Andalucia Bike Race

ABR Stage 1

Done and dusted, well, some dust, some mud, and some streams! Started with a 10k neutral section around the city of Cordoba, lots of fast/slow/brakes and just trying to keep out of trouble while at the same time figure out where Mark (the team mate) is in it all. Gets a bit dizzying, 600+ others all moving around you. That lead on to a road climb, not my strength, but kept at it and after a bit we got to the off road stuff. Loads of spectators out. On the first flat/downhill bit I passed a few people to get a start on the next climb ahead of Mark. He's a better climber than me, but I can go quicker on the descents/technical stuff. After passing a few there was a bottleneck going into the next climb, but a line over some rocks allowed me to pass 20ish people and then start the push up with them. This went on for a while, bits of cycling, then bits of pushing, but it did eventually open up on the next descent. This went on for ages - about 500m of height to drop. It had this wide rocky stream, but it wasn't rideable, so everyone was trying to push their bikes down the side of it. Being Irish - cold wet feet are not a problem, so I lifted the bike and ran down the stream - got some funny looks, but by the bottom, at a guess, we had passed 50 people. Besides, it's warm enough that there's a good chance the shoes would dry out. Then onto the only flat bit of the stage, along a canal, where we got in behind another team that were strong and drafted them at 30kmph for the next 6km. Sweet. Then more climbing, mostly though access roads in fields, but with some thin mud and stream crossings. We were actually catching teams up this - surprisingly for me. Things sort of rolled up and down for the rest of the stage, until the last descent - which we had got a run at yesterday. Large exposed slabs of rock with lots of baby head rocks on top. Could do serious damage with a good crash. Had a clear run down this for 3 or 4 minutes and then onto what must be the longest steepest thing I've ever biked down, brakes on, weight back, hold on tight. Closed up on people who were walked down it. Felt like it was about 70 degrees. The finish came shortly after, 5:07 for the day. Turns out, the teams we'd been chatting to over the last couple of days all finished round the same time as us, so that's good, we aren't totally out of our depth - yet!

ABR Stage 2

Another dry sunny day on the bikes. Started from the same place as yesterday, and in a similar way - a lead out through town in a huge group. This time we were in Box 5, so less people behind us trying to get passed. This was mostly uneventful, except for loosing contact with Mark for about 10 minutes. Stop and wait for him? He might be head - so keep going and it'll sort it self out later. Which it did. Just seemed to take a while. Legs were fine too, which was great, there might be something to these compression socks after all. At the first bottle neck, I passed people irish style, ie any way possible, while Mark was a little more behaved, I also got passed some more on the bit of downhill before the first of the big climbs. This was nicely technical, which suited me. It brings the pace down as you can't just put the hammer down and pedal up it, but instead having to pick your line up rocks and roots etc. This went on for quite a while, and Mark still hadn't caught up, but as he knew I was ahead, and with him being the better climber I kept going. Worked out really well, as he caught up to me just, at the first feed near the top of the climb. There was a steep bugger of a kicker before getting there though, oof - it may have involved some swearing as I crested it. Eventually we topped out at a mast and started into a steep downhill that had lots of people walking - can't see why, was able to pass lots (when they let me) going down it. Then it led on to more steep descending, but on loose open rocky terrain, with even more people walking. It was a bit touch and go, and I reckon'd it'd go. Which it did - mostly. Only 2 crashes, one sending me off the side of the mountain for a few minutes, the other down on my side, opening up my knee a bit. Nothing major, but it stung every time we'd to cross water for the rest of the day. Then there was a cool sweeping singletrack along a river for about 20 minutes, kept a nice pace, but nothing too taxing. Eventually, this brought us (after some more climbing) to the 2nd feed zone. The feed zones have water, food, mechanical assistance etc. We knew there was a bit of a steep climb after this, but ouch, was it ever, and properly technical too. I followed a rider up some of this, taking his lines, while keeping any eye on my heart rate. Sub 160 and I can truck along for ages, but above this, it's the red zone. It was going above this, eep. Then the rider messed up and stopped, so I had to figure out my own route up it. Having been in my bottom gear for ages up this, when it pitched up again, that was it - walking. Along with everyone else save for a couple of nutters. This went on for ages, bike a bit, walk a bit. The team from Cotic were up ahead, we'd been getting to know them a bit. They normally pass us at the feed zones by not taking as along as we do. Having finally summited this, it was up's and down's for the rest of the stage, with the same finish as yesterday, and yes, the steep bit at the end was again super steep. Mark crashed on it, but I was ahead so didn't see.

Tomorrow we are on a bus at 6:45am to get brought to the start of the stage, have to go get packed up now before dinner.

ABR Stage 3

Bit of a mental day of it today. Checked the bikes in last night so the race organisation could transport them to the start
of todays stage, over an hour from where we had been staying. And then after finishing, we would move on to Jaen for the next 3 days. We had to be on the bus at 6:45am, before breakfast was served and found out too late that we could have had a breakfast bag made up had we asked in time. Hmm, no breakfast, so gathered up the bits of food we'd acquired over the couple of days from buffet's etc and had them on the journey out.

Was unsure how the legs would be, and out of the start we hit a very steep (bottom of the middle ring) road for about 200m before getting off road then. Lots of fireroad then for the next 20km, which was great as it's a relatively easy way to get the km's in. Some road climbs, in bunches and not too much singletrack. The first feed zone was in a small village and load s of people including kids - really cool.

On the profile for the stage, things pointed decidely upwards. Had about 600m of climb up through olive groves on fireroads, seemed to take for ever, switchback after switchback. Rarely spend so much time seated when on the mountain bike. Just kept the heart rate sub 160 and plugged away. Mark was up ahead, but he know's I'll get there at the end. Over the top of this and into some frosty cold muddy draggy fields, blueagh! Had been expecting the descent to be fast on fireroads, but instead it was this bat-**** crazy technical descent that went on for ages! Firstly, wet sliddy rocks with a coating over mud that had lots of people walking, including us as it's all you can do when the 5 people infront of you are walking too. Then it opened up and we got past them, with the trail following a river, criss crossing it loads, meaning lots of wet feet. There were some bales of stones - easy to cross on. Mark saw someone decided to take a quicker crossing and end up in to his waste - with his pals laughing at him. This went on for a good 15 minutes, really technical, passing plenty of people, even endo'd a corner (pivot round on the front wheel) just for the fun of it. Never thought I'd do that in a stage race!! Getting on towards the next village things really got nuts, rocky cobbled type mountain switchbacks, weight off the back of the bike, brakes on, and HOPE!

After the feedzone, it was very steeply up straight away, off road at first and then onto a damn steep (probably 1'st or 2nd gear in the car) mountain road. Had the bike in the granny ring for this, spinning away. Went on for a bit too, and over the top lead into another mental singletrack descent. Again, loads of rocks, fast, technical, passing people. Epic. After about 10 more minutes, onto the last big climb of the day. Fireroad, and loads of it. Nothing for it but sit and spin. The English/South Africian guys we've been getting to know caught us on this and got to the feedzone at the top, but knowing there was one last descent to come, I reckon'd we'd have them before the end. We passed them out of the feedzone and into yet another mental descent, eventually leading onto a fireroad descent, hanging off the brakes screaming along, expecting the hubs to implode from the discs heating up - that's how long and steep it was. Mark topped out at about 55kmph, I was 48 - I have issues at such speeds (a slight bit of common sense). Got a good gap up on the others, but then hit a wall. Literlly! Looked ahead to see people either struggling in their lowest gear or walking, for ages. Probably close on 100m of hight in not a lot of distance. A new level of evil by the race directors. 2 of them got past us, but we managed to keep ahead of the SA guys, but only just. Then only a couple of km to finish the stage. Phew - 3 down, 3 to go!

ABR Stage 4

The snowy fireroad stage, bah! It was meant to have over 3000m of climbing, but because one of the peaks is still under a couple of feet of snow it was re-routed. Phew. Another 6am start, on the bus for 7, and at the village for the start by about half 8. Todays stage was a point to point, the others had all been loops. It was baltic at the start, so much so, the South Africans pulled out. Not wanting to miss a trick, we borrowed some of their warm gear - score! After getting the bikes ready, we went to a pub to use the toilet. It was wedged with compeitors, and had the fire lit - so we stayed as long as we could before heading to the start area. A lot of the locals had come out to see the start - we were in Box 6 again, but top of the list for box 6 - 1 place higher and we'd have made box 5. Downhill start, which was oddly slow, until we got going on the fireroads through the olive fields - climbed 300m almost straight up, granny and first gear until the wheel slipped and then push like everyone else. Yep - pushing inside the first 5km, this was going to be a long day. And Mark was flying too, d'oh!

Lots of wet and cold fireroads followed, in all honestly, not that much fun - and not playing to our strenghts - technical downhills. Through the first feed zone, 2 of our rival teams passed us - the lads from Adobe and the girls from AQR/cotic. Normally we can climb better than them when it's a bit technical, but as it wasn't, and as I wasn't having a great day of it, off they went. We started to see ice at the side of the trial, then snow, then snow on the trail with ruts through to the ground, then snowy ruts. We'd caught up with the Adobe guys by this point and were chatting away tipping up the climb. When we finally got over the top, they let us lead the way down - soon after Mark stopped in a snow rut and I took over leading. There's nothing quite as alarming as coming into a corner at speed on a fireroad to discover it's entirely covered in ice. That means you can't brake or steer on it, so had to get the speed down before hitting it and then steer after crossing it. Sketchy! We all made it down and then into the next feed/tech zone. Here I changed my coat and gloves to dry ones and got some food. We had a little over 35km done (of 64) at this point, and just headed out into another long fireroad climb. We passed the Cotic girls who also didn't look to be having a great day of it. Having gotten over the top of this climb it was another long road descent with bits of snow and ice to keep it interesting - then onto the last feed zone. The feed zones normally have fruit, chocolate roles, water and power bar drinks. But the last one normally has coke as well. Can't remember what Mark said as I was drinking it, but have of it came back down my nose in a fit of the giggles. This amused the volunteers at the feed zone plenty. Then more down hill, with Mark leading. All of a sudden he stops - we'd almost missed a turn, so I got into this bit of singletrack - quite a surprise as this was the first bit in 50km. It was awesome - really fast, flowy and grippy. And we seemed to get a clear run at it for a few minutes before catching up to many many other teams. I also seemed to have lost my perception of how steep it might have been, as it looked flat, but the speed suggested otherwise. Managed to pass every team that was there for passing on this descent, getting a lead up the next climb, which wasn't a long one, before getting into even more singletrack - and this time we had it all to ourselves. This trail must be maintained by locals, it had jumps/berms etc. One berm led onto a big wooden wall ride, the last section of which was covered in some green mesh. As I hit it, I wondered was there anything solid behind the green mesh to ride on, as I was going to be hitting it. Turns out there was, so no big stack. Seemed to be something fundamentally wrong being let loose on such quality trails after 3 and a half days of biking on a hardtail, half spent, yet bombing along. They should have made the entire stage like this! Only had 6km to do after finishing this, and we'd gotten a big lead up on all the teams we'd passed. But 4 of those km's was a brutal long climb in the dust. Back to the easy gears and spin up and up and up until finally it was down a super fast fireroad and into the village to finish. The marshals had all the roads closed off so we could bomb through to the finish line - very cool!

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Thanks for the blog, doing this next year with Ray Doyle so all the tips and knowledge is/will be very welcome. Best of luck over the last 2 stages.

Well done lads, really enjoying the blog. We have to meet up with you guys for a complete run down. Best of luck on the home run.

Great write up Daragh. you should get this up on sticky bottle. Would be a great event to keep motivated during the winter

Stage 5 was cancelled because of snow high up on the trails - was pouring rain in the start area and we were good to go, but the police had decided it wasn't safe with the snow etc so ordered it cancelled. Stage 6 was today - haven't done a report yet as it's been busy getting packed up, race afters etc. But did make it to the end, that was always the important bit :D Will get something up about it soon.

ABR Stage 6

Last day - and shortest day. And with having had a rest day the day before - and no race the following day to keep the legs for - this was going to be quick. Bugger. No neutral start either. Rolled out from the start area at the hotel on road and fireroads for the first 17km or so, and it was all about drafting and trying to keep up. All except for the muddy bit. Didn't look bad, and couldn't figure out why everyone else was having trouble, seemed solid enough to look at, but then it was like someone was pulling my brakes. Clay like pottery clay was clogging up the bike, stopping the wheels from turning. Went to lift the bike and it had put on a few kilos and we had only just started this muddy section. Looked over at Mark who said 'I can't lift my bike'. Right - new plan needed - hike the bike up onto the railway line and try and cycle that instead. Even at that though, the mud left on the bike and coming off others was enough to pick up some of the railway stones and wedge them in frames and forks. It only seemed to be a section of 1km long, but apparently it cost a lot of derailuers and forced people to drop out.

Anyway, after the mud of doom, the main climb started. Only had one big climb today, but it was over 1000m and mostly off road. And most of that was singletrack took. Just had to watch the heart rate and get on with it. Mark was flying off ahead of me, but he'd been good at waiting up so I wasn't worried. Lots of time spent in the lowest gear on the bike, and pushing - lots of people pushing. Sometimes the clay would make an appearance on parts of the climb and the trick was to carry the bike as soon as possible so it didn't collect up any. Kept climbing, again up above the snow line, meaning nice thin wet mud - just like home. Eventually got onto a fireroad that pointed down, but had lots of snow on it, so still had to be careful. Then it was just a wet muddy fireroad, quite rutted from the other riders, but it was possible to keep up some speed if you were happy having the bike slide about a lot. This meant we blitzed the less technical riders who were on the brake the whole time. After a bit we got onto a dry singletrack, all downhill - and it was awesome. Passed more people on the sketchy bits, and caught Mark out when I took a line straight down the hill instead of going round switchbacks. I hadn't considered him when I picked the line - it was a bit 50/50 - but his exasperated shout of 'what the hell kind of line is this' as he tried to keep the bike upright let me know how he was getting on. Then we found ourselves in a train of riders going and a nice pace along the rest of the trail. No point trying to pass - they weren't really holding us up. Then back onto the 14km of flat/slightly downhill fireroad back to the finish. Big ring and get on with it. With Mark about 100 yards ahead I caught onto a strong team and suddenly I was blitzing past Mark at 44kmph - much to his surprise. He did manage to catch on, but couldn't stick it so I dropped back and we carried on at about 35kmph. Passed a few more teams with mechanicals/punctures and the route avoided the mud from the way out. Soon after we were back at the finish - yep, the last finish. Done. Finished. Brilliant!

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