Genco Mongolian Bike Challenge 2013

On the 31^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 3^rd 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 13^th 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 2^nd. 

Me and Rocky appreciating the setting sun

I won the overall with Sonya Looney (Topeak-Ergon) taking 2^nd and Erin Greene (Endura)3^rd.  In the men’s race Cory Wallace held the pink jersey too all the way through with Brit Matt Page in 5^th. 

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!