Razed in a Barn
The really hard part can be getting back on your bike
In early July, as Holly Clarke and I were discussing her story—‘how gravel racing will spin you round and round’ (p.10)—the subject shifted slightly to upcoming events we’d be riding. Clarke was looking ahead to the Rift in Iceland and the Big Red Gravel Run in Quebec. At the time of our chat, we both had the Reggie Ramble coming up. Clarke gave me some key advice about the race in Warkworth, Ont. “Watch out for the barn,” she said.
You can’t miss the barn. It’s at the start/finish. If you are doing the 130-km ride, you can stash extra food and race essentials there beforehand. The route takes you on a 65-km loop that returns you to the building. You then load up and head out on a new loop for the remaining 65 km. Riders taking on the 200-km Ramble come through the barn a second time before hitting Loop 3. Logistically, it’s a great setup. You can refuel easily. If something goes really wrong with your ride, you’re never more than 32-km from the start/finish. So, what did I have to watch out for?
“Make the transition through the barn as quickly as possible,” Clarke said. Just outside the building, there’d be people hanging out. The Reggie Ramble has a festival vibe. (It’s on the town’s fairgrounds, after all.) When you come through the start/finish, it’s so tempting to end your ride and kick back. There’s nothing stopping you. And the cold drinks look so enticing.
When I was about 10 km from the barn, I thought of Clarke’s advice. I was already pretty trashed. Not only would I be tempted to join the party at the start/finish, but my legs were almost demanding that I just stop. I pulled up to my bag and thought I could just take a second to gather myself. It’s a strategy that’s worked before. When I rode the Maratona dles Dolomites in 2015, I sat down at the top of Passo Giau and ate two sandwiches. The 20-minute break definitely helped. But for that gran fondo, I had to get back on my bike as I was one mountain pass and about 40 km from the end.
In the barn, as I mulled over my options, Andrew Randell (‘Don’t Ride Gravel like a Roadie,’ p.26) came storming in. He was making his second stop. Stuff flew out of his pockets and out of his bag. I think he downed a cola. I barely had time to move my bike out of his way before he set off toward a fifth-place finish in the 200-km event.
Slowly, I got on my bike and started pedalling. My legs weren’t happy. But the weather was great and the roads of the second loop, like the first, were fantastic. A few hours later, outside the barn. Clarke found me in a bit of a post-ride daze. I told her how her advice was spot on. Sometimes, it can be tough to keep going. But usually, you’ll be glad you did.
“It’s so tempting to end your ride and kick back”