Puncheur
On Saturday night I set my alarm for 6.30am – something that doesn’t happen very often. The reason? My first sportive of the year – The Puncheur. You might remember I rode part of the route with Morgan, James and Mark back in November. I wasn’t well and managed 30 miles before I had to give up and go to my parents house for tea. You’ll be pleased to know I managed to finish the whole 65 mile route this time around!
The Puncheur is a challenging ride, but not one designed to inflict as much pain as possible – as seems to be the fashion with sportive events at the moment. (If I want to suffer, I will race.) The route is neither hugely long nor hugely hilly. While it includes some testing short climbs, there are no serious hills until the grand finale that is Ditchling Beacon. It also crosses some beautiful parts of this county – providing stunning views across the Ashdown Forest and from the top of the Beacon.
The route (click for larger image)
Having had a few really mild, sunny days last week, it was tempting to think that the Puncheur might be my first chance to ditch the leg warmers and enjoy a Spring-like ride. As the week went on, and pictures of snowflakes began to appear in the weather forecast, it became obvious that this would not be the case. Sunday arrived and it was seriously cold. And so the usual rigamarole of layers and thick socks and overshoes and hats went on, before chucking myself and Claud into Gill’s car.
Gill and I arrived, with bikes, and made our way to sign up at HQ. We met some familiar faces and chatted to some friends – one of the nice things about taking part in such a local event.
About to set off
We had our timing chips scanned and set off. It took quite some time for my legs to get warmed up in the cold. My brain seemed to take some time to warm up too (I don’t think it works before 9am) so I was grateful for the clear signposting at every junction.
I chatted to some friendly folks en route, and was passed by some speedy guys from local clubs, including the blurs of Mark, Marc and Dan who slowed down for 2 minutes to talk to a slow coach.
Despite the freezing cold, I really enjoyed the ride. I wasn’t even *too* nervous about the ever closer Ditchling Beacon. On that subject, somehow I have gone 6 months of writing this blog and cycling around Sussex every week without having yet cycled up that infamous hill. Some may argue I have deliberately avoided it. Either way, there was no getting out of it this time. Being stubborn is both a blessing and a curse: when ascending a massive hill it appears to be the former. I distinctly remember saying out loud to myself half way up the climb: ‘you’re not f****ing giving up now’… and indeed, I did not. I was very slow, but I got up in one go and I’m pretty happy about it.
At the top of the beacon.
Having finished the ride I took a few minutes to rest my somewhat achy legs and enjoy the gorgeous view from the top. I’m usually terrified of fast descents but I was so pleased to have finished that I rode back down the beacon to the event HQ with a big grin on my face. There was hot pasta, yummy cake and some delicious hot chocomalt recovery drinks from Apres (an awesome Brighton company).
All in all, not a bad way to spend a chilly Sunday morning. I’ll be back next year.
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well done lass. Proud of you. I remember doing the London to Brighton on a Mountain Bike with slick tyres back in 2000. Everyone was bigging up the beacon and when I got there it was a pimple, a high pimple but still a pimple. I remember legging it from the top of the beacon down into Brighton with one of my compadres in the biggest gear we could find (not v big on a mtb) Happy days. Anyway the purpose of this story is dont let climbs intimidate you, break them down into sections and they then become manageable. even the 21 kms of the tourmalet you can break down into sections. Roll on the warm weather. I managed to blag a ride in the Lionheart on Sunday. I will let you know how it goes.
Thank you David :)
I think you’re right – it is a tough climb but it’s really all in the strength of mind, and is totally manageable, as I found out. Being intimidated by a hill will never help. I need to remember that!
Look forward to hearing about the Lionheart – are you doing to 100km or the 100m?
L.x
Oh man, I cant even imagine me doing 65 mile so well done!
Thanks Wolf, personal victories and all that!
L.x
Well done! Had to miss this due to illness, glad it went well for you. The Beacon is a bit over-hyped, but your doing it for the 1st time after 60+ miles is impressive!
Get you sounding like a seasoned rider/racer: “as seems to be the fashion with sportive events at the moment. (If I want to suffer, I will race.)” ;-)
Hope you’re better now Jo! I came down with a nasty cold the day after this..think cycling in the freezing cold didn’t help..
Haha! I am not even a little bit seasoned, I didn’t mean it to sound like that :-)
L.x
I think I left just after your photo above was taken, I’m in the background getting my bike ready. Anyway, the Beacon isn’t overhyped, especially after an early season 64miles in your legs as you reach it. Thankfully I made it up, but 2mins slower than the my fastest ascent. It was good enough for the Tour de France in ’94, check out the action on this youtube clip, the Beacon climb starts about 4.30 in – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ7tFqXqAhA
Thanks Scott..I think it was pretty hard work!! Ah I love that clip. Such a shame that the ‘Pantani’ on the road is gone now.
L.x