The “Cycle” Of Life… Create, Sustain and Destroy…Repeat..
It’s all green. The landscape, the Tuk Tuks, the Tea Plantations, everywhere you look it’s green and beautiful but then there are the most amazing and friendly people that you are most likely to meet all going about their everyday lives in a laid back style so different to India which is on speed.
I’m in Sri Lanka….
“How much further is this climb?”are the words I hear from my friend Roel on Day 3 of the 5 day stage race Rumble In The Jungle. I’m struggling, my tank is empty, and I refuel. On Day 3 I usually feel strong but not today. I reply to Roel“I can’t remember”not much use I know but my thoughts are only on getting to the top of Horton Plains.
This would be my 3rd year in a row participating in this fabulous race in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I would travel out with ‘Mike the flying Scotsman Hancock’ who would prove to be on top form and a top 10 contender. We would look out for each other throughout the trip. My usual wingman Matti had been busy throughout the year so unfortunately was unable to enter this year.
The choice of bike this time would be my much-loved Salsa Spearfish full suspension 29er having previously completed this event on a rigid Fatbike and a Rigid Titanium hardtail.
As we landed in Columbo, we immediately felt the humidity and heat although the clouds did look as if there was some rain in the air. Pick up by the well-organised LSR team was swift and we were soon loading our bike bags and bikes in the van. Claire was also on the same flight so we swapped our riding stories of the year so far.
The first couple of days were spent in Negombo acclimatising and sorting our bikes before we headed to Kuda Oya. Fortunately all was well with the bike as I put it together with some help from Albert.
Me, Mike, Albert, Carsten, Dani, and Claire and a few others would spend time together in Negombo riding our bikes and visiting the local coffee shop.
I changed hotels this year as the Catamaran was now in need of a refurb so I opted for the one where Albert was staying which turned out to be much better, cleaner and cheaper.
Pre Race Day
39 riders who were from the U.K., Australia, Japan, Holland, Germany, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Nepal would be racing.
The field looked strong so the DNF rate wouldn’t be many if any. My thoughts were on riding as hard as I could as I’d had a good year riding my fatbike and singlespeed through winter.
The one thing that I was lacking was sleep and it wasn’t down to any snoring, as Mike definitely wasn’t a snorer so he can room with me anytime haha. The air con or fan was what would keep us awake.
Stage 1
‘It’s hot and I’m over heating’
The race started and the front guys were off like a shot waiting for no one. I was steady as I knew what was coming, sandy trails and tarmac. I waved to the kids who cheered us on and I’m sure they remembered that there is a race through their village every year in June.
Before we even reached the jungle we had 3 river crossings and then it was up and up to the finish line. I emerged out of the jungle, which was most enjoyable and started to climb and then descend and climb again for the fast road descent to the water stop. I saw Roel there and he looked hot, I took a rest for 5 minutes refuelled, rehydrated and tried to cool down. The support Marshall from LSR and the kids are superb and looked after your needs.
I continued the race at a slow pace feeling so hot and a lack of energy. I’d forgotten to pour water down the back of my neck; I could not think straight I needed to cool down, what was I thinking?
The climbing continued as the last 10 miles had about 3,500 feet of climbing so I stopped at a shop/shack at the side of the road hoping he would have a bottle of coke but he only had cream soda I wasn’t complaining as I needed something to give me a kick.
Once consumed the final off road climb approached just after the final water station. This was loose, steep and rocky but great riding for the mountain biker.
I was slowing down and pretty empty. I saw Meg who was suffering from cramp but we soldiered on together hoping the end would come soon. Meg passed me as she found her second wind; Ivan and Stephen then caught me.
It was a hot frustrating day for me, as I hadn’t performed like I had hoped having over heated. When I finally reached the finish line I was spent.
Mike had finished stage one strong and was well placed in the overall standing and kindly placed my bag in the Sri Lak View Hotel at Haputale.
Stage 2
True Mountain biking ‘the Kuda Oya Loop’
If you love mountain biking then this stage is for you the off road climbs and the rocky ‘rattle and hum’ descent which breaks many of the riders and their bikes particularly those on hardtails is a must do segment. Once I completed the climb there was a 16km descent of mixed terrain but there is one section that is long and called rattle and hum. I knew that on this descent I would catch some of those ahead. Carsten, Dani, Megs, Patrick and Nienke were a few that I managed to scalp. I knew they would catch me on the climbs later. Having completed the rocky descent I was ready for more. I got a PB and Mike got the second fastest time overall which was superb.
The trail would now climb back up over a stream where I saw Nienke cooling down as the temperature was rising and every inch of shade was precious. My climbing continued at a steady pace and the trail got steeper – I changed gear to find the granny and the chain came off the front ring and stuck at the back. I put the chain back on but I’d lost the top 4 chain rings of my eagle chainset so I had no 50, 42 and 2 below this. The riding now became grinding and singlespeed style, as I was out of the saddle pushing hard, desperate to get to the water station that was at the top of the climb. Megs and I rolled in desperate for water and Stephen and Maureen shared a coke with me that gave me a lift. The trail now turned off road and had some fab descending. I knew there was one more road climb and Stephen and I rode that bit together. It turned off road again and some fast trail riding had us pushing each other through another tough day to the finish line, where Maureen was waiting for Stephen. It was a brilliant route.
Stage 3
‘If we go any higher we will be kissing the sky’
This is the biggest day with 3000 metres of climbing up the side of a mountain to the top of Horton Plains, 16km 1600 metres the fast riders would be up there within 1hr 40mins and the rest of us anywhere in-between that and 4 hours. My legs weren’t feeling great but lucky for me I knew what was coming so a steady pace was set as all I wanted to do was finish today’s stage. Stephen and Maureen, a local couple from Colombo, caught me on a climb and passed me. I stopped and noticed a makeshift school for about 7 kids so I dropped off some pens I had bought back in the U.K. for the poorer villages in Sri Lanka. The places we raced through are remote and the houses are just basic with very little else. I had bought 50 pens and was determined to hand these out to 50 children. I continued climbing after my brief stop and found myself on my own. The latter half of this epic climb turned from concrete to rocky rubble that makes it interesting for line choice. The eagle was deployed for me to spin up these and my 30t was helping me today. I saw Roel who didn’t do stage 3 last year but was spinning in the distance and we rode together to the top pushing each other as we both wanted to finish today. I looked at my Garmin and I could see it’s 16km with 1,600 metres of climbing and that’s the top as the water station is there with the Rumble Marshalls. A brief stop and refuel for both myself and Roel and we now rode again through Horton Plains with a ferocious headwind. Roel is a strong road rider and the power he generates on the flat is impressive. I looked down, and then up and Roel had disappeared into the distance. In the blink of an eye my friend and riding buddy had left me on my own but I knew I would see him again. The Horton Plains route is a special permit access only for us to get to the best bit of the stage. A 10km descent on unused terrain had you smiling from ear to ear. I stopped on a little incline for a wee and an energy bar – I pedalled hard to descend and further along I caught Roel and waited for him at the bottom where I saw Neil who had broken his rear mech. We chatted about his mishap and the rest of the stage.
The climbing started again and another 1,200 meters needed to be done. As we passed a couple of kids aged 7/8 they asked Roel if he wanted a push up the hill but he declined so moments later he got stoned (well small pebbles were thrown) – Roel said to me “they are throwing stones” I said “you shouldn’t have refused a push.”Our destination was the impressive ‘Blackpool Hotel’ no connection at all with the British town of Blackpool.
After some more fab descending it was time for road riding and with a 30t chainring I was spinning out. Roel was in the distance somewhere so I was on my own with my thoughts loving every minute of this race. Riding past New Zealand Farm which looked like the West Yorkshire countryside with Black and White cows
Upon reaching the final climb a member of the LSR team pointed the way to the Hotel and I was only too pleased, another amazing day on the Sri Lankan trails.
Stage 4
‘He rides, he races, he loves mountain biking but on Wednesday the 13th of June 2018 the Gods came calling. Goodbye my friend may your smile light up the heavens ’ RIP Narayan Gopal Maharajan…Nepal Mtb champion.
This stage would see us leave Nuwara Eliya with everyone wearing a gilet as the temperature had dropped. We headed to our start line, which was a gentle 8km spin to a dirt track. The temperature was below 10c as we were 6,000 feet above sea level. As we regrouped there was tiredness in the air and we waited for the signal to start. The pace was fast, I settled into my own race and the trails were undulating but all off road. I gained time on the downhill as the Spearfish just loves descending and all things mountain it really is an amazing bike for adventure races like these.
I was enjoying myself today as I felt I was getting stronger the longer the race went on. I saw riders more often now, as usually I’m on my own. We approached a forest opening and saw the trail and then it was gone so you follow your wheel and your gpx file. This part of the stage is a masterstroke to have included in the race, as the true mountain biker would love it. After the forest it’s road and probably one of the best road descents of the whole race. It never stops and every time I think of the road descents in Majorca I feel that this is much better.
I needed to stop at the water station and refuel so a carb drink and gel was consumed. (My coach Mike Hancock had advised me of this so only following orders).
I felt great having rested for 2 minutes. I saw Patrick briefly who loves the road but is not so keen on the rough tracks as he had fallen off several times throughout the stages. Rueben rested with me and refuelled. I started the 23km road section with a 30t front ring so I could not keep up with Patrick or Ruben. I settled for my pace and got caught by Stephen and Maureen so we rode together for the road section until the turning into the Dam that would then follow the river. As we approached, the LSR team flagged us down and I saw Albert and Mike sat in the shade under a tree with a few of the other faster riders. It was then I was told what had happened and with shock I sat down closed my eyes and prayed for Narayan to be safe. We waited under the tree discussing with each other what could have happened or how could this be, this shouldn’t happen on a mountain bike race. As we sat and waited for the news, the search and rescue operation was in full flow looking for Narayan who had hit a pothole along the ford of the river crossing which was full of water and he fallen into the river that was deep and fast flowing.
We headed to our Hotel as more than halfway through the stage the race coordinators called it a day and cancelled the stage and we got a bus to our Hotel.
The news came through that the body of talented mountain biker from Nepal Narayan Gopal Maharajan had been found 600metres down river.
I first met Narayan in 2016 on the Rumble In The Jungle when I had completed it on my Fatbike and he had smiled and laughed which is what I remember of him. Narayan now passes though the circle of life and death but will return in his next life as probably the best mountain biker in the world. My thoughts are with his family and I offer any support that is required.
Thanks to all who took part in the event, from the LSR team, Sri Lankan airlines, the riders (who were there for each other after this tragic event) Lee, Neil, Corrine and of course Phil who has the support of all who knew Narayan and took part in the race. For me the event will be bigger, better and everyone will be stronger next year as it truly is an adventure of a lifetime on a mountain bike in one of the most friendliest, funniest, warmest places in the world that unfortunately doesn’t always go to plan.
Love you all xx keep smiling
Kit used
Salsa Spearfish 29er Full suspension
(It’s a full suss course if you want to enjoy the downhills and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise)
Wheels: SRAM carbon rims running tubes – no punctures
Tyres: Specialized Fast Travs 2.0
Forks: RS1
Bars: Jones
Pedals: Shimano – Clipped in
Energy drink: Ginger Active and Torq
Gels: 3 per day mix of Torq and OTE
Bars: Flapjack and
Water stations: Supply of water, Bananas and sometimes watermelon.
Clothing: x5 jerseys and x5 cycling bibs
No problem with saddle sore
