On the 31st August we traveled
two hours by bus out to the Chinggis Khan statue.
We had a fantastic buffet, welcome ceremony
and one of the best pre race rides with amazing scenery described as
‘characteristic Siberian tundra landscape’ before bunking down in traditional
yurt. There were three of us in ours with real beds and duvets and such tasty
food we were definitely spoilt.
The following day the stage race started in
perfect weather along jeep tracks followed by lots of short, steep climbs. I rode my own pace but made sure I put
the effort in, in order to have wheels around me to follow on the open
descents. After those climbs we
had a long open stretch with a slight head wind and I was so relieved to find
someone of similar pace to ride with.
We worked nicely together, he took the lead on the descents then we
shared the flat bits and gradually caught up riders dropping off the big group
in front. I was first woman over
GPM 1 then around 70km our group splintered and I was alone after that. I rode around my limit most of the day,
out of breath but not in the red and ate well thanks to the varied biscuits on
offer at the feed, my jam sandwiches and 32gi tabs and drink. The scenery was amazing; so vast and
open it was quite nerve racking having no one in front or behind and I found
myself double checking markers. The last 10km was really tough: There must have
been 4 ‘last’ climbs where I thought I’d crest the top and see the big man
Chinggis on his horse! The end did
eventually come and I came in 1st woman, in the top 15 on GC.
Stage two was 126km and 2240m ascent in the
Khan Khentii National Park to the camp at Tuul River. I hung on with the lead
group up to the first water point where we hit a climb through the forest. The scenery reminded me of home and it
was a pleasant relief to climb in the trees out of the heat. Descending back into the vast open
spaces I joined two Belgium’s both called Tom and we had the most social chat I
have had so far in this race. We
climbed the next GPM together and joined Brit Matt Page on the descent having
had a flat. The going was slow
through the rivers after that but was good riding with smooth tracks in between
getting very wet. Over the last GPM and along the headwind back I hung on and
suffered silently, pleased and grateful for wheels to follow but also aware
that I was burning a lot of matches riding hard for a good few hours. The last 5km we turned with a fast
tailwind and I came in 1st woman again. The weather turned pretty
quickly, the strengthening tailwind became a head wind for those further back
as the clouds rolled in and blew straight through our Yurt making it a chilly
night.
Stage three was due to be a long day: 175km
to Khavcia Ganga and after 8 hours of rain in the night it was going to be slow
going. It was only around 7 degrees on the start line and having been warned
rain was due I started in two thermals and my rain jacket with a bag with a
winter jacket and thicker gloves in.
I straightaway regretted the jacket. The pace wasn’t high but it was in and out of deep rivers so
was like interval session chasing back on. We climbed up and descended through
a flood plain which reminded me a lot like winter riding on the moors followed
by such a deep water crossing I had to lift my pocket up to save my snacks
getting wet! It was a surprise to
see bikes laid around the water point at 35km until we heard the news that the
river crossing was impossible and had already took hostage of our luggage
trucks and that the stage was cancelled. We huddled in the vans parked there
until been told to ride back over the climb to a small bunch of yurts. As we rode back I made a small detour
to join a group of cyclists hovering around a tent where the guy that lived
there was handing out what tasted like a brown watery soup with Mongolian
bread. Sounds rotten but as we
were all pretty cold it was perfect. 10km on I joined my Canadian and USA
friends in a yurt and soon the fire was going and our kit was been hung all
over. I can only imagine the smells wafting out from out drying out sweaty
socks but we didn’t care, we were warm and dry and gradually peanuts and coke
arrived from the feed station.
Eventually all the Russian off road vans
arrived and we piled in still in our lyrca for the long way round to camp. The drive was a real experience and one
I’ll not forget. Those vehicles
get down anything and it was great to see more of the scenery without having to
pedal! We stopped at a garage and shared out whatever money we could find to
buy some chocolate just before we had a major mechanical and could go no
further. A few hours later we were
picked up by a local policeman and continued our drive to camp laughing at his
Mongolian singing and arriving after 9pm at a freezing camp. Trying to find a
tent, assemble my camp bed and having a ‘baby wipe’ shower all took time and it
was gone 10pm by the time I laid down.
It had been a long tiring day but the experiences will stay with me a
long time!
Stage four was meant to be 165km but as not
even our bike had arrived last night we were told breakfast would be 7am and we
would be given more information then. The amended route was 125km missing out
more swamp land much to everyone’s relief. I again set off over dressed in my jacked and regretted it
again as we flew down the hill side.
I made a huge effort to make contact with the front group then blew up
and eased up. There was chance to
get my knee warmers and jacket off before the next group came past with Sonya
in before I found myself riding away with a Portuguese cyclist. He was way stronger but I tried to do a
few turns until we caught up three more riders including Mike from Australia. We rode together, he wasn’t having a
great day having previously been in the top 10 but we did catch up a pretty big
group ahead then ride away from most of them over the climbs. The wind was strong and right on our
backs and we averaged just under 30km/h.
The scenery changed again from big mountains and forests to now open
grassy plains with no sign of life for miles on end. Filling up at the 3rd feed we were really
surprised to see 5km to go just after and at 97km we crossed the line. No one was upset it was a short course
and the extra time allowed kit, bikes and ourselves to be washed in the river,
sleeping backs dried out and I even did an interview with the Mongolian TV!
Braving the river for a wash followed by
the daily chores of washing kit
Still in the pink leaders jersey and with
another stage win I won another unique Mongolian hat before dinner of the sheep
that had been tied up outside the tent all morning!
Stage five at 170km was the new Queen stage
and ended up my best yet. The group was steady the first 80km then the attacks
started but I managed to hang on with some yo yo'ing right until 40km to go
when the drags finally got the better of me and I rode into the finish with a
Canadian guy around the top 10 overall.
I was glad for the company as the last 10km took us over a tough climb
that felt pretty hard with 165km in the legs! Over the top we caught one of the cyclists who had attacked
from the gun, it happened to be the Portuguese whom I’d been hanging onto the
other day and I slowed up and gave him my remaining water. That night before we
dug into one of the best feasts yet sitting in a hall with huge wedding chairs,
we all cheered as the last rider, George, came in 10 minutes before the 12-hour
cut off!
Hero of the day George after 11 hours 50 in
the saddle
The last stage finished in a 13th
Century Park after 91km of racing.
Matt Page from the UK attacked from the gun that sent off numerous
attacks before it settled and we formed a big group along the flat tracks. Up the first GPM I dropped off the back
and was happy for once to ride on my own not wanting to irritate the cold I
picked up overnight. Once alone I was struck by the silence of the area and I
fully appreciated how different this race is to many. I eventually caught a few others and rode with them to the
finish. Sonja had a brilliant ride
and flew past me on the last climb, which took us round the back of camp to
take the victory with me coming in 2nd.
Me and Rocky appreciating the setting sun
I won the overall with Sonya Looney
(Topeak-Ergon) taking 2nd and Erin Greene (Endura)3rd. In the men’s race Cory Wallace held the
pink jersey too all the way through with Brit Matt Page in 5th.
The ceremony was impressive with every
rider called up to receive the finishers jersey, me and Cory dressed up in
traditional dress and plenty of traditional dancers and singers. I even rode a camel while on my way to
the bathroom, which was pretty surreal!!
The camel I was invited to have a ride on
There are plenty of memories from the Genco
Mongolia Bike Challenge. The vast
scenery takes your breath away, the Mongolian people are so welcoming and
supportive and the camps with the Yurts made us really feel like we were
experiencing real Mongolia. The
racing was fast. I was pleased I
had good enough form to hang onto the front few groups for so long each day, I
did have to dig really deep to do so but it was worth it to get carried along
before popping off with others and settling into a good tempo. The race wasn’t the only effort of the
day either, we washed kit and bikes in rivers, suffered in a cold shower each
day and tried to stay warm in our sleeping bags when the evening temperature
dipped to near 0 degrees. But all
that was fine in such good company we had and we could all have a laugh about
our own pain and sufferings.
Because the race only had 100 or so riders we all knew each other by the
end and I have made many new friends, hopefully some I will see again in
Mongolia next year!
