2009 National Hill Climb Championships - Gap of Mamore

I rode this at the weekend, here is the event from my perspective...

LDB and myself drove up on the Friday evening, arriving at our accomodation at about 11pm. We stayed in a lovely rustic cottage about 1km from the foot of the gap. It was pitch black when we arrived so I couldn't see what the area was like, but it sounded and felt windy!

That night I had a fitful sleep, waking up at 4.30, 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30. It was as if my body didn't trust me to actually get out of bed when the 8.30 alarm went off. It had good reason though, I always hit that snooze button 4 or 5 times. I dreamt that on the way to sign on we ended up driving through fields and parked in someone's back garden, getting changed in their front living room. I've no idea where that one came from.

When I opened my front door in the morning, there it was: The Gap of Mamore. Staring me in the face. It cut up the side of a hill like a nasty scar, dissappearing behind the face of the rock, presumably still going up and up.

I rode towards it to check it out before the event started. It starts at a cross roads and boy does it start! Straight away it's steep. It hits you with two or three ramps and switchbacks. I was taking it handy as this was a re-con mission. There is a small mercy about half way up where there is a downhill part, it's short, but very welcomed. Then it slaps you in the face again with more ramps leading up to a section known as "The Grotto". You can feel the end nearing, but it's hidden over a crest and around the final bend. The last bit looked like it was going to be very tough so I was glad that I took the time to check the climb out and know what was ahead of me. The verdict: it's a nice climb with challenging ramps, steep corners and a stinker of a finish.

When I returned later on for the competition, I was 8th to set off. I had done a good warm up for about 40 minutes. The weather was threatening to rain, but it was holding off and we had a tailwind heading up. I was told that last year there was a headwind. That would not be fun!

The starter, gave me my countdown and I was off. The plan was to keep the HR at about 170 for the first minute or two so that I don't blow up. I was pretty much keeping it about that and was able to maintain a good speed. Then, DISASTER! As I approached the first or second switchback, my left foot unclipped! Christ almighty. I screamed blue murder. My first thought was, that's it, my race is over and I had barely started. Then I thought, well I haven't come all this way to give up, so do something quick! I jumped off the bike and ran with it up past the switchback and jumped back on where it was flatter. I don't know how much time that cost me. I powered up the next few ramps and I'm sure my HR was through the roof, I havn't looked at the detailed stats yet, although my average was 193.

I could see my minute man up ahead and the crowd gathered at the grotto. As I hit the downhill part, I was suffering, and it was still early. I eased off on it and tried to reover in the few seconds it takes to get to the next uphill section. Somewhere along there I passed my minute man. I was seriously putting down the hammer now, giving it absolutely everything. I wanted to finish this with nothing left in the tank. At least that way I know that I gave it my best shot. I approached the grotto and I could see another rider ahead of me. This is where it all becomes a blur. The sum total of my awareness was of the piece of tarmac under my front wheel and the incredible pain I was feeling. I think I passed a second rider. In the furthest part of my brain I was vaguely hearing people clapping and cheering. They might as well have been a million miles away, as I could hardly hear them. But somehow I heard my name called and mangaged to catch a glimpse of a Mapei cap. It was LDB cheering me on. A photographer appeared beneath me, taking this picture. I think my face tells the story. That is sheer and utter pain that you see. I was in complete distress, begging for it all to be over. But I was only just nearing the end of the grotto. There was still the final crest and bend to take.

My body was screaming at me to stop and get off. I really wanted to just fall over. I called out loud to God to help me, but he didn't. I had put myself in this situation, I'm going to have to get out of it on my own. The crowd were yelling 200 meters to go. 200 meters?! For jeesus sake does this thing not end?! I was dying a slow miserable death. 200 meters became 100. I could sense someone walking behind me. They must have been there to catch me in case I fell. 100 meters became 20 meters. People were shouting at me to KEEP GOING KEEP GOING. They are what kept me upright. Without the support I would have given up long ago. I could see the finish ahead of me. Oh thank the stars! I was finished. I stumbled off the bike, dropped it in a small ditch and collapsed beside it, face first in the grass. I lay there for what felt like ages. I tried a few times to get up but I couldn't. I had to wait for my breathing to calm down. Eventually I was able to get to my knees and stand up. That, without a doubt, is the most pain I have ever experienced in all my life.

I had been keeping an eye on my time on the way up and I had been heading for sub 8.30. Last years winning time was 8.43, so I was pleased with my time. Then, as more riders came up, someone put in a time of 6.49! Holy god! Amazing stuff. Even if I hadn't unclipped, there was no way on earth I could come close to that.

Paul Griffen was first and Mark Dowling was second. Ryan Sherlock had come third. Well done Ryan
I got 18th. Full results and some more pictures are here.

Many thanks to the organisers for a great event. You have a fantasic hill on which to hold it, and in my mind, it should be held there every year!
Also thank you to the crowds that cheered the riders on and well done to all riders who took part.

A lot was learned that weekend...
1) there are some savage hill climbers out there!
2) the body can push itself to fantastic limits
3) I wanna do this again next year