Speight’s Coast to Coast Longest Day World Champs
February 12th, 2007 by Dan Hugo
What a magic experience. A defining moment. Dylan txt the day prior, and said “12 hours of opportunity lay ahead”. I liked the perspective.
In a nutshell: The 3km run was fast. Faster than expected. Then, the most elementary mistake. Couldn’t find my bike. 200 bikes lined up against each other, on one side of the road, in dark, chaos. Ran 4 laps between number 20 and 60, trying to find a bike numbered 47. Eish. Biked real hard to catch the second bunch, and luckily they integrated the first. Ran comfortably in the top ten to the bottom of Big Boulders. I eventually lost my guides, as I could not manoeuvre as smoothly and effortlessly over the terrain as them. Not only was I slower, but was it taking more out of me. I was not conditioned for it. My biggest lesson. But it was a spectacular day up the Deception Valley. Ate all I could after being lifted by the vibe in the transition on the 15k ride. Legs were broken. I was bit shattered. And not even half way yet. Paddled well the first hour, passing three. I was not to see another competitor for the next five hours. Weather turned, unexpectedly, and I froze for the rest. My mistake. It became a long, cold, and challenging grind. Read the river alright, and followed good lines. The last bike is as pan flat and dead straight as a road through the Karoo. But every car passing hooted, farmers sat by the roadside, and entering the city littered with people supporting the event aided me home. 12:50. 13th. I know not when, but I will return. With serious intent. Paid my dues, learnt more than I could have hoped, and finally feel I understand the race.
| Last minute Russian Roulette | Prize giving, Judkins and Warner’s Pub |
