Will Robinson takes on the GBDURO
This blog isn’t to scare you. This is written to encourage and support the reader into potentially entering an ultra-cycling event. This I hope will break down some barriers and give an insight into racing the GB Duro. It’s not about riding hard, not sleeping, and breaking yourself. Its simpler than that. Its about riding your bike in beautiful places and enjoying the journey. Nobody is forcing you to do it, but instead we’re extremely fortunate to be in this position, so smile! Enjoy it. You signed up!
Words by Will Robinson
Images by Will Robinson/The Racing Collective
So – GB Duro is a 4 stage 2,000 km rolling picnic from Lands End to John O’Groats. The route doesn’t follow the easy line, but instead takes the riders through all the best national parks across the UK. This year there were two clear rules. One, you must carry your own rubbish to each checkpoint and two, you must not sleep under any manmade structure. Simple!
Due to a last-minute panic, my weapon of choice was a Trek Pro Calibre hardtail which, still with its broken lockout, is the exact same set up as Highland 550 but with running 2.1in Vittoria Terrino tyres for the tarmac roads.
Stage 1
640km — 11,000m — 39hr 38min
Following a briefing at Lands’ End, Ed set the 32 riders off at 8am from the tip of Cornwall. What laid ahead was deep country lanes, smooth gravel sections and rough technical terrain.
As I settled into the rhythm it was clear that this first stage was going to include lots of road sections. This would benefit everyone else on their gravel bikes, so to stay at the front I had to ensure I reduced my stopping time and maximised any gravel or technical sections. It became evident that any ground I made was quickly eaten up and I was easily caught on the long tarmac sections.
To reduce faffing in shops I was carrying all my nutrition for the 400km to Bristol. This included sweet and savoury food in the form of premade sandwiches, chocolate bars and obviously blocks of marzipan! In terms of water, I relied upon outdoor taps and hoses.
This was great as not only was it a fun game trying to find a tap as you pass through the rural towns of Devon and Somerset, but it’s free water without any bottle to carry to the checkpoint! BINGO.
It was a hot day and I had to push to keep up with these gravel bikers on our journey into Bristol. I reached the big city at 5am and allowed myself a 10-minute sleep alongside the M5 as a well done for getting this far and also for not stopping at my flat which is 500mtrs off the route!
We entered Wales and the hardtail started coming into its own. The gravel sections started to become more regular allowing me to remain within striking distance of the top 3. A highlight has to be climbing and descending “The Gap” in the Brecons. The stunning views and technical mountain bike decent allowed me to smugly shout “Single Ladies” whilst thinking of my gravel bike riding friends.
The push to the checkpoint was on and I just managed to catch John Hays and take the 3rd spot in the last 40km through the NEVER-ENDING FOREST! Once at the checkpoint, we were greeted by Bryn and Daf with a big bowl of warm food and a cup of tea! Donny and Stevo had already had a warm shower and pitched their tents in the rain, but it was great to catch up and share some stories. Shortly after a third bowl of warm food it was a 10-hour sleep which waited us all.
REST DAY! We woke up to more riders that had made it into the checkpoint throughout the night and heaps of Welsh rain! We all spent the day eating, sleeping, and stocking up on food from the local petrol station ready for the next stage.
Stage 2
500km — 9,000m — 33hr 23min
At 8am on 15th August, we set off deep into Wales before reaching Chester, Manchester and into the Yorkshire Dales. The day started with some amazing single track mountain bike sections which made me very happy thinking of the weak wristed gravel bikers!
Donny and I started riding at the front, but both suffered with several puncture issues. After seeing Donny, I checked if he was ok and had everything he needed before pushing on a decent to maybe gain some time. I gained no time but instead slashed my tyre which consumed 6 plugs and now I was desperate for a new rear tyre.
My prayers were answered in Machynlleth when I found a shop with a “Kendal” MTB tyre. I quickly fitted the tyre with a tube and put as much pressure in as possible. Annoyingly the tyre did not seat which made me wobble around the remaining section…. Grreeat!
I managed to catch back up to Donny as we entered Manchester at 10pm and we made a gentleman’s agreement to stop and share some of the greasiest food we could find. I managed to inhale a 12-inch pizza and took a burger and kebab for the road. The burger was consumed 4 hours later, and the kebab was breakfast at 6am….!
We both knew the next section is one of the worst bits of the route as it flicks onto the Pennine Way and into the Dales. This really was hard with countless gates making it a very long time for the sun to come up.
When it finally did, it reminded me of the beauty of the stonewalled Yorkshire Dales. That being said, no beauty can high the brutality of the last 50km. This included the climb up Great Dunn Fell and boggy hike a bike section down into the checkpoint. Being from a running background and fresh off Highland Trail 550, I actually enjoyed this section and found it fun having the bike on my back and quickly pitter pattering over the bog.
However, I did think this would be difficult with another 12 hours in the legs and in the middle of the night! Fair play to those riders. You’re simply the true endurance riders.
The checkpoint which was based in a community hall, was great and a welcome surprise to have an energetic Emily Harper there to feed and prepare us for the next stage. There was another warm shower and drying room allowing us to wash and dry our kit. Like Groundhog Day, we pitched our tents and caught up on a long sleep as we missed the night before.
The following day Donny and I rode to the nearest town where we went to the bike shop (got a new rear tyre), stocked up for the next day and had a huge fish and chips! It was amazing seeing the riders trickle in throughout our rest. These are the real ultra endurance animals! Epic work from them and a pleasure getting to know everyone over some hot food and tea.
Stage 3
520km – 8,000m – 29hr 29min
It was go time at 8am on 18th August. Donny, Stevo and I pushed it from the go. The route was beautiful as it went north into Kilders rolling gravel fire tracks. I know this was my stage and if I wanted to put a move in, now was the time.
With Donny having tyre issues and Stevo riding conservatively, I pushed on the technical descents and rolling gravel. After checking my cheat sheet, I knew I had enough food to get me to Stirling which was around 300km up the road, so I simply got my head down, put the earphones in and pushed.
I arrived in Stirling at 1.30am for a quick kebab (1 for then and 3 for the frame bag), time to check the tracker and have the first time off the bike. Bingo, between a 45 & 50km lead over Donny. Now there was the question, “can I maintain this lead as we head onto the Highland Trail?’ (a race that I had completed in May).
It was all going so well as I maintained my lead. This was until reaching the Bridge of Balgie at 3am and the rain started.
Hesitant to stop, I kept riding until the storm worsened. And that it did! Freezing cold I put all my kit on and settled into a cold wet night.
The rest was a bit of a blur due to my core temperature dropping considerably as the wind picked up and rain worsened. With chattering teeth, I remember thinking that this is simply the worst storm I’ve ever been in and being exposed, there was nothing I could do! That was until I came across a big fur tree which my brain instantly demanded I got under and huddled in the foetal position. Without thinking or even realising 2 hours passed. I remember coming around as I simply felt hot. This put me into panic mode and I convinced myself to get onto the bike continuing to descent towards Loch Rannoch. This was the slowest 5km of my life as I was unbelievably cold and unable to keep my eyes open. The tiredness was combatted with 2x 3-minute naps on the trail next to my bike praying it would stop raining and my tiredness would subside.
An hour later I made it to Bridge of Gaur. I found a school building and lent against the wall hoping the weather moved on. In this moment I simply lay on my bike and fell asleep again. I woke to a freehub, and when I looked up, there was Donny in his shorts and windbreak…. Typical Scot.
The gent that is Donny, encouraged me to ride with him up the climb to warm myself up. He explained that when in those situations the best thing to do is keep on moving. Being a former military man, I know he is the expert and I’m already looking forward to giving it another crack!
The remaining 90km of the stage to Fort Augustus was just cold and I wanted it done. I simply didn’t warm up even with a climb up the Corrieyairack Pass and arrived at the checkpoint with everything still on (including x2 kebabs in the frame bag).
I knew in the next 24 hours I needed to get my core temperature back up to avoid getting ill. It was worrying the amount of time it took to warm up. Even with a shower and hot tea it still took time to feel completely normal.
Much like the others, the rest day was filled with sleeping, eating, stocking up for the next stage and cheering in the riders.
Stage 4
400km – 5,000m – 18hr 52min
Final stage. Final push. Starting this stage, I knew most of the route due to it being on the Highland 550 course. The rolling trail was filled with heather, grouse, and mountainous horizons. Beautiful and honestly breath taking.
The stage was short, and it flew by. The further north we went the less gravel there was and it was replaced with fast rolling tarmac all the way to John O’Groats. Perfect for my gravel friends. Knowing this, I had to push on any decent and keep on rolling during the tarmac sections.
The stage was uneventful until the final decent when a rock pinged off my front tyre hitting a metal post of an open gate and smacked me in the bridge of my nose. Initially I thought it was a wasp sting but then the amount of blood coming out confirmed it was something a tad worse. Great! The bleeding simply did not stop and simply went all over my beard and bike…!
Touchdown in John O’Groats was made at 3.20am. Very happy to be done and time to find a tampon for the nose.
Will Robinson is a Dorset-born endurance athlete who is constantly pushing the boundaries of his own limits.
Click the link below to follow his adventures.
-
Will Robinson