Not the usual type of event on here but heres my view of the Megavalanche yesterday. Next year I plan on La Marmotte the week before as a leg warmer... MEGAVALANCHE 2014 INTRO Im sitting in the van with another 300miles to Calais to go. Stiff arms, shoulders and many bruises remind me of the week Ive just had. I wasnt even going to ride the Mega, the conditions werent just wet, dirty & treachorous. It was just crap. Mud was binding to every moving part, the bike wouldnt even be pushed or pedalled downhill. Total misery & frustration. A FEW DAYS WITH ERIC To avoid all the above, and the fact that I was riding alone, I hired a guide, Eric and enjoyed riding the enduro trails that were forbidden. I had Eric to myself, he said I rode well, as the week went on I got better and he gave me some useful tips and much confidence. But still, such limited riding hours 2-3 hrs per day before it was too cold and wet. 3-4 degrees at 2100 metres in the rain and 12 degrees at 700metres was downright awful. It just wouldnt stop raining and temperatures rarely went above 15degs all week. Thankfully, I took the road bike out too and got in a couple of climbs up Alp DHuez and Les Deux Alpes which was far more appealing... QUALIFIER The Qualifier route was shortened, bizarrely the sun came out for it. I hadnt ridden it still, and though I was anxious of that, I was more worried about my race head kicking in over unfamiliar terrain. I didnt want to make that phone call to work.. erm.. hi boss, Ive injured myself... We watched some of the boys heats, a big crash in the first 50m left one guy requiring a lift down. Girls gridding; Im at the flippin back, wont be using my fast start then! 60odd women had made it to the qualies, 100 had originally entered. My start was awful, getting stuck behind everyone & having to walk some sections. Keeping smooth, I made it down in one piece, overtaking many en route, I even went the wrong way at one point. Came in 26mins later in 21st position. Just made the front row thank goodness. This Race was now on! RACE DAY! The French organisation was shocking. Like the UK in the snow, they couldnt cope with the rain. The glacier was closed so the start point was now from the top of the qualifier route. Nobody appeared to know what times, what place or even whether their race was still on. I went up and down the Gondola twice. Got up 2 hrs too early and all the while the rain, the snow, the sleet, battering down, all of it was horizontal, whipping every ounce of energy from your body. We huddled at the top behind any shelter we could find, some people decided enough was enough and went back down on the gondola into the clouded oblivion below. Whilst the rest of us danced to Lana Del Rays Summer time sadness to keep warm. Lining up there was one space left on the front row, far left which was the worst line! The familiar music kicked in, suddenly the girls all seemed to false start, before the ribbon went up. I responded, blasting down the rutted mud, snow whipping and stinging in my eyes (goggles were pointless) hands so numb I couldnt feel the brakes. Managing to get through to 10th-12th, and so we went down, it was awesome! The altitude sapping every gram of oxygen that was available. As we descended, I heard Allez Allez! The French girls were catching me on the big rocky sections, then Id turn on the burners on the inclines, dropping 2 or 3 on each climb. The treacherous conditions fired me out the side doors a few times, at one point I came round the corner to find 2-3 women sprawled down some steep banking leaving them scrambling to get back up. I laughed and carried on, opting to dismount, digging my boots into the ground for stability. THE BIKE My poor bike was battered. The Specialized Enduro Evo was perfect for the job. being an xc/cx girl these days, Im glad I had more of a big hitter out there. At 32lbs its a beast but I figured Id cope with the weight and rather have the stability. The dropper ceased to work in the last 10mins (it stayed down thankfully). The paint around the pivot points has now worn off, it was immaculate before this week. It was a very dependable steed, I hadnt changed anything from the factory finish, all original. I love that out the box and go approach. I finally rolled in at 1hr 1min. 13th overall, 2nd Master. It was hard and I was happy. I had a good chat to the other Brits, Manon Carpenter came in 3rd and another Brit Hazel Wakefield was 8th. DEBRIEF If you are the competitive type, its hard to be satisfied about your performance. There are many things I could have done much better on that day and certainly before the race. However, I do feel a slight sense contentment for once. I had a bloody awful time earlier this year that left me with a body that really shouldnt be doing stuff like this. And Ive just done it. I did it alone up there, with no preparation. I not only survived it, I was competitive in it. Thank you to Mel who made it to the top, standing in a blizzard wearing summer running kit just to watch the start... And of course to Paul at Brothertons who has been a good friend and so supportive, he always looks after me so well. My kit was spot on. Will someone please come with me next time? Im sure it will be sunny.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 17:39:48 +0000