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CLUB LA SANTA MTB
EVENT
LANZAROTE
CANARY ISLANDS
SPAIN |
Club La Santa
2 stage mountain bike 2008
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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' . . . .
'We're here again & it's sunny too'! |
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~ Bicyclemania Ride
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JANUARY . . .
HOT & DRY WINDS NOT LIKE THE U.K.
Along with the race
number you also got a timing chip, which you
attached to the bike. (Very professional)
I was on the start line in shorts & a sleeveless
top sweltering under the hot island sun.
For the start we had
a police escort out of Club La Santa & along the
road towards La Santa village where we were let
looses to tackle the coastal tracks and volcano
slopes. The first climb was a gentle one which
lead the riders up into the slopes of a couple of
volcanoes before dropping downhill on tracks which
every so often had cheeky little sand traps across
them. After clearing that section the going was
fast along the coast towards La Caleta de Famara.
We dropped right down to sea level and sped
through the village to the first water stop by the
sand dunes.
A quick mouth full of water and its off up hill to
a long long climb up the side of the Famara cliffs
about 500m high. It was a long drag up, I found my
spinning legs and got dug in for what seemed like
an eternity. The riders were now spread out on the
course and sometimes you could ride for quite
sometime before seeing anyone else. From the top I
rode around the edge of the cliff before dropping
downhill on a track with deep black sand covering
it. The only way I could make head way was to get
off and run with the bike.
At the
dottom instead of crossing over the main road we
had to go underneath it through a small tunnel.
From then on it was a fast hard packed track
across the plans to another water stop. I grabbed
a bottle from one of the crew and 20 yards on
lobbed it into a garden with a kid watching us
pass. (free waterbottle)
The wind
was getting stronger now and I had to start
digging in to try and keep the speed going. The
ground also was getting quite tricky too as I
waived in and out of the volcanic landscape. The
rocks were getting bigger and unkind too smashing
into the wheels and rims, not to mention your
feet.
It was
at this point in the race that I managed to pass a
couple of tired riders which speed me on back to
the finnish line. I come home in one piece, 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, with a
Paella party on the beach afterwards for all the
competitors.
'who knows maybe next year'. |
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A rider battling
sand & heat
plus the winds !!.
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Chiefy on the
homeward leg
a camel of the desert
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Back
at the finish
Now time for a paella party
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RESULT |
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RIDER |
CATEGORY |
NUMBER |
FIELD |
RANKED |
KM |
TIME |
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Chiefy |
All Male 60km |
4 |
43 |
30th |
61.4 |
03.26.11 |
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RIDER |
CATEGORY |
NUMBER |
FIELD |
RANKED |
KM |
TIME |
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Chiefy |
Master 40+ |
4 |
7 |
5th |
61.4 |
03.26.11 |
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