Earth, Wind and Tyre – 200 miles on bike

My colleagues were talking about Earth, Wind and Tyre since I arrived from Nepal six weeks ago and finally the event was here. Paddy and I were sent to Durham on Thursday morning to do the road marking. Marry was going to bring my bike and the cycling equipment to Durham by car, but I still had two bags and a box with spray-paint to carry. It was absolutely beautiful, sunny morning, but I felt a bit grumpy because I had to spend the next 5 hours on a train. When I noticed a massive church on the top of a hill, I knew it is Durham Cathedral and we have nearly arrived. I wish I had some time to walk around the old city, but this was going to be a busy day. At 2.30pm we were in East Rainton Business Park where EDF offices are located. This is also the start of the cycling challenge. We expected to do spray painting for 5-6 hours at maximum spending 30 seconds at each point. However, getting off the car every few hundred meters, waiting for the road to be safe, spraying the paint and getting back into the car took much longer! And it was more tiring than I thought. I even got angry with Paddy, because he was just driving and laughing about me struggling with the paint. After 5 hours we had done only half of the distance. We had no choice, but to take the shortest way to our accommodation in Kielder National Park. We were staying in Calvert Trust, which is home for people with physical, learning or sensory disabilities. It is also claimed that Kielder has the lowest level of light pollution in England. The weather was nice and we could enjoy the beautiful sceneries and the silence, which reminded me about hiking in Nepal. I was already thinking about the challenge that awaits me in two days.

 Kielder National Park

The next morning we woke up early. 170km to Edinburgh was a long way. We were in more remote area what meant less turns and less arrows to spray. We also had a better strategy, so we managed to get to Edinburgh before 5pm. Meanwhile, our colleagues had arrived at hotel in Durham where most riders were going to stay overnight. Finally, I could relax with Paddy driving 200 miles back to Durham. Unfortunately, we did not know that there are three hotels with a name ‘Premium Inn’ and we chose the wrong one. This meant more driving for Paddy. When we finally reached the hotel, it was time for dinner. I met some of the riders, talked a bit about the upcoming race. Some people were slightly worried, some people were clearly worried, but I was just tired. Before going to sleep, I had to prepare my bike and check the camera equipment. Since I was going to make a promotion video about the event, I had to attach several GoPro mounts and the remote control on my bike.  

Riders before the start

The race started at 8.30.  The weather forecast for the weekend promised a serious rainfall, but the weather was perfect for cycling so far.  It was overcast, yet it wasn’t raining. For a big surprise there was no wind as well. Since the route went NW, which is the prevailing wind direction in Scotland, we were worried about strong crosswinds. There is a reason for a bulk of wind turbines there. Before the challenge we had a brief meeting about the route, feed stops and safety. With Marie counting from 5 to 0 we were ready to start this amazing day.  This was a fundraising event not a race, so we had agreed to cycle together until the first feed stop. At that moment I felt proud wearing one of these green Renewable World jerseys, which symbolized our great purpose.

DAY 1 had two routes. The long one was 181km and the short route - 143km. I tried to record all cyclists on camera, but that was only in the beginning. The riders spread out a lot with me being somewhere in the middle. After six hours in distance the weather got worse as some light rain started. Unfortunately, the wet tarmac led to one rider falling off the bike. He got a shoulder injury, but nothing serious. I got to Calvert Trust after 8.5 hours. At the finish I was ‘GoProing’ and chatting with other riders. The excitement made me forget how hungry I was. It was planned that all riders will eat together, but the finish time between the first and the last rider were nearly 4 hours. When everyone had reached Kielder, Renewable World wanted to say many thanks to the riders for all the effort they had put in the fundraising for this event. Marie had prepared a speech and a small present for Christian whose idea was to organise the ride. Wind proponents, like me, could not dislike the route as we cycled along 12 wind farms.  A guy from VESTAS (the main sponsor of the event) also said few words to all riders and gave a small present to each. It was just a key ring, but I was really happy to have one. It was like having something of Ferrari if you are a fan of Michael Schumacher.

‌Peter

The next morning was rainy and cold. For some time I could not decide to wear trousers over cycling shorts or not. The majority did not so I made the same decision. The climb in the beginning of DAY 2 scatter the riders quickly. I decided to put some effort and try to stay with the leaders at least for a while. The total distance was 170km with some serious hills after the third feed stop (98km). Ascending steep hills is my weakness. I guess it is the same for most ‘Sunday’ cyclists. The second day included not only scenic views but also an eye-catching feed stop in Kelso. Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe. Its host was very kind to allow RW mark the cycle route through the Castle Park. We also had a lovely soup and sandwiches in their canteen. After 75km in cold wind and rain, this was like the heaven. I was also delighted to be in tete de la course. I reminded myself that it is not a race, but I wanted to have this challenge: trying to keep the pace of some semi-pro riders. The next stage promised to be easy with quite flat surface, so it was not that difficult to stay with the pack. Third feed stop was organised by another big supporter – Renewable Energy Technologies (RES). It is the same company where I gave a presentation few weeks ago. They had prepared a tent with some snacks and a pedal powered bike blender. Thankfully, they prepared smoothies. I doubt that anyone wanted to cycle any extra distance.

‌Floors Castle

When we left the feed stop, I told thanks to guys for helping me to get so far at this pace (cycling behind another cyclist reduces drag) and that I will see them at finish. I was sure that I will stay well behind them in mountains and so I did. The first ascending was a second category climb and I barely got to the top. By then I had already fallen few minutes behind the first 5 riders and there was another guy few minutes after me. The others were at least an hour away. I had two more hills waiting for me. At the bottom of the second hill I was about to get off the bicycle and take a break… just to sit down for a while and enjoy the view on the beautiful Scottish mountains, or maybe just walk the bike up the hill. But something inside me told that this is my challenge – to get over these hills. I never thought that cycling can be that hard, my calves ached and I was dripping sweat, but I got to the top. On the third (last) peak I wanted to celebrate my own victory, but I still had some 40km to cycle. At the last feed stop I caught up the leaders. Honestly, it was more like they waited for us - me and the guy behind me. They told that this is a team and fun event and we appreciated it. While others were chatting about hills we just crossed, the promenade by the sea and the Holyrood Park before the finish, I took a break to get breath back. Then we got on bikes one more time and all 7 of us headed off.  It was another hour or even more before we reached the finish. 8 hours was necessary to cycle 170km, less then cycling 140 a day before. At the finish I received congratulations from Renewable World staff (basically my colleagues) and a finisher medal. We took some pictures, changed and headed to a pub for some food and drinks. Alone or in groups other cyclists finished and then we were waiting for last three guys. All other riders and RW staff cheered them up as they approached. They must had felt great. For all three of them it was the first 200 mile ride, the same like for me!

After 200 miles

After the race we had a lot of sandwiches, oat bars and muffins left. Renewable World decided to find a homeless shelter and give them all food. We googled the nearest place which was within a 10 minute walk. This was a great ending for my time in England. Later that night I went for some drinks with my colleagues. It was worth to celebrate the success of Earth, Wind and Tyre and it was also my leaving party. My train was due on 7.30 next morning back to Brighton and then, right enough time to pack my luggage, say bye-bye to my housemates and get to Gatwick airport! Time to go home to Latvia and then to… it still has to be decided!