The truth is, yes I m biased. This is my absolute beloved race, no question about that. No matter what, be it a tropical heat or quite the opposite I would line up for those epic 200km either way.
I have been asked a lot of time
“ Tell me one, one single reasoning you are fired up to start tomorrow…just look through the window”
You know, the deal is though, that’s exactly what Trophy amounts to. It ‘must’ be attrition-like. And all those folks clicking into their pedals and giving the first stroke, are supposed to bear that in mind:
It won’t be a walking in the park. I m going so far to say, even the endorphins après-race feel different (to other races).
Now, point is either that the 2009 edition lived up to its tagline [Hell roundtrip]. How hilarious it is if you know, there is no such a thing as a proper wear and cloths for an all day heavy rain, 1-6 degrees, slightly snow, etc.. That being said, next to all signed racers, across the board lined up for this vicious loop. Its kinda like ‘I-can’t -to-do-it’ thing.
Funny, I figure all of us knew from the get-go, it would be only a matter of time, when that happens: dropping out. I mean, sure one can endeavor a race taking 100-130km in this conditions, but let’s face it 209km?
Unless, you are provided a great tech support giving you the opportunity to change every 30min.
The gun went off, and so did we. The first part of the bunch deemed themselves to be fortunate enough having some of those leading moto-bikes ahead of them just to get a little bit light in the total darkness. It’s such a mysterious thing, everybody is highly tied up with all those ambivalent thoughts crossing their minds. Then again, it’s amazing how psyched everybody has been, cheered and full of high spirits, despite the terrible elements. As one of them just stated:
“What my strategy is? Huh, there isn’t any – but let me tell you this, just keep cheered. And smiling, dude, that works, trust me”
How cool is that, just switch off your mind end enjoy yourself. Though, how far can you go fooling yourself? I for one, no I issues there, as long as my thermoregulation is in ‘on’ mode I keep propelling. But most of all I just don’t let the rivals influence my willful approach not to quit.
The motto goes like this: “never stop” - neither for feed zones nor anything else. Once your engine start to cool down, well chances are, no RPM raising will be viable. Regrettably I had been forced to pit stop for misadjusted rear derraileur. At that time I have been running jeopardy to switch to the ‘freezing-mode’. The inner voice knocked on the door: “Hey boy, stop pretending doing greatly”
The mechanic (albeit I wouldn’t dub him so since…) dug really deep, gave every try to make my shifter run, though failed. And not even failed (to adjust it), he literally managed to demolish it (yes he broke it down!). I was like “ Um, you are not going to tell me…I can ride on, right?”
I have never before seen that kind of reluctant reply like: “ Err, well… you know the thing is…” “ What??”
“Your race, I m very afraid and I hate to tell that, but, ended here”
Alright buddy, thanks for ‘saving’ my (race-) day! I have been extra “happy” that it occurred in a no-man’s-land, in the middle of the nowhere, littered with starting snowfall, 1-2 degrees, summer clothes , etc..
All the same, I didn’t lose my high spirits (has it been really that high?), got off my bike and coasted where it was doable. I couldn’t hide my annoyance, though, lying in 29st place at the time, and having the outlook making ground good. But it wasn’t meant to be.
At the next check point, somewhere between km 73-75 I had to definitely drop out. I figured my core temperature has been hovering around 25 degrees and I hasn’t been able to steer my handlebar nor modulate my brakes. Not only my fingers were numb but the toes as well. Basically my whole ‘chassis’ was insensitive, next to deaden.
I can clearly recall having been asked by track marshals’ and helpers whether I m ok and I was about to answer, though its been beyond my power to utter any words of well being. I mean the body language did it perfectly and so they just organized some first aid treatment, brought me into the medical tent where I met up another soldiering survivals having been urged to finish the battle.
That’s been the definite Over. It it’s been futile contemplating the ‘what-if’s’ . It hurts somehow ending my beloved race that way, however one is better off checking that off, file the disaster and looking forward to the next event.
The Trophy once again lived up wholly to its famous name and scaring tagline. It’s simply not done with ‘I-will-do-200km-and-am-fine’ mentality. The actual obstacle aren’t really those eternal km’s . Its rather about the lurking unwelcome surprises around. And that is mostly the wheatear, making this race so compelling, appealing, a must event.
My love and passion for this race hasn’t , doesn’t and won’t take any harm. I will be on the start line at 5am as long as it won’t be called for good.
Remains to give my big shout out to the race manager (happened to be my good friend) and all those lovely folks aiding us all along. Now they truly proved being the best of the best. To master that kind of disastrous unprecedented story the way they did (also having in advance a Plan B/C) deserves my huge respect – I m utterly grateful for all the endeavor !
Thanks for sharing
Robert
Edit: some photos of the race to find by clicking and downloading on
http://www.sportograf.de/de/account/overview
http://www.sportograf.de/account/signin ... 0023503409