K100 race report: (You can't plan for everything...)
On Saturday we were up for breakfast at 4.45am, and on the start line for 6 with 647 other nervous looking riders. Team Brainstrust got off to a good start sticking to a brisk 10-12mph average on the road section to get warmed up. We all felt comfortable with the pace, and settled down in the middle of
the pack for what was supposed to be a long day's riding...
Then unfortunately disaster struck. Will's race was cut short with a torn tire at 15 miles and then 3 more punctures shortly after. Despite a 20 mile sprint to try and catch up he was an hour and a half behind, and had to retire before the first check point at 40 miles.
My plan was working perfectly, once off road I paced myself at the 8/9mph needed to finish comfortably but a snapped chain at 30 miles cost me half an hour, i clawed back 20 minutes but missed the 2pm time cut off at 56 miles by 9 mins... ARGH!
Al, the third chap in our team, also managed 56 miles. He was nursing a broken foot that had been operated on only 3 months before, so an impressive effort and amazing determination.
All in all, it was a frustrating weekend, and I can't help but feel the three of us were dealt a bad hand (or foot in Alex's case!), but then I suppose you can’t prepare for everything, and a great deal can happen in 100 miles.
I've filed this one under ‘unfinished business’ and WILL go back next year, not least to make sure you all get value for your sponsorship! Anyone else fancy it?!
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