, but broken up by a smattering of maroon, green and a spare sock, we too looked good in the box. We were also to prove that we weren't just pretty lookers either!

With bellies fluttering from one or more of either nervous anticipation, an overload of energy giving effervescing concoctions or the race eve Indian takeout, we waited for the 'G' of Go. A number of last minute calls were made to loved ones; mainly to let them know that we were to start later than at first intended and that ETA at Two Bridges was to be delayed. In mid calls, we got the signal, WE WERE OFF....slowly at first on the O of GoooooO and then as we headed out of Kingsteignton, with increased vigour and cadence. Already there was an early split, Dave, Gidon and myself, apprehensively slow starters were joined by Nick & Andy as the others motored out. Gidon and Dave, decided almost immediately not to try to chase the lead group down. Andy, Nick and I did and within a couple of miles or so there was a viper of GOWCC riders strung out in a peloton twisting its way through the narrow lanes through Bovey Tracy towards Le Col du Manaton. As the head turned, the tail followed in an harmonic mesmerising motion.

From the tail, it looked a great sight, a metaphorical hiss (more like a whirrr) could be heard, we'd only gone a short distance but the club has come a long way. Unfortunately the speed was such that I wasn't compelled to move too much from the back positions. By Manaton the peloton had broken up, the snake had lost the first of its skins..... Steve B, Steve T, Rob, Richard RJ, Ian & Greg - the 'snakes head including fangs' were leading the way. Julian, Andy, myself and Nick were strung out behind. I didn't know how the other lads were feeling but I have to say that by the 15m marker, I already felt worse than when I had completed the event two years previously. Don't know whether it was attributable to the rising heat, too early a speed, 2 pints the night before or to not having done the miles. In hindsight, I guess it was a bit of each and in hindsight I guess that all those up ahead were feeling fantastic.

Pear Tree descent saw me touch 47 mph, it also saw one rider inadvertently touch the deck. Holne Chase was climbed (just). Up ahead Andy was beginning to make up ground. Hexworthy 'switch backs' navigated, all riders knuckled down to drive towards Two Bridges - the Chief Support Station. Richard was first...he promptly rode through the raucous cheers. The wives looked blankly on as they tried to identify the unknown rider who totally ignored them. (He, RRJ, later asked his apologies to be passed on to all supporters). In quick succession, RMcD, SB, GH, ST, IR, JP & AMcA followed. With the vociferous cheers from the supporting Bradfields, Callard/Whiteheads, Wests, Thompsons, Reids (Especially Sarah - see video), Carters, Parlbys and Nan & Grandpa Page ringing in their ears, the boys injected pace... soon to be tempered by the two final ascents towards Rundlestone and the mid-station break at Princetown. Now bloody hot, riders took food, water and breath.....not long, as the only positive from riding hard was the cooling factor it offered. More ascents followed, Bellever, Postbridge, Warren House and Moretonhampstead to Doccombe. These were interspersed with fast, knuckle whitening descents. The Doccombe Hill ascent proved the undoing of Greg. An unannounced chuck up...caused him to loose contact with SB & RMcD. Up until then they had all been flying in a mini peloton.
Doccombe ascent nearly did me too. Cramp filtered in and out as did a degree of haziness....funny enough it seemed to come on after taking the energy shots. Did anybody else find this?

At Dunsford, the Routemeister had advised "it was all downhill to home". Well Routemeister, downhill in the main it was, but even the flats fatigued and demoralised me and what about that sneaky 'Little Bastard Hill' you forgot to tell us about! It was whilst crawling up to Doccombe that I had a nice, if somewhat surprising shock, after cycling alone for a couple of miles Glen appeared from nowhere, legs pumping like locomotive pistons on his 'Hybrid'. It wasn't 'til later that I found out just how good his ride was.... he'd started later than us - Big Respect to the Man of Huckworthy, I struggled to stay in his wake but did so for a while, just about long enough for us both to pass Steve Bradfield, 6 miles from home. Poor old Steve, his day had been somewhat wrecked by bad luck - a shredded tyre. He remarked later, that very few team riders spoke to him as they passed. Truth is, I suspect, that everyone was 'kin knackered. I mustered a grumpy "alright, Steve", I couldn't stop, I wouldn't have got going again and now it was 'Dog eat Dog'. Speaking personally those last 6 miles hurt and passed in slow motion but at last I, and I guess we all, experienced the thrill of edging our bikes and weary bodies through the finishing line to where we could, at first take in and then give support to all the other later riders as they passed through - all that is except for Dave. Dave was loving the occasion so much so, he dragged it out to make the most of the photo opportunities....what a man!?, what a performer!??

Talking of men, what about them all, study the figures, some fantastic rides with 9 of them smashing the 'Gold' time. It would have been 7 had Steve not suffered the accursed mechanical failures. Others outside the Gold also had great rides... Personally, I was slightly disappointed.. not at one stage did I ever feel comfortable.
Nevertheless a great ride and a great event organised by the Mid Devon CC (sponsored by Specialized). There are some notable targets to hit next year. To those that rode, how do you beat this years times....you have to say each rider was brilliant, to those that didn't, you've got to get a roadie, they don't have to be massively expensive bikes, vis Rob and Steve's trusted steeds. As Steve T has subscribed "you have to take the hedgehog form your pockets"....lets get 20 riders next year.

My highlights, Rob bought me an ice cream at the end... it was lovely.

Some advice: to those considering wearing bibshorts in future. Make sure you complete all number one's, two's and ablutions before you put the things on! I got into a right pickled panic trying to loo in a portaloo! Gidon didn't even try!! I could have died in there, I got me neck through a hole where an arm should have been and vice versa. Greg, lead out man during the early miles commented on the thrill of seeing the GOWCC in close line astern as a High; he unequivocally described the 'Chuck Up' as the Sickening Low.

The view from David's saddle:

Highlights:
The fact that I made it round and only walked up part of Holne Chase, the finish – no further pain being experienced in feet, legs, bottom, lungs, back and hands, overtook someone going up Holne Chase (the first half), getting on the wheel of a delightful blonde girl.
Low lights:
Losing the wheel of the delightful blonde girl after 15 seconds, 40 miles – delirious, 52 miles – could not move left leg to pedal, reaching for Mars Bar in back pocket which had melted completely, learning that the rest of the GOWCC team had passed Two Bridges more than an hour before me!

President's Footnote: Tremendous performances from all, proving that age holds no barriers to physical performance. Looking at the statistics, it is interesting to note that the first home was a 40 year old, the oldest finisher was 81 and there was a 75 year old who finished in 5 hours 34 minutes!!