|
|
 |
 |
CLUB
LA SANTA MTB EVENT
LANZAROTE
CANARY ISLANDS
SPAIN |
Club La Santa
2 stage mountain bike 07
 |
|
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
SATURDAY, SO ITS ANOTHER EVENTS DAY |
|
|
~
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, sunny island
 |
Last
time it rain this much was 536 days ago!
 |
|
|
Team
Result |
Rider |
Category |
Number |
Field |
Ranked |
Time |
|
Chiefy |
Male
30km |
4 |
43 |
30th |
01:48:43 |
|
Chiefy |
Masters 40+ |
4 |
7 |
5th |
01:48:43 |
|
'16 odd riders failed to do the course' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
