Isle of Man End to End 2011

[Tarbo]

Well that was tough

Having completed last year’s event in 5 hours and 7 minutes, I entered this year with the aim of finishing in under 5 hours. A task that should have been easier by the fact that we were all wearing timer chips this year, so the 8 minute wait to cross the start line would not be included in the finish time. Having not done as much ‘big’ rides this year, I was still pretty confident that I’d knock a good few minutes of last year’s time and even contemplated a 4 ½ hour finish.

Even after setting the alarm for 04:30 to watch the rugby I felt awake and fresh once we’d loaded the bikes onto the lorries and were sitting on the warm coaches driving through the pouring rain to the start point.

However, the constant rain in the days leading up to the event had other ideas. The ground was a mud bath, which meant that after 800 riders had gone before you, there was no chance of riding through some of the sections. Whereas last year 90% was rideable, this year I think I only managed to ride 75% of the course.

So there you have it. An overall time of 5 hours 12 minutes and 11 seconds, (ignore the Garmin as I was too knackered once crossing the line to remember to turn it off). That placed me 484 out of over 1,400 riders, which to be honest, doesn’t sound too bad a result considering the circumstances.

A good turn out for MBNW too with both Matt (Priceyla) and PaulEds also competing, and both coming home in under 5 and a half hours. No mean feat in those conditions. I’m sure they will be along soon to give you their version too.

All in all, another excellently organised event over a fantastic route, which I can thoroughly recommend to anyone thinking of giving it a go.

Thanks to Matt and Paul for the company over the weekend.

Not too many pictures as I was trying to get under that elusive 5 hour mark and didn't want to keep stopping to get the camera out



































Maybe next year

[priceyla]

Well done on taking pictures, I took my camera with me but didn't get a single one!

I really enjoyed the event, my finish time was 5hr 35min and position number 666(!)

I'd really recommend this event to people, the organisation was spot on, great accomodation, loads of free food before and after the race. On the day it felt a bit like the tour de france at times (in my head anyway) with locals lining the streets cheering and holding out fruit and drinks for the riders.

I'm going again next year :-)

[BenKMV]

Well done boys looks like you had a fantastic time, great ride up,pictures and weather

[Oggy]

Well done fellas, looks like a brilliant event

[sionwms]

Hmmm I may have to pencil this one into next years diary.... Good work guys!!!

[summittoppler]

Does sound a tough one especially with all the rain we've had. A big well done to all who completed

[tinytim]

you can recommend all you bloody like you lot! it looks and sounds a nightmare oh and well done by the way ;D

[Rupert]

Looks good that, even if it was a mud bath. Maybe I'll have to get my act together and do this next year instead of the CRC

[Ken]

Well Done Boys and good write up Mr Tarbo

[oldgit]

Well done guys!!!
Didn't have my holiday there this year so missed the spectacle of watching the riders "crawl" up the final climb; its a little toughie
Oh and they have a running end to end if you fancy the double

[woody]

Well done all those who took part. Definately sounds like an event worth doing. Maybe next year.

[pauleds]

Well that certainly was an experience!!

I had 3 aims before going over to do the event -
1. To finish!
2. Not come last.
3. To still be able to smile and have a few beers after completing it.

Before I even start on about it I will recommend this event to anyone who likes a fews days away and enjoys a mountain bike challenge. Excellent value for money too.
It was hard work but you get a real sense of achievement when you finish and the support you get from the locals and specatators along the route from start to finish is amazing. I have never experienced that number of people out watching and supporting on any other bike event I have done.

I travelled over with mate Gareth Andrews and also met with Chris and Matt whilst over there.

Gareth and I had managed to get a few longer rides in before doing this event but I still hadnt done as much before hand as I would have liked. Chatting at the pasta party on the saturday night we thought that a sub 6 hour time would be the target.

Getting up on sunday, a full cooked breakfast started off the day. We then biked down to the bus station and loaded them onto the lorries and jumped onto the bus. It was raining as we were travelling up to the start and it was really misty going over the mountain but luckily when we got to the start area the weather cleared and it brightened up.
We managed to get towards the front whilst everyone was getting ready for the off. The first 100 elite riders were set off, then the 14-15 yr olds, then the rest of the pack starts filtering through over the timing mats to start your own time.
It was quite a fast pace on the first 15 miles as it was all tarmac roads to spread the pack out a bit but it soon bunched up at the 1st climb and the pushing began. Where it opened up on the top the ground was still very wet and soft and only ridable in places so it was a bit on and off the bike.
I took a few pics along the route as the weather had cleared and the views were great. I did try to have a bit of fun on the downhill sections too especially the track that brought us to the 1st main feed section. This was where I was really surpised by the amount of people spectating and supporting. It was a real boost as we climbed up from there and followed the tracks round the mountain and up and down the valleys.
We dropped down into St Johns and crossed the checkpoint again with big crowds of supporters and another drink and feed stop. It was then another tarmac climb out of St Johns which is where Gareth had his bout of cramp so I kept on going and left him to try and stretch it out. It then turned off up a track which again meant a lot more pushing.
Eventually it came to a few tracks through the woods but the ground was just so soft all the earth was getting thrown up and clogging up the bike. Had to stop briefly to bounce the bike and clear it all away. On the next part there was a little steep dropdown. The rider infront got it wrong and used a tree as a brake. He hit it pretty hard so myself and another rider stopped to help him out. He was in a lot of pain and the other rider checked him and seemed to think there was a break or dislocation. Luckily another rider had told the next marshals so they appeared and I carried on. There were a few nice downhill bits from there too but that just leads to more climbing/pushing. Across some fields, then through the woods again and joining a road with more supporters cheering us on, then along a fireroad up to the next feed station. More water and sweets on board and I kept going until starting to ride up the next climb the dreaded cramp set it! I jumped off the bike and began walking, trying to stretch it out again, but everytime I tried to get back on my legs would go into spasm. This meant pushing for quite a while. Even when I got nearer the top and I could see more supporters I still couldnt get back on. I was in agony. At the very top there was a singletrack down the mountain, I stopped and stretched again with people willing me on saying "you can do it, not long to go now" I managed to get back on. Thats when Gareth caught up and came past so we had a good blast down the singletrack trail.
That dropped onto a road, then up another track so I just tried to keep a very steady pace as I could still feel cramp in my legs. Down the next track following a group of riders I just wasnt watching where I was going, got crossed up and spat myself off the bike landing in the gorse bushes. Not normally a problem but both my legs then went into cramp spasm and I was unable to get up. I had to lie there getting gorse accupuncture while my legs ached and refused to let me move. Quite a few riders went passed asking if I was alright, but I could do was wait until my legs relaxed. It was probably a good 5 mins before I got up but at least my legs felt a bit better and I could carry on down the track, through the fields and onto the road towards the finish, knowing that there was just one more long tarmac climb to do.
I just kept a nice pace and was riding up the climb until the steepest part where my legs were saying no more. I had to push for a few hundred meters until it levelled out. Back onto the bike up the lane, into the field and up through the finish line.

It was a great sense of achievement for what was probably the hardest bike ride I have ever done!
My finish time was 5hrs 27mins 50secs
599th overall

(Gareth finished in 5hrs 20mins)

Heres a link to my garmin data
connect.garmin.com/activity/115656903

Heres some pics

[thistle]

Was that guy in yellow in the last photo with you? ;D

[Sandi]

Sept 21, 2011 19:11:38 GMT thistle said:

Was that guy in yellow in the last photo with you? ;D

Looks a broken man!

Great write up's and pics, could of been much worse had the sun not shone for you on the day well done everyone

[jb3160]

Fellow MTB,ers I found your forum while searching for End2End pics on line and have spent the last half hour in complete stiches laughing and re- living your accounts, particularly that of pauleds graffic description of cramp and bramble accupunture. I concurr and had several simillar experiences.
I even re lived the finish which the final climb I shared with your very own priceyla on the final climb up the How, not wanting to be chicked on the line in front of all those spectators I managed that extra push to finish in a time of 5.34.
Really good to read all your posts of how well the event was organised, the tough course, huge local support and the beautiful Island.
I totally agree, but I live here and it is as good as you have all described even when not at the Islands best.
Really good to have so much support from accross, I will be sure to look up some of your trails when I am over in the North West.
Well back to some training for next years end to end.
Regards to all posters, great read.

Jed, Manx Tri Club.