The Grizedale Mountain Bike Challenge, GMBC, was now in it's 9th year (and having raised over £30,000 for charity), a few brave soles decided to enter, after all it was only around 30 miles off-road and in Grizedale forest which we know well. A few folk went on holiday to avoid the decision to ride, whereas others thought the challenge was worth a bash. It's not a race...and when you start within the pack, it's like the London marathon, you don't get over the start line for a couple of minutes and then it's a bit crammed until it thins out. It's interesting people watching both in the car park and on the start line, some had full body armour, others wearing pink skirts (at least she was a girl) and a few single speeds in the mix. When you consider there were around 600 entrees, there would be a fair amount of $$$ lining up at Moor Top.
It was a glorious day with the sun cracking the slabs to start with clear blue skies, we parked up on the side of a forest road as directed and made our way to registration, here Grant got ride No. 5 (apparently it's based on surnames, Paul from Wheelbase got No.1 and he rode a 29er single-speed rigid bike!!) we then learnt that the ride involved 2 laps of a circuit, each circuit approx 16 miles, we think each lap was more like 18 miles! More food and drink required.
Then it's getting to 10.15 and we lined up a little way down the pack, waiting for the pre-ride instructions and joking about times, remember the course closes at 4pm, so we had plenty of time! Then 10.30 and the ride was off, of course we had to wait for all the riders to get going, but we were off and running. Whatever warn up you do it's just not enough, at least we have the same training with RADs rides! The course kept to the Coniston side of the forest NOT crossing the main road and avoiding Satterthwaite (to keep the locals happy). The course had plenty of steep climbs and some severe rocky descents, including the roller-coaster route through some trees which is very steep and catches loads of people out. There was also a section doing part of the North Face in reverse, it is the section from the visitor centre up the NF and it's a pain going the other way! So after the first 17 odd miles, we just had another lap to go! my first lap took 2 hours and 25 minutes just to give you an idea, it was not a fast ride, but it was fantastic weather and great views of the lakes and mountains.
The second lap meant more food and drink, although I lost one of my SIS fueled bottles during the first lap! and near the end I stopped and rested at a bench with a great viewpoint, although I could see the start/finish line and it was miles away, these challenges are very much a head game and so the second lap was better, although possibly slower! All complete and I got my ticket for finishing and then grabbed some food from the burger van and met up with JB, GA and family. A great day out, at least now it's all over! Maybe see you next time...., just maybe?
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