I recently attended a mtb skills day with Julie Phelan , mtb coach. We got chatting about lots of things, one being cyclocross and then the 3 peaks cyclocross race. Its always a great thing when you meet someone who inspires you to try something new. The below is a piece from her website, Woman on a mission which is most definitely well worth a visit for some great posts. Below is her account of the event.
Photo by Alan Dorrington
Crawling my way up Pen y Ghent , a well meaning spectator shouted,’ Think about the retrospective enjoyment!’. I remember thinking, ‘ Oh shut up!’ at the time, but now it makes me giggle. Yep it is very much about the joy of completion and all those carries and dodgy descents are pictured through rose coloured spectacles. That’s the quirky thing about this cross race. The remembering is better than the ‘doing’!
Covering a total of 38 miles, the 3 Peaks Cyclocross Race, ascends the three highest peaks in Yorkshire, Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen y Ghent. The hills are connected by 18 miles of road and the rest of it consists of long carries and rocky descents.
This year a staggering 650 eager souls all lined on the start. For the majority of riders, getting the body and bike round is enough of a challenge. But of course, the front runners are chasing winning times, usually around the 3 hour mark.
For me, it’s about doing my personal best and if that results in a good position it’s a bonus. Having the benefit of already completed one event in 2012, I had made a few tweaks to my preparation and ride on the day. Rather than take a Camelbak I carried small bottles, ate and drank mainly on the road, rode the descents quicker and pedalled harder on the road. Prior to the event, I spent a lot of time on very rocky tracks. Trained on the Monkey Trail at Birches Valley Trail Centre, on a cross bike and moved my saddle forward which seemed to improve bike control.
At the finish: Shaken but not stirred
Having finished 4th in my age category, despite having a raging sore throat 2 days before, it’s an ok result. It’s spurred me on to make plans for next year. What has happened to thoughts like ‘I can’t possibly carry this bike anymore’ and ‘what the hell has this race got to do with cycling?’ I couldn’t tell you, but all I do know, is that it’s an amazing thing to do and is strangely additive. Am I going to be one of those riders who tells tales about their 10th, 11th, 12th …… 3 Peaks? I think I know the answer and that does make me laugh!
Visit Julie Phelans website; Woman on a mission for more brilliant posts