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CLUB LA SANTA MTB EVENT
LANZAROTE
CANARY ISLANDS
SPAIN |
Club La Santa
2 stage mountain bike 2007
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The info:
 
The flyer said 'Come and take part in this exciting adventure race
in Lanzarote organized once again by Club La Santa. You will
discover the spectacular landscapes of the island and enjoy the
fantastic atmosphere together with other sports enthusiasts. It will
be a challenging route along the North coastline of the island,
around the cliffs towards Famara, in a volcanic area of breathtaking
beauty in Tinajo municipality. Varied terrain of tarmac roads, sand,
lava fields & dirt tracks. 80% of the route is off/road & the skill
of up hill & downhill biking will be needed'. 'More than enough
said' . . . . 'I' am off'! |
IT'S
SUNDAY, SO ITS ANOTHER EVENTS DAY
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~ Bicyclemania Ride ~
HEAVY RAIN, STRONG
WINDS & BLACK SKY'S, JUST LIKE THE U.K.
(WELL IT WAS
JANUARY)
Along with the race number you also got a timing chip,
which you attached to the bike. (Very professional)
I was under the impression I would be on the start line in
shorts & a sleeveless top sweltering under the hot island
sun. Ho no . . . full finger gloves, full length leggings,
two long sleeve tops & a Gore-Tex rain jacket with rain
spots covering my lenses.
The ground had turned black
& grey with the rain, so you could not easily pick out the
volcanic rocks laying about in the dirt tracks. We had a
police escort out of Club La Santa & along the road to La
Santa village where we were let looses to tackle the
coastal tracks. About 6km into the race I had to stop &
take off the waterproof, I had decided to get wet & cool
rather than over cook. The leading pack had disappeared
into the volcanic wilderness never to be seen again, I
concentrated on the riders I could see & started to reel
them in one by one.
The winds & driving rain were punishing as I climbed a
steep ash track by the side of an old volcano, I had
already managed to drop two fellow riders on the start of
this climb & I was setting up my next victim. We crested
the summit about 30 yards apart & I though I'd got him,
but no, on the downhill off camber track I nearly went
tits-up in a deep ash gully, held it together and made it
to the bottom.
My victim had pulled away, 'but its not over until the
finish line' I told myself. I managed to catch & pass my
victim on a short road section & then came some sandy
tracks, I had to kill the speed for this section because
the front wheel was pointing everywhere but straight. The
sight of my last victim passing by didn't help matters
either, must be a local.
Anyway he got his position
back and I come home in one piece, wet but well satisfied
with the ride & seeing parts of the Island I would
probably have never seen. The event was very well
organized by Club La Santa.
'who knows maybe next year'. |
Wet gear & waterproofs on . . . .
this is Lanzarote, the sunny island
Last time it rain this much was
about 536 days ago!
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RESULT |
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Rider |
Category |
Number |
Field |
Ranked |
Time |
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Chiefy |
Male 30km |
4 |
47 |
30th |
01.48.43 |
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Rider |
Category |
Number |
Field |
Ranked |
Time |
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Chiefy |
Master 40+ |
4 |
7 |
5th |
01.48.43 |
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