Dirty Reiver 200 2022

What is ideal prep for a big cycle event or race?  Well it is not finding on the eve of travel for the event that you have destroyed your freehub and don't actually have a spare. So on the phone to Dave at Surrey Hills Cycleworks whilst madly messaging mates. After some digging around, Dave couldn't find one. But Taz had already offered, washed and packed a spare wheel and I threw in a spare bike I could at least cut the desired drive train over to.

 

 

Sonder Broken Road ready to go, or so I thought.

 

 

A very unhealthy freehub.

So the following morning I packed and headed for Kielder Castle to register and then join Taz and Dan at the lodge for some moderate wheel building and beers. It would take a very frustrating 8hrs to arrive, swift registration and I was lodge bound.

 

Quite light packing really.

At the lodge it was great to see Taz again and meet Dan, have a great meal cooked by Taz, sort the wheel (which Taz had kindly loaned me) and have a few beers and a good chat.  Soon it would be wise to go to bed, so quickly I sorted my stuff whilst drinking a whole lot of water and went to bed.

Go time! In the morning we were up, ate, sorted ourselves fairly quickly and headed to Kielder Castle again for the start of the event. The 3 of us mounted on singlespeeds ready for the 200 in my case and the 130 for Taz and Dan. Excellent challenges for all.

Soon we off! Riding amongst the pack and the fast guys and ladies charged off the front. We started the first climb getting the general comments from others in the pack "You're mad!", "Single speed, very brave!" the list goes on. But the encouragement you get from others is endless and would last for me at least until I walked into get the free curry at the end.

Eventually we settled into our rhythms and I rode away from Taz and Dan, and wouldn't see them until I returned to the lodge. Whilst the sun shone, the headwind we experienced for the first 70kms hid it's true soul gouging nature, that would come later. The first 70km prove pretty standard, good riding, tough hills, amazing views and company as you meet and chat to many different people, a pleasant but rapid feed stop more riding and chatting. Some you see again and again, others only the once.

I pushed on still enjoying the route and company that came and went. For a while I rode with a lady from Bristol who was suffering a little with a back injury and just after the special stage would make a very hard, but very wise choice and abandon. I hope she is OK and the injury is already healing?  The special stage itself is where my challenges started. At 2 points I had to walk just a short distance, 40-50 metres to pass the steepest. Not so, for the fast chap on his fixie blowing pass me. Damn fine effort by that man.

 

Me trying to look cool. 

 

From this point the descents get longer and faster as we encounter less traffic, these are where the Broken Road comes into it's own, stable, fast and agile. I start to play cat and mouse with those on gravel bikes as I put some time into them on descents and they catch me on the climbs. But this is always fun and in good humour with others. Breaks up the suffering and often starts a conversation.

Soon I would arrive at the Alpkit and Sonder feed station, basically the half way point. Chatting to Rich S and some of the others whilst I refuel on coke, bananas and flapjack. They have a great sheltered spot, a sofa and a generally chilled vibe, making some, maybe linger longer than they planned. I understand why.

 

Alpkit/Sonder feed station

 

Just as I was leaving I noticed some other riders, who we had exchanged encouragement with each other earlier. More yo-yoing would ensue. A relatively pleasant ride for a few k's and the 130 and 200 route separate and long but nice climbs awaits. Over this I was feeling a little light headed, but pressed on. The fight with the headwind beginning to grow.

Some more yo-yoing with riders and I suddenly realised the route we where on and how it would be affected by the headwind. I muttered a few words, it was going to be worse than I had imagined. After a slightly exposed climb a descent leads you to hell. Hell being an undulating gravel road with nowhere to hide from a soul gouging headwind. With a geared bike you stand a chance of holding your own in a group, catching a wheel as a group passes or just fidning a gear that makes good progress.

On the single, you suffer, suffer a little more, then suffer again. I cn recall the point my soul left my body. A few passing riders were close enough for a few short tows, but ultimately the elastic broke. Soon a group I had seen a few times passed again, being driven by a machine, she cheerily yelled 'C'mon single speeder!!" well that is what I heard in the wind. I doubt this was an offer of a wheel as they flew past. I think the rest of the group where struggling to hold her wheel anyway. Top bombing going on there. I would see them again at the last feed station. A chap I had ridden with on and off did catch the wheel and vanished with them into the dust.

I would never expect anyone to slow for me, especially when I make silly life choices, like riding a single speed. :) But I was impressed with some of the smaller groups speeds considering the conditions.

Not longer after, I did find myself in a group and things got easier for a few kilometers and broke the back of the war of attrition with the headwind. Eventually, I cut the elastic on that group knowing it may blow my legs out.

Last feed station approach was signaled by the Red Bull truck, music and encrouragement. At the village I have to say I felt embarrassed and sorry for the villagers as the RB team there was pretty loud, especially for the type of event, I guess it worked for some people. The volunteers dutifully made sure everyone was aware of what was on offer to refuel and we took what was resonable. Riders now felt they had made it, 50k to go and only a few hills left, only a couple really nasty ones. Smiles had started to reappear on faces.

I left moments after the group that passed me yelling encrouragement as we battled the head wind did, but I would never see them again. The short sharp climb out of Stonehaugh is brutal, the next longer meandering climb is much nicer, but reminded me of the job left to do and the nastiness that awaits the other side of the dam at Kielder Water.

Knowing what was coming is alway a double edge sword, but I do prefer the knowing. But things started to even tougher all of a sudden. I was starting to struggle to breath a little on the climbs, having to stop on a couple. Fortunately the terrain flattened a little and for sometime I was OKish and ended up riding a lady from Rotor. Thanks for your company, was great to chat and help me reset a little. (I hope the family and you enjoyed you extra few days in Kielder Forest).

On a long fast descent we parted ways, then my breathing concerns returned again on each steep climb (turns out I was getting a chest cold). But there was 35 to go, 30 to go, 25 to go............."Damn it!" Or should I say "Dam it!" We crossed the dam and headed for a short brutal ramp. Seeing the riders with gears just in front slow significantly, I span the legs up and made an effort to get as far up as I could. Nearly made it this year, had a short walk and remounted, for the moment.

The last hill of any concern lay 400 metres ahead, I rounded the corner and got out the saddle, it came at me like a wall, I stalled, got going again, this happened twice, then I dabbed and stepped off. As I did "OH, don't do that, I just caught you again!" came from behind. My Rotor friend appeared with a smile. Me: "nothing left. Allez Allez!" she rode strongly up the hill and away. I trudged to the top, jumped on and went for it. I pushed on for the finish, the next hill seemed easier than last year, around Kielder Water did to. May be the dirstraction I a fellow Southerner and chatting about the riding their help.  A new good natured game of cat and mouse with the fast moving lady along the shoreline help too.

The soft grassy field just below the castle was a different matter, that was just mean DR team, just mean! But when you hit the ramp to the castle, everything comes alive again, up, hard right and finished! 

This year felt harder and timing suggested it was. It was just as enjoyable as the years before and the atmosphere was great as always.  The one thing that still gets me is the encouragement riders give each other is un-ending. Even those having a nightmare, give a smile and say "Good luck!" "Enjoy!" "Are you mad single speeder or just brave?" Mainly mad, yep, the mad bit! 

 

You honestly can't go wrong with a Sonder Broken Road, but maybe apply gears liberally.

 

Thanks to all those that do yell encrouragement or slow to ask why? The answer is I don't know, it is fun.  Thanks to the dust covered lady as I entered the curry tent for the big congratulations, it was really appreciated. I hope it showed? I was a little wasted by then. I hope you and your friends had an excellent day out?

 

A little less wasted after some curry.

 

To the head wind, you were traumatic and there are a few hundred riders that want their souls back!

To the organisers, FC workers, sponsors and amazing volunteers, thank you again from not just myself, but I am sure every other rider. Keep doing what you do, it is an ace event!

I may not be back, as it is time to look for other adventures (there are a few in planning), but everyone must do the Dirty Reiver at least twice. I have done a few times, I might sneak back with gears and some proper training one day. Who knows? But do give it a go if you are gravel suffering inclined

Big shout out to:

• Sonder Bikes - Neil
• Alpkit - Alice and Hayley
• Wolf Tooth Components - Brendan
• Surrey Hills Cycleworks - Dave F

and of course Nik and the kids for suffering my foolishness. :)

Keep riding and have fun! 

Next up some trail riding and maybe a 200km loop around the South Downs. ;)

Gravel Race Double Up

Double the Gravel

 

Dirt Reiver 200:
On the 21st of April Nick T and I headed for Kielder Forest, well the castle to be more precise, the sign on for the Dirty Reiver 200 a 200km gravel race in starting in the Kielder Forest and doing large figure of eight type route around Kielder and the surrounding areas around the Scottish Borders.

After a long casual drive we made it to the castle, had time to sign on and chat to some old friends then beat a quick retreat to our campsite and the hotel in Bellingham for dinner.

Back at the campsite after dinner we prepared our bikes, loaded them with spares and food, and made sure they still worked.

In the morning after a fitful sleep we ate, loaded the van and headed of the Kielder Castle for the start.  Loads of people had already lined up and we found ourselves towards the back.  Soon enough we rolled off towards the start gates.  Once through gates, Nick and I started to weave through the throngs as the first climb steadily lead us into 200km of excellent gravel route.

Soon Nick had to ease off as he was feeling unwell and he would eventually choose to complete the 130 instead of the 200 and was waiting when I returned happy and determine to return next year.

As I continued the field would thin out and I would get to ride and chat with some great people and some friends. An unscheduled toilet stop followed by a puncture which sealed quickly, but required some more air to be pumped into my rear tyre broke my rhythm, but I was ticking over again soon.

The nature of the route was pretty much up, down and a little bit of flat.  After each feed station the difficulty of the route seemed to increase.  After the last food stop, there were two more major climbs and then the route undulated around Lake Kielder and back to Kielder Castle for the finish.

However, it the top of the last major climb, my front wheel tyre flatted, after quickly repairing it the wheel was back in the fork.  At this point it went tiny bit wrong, my quick release would not tighten back up. After 20-30 minutes of faff and noticing the thread had worn, I managed to force the QR up tight and then would play a game of don't get a front puncture.  On fast gravel descents, this was difficult and at one point almost ended with me if a ditch after a very large and bum tightening 2 wheel drift (the sort on a MTB you would love).

I continued to watch the ground closely for sharp or square edge objects all the way to the castle and the finish. A beer, some soup and a big thanks to Paul Errignton, his happy helpers and the FC staff on my return and I was done. Smile on my face and I will return.

Not unhappy with that time all things considered and should be easily bettered next year.

Sonder Bikes (Alpkit) has designed and produced one hell off a good bike in the Camino Ti, it was the perfect bike for the event and I will do a build blog abut my Camino build very soon.

Grave Dash 100 - it's not a race:
The following Sunday was the Gravel Dash 100 (mile) founded and ran by infamous Charlie the bike monger and his band of merry elves.  A great bunch of velofiles and Dorset dwellers.

After a couple of drinks with Crispin the night before and a rocky night in the van on the foreshore in Swanage, thanks to the howling winds. It was wake up, get food and coffee and ready for the off.

I had no look at the route a great deal, but enough to know that riding it single speed I had to at least change my rear sprocket which I had to something a little lighter.  This was a good plan, whilst there was less climbing, the climbs were quite a bit steeper.  Especially the first hill hit once we left the road out of Swanage, I tried to clear it, but thought better of it about half way up, only 2 others would have me off walking, both at the hill fort sites.

For the first part the route undulated and took in some magnificent views, many from the tops of the numerous coastal cliffs in the Dorset region. Eventually we turned inland and the route flattened out a little.  By this time I had passed or been passed by Carla (the first woman home on the day) and would ride with her and a chap called James for a number of kilometers.

As it seems to be tradition my rear slider decided it would loosen off and force me to stop.  This did this multiple times and I eventually went gorilla on it and wanged the bolts up super tight, way beyond torque.  This fixed this problem and I found my rhythm again and tapped out the ks, through forest road and single track, cow path and over hill ridge. Belting along lose gravel paths with others and over the field of 1000 really bloody annoying bumps. Not long before this I had joined Carla and James again briefly, but sped away on a descent.

Relief came in the form of several ks on road and a surprise addition of a water, cake and beer stop at 80ks (half way).  Some water, a laugh with the guys there and being rejoined by Carla and I was off again.  Legs, no w feeling it, but some urgency as I was now in to the last half of the course and soon a large flat section (leads to the hill forts).

Once at the hill forts after riding with a small group I broke the elastic to them and snuck away.  A little bit of hike a bike at the first fort and then more of the same at the second then things would flatten out again.  Again the views had been amazing.

No I sped along the flats, through forest and over some heath land, some more forest and then back onto a coastal path, that followed the cliff tops towards Swanage, rounding a bluff you could see Swanage, roughly 15ks away, but with one more bluff and the finally climb to conquer.

As I approached this, I was cheered on by several walkers as I passed and very slowly made my way to the top of the final ridge line, a kilometer or 2 along here and it was all down hill. Off down the loose path Charlie had warned us about, low of the drops, saddle up my butt, I only paused for a second to choose which of the 4 deep chutes to take as an old couple sat on a bench a couple of feet away enjoying a cuppa.

Down through this, into Swanage and back to the Red Lion for cider and food and to hear tales of heroics and drink more cider.

I came home as the first single speed rider and feeling surprisingly OK.  Even a tubleless tyre repair at 30k to go minutes after a passing shower had soaked me, had not slowed me or dampened (pun intended) my spirits.

The Surly Karate Monkey that Phil Moore had encourage me to get and sourced and gave advice on the best build had finally had a proper hit out and it had been totally awesome.  Thanks Phil.

The KM post GD100 fun.

Chalie and Crew, thanks, what an excellent low key, fun event, long may it last.
Thanks to The Red Lion for having us and a fantastic cider selection.

Alpkit, Wolf Tooth and Surrey Hills Cyclworks, thanks again for your support and great products.

Gravel racing is ace!

#bemoremike