Trains, Travels

This is going to be brief (and unedited), though hopefully not truncated like yesterday’s entry was. Time is limited; sleep, food, massage and of course training take precedent. Blogging will suffer, but I’ll catch up properly when we hit the easy day. Before that I have one more hard ride to push my body through.

The most important fact was missing from yesterday’s abbreviated post – I was in Green. Today I rode out in a camp jersey for the first time. I aimed to live up to it and once John had pulled us out of town I went to the front and led the way up the Col de Lautaret. A gradual climb in comparison to recent mountains, but long; it took time to reach the top. There was a moment when I thought Douglas was going to attack me to take the Col, but he dropped off to be replaced by Ian who chased me and beat me at the top.

From there a long descent through stunning valleys to the bottom of the Alpe D’Huez. We rode out as a group for the first KOM of the day, I was suffering, but slowly pulled some places back to finish around my usual fifth position; it’s becoming a habit.

At the top of the Alpe a run race was arranged which only a few of the Campers joined in with. It was tough at that height and a far from flat profile. Unsurprisingly I came in fourth, maintaining my usual position! I was wasted from the heat and the work done so far today. I seriously doubted my ability to get myself home. The descent was easy at least, even if I did become paranoid about over heating rims!

The group moved along at a steady clip with Ian doing the work on the front. Fresh legs help and I moved to the front on the first climb aiming to drop the pace. My move threw me 20m off the front of the group and Steven joined me, he suggested nobody wanted to work and we could make a breakaway.

I’ve no idea where I found the energy, but we pushed the next 35km back to the top of the Col de Lautaret. Clas bridge over to us and we set about working to reach the top ahead of the bunch. The aim was simple, help Clas into Polka Dot on the King of the Mountain and further secure Steven’s lead in Yellow. I was tired, but hung in and did turns where I could.

Six kilometres from the top I was done, Clas pulled away while Steven and I proceeded at a steadier pace. As it would turn out Steven rode a puncture up the final 5km, not wanting to give away a high placing in this KOM. I sat behind and kept watch for anyone else attempting to bridge, if needs be I’d attack and take second to help take high points on the KOM for Steven.

Job done. We reached the top, Clas was in Polka dot and Steven was second. A short rest to find water and fix the puncture and then the long descent to our hotel. I took it easy having done my job for the day. I know my strengths and enjoyed playing domestique for a while. I can’t win Polka Dot or Yellow, but I can help my friends hold onto them. Strategy may need to be considered for tomorrow’s ascent of the Galibier.

Steven, Rob and I squeezed in the 3K swim to round out the day. A few others tried, but the pool was closing early so they’ll postponing completion for another day. There’s a little leeway in the points game when logistics get in the way.

The huge day has left me shattered. I’m not sure how much use I’ll be tomorrow when we swim, bike and run again. Certainly managing to dig deeper than ever before and really test myself. It’s fun being this strong on the bike, I hope I can push one more time before the recovery day. I hoovered down food at dinner and then it was a great massage from Anna; hopefully it’ll help keep the legs working hard.

I’m no longer in Green, the honour passed on to Rob. I’ll continue to push myself hard, points are great, but I’m here to train. Steven is in yellow, and Clas takes the Polka Dot by a single point. There’s a close battle for that jersey.

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End of the third day of camp and I’m exhausted. Fortunately when the day started I’d managed eight hours sleep thanks to a pair of ear plugs and some antihistamines. I’d slept well, but my reaction to the previous day’s wasp sting had left me with a swollen head, I could barely open my right eye. Aside from looking like Quasimodo I was feeling good.

We started early with a trail run at altitude. The initial pace barely counted as running, but it was the best any of us could manage. I trotted along, clock watching, desperate for the turn around point to arrive. When it did I found a little more energy and rushed back to the hotel for breakfast, narrowly avoiding a wrong turn on route. Happy to have run well, though concerned by a little soreness in my right knee, I was a little nervous about the ride ahead.

At least it started well, the advantage of being based at the top of a mountain is the first 10km of the ride is a descent. I barely turned a pedal to reach the bottom with the main group. We stayed together along the lake and as we turned into the hills I pulled round to the front and settled into a solid pace. My usual nervous descending saw me head back in the group whenever the road went down.

Eventually we reached a gradual climb through the valley and after a lead out from Clas I hit the front and kept the pace on till the aid station. I knew this was the same stupid tactics of previous days, but then I couldn’t compete for Yellow or Polka dot Jerseys anyway. I applied the same tactic from the aid station through to the base of the Col de Vars. Once the road steepened I was left behind by the strongest climbers, but slowly ground my way up to finish in fourth.

We enjoyed lunch in the sun on top of the Col, then descended to the second climb of the day. Steven dropped his chain on the descent and believing he was okay the group continued on. As we’d discover on the lead in to the Col d’Izoard he wasn’t too pleased we’d not eased up more. I’d happened to pull of the front shortly before he re-caught the group, he thought I’d been attacking. As it was my aim was simply to get to the bottom of the final climb fast and see what happens.

Legs numb from the work so far I had nothing for this climb. It was brutal with stretches in excess of 10%, bottom gear stuff. I ground my way up again, but couldn’t chase, it was only seeing Christine a switchback behind me that spurred me on to the top and a second fourth place of the day. Exhausted, I took my time before descending with Douglas.

The normal 12 hour rule had been waved for the day if you wanted to swim. I debated, I was tired, but Epic Camp was about the training. The points wouldn’t get me yellow as Steven had committed himself to a 6K swim with sets for extra points. I ended up in the pool at quarter to six and slogged out 3km without much enthusiasm. As it was with only Steven and I swimming at least 3K we were the only ones to gain bonus points; Christine had gone to the pool, but getting out after 2K meant no points. I moved into second place on yellow, a huge 10.5 points behind Steven.

Back to the hotel in time for dinner I was exhausted. I had one more task to do, having taken responsibility for the points spreadsheet from John. Between courses I totalled up the days scorings and the KOM competition. Zach dominated in the mountains, but Clas sits only a single point behind him, plenty to play for there. Steven’s lead in Yellow seems insurmountable at this point.

Finally the day finished with a briefing in the hotel bar. Tomorrow we ride up the Alpe D’Huez, have a run race at the top, then ride back again; everyone needs to swim this time for camp completion. Zach was in Polka Dot again and Steven in yellow. And I was in Green! Finally I had a jersey after so much effort, my work on the front had paid off.

Another big day tomorrow and I’m in Green. Time to sleep.

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Day 1 – Hard riding and Accidents

I came into Epic Camp at a new level of bike fitness and spent the first day testing this. Tactically foolish and in opposition to my objective of controlling my effort. We drove to the start of the first ride, 120km to Embrun with a Col or two between us and our destination. Starting strongly I kept near the front; once Douglas threw in a little effort I raised the pace all the way to the first aid station. Camp always starts out too hard, we’ll settle into it.

Despite the power meter’s warnings, it was fun. I tried to keep the pressure on, holding a little back as the first King of the Mountain was still to come. Steven and I took turns on the front – tactically foolish. An early jump by Steven did nothing to shake the group, we reached the bottom of the climb together. I held in, but couldn’t stick with the repeated attacks, ultimately dropping back to fifth.

A regroup and onto the reverse of the first climb on the Embrunman course. My head encountered a wasp on route, but I didn’t have time to worry about that, I needed to pull myself up to the main group after the descent. Once there I pulled away with Zach, one of the strongest climbers here, and we pushed a solid pace up the climb. With no more points there was less pressure to race and time for a photo stop at the summit. Christine caught up with us and led much of the roller coaster descent that followed.

Not everyone made it to town in one piece – a crash a short way back from us involving Douglas and Steven, left Steven’s bike in bad shape and forced him into the van. Fortunately the damage to the bike was repairable and Steven escaped relatively unscathed. The first day was proving eventful.

After lunch we headed back in to town to register for the race. I cruised up after the main group, under no pressure, an easy ride in my running shoes. Then I clipped a tiny curb and followed with an impression of superman; flying over my handlebars and skidding on the ground. A favourite jersey from kona ruined and road rash on hands and elbow. Adrenaline flowing I rushed to registration where I learned the main group had an accident at the same point. I wasn’t the only stupid one!

So many accidents, so early in camp; lots of waiting to register and get everything sorted. I have to confess I wasn’t that keen to run or swim, but if I wanted to be in contention for a jersey they had to happen. Mercifully the sets were kept simple and late in the day run and swim were completed.

Leaving us with the trip to our Internet-free Gite and a late dinner to deal with. No jersey today! Clas took yellow, Zach Polka Dot and Paul Green for embodying the Epic ethos by running first thing. Steven laid the seeds of an idea to grab yellow, a bold two hour run the following day two’s race. Tough, but worth considering in pursuit of a jersey?

Day 2 – Racing and Motivation

An antihistamine ensured a good night’s sleep. I woke feeling a better. I’d ladid everything out the night before, so it didn’t take long to get ready and rush through breakfast. There was a lack of enthusiasm in the group as we milled around in transition, bikes were quickly setup and without much to do we moaned about all the preparation involved. Still, there was no backing out and I felt no pressure to perform.

Somehow, in the confusion of where the start actually was, Douglas and I ended up at the back of the swim. It added to the low pressure of the race. Based on reports from the front it ensured we missed the worst of the melee. I jogged into the water and settled into a relaxed swim; I swam wide, gradually working my way from the back. I arrived in transition in a reasonable time or at least assumed so not having started my watch.

Transition was slow. I put on mitts to give extra cushioning for my road rash and took my time to ensure I was properly prepared. The bike starts straight into the first climb so I pushed hard, moving through the field. Slowly I worked my way up, passing a few of the other Campers on the way. Reaching the plateau the course undulated and I continued to make progress until the descent. A little unnerved by my minor crash and not being the best of descenders, I held back. Watching athletes I’d easily passed on the ascent go flying by was frustrating.

I bided my time until the flat, then the best time trial effort I could manage on a road bike. I pushed past people and discovered the final 10K wasn’t as flat as expected – a few rollers sat between me and transition. There was no let up, I wanted to bike hard as I doubted the run would be up to much.

The run course was relatively flat with a lot of it on soft surfaces; perfect given my desire to avoid injury. My focus was on practicing good run form and not aggravate my calf any further. Slowly I moved my way through the field and also through the Epic Campers. There were points for placing in the race, better not to give many away. I misjudge the finish and had to hold my final surge far longer than expected, when it came the line was a relief.

No idea of time, no idea of place, but fourth Epic Camper to finish. I was pleased with my cycling, bar the descent, and also that I’d run. It lacked speed, but I’d held together and come out of it in good shape. Technique work is working.

After lunch a few of us rode back up to our accommodation – 10km of climbing with 750m of gain. I was feeling reasonably good so opened the pace out; no points on offer I kept the effort on and had an enjoyable climb. Once we’d made it back Steven headed out on his two hour run for the Yellow Jersey, I’d already decided it wasn’t for me.

How much do I want a jersey? I knew it would be tough, but perhaps it’s more than I expected. Strong climbers and athletes willing to turn themselves inside-out for it. I might have survived a two hour run, but I promised myself I wouldn’t risk run injury on this camp. Perhaps the long game will pay off. There are big days to come and a lot of tough riding ahead.

Instead, this afternoon I relaxed, blogged and got myself a massage.

Tomorrow

A huge day of cycling to Briancon with the Col de Vars and the Col D’Izoard on route. Based on experience so far it’s going to be a long day in the saddle. We’ll warm-up with a run of course and if I’m fast enough I may be able to swim too.

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