Mersey Roads 24 hour 2005, South West London DA

Mersey Roads 24 hour 2005

Mersey Roads 24 hour 2005
My first 24 hour, many asked why? The idea started when I found out that no woman in my club's 68 year history had ever done one. I'd only been doing time trialling for six years - but I'm up for a challenge. I joined the 24 hour fellowship and enjoyed reading the back journals they sent. But I started getting nervous when I read another woman's first attempt - she had nine helpers, I was only planning on having one! I really only started serious long distance mileages from May and averaged about 250 -300 miles weekly. I started riding out and back to time trials, although 34 miles before a '50' didn't do much for my time! My longest ride was home to Lyme Regis on my road bike which is set up identically to my racing bike. I had panniers holding all my food and drink and spare clothes. It was 163 miles and I left at 4.00 am, practicing using my new Enduro lights. I'd forgotten there was a 15% mile long hill at 160 miles which was certainly character building!

Then the day drew nearer, my partner and I booked into a Good Beer Guide Pub at the HQ at Farndon two nights before. We checked out Lynn's café at Prees Island. I had already decided that my one treat during the 24 hours was to have one shortish midnight café stop. We also planned where the car would be left for the majority of the race, parked at Prees Island. It is an estate and Steve would sleep in it while I did the night's 39 mile circuits, otherwise he would be too sleepy to drive us home to Surrey on Sunday evening. I would carry a phone for emergencies, and a spare car key, so I could get into the car when he was having a curry or enjoying some local real ale.

On the Friday I prepared the food and drink and filled up several chill-boxes - in retrospect I made far too much! Friday evening we had a short walk across a river into Wales, and I had a huge pasta meal and two puddings.

I slept very well both nights and I was off at 1.10 pm on Saturday. It was a relief to get on the bike again and I was very excited. I was just determined to finish, but how many miles should I try to expect to do? My secret aim was to try and do 368 and get a National Age Record but I was pretty sure this would be out of reach on my first attempt, as it would be such a steep learning curve. I used my lightweight steel Roberts bike, but no tri bars, and we had put a mud-guard on the back as rain was forecast. The weather was quite cool but it was very pleasant after the heatwave six days before in the National 100, where I got awful cramps at mile 97. I carried a camel-back and had a goodie bag that sits on the top tube: filled with various snacks including small savoury sandwiches. The time seemed to go quickly and the marshals and spectators were very encouraging. I stopped at the car to pick up more supplies, then it was off onto the shorter 12 mile Quina Brook circuit. I really liked this circuit as you couldn't get bored, and then after a few circuits it was back to the car to put on my night jacket, change camel-backs and off on the 39 mile circuit again. There were feed stations at Prees and then 10 miles down the road at Hodnet so you were never more than 20 miles from food and drink. As it got darker, I enjoyed seeing the sun set. I have always enjoyed cycling at night for some strange reason, so was actually looking forward to the night cycling. The marshals continued being so encouraging and cheerful, it seemed amazing to have so many out there all night. Then it was pitch dark, some of the roads didn't even have a white line on the left hand side but my lights were amazing, and I also wore a light-weight head lamp which was very useful as I could see my speedo, distance covered and heart rate monitor. It was great seeing other riders on the road and their helpers parked in lay-bys. My jacket was not quite warm enough and there was some rain, but I didn't end up changing it. As you approached Prees Island at the end of each circuit, the lights got brighter and brighter and then you were there with all the people cheering you on - it was amazing. They were even shouting out "come on Ann" or "come on Phoenix" even when my club jersey was covered up by my night jacket!

Back to the car and this time Steve wasn't there - he was in the pub as planned and then having a curry. So I stocked up on more food and drink and off again. Then after 11½ hours it was decision time - stop now for my midnight café stop or go on another 39 mile circuit? Decided to stop - wonderful crumble and custard and a coffee, but in retrospect I lost 35 minutes and also if I'd stopped later my 12 hour time would have been more than 186 miles. Steve then slept in the car again. Then I suddenly realised dawn was approaching and that was great - but for the first time I felt very slightly sleepy and made good use of the Hodnet feed to have a coffee and banana which did the trick. I had not long passed someone having a sleep at the roadside. At Hodnet they were encouraging a sleepy tricyclist to get out of a chair and back on his bike! I just couldn't give the race less than 100% as the marshals were just so encouraging, I felt like a superstar all day and night! Lots of the top riders were giving encouragement and Lynne Taylor said "come on Ann" and I was really chuffed! Keith Coffey kept giving encouragement when he passed - he was our club guest speaker at our Awards evening in February and when he heard I was doing a 24 he said he may too - he did incredibly well to be second at his first attempt.

(to be continued )

Ann Bath

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This page updated by Lisa Colombo 17th December 2006