Hey Guys,
So I’m Annie, and if any of you are lucky enough to be Chillchaleting this summer, I’m the person who’s going to be looking after you and making sure you have a super cool time! Get excited!
One week till I get out there and I cannot wait. I’m dreaming of awesome dry, dusty sun baked trails. The past 3 weeks has seen two endurance races, both in horrific rain watching in fascination as the course dissolves into thick unrideable goop. Although seeing everyone constantly slipping over certainly adds to the entertainment.
The first race was 24 hours of exposure, the UK and European solo 24 hour champs. With no friends competing, it was just me, some dodgy waterproofs and some serious rain. It didn’t help my tent leaked the night before so I was a bit soggy before the start.
I love 24hrs because you get to see the sunset, the sunrise and chase a tiny dot of light through the darkness when the course reveals a totally different mysterious character. Although I think getting back on Mishka (my bike) at 4am in the pouring rain was one of the hardest things ive ever done. Having no support team to give a slap and man up talk meant it was only the thought of missing the dawn lap that got me back out. This lap is amazing, your world slowly expands and you get to see the pale faces of the other riders, Shouting cheery good mornings to everyone, you see who has come through it well, those that suffered just respond with death stares We were totally outclassed by the other ladies and struggled in 5th place (4th in Europe) but made so many friends and chatted to some wonderful people which made placing irrelevant. Surviving was enough!
Saturday was 10 under the Ben, just 10hrs this time! Although neither me nor Mishka had recovered from the 24 I decided to have a crack anyway. And oh so much mud and rain. Brilliant atmosphere though as most people were just having a laugh and up for a chat to make the dreaded fire road climbs go quicker. The course was amazing with plenty of techy sections to make you keep wanting to ride it. Convinced I was in last place I pootled round my final lap stopping to help everyone with their mechanicals. Very amusing to be called a bike guru when my front brake had fallen off long ago! Surprisingly I managed to scrap into 36 out of 119 and 3rd lady despite this. More satisfying was beating the boys I was there with, although I don’t think they were too amused! Anyway, happy riding folks, I wish you sunshine.
See you all at Chillchalet. Bring on the Alps! 
