oneblackdot

After obsessively checking weather websites for weeks leading up-to the Strathpuffer 24 I was a little bit miffed that the ‘proper’ winter weather Scotland had been enjoying had taken a turn for the warmer just a couple of days before the race. If I was going to do a 24 hour Scottish winter race I wanted the proper conditions; freezing temperatures, blizzards during the race, mild frostbite, etc.

The Strathpuffer - Mainly dark

In retrospect I’m extremely glad I didn’t get what I wished for; 15 hours of darkness, 8 degrees, rain and copious amounts of ice made it hard enough, Ta very much.

Rich the other half of our pair did the first lap describing it succinctly as ‘tasty‘ as he handed over to me.

The long fireroad climb had large patches of sheet ice (yum!) and plenty of it on the singletrack sections. Small Block 8 semi-slicks weren’t ideal tyre for ice (who’d of thought it?!) and I took it easy man, slip-sliding around and enjoying quite a few offs* whilst suffering from some serious tyre envy as the studded confidently rode by.

*most memorable ‘off’ was a couple of laps in while chasing a very quick Rickie Cotter on one of the final descents which I ended by ice-sliding 15 ft or so on my back whilst still holding on to the bike.

As the laps were ticked off an ice free path was eventually worn into the course, this didn’t happen until well into the night but perked me up no end. The stress of will I, won’t I crash on this/that corner was getting a tad much, as were the amount of bruises/sore bits.

The course was ace (sans ice) and suited our 32:18 singlespeeds well; all climbs ‘doable’ and no flat spinny bits. Being in a pair with no support may have even made riding a singlespeed an advantage(!) Neither of us had any mechanicals, swapping brakepads occasionally and a quick chain lube each lap was all the bikes needed. Given the amount of mud around once the thaw started I reckon a geared bike may have required a bit more attention not something I’m reet good at when sleep deprived (just warming a tin of ravioli and brewing up on my off laps took immense concentration during the latter part of the race).

We somehow managed to finish the race seventh place in the pairs overall and sixth in our category (mens pairs). Would I make the eight hour journey to do the race again? Yep*, it was a great experience, massively different to any other 24 hour race I’ve done and although the race was mostly cold and dark the vibe was the opposite. Peace out man.

*with ice tyres