Kielder 100, 2011.

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BY: Melanie Alexander

Published: 1st October, 2011

It was certainly tough conditions for the Kielder100 this year. We woke up to drizzling rain and it pretty much stuck around all day getting heavier at times. The biggest pain with rain at Kielder is the effect it has on the wear of brake pads. I made sure I packed four spare pairs in my saddle bag.

 

Equipment - saddle bag loaded up with multi tool, tyre leavers, brake pads, emergency blanket, 2 inner tubes. Leaving my back pockets free for 2nd bottle, waterproof and plenty of gels and bars (at least one an hour).

 

I struggled to push hard at Kielder this year, and although I came in as first women I felt disappointed with my effort. I made plenty of mistakes leading up to Kielder 100 which affected my mind set for the race and how I rode. I know I can finish 100 miles and ride further if need be so that is not the challenge for me, the reason I return each year is to see if I can challenge and beat my own time and I am stronger than I was last year so was expecting to knock a fair amount of time off. This year I did not do that.
If Kielder 100 is of interest to you, then I will point out a few things not to do.

 

 With the planned trip to Pakistan for the Tour of the Himalayas the week after Kielder 100 I had decided earlier in the year it would be too much of a rush to race Kielder this year, especially if there was wear on the bike from the 100 miles. After spending time with Ant White, Mike Blewitt and Lisa Kamphausan in Poland and discussing Kielder 100 Ihad a change of mind. Kielder 100 was a last minute decision for me which was my main mistake. I know now that if I want to improve on my time it needs to be an aim, something I am mentally strong for and focused on rather than last minute.

 

On the Friday, due to work commitments, we were not able to leave until after midday. We left Cardiff at 1.30pm, got caught in traffic on M5 and M6 and didn't arrive at Kielder until 9.30pm. We quickly rushed over to sign on which closed at 10, had a meal in the café which was staying open late for late arrivals, set up camp and got to bed by 11 with alarm set for 4.30. Not great prep for an early start and 100 miles. I definitely recommend leaving with plenty of time to get a good night's sleep and if possible a spin of the legs on arrival, especially after a long drive.

 

relatively early stage of the 100 miles. Photo by Joolze Dymond.

 

4.30 am came too quickly. I dragged myself out of bed and rushed around to get kit together (this I would have normally done the night before), umming and aahing about gilet or waterproof jacket - I opted for wearing the gilet and stuck waterproof in back pocket, we got to the start line with sleep still in the eyes.
My legs felt stiff to start but I knew they would wake up in time, I was happy to get into a rhythm rather than chase riders or try and hold on to the riders around me. After an hour my legs were getting going and I was making places back up again.  By 20 miles I had already worn through my rear pad and this was not through use just through the mud and slosh I was picking up whilst riding, metal was rubbing on metal. My front brake was still sharp with plenty of braking power so there was no need to stop and change them. I felt I kept a good speed up, though I was riding rather cautiously on fire road and single track descents. I had been advised not to ride Kielder in case I ruined the healing I had already made from one of my crashes at Big Dog but I had told myself that as Kielder is not technical, and my injury was only bruising, that if I stayed on the bike I would be fine - just make sure you stay on the bike.

 

Photo by Joolze Dymond

 

At 62 miles after more umming and aahing, I reluctantly took shelter in the Mechanics tent to change pads. I am a bit cack-handed and not the speediest with tools but I got pistons pushed back and pads changed. Lubing my chain and a toilet stop added up to losing over 15 minutes. I was cold so waterproof jacket on and I set off again straight in to thick mud and puddles on the Newcastleton trail.
In the previous two Kielder 100s, I had on both occasions Jack Peterson from NumPlumz keeping me company and helping keep the pace up with our competitive nature. But Jack was ahead this year, he had passed me around the 40 mile mark and was gone. I was by myself and I was missing Jack's company. One rider was in front and one behind though in the distance.  From 62miles to 90 miles I rode completely by myself. In the next 3 hours 4 riders passed me but at a speed where they must have had a mechanical and were gaining back time, and I passed 1 fixing a puncture but that was it. After my brake pad change I didn't really get going again. My aim whilst driving up the motorway was to beat last year's time of 9hours 59 but there was no way I was going to do so. I lost a bit of kick and rode at a speed that didn't cause too much discomfort.

 

Photo by Joolze Dymond

 

At 90 Miles I caught Dan Treby (Singular), last year's single speed winner. We had passed each other on several occasions earlier on as he was having a bad time with punctures and brake pads and had blown from all the chasing he had done all day. We rode together for the final 10 miles. My brakes were also gone now and the sound of metal on metal was cringing. We managed to roll most of it using minimal braking but also riding slower trying not to pick up too much speed on the single track.
It may sound daft but with 3 miles to go I decided to change my front brake. The metal on metal sounded awful and I really didn't want to destroy my pistons especially with the Tour of Himalayas trip in a weeks time. With already a slower time of the previous two years and pretty confident I was not going to get caught by the second placed lady I wanted to at least enjoy the last couple of miles which was a single track descent down to the finish.  Dan offered to help so it only took 5 minutes and 10 minutes later we had finished. 100 miles in 10 hours 31. (32 minutes slower than last year) Lisa Kamphausen (WXC) finished second on her bike which weighs a ton. And Hannah Welling from (Team Sludge Racing) was third. Out of 40 women starters only 6 finished.

 

Photo by Joolze Dymond

 

Would I do it again? I did not really enjoy Kielder this year but that was more due to my lack of prep and mind set.
If I was to do it again then I will definitely do a few things differently. Make sure I am up for the race, drive up earlier giving myself time to spin legs out and eat at a reasonable time. I think it affected both me and Mark who had dead legs all day. Kit wise I would take a flat headed screw driver to help change brake pads quicker, if raining not bother taking glasses as they ended up in back pocket getting scratched, bit less food - I had enough in my back pockets to keep me going for 15 hours.

 

On Sunday we woke up to glorious sunshine before the long drive home again. Typical.

 

Photos for Kielder 100 taken by Joolze Dymond

 

Thanks to my sponsors Xcracer.com, Accelerade, Exposure lights, Gateway cycles and Mt Zoom.