Exposure Big Night Out

BY: Donna Morris

Published: 15th April, 2013

Last weekend was the opening schwalbe marathon event in Builth Wells. Due to either been pregnant or Phil taking part, I have only ever done 1 of the day marathons and I have never taken part in the ELBNO. An event that I have spectated, chased Phil around the course and always quite fancied having a go, but the opportunity has not been there. This year was different. Phil was working nights so he wasn't able to do either event. Nannie was free to babysit, so it was my turn to have a dabble at the ELBNO and represent XCracer.com and use my brand new Exposure Diablo and Maxx-D, courtesy of my sponsors. I entered late Saturday afternoon, after spending all day watching the weather forecast and the heavy showers. Part of me couldn't face riding in the predicted weather but all week I had kinda psyched myself up to do it and said I was only not gonna do it if it was thunder and lightning. So with no forecast of that my pen scribbled on the entry sheet and I was number 94. Although I believe fewer entries than the past few years there was over 100 riding.

Nannie pulled up and I got myself sorted out, set up my lights, got my waterproofs and fuel for the night and headed off over to the showground about 7. 15pm. It wasn't long and the riders briefing was spieled out and we were lined up under the starting arch. 8pm and we were off. Lead by the vito van and then by Johns Lloyds Red van! The road stretch to forest fields was pretty quick going and I was up there in the 2^nd group back as well as 2 other ladies. A little cheer on from my 2 kiddies and I was more determined than ever to get around the course. I had no idea how long it would take, it was only my second time of riding at night off road and haven't ridden over about 30 k for a very long time. Somebody thought about 3 and a quarter hours and I was even quoted 4 hours!

I blinking hope I'm not gonna be out there that long!, I thought to myself.

After the vans pulled over, we headed up through forest filed campsite track and then up alongside the bottom of the forestry. The course went into the woods and along the fence line over heaps of roots on an uphill slant! Great for grip! 2 ladies were just in front of me, but got caught out on the roots so I pushed on by. Next up was the monster climb, being very wet and slippy, alongside the walkers I also half way up had to abort and walk. As soon as I could regain a little gap in front I got back on. At the top it then went down into the off camber rooty single-track, which again was rideable until the person in front was walking or stalled, but thankfully they let me by and it wasn't too much further until the fire road to the hill gate. On the climb one lady got ahead, but once back on the fire road I pushed on by, I wanted to be in front going on to the hill. The hill can only be described as sheer hell. Windy as hell and the mist was coming down, alongside the driving rain! Lovely spring evening ride! It was so wet and marshy in most areas it felt like I was going 1 mile an hour and the downhill's were not letting me go much faster. A real slog, slipping and sliding and at the one downhill my bike was sliding all of the shop, and towards the bottom I ended up on my a**e! A quick ouch and I was away again. I think it was the feed station next, which I went passed and pushed on. Then was another hard climb, followed by hard hill riding a few bogs and deep mud, wheel hugging bits. The last hill section I had ridden bits of it before, but in the dark I hadn't got much of a clue where the hell I was altogether. Climb, climb to the top then, the fastest bit of the course so far a long stretch of downhill. However, quite rutty and off camber and you had to watch yourself on the final single-track before the road. I dabbed a few times to save myself going off the edge! I hit the bottom of the hill climb and was cheered on by a few followers. THANK YOU! My clock said 1hr 59 min. This really spurred me on, because I knew that there wasn't too much further to go. After a few miles on the road at the top of the first steep climb I heard "go on mummy!". Nothing better to motivate you up the next climb! Once back the street lights, the course went up the quarry road and then cut off down the bridleway to the quarry entrance. Going up again pretty much all the way up a track, then into a rough, stony track up to the main road. You then crossed over and up another track to the top, followed by a really fun descent, not technical but wet, muddy and a few braches to catch you out. The last mile or so was road, back to the showground. The section from the quarry I rode with a really friendly chap, it was nice to have a chat about biking and fortunately for him my lights were still going! His had gone out so I helped him back to the street lights! Last little push for me and I crossed the line in 2 hours and 38mins. 2^nd lady home, 7 minutes back on British Cyclist Annie Simpson riding for Hope. I came 32^nd overall. A very pleasing ride for me and I will definitely be doing some more night events. Phil might even let me do a lap or 2 at Bontranger 24 /12 now!!

After a well-deserved coffee and a RECOVERY BAR from ACCELERADE I headed off back home, washed the bike down and try to hit the sack at midnight. Late night bike ride, buzzing with satisfaction, not good for a good night's sleep! Jumpy legs all night long!

Well done to all involved and to the marshals who braved the elements! Really enjoyed it and was nice to be partaking not spectating this year!

Donna Morris Riding for XCracer.com

Thank you to my sponsors, without I would not be competing!

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