The Final Week.
With less than a week to go until I will be rolling out of Land’s End to begin the adventure that is GBDuro, it feels like a good time to reflect on the months that lead up to this.
I returned to regular riding in February after a long time away from the bike, with GBDuro being my only big goal for the year. I debated whether entering such a huge event was the right thing to do given how unfit I was, but there’s something about GBDuro that gets under your skin. Having dot-watched the 2021 edition of the race, I felt drawn to return to the Divide. It was the motivation I needed to start riding again, and the challenge I craved.
I knew that I wanted to arrive on the start line feeling strong enough that, barring bad luck, I would be able to complete the 2000km ride, but aside from that I have no real aim other than to enjoy it.
That meant getting back into the saddle, and rebuilding the form and confidence I had lost, but it also meant doing it right.
I decided not to follow a training plan, and in fact not to ‘train’ at all in a traditional sense. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy it if I did, and that was reason enough for me. Instead I just rode when I wanted to, because I wanted to, for however long I wanted. Sometimes that meant massive miles, but mostly it was riding a few times a week, for however long or short I fancied.
Could I be fitter if I had ‘trained’ for GBDuro? Probably. Would I have enjoyed riding my bike as much this year? Definitely not.
This is now my hobby, it’s supposed to be fun, and it definitely has been.
The mental battle is as important as the physical one in any ultra-endurance event, and rebuilding a good relationship with cycling has been such an important part of this process. I wasn’t sure I would ever fall back in love with the bike, but I definitely have. For the first time in the lead-up to a race, the overwhelming feeling I have is excitement. Sure, I’m nervous and apprehensive, but that’s now secondary to how happy I am to be able to embark on this adventure.
Being free to ride as little or as much as I wanted with no pressure on my shoulders, left room for spontaneous adventures. I took myself off on bikepacking trips, from King Alfred’s Way and the East Devon Trail, to the bigger undertaking of the Blaenau 600.
I booked a campsite at a day’s notice and headed into Wales for a few days of riding through the mountains. I decided to go for the FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Trans Cambrian Way, and surprised myself by getting it.
From barely being able to leave the house last year, the journey to the start line of GBDuro has already brought so much joy back into my life.
With a few days to go, the preparation is almost over. There’s just enough time to pack and repack a few hundred times. And don’t worry, the customary kit rundown and flat lay is coming!
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The Road to GBDuro with Molly Weaver.
