strathpuffer + cairngorm= awesomeness

hmmm, i look down at my bike. i'm pretty sure that pushing the pedal down, should move the bike forward. the cranks shouldn't just spin, should they? i have to double check myself. it's dark and windy, the rain is falling and i'm on lap6. i probably shouldn't be feeling this spent so soon into a 24hr race but it's to be expected...and we wont dwell on *that* now.

yup, the bike is officially knackered. i hate to admit it but my first thought is 'oh, well and least that's a decent excuse!' but during the long walk back to the start line and potential assistance i decide that the worst case scenario is to change into fell shoes and jog round with the bike. i recon i can manage 2 laps and then stop, feeling like i've not totally given up. yup, my brain is officially knackered.

fortunately the lovely kilted mechanic was able to liberate the freewheel...using a massive hammer and a few mini chocolate rolls. i say fortunately...this meant not only swapping from an 18 tooth to a 16 but now i had no excuse not to push on. strangely at this point someone asked me 'why strathpuffer?' at that moment i couldn't really explain, it took a few more laps of thinking.

firstly the course is ace, whatever the weather. ice, mud, snow, wind and rain, it's still ride-able. but it's more than that. yes everyone involved is really friendly and there's a true sense of camaraderie on the trail but you can say that about a lot of events. i think for me, the reason i came back for more and the reason that i'll be back again, is because it's hard. it's really blimin' hard.

photo taken by aviemoron

i managed to keep going for a few more laps but in reality i spent more time drinking tea and scoffing ritz crackers. i just didn't have the legs or in fact the arms to do anything amazing. and there were some amazing efforts going on, just take a look at the results. everyone i spoke to had tales of big spills and bike failures, and pretty much everyone i spoke to offered me tea and cake. yes, strathpuffer is a brilliant race. i rode my bike, i pushed my bike, i smiled and sang to myself. i had a brilliant time and came away with some very generous prizes. for this i feel a little guilty, next time i hope to do the race justice and i hope to take up some of those offers of tea. is it ok to bank the, very much appreciated, offers of a brew and shelter for a year?!

...and so on to cairngorm recovery. on monday i swapped wheels for planks. the smell of cold air and hot wax is so evocative to me. takes me back to be being a fearless child, shooting off down mountains getting to the bottom, being told to put more sun screen on and refusing. getting on the lift and doing it all over again. this time my lips were already badly chapped, probably from the dehydration of yesterdays activities. there was no one to tell me to stop for lunch and only my mashed quads reminding me not to razzzzz too hard. up, down, up, down, up, down.... not a day for off piste but a fantastic day on the hill.

on tuesday i traded the skis for spikes and headed off to coires. feeling tired and lethargic i trudged up to coire an t'sneachda. approaching the amphitheater of dark buttresses and snow filled gullies a gush of excitement crashed over me. i found a 'second wind'. just look at it, how can you wish to be anywhere but here?

hot blackcurrant from a flask only tastes this good, when the sheltering behind a rock whilst cold fingers fiddle with crampon straps, munching a chocolate bar and trying to ensure your map doesn't blow away. pretty much perfect. a quick scamper up the goat track reminds my legs of the previous days efforts. onto the plateau and the cloud comes in. not quite a white out but enough for me to realise that i need to concentrate.

suddenly the wind stops, total silence. i can see a boulder behind me but nothing else. no horizon but more importantly no cornice. a few deep breaths, trust the compass, check the watch and count the contours. slowly but surely i make way around the coire rim and up onto cairngorm summit. there were fleeting breaks in the cloud, views snatched between map fumbling.

then all too soon i'm back at the car. a car that's filled with adventure potential. shall i stay another night, i could camp out or even bike over the other valley. or maybe one more day of skiing but there's something missing. actually two things, obviously i've no energy left what so ever but i miss jane. all this fun without her, just doesn't seem fair.

so, 9hrs after getting off the hill i'm back home. tired and happy.