TT - 25km and 489m climbing

So remember how cocky Leah was? Uh huh. Bad day. At this stage, estimate that 50% of the field had some sort of tummy trouble, going through the spectrum of early, middle, or late stage. Fortunately it was only a 25K time trial….but that can still be a DAMN long ride. Luckily for Leah, there were lots of boulders (a first in our entire time riding across the steppes) and she did indeed make use of them. Mid TT. Luckily #2, a kind soul suggested she leave her bibs just tucked into her shorts. Bonus.

For Hamish, who on this type of course is normally the hammer, today was the day to be the nail. Tummy, dead legs, no energy at all. On a flat section where he would normally put it to the boys, the boys put it to Hamish…pass, pass, pass, ride away. (Leah had a similar experience, but was much less fussed about it.). Bonus for Hamish, he was the last rider to finish. (The entire race. Which has to be some kind of record, given his overall placing.)

For those into tourist details, the camp itself really was quite stunning (especially if you had a waterproof ger on a platform, like most of the camp had). There was a massive central ger seating well over 100 people (in a cozy manner), flanked by smaller sleeping gers that accommodated 6-12 people, depending on size. There was a “ 13th century stone toilet” that actually was a toilet and did flush, but stayed in keeping with the time period by not providing lights or toilet paper (but credit, it was clean. Thank goodness. Given the multiple trips all participants were making to it. To be fair, you would have needed a forest to have sufficient toilet paper at this stage.). Food…..was also kind of 13th century. One day 1 it was decent. On day 2 it was…the same. (Literally exactly the same. And somehow in no way improved on second experience.). By this stage so many folks were down with bugs that it’s hard to say whether it was the food, the continuous cow/goat/yak/sheep/horse poo most folks were ingesting off the top of their water bottles, or just general malaise..but suffice it to say, a lot of folks were steering clear of a LOT of the food that hit the table. So we may not be well placed to comment here.

There WERE some stunning rock formations behind us (which Leah climbed, while Hamish languished in the tent…we’ll leave it to you to decide who is the tougher of the couple) – and likely if they hadn’t just finished a 6-day race + tummy bugs, would have seen even more of these. Would definitely consider going back to the area.

Final overall results:

Hamish 5th on overall GC, 1st 40+. Total time: 24:20:00
Leah 58th on overall GC and 6th female. Total time 33:10:00 (Leah's comment - she is much tougher than Hamish!)

Hamish: 1:02:45

Leah: 1:31:57

Fastest: 0:53:59

Slowest: 2:03:57

6 person ger and a cold shower (no flood tonight)

Leah getting ready for the TT. Willy (on the left), is the main organizer and visionary for the race.

The very impressive main ger in the camp