Ironman 2023 - Hamburg

Carlos [guest writer 1]

'Race weekend was finally upon us.

 

Flight options to Hamburg from the North weren’t great, and looking to reduce the risk of flight cancellations, or losing his loaned TT bike (thank you Jan) with connecting flights en route, Carlos took the train to London for a direct flight with BA the following morning…what could go wrong you ask? His lack of upper body strength he answers!!

 

Twisting while lifting the suitcase onto the hotel shuttle bus, Carlos heard a loud popping sound accompanied by pain that could only be compared to childbirth, following by the total inability to move and full body sweats for a full ten minutes. His back had gone before the trip had even started.

 

With the fear of wasting nine months of training, half a packet of Ibuprofen and a tube of Voltarol gel were enough to get him to the gate and onto the flight. A panicked called to Mrs Sastrae, and messages to Niall and MariAnna made sure that extra drugs, ice and heat pads were being packed to sort the issue. Mrs Sastrae also advised that Ibuprofen and Voltarol shouldn’t be taken concurrently…oh well, too late now.

 

On arrival in Germany, Carlos found 6’4” of German pummelling machine and paid him to go to town to try and right any issues the the back had suffered. As it turns out, the pain was from a pre-existing, unknown issue, that had righted itself, and with rest and recuperation all should be OK.

The Quintana/Vos family arrived late Thursday and were given the room opposite the walking wounded/wimp, and at breakfast on Friday, the hastily gathered additional opioids were consumed with Germanic efficiency. Might as well stick some Voltarol on there too. All jokes aside, the back was getting better by the minute.

 

Breakfast was followed by race check in, a quick remortgage in the merchandise tent and a visit to the Alster to see the mill pond like lake we’d been told we were swimming in. What we saw on arrival wasn’t an idyllic swim spot, but instead, North Sea like conditions, with white cresting waves so strong that a small, motorised tender on full throttle was being held in position against its will. The nerves of Carlos and Niallo went through the roof. Would we be able to even swim in it? Will it be like surfing on the return leg?

 

Time for Pizza a la Ibuprofen and an early night waiting for Mrs Sastrae’s arrival. 

Then urgent call from her. “… the EasyJet flight has been cancelled, I can’t get there tonight, I’m staying in a hotel and flying out first thing tomorrow”.  Bollox, who’s going to apply my Voltarol this evening?

Niallo coaching Jacques on the supporter's wave

Carlos and Niallo modelling new GRAC kit

Thankfully, when we woke on Saturday, the strong winds that had been whipping the Alster into a frenzy had abated, and Niall took a dunk to test the waters. “Just perfect”, he proclaimed, “we’ll be grand tomorrow”.

 

Mrs Sastrae then decided to visit four countries in a day in order to support the two idiots signed up for the IronMan, and via Brussels, Vienna, and finally Germany, arrived on Saturday afternoon, ready for an Aperol spritzer while bikes and transition bags were checked in and the nerves started to build.

 

After an early pizza dinner and non-alcoholic beer for the athletes, plonkers and super fans hit the sack.

Off to the first transition point

The 4am wake up calls weren’t needed, both athletes up and raring to go, and walked the ten minutes to the start line for final bike and bag prep before zipping into their wetsuits for ‘go time’.

 

The swim was a staggered start based on expected swim time, and Niallo took his place with the other dolphins near the front, while Carlos went further back to take up position with the other Lilo-loving lads. This was to be the last we saw of each other for quite some time.

 

The swim was an out-and-back under two bridges. Easy to sight on the out leg, but sun in the eyes on the return to the city centre made both athletes swim a touch farther than the required 2.4 miles. Niallo was comfortably out of the water ten minutes ahead of Carlos.'

Niallo [guest writer 2]

 

'After two leisurely transitions in a bike rack zone so long I was tempted to call an Uber, we headed out onto the perfectly smooth German tarmac for 180km of cycling bliss, or so we thought. 

Whilst the tarmac is indeed carpet like, so much so that a German would instantly describe the UK as a failed state, the ride was anything but leisurely. The ride through Hamburg itself was great – plenty of support and things to look at. However, once we headed into the countryside and alongside the dykes, things changed considerably. 

Firstly, a serious and incredibly unfortunate incident involving an enormous team of emergency crew, including helicopter on the course, meant the first ever Ironman Cross as we scrambled up the bank of a massive dyke and took a small detour. From then on, we were met with long, monotonous stints on the aero bars, no change in scenery km after km, surprisingly strong heat and for the second 90km, what felt like a continuous headwind for two hours. 

It was hard. Very hard actually. Neck, head, shoulders, arms, legs, and feet all screaming to finally get off but, mercifully, after about 5.5 hours, the final ride into town and the joy of T2.'  

 

Niallo halfway through the cycling stage

Carlos going strong at the halfway stage

Carlos 

'After another leisurely transition, the first of four very hot laps of Hamburg were required to finish the event. Running half on tarmac and half on gravel path, the number of participants really showed itself, with those about to finish mixing with those on their first lap. 

The running route followed the banks of the Alster. With picturesque views over the water to one side and imposing Regent’s Park-esque mansions to the other, we were in the best the city had to offer. It’s just a shame we couldn’t stop and join one of the many parties of music loving fans that were keeping us going along the way.

Mrs Sastrae in full voice!

MariAnna with fellow supporters Jacques and Finncenzo

And now the hurt begins...

Carlos looking like a pro...

GRAC WAGs in full support team mode

Junior GRAC member Finncenzo checking the stats

Mrs Sastrae, with fellow supporters, Junior GRAC members Finncenzo and Jacques

Niallo on the finish straight

Carlos wishing he'd done more training

Carlos officially loses his Ironman virginity

Carlos finishes his first (and last?) Ironman

Niallo set off in great speed and didn’t let up, his run-walk strategy and nutrition plan paid off and he even had enough energy to shout encouragement to Carlos every time they passed each other. Stopping only to visit the loo and to kiss MariAnna and the kids, a little burst over the last 2km meant a sub-4 marathon and total time of 11:11. Time for the magic carpet finish line and “Niall Hutchinson, you are an Ironman!” 

Carlos started well, but the sub-4 plan fell apart at mile 8, and the pace slowly dropped as the pain rapidly increased. Crossing the line in a phenomenally respectable 4 hours 28 minutes later, 'a little behind' Niallo at 12:01, Carlos stopped and rang the first timer bell with all he had left, as the voice of Ironman, Paul Kaye, shouted to the crowd, “Guy Rae, you are an Ironman!”.  

The post-finish love-in begins

Chapeau chaps, great effort!

MariAnna very glad to have Niallo back in one piece

Carefully selected post-ride rehydration and sustenance for our athletes

We did it. Time for a beer or three!

Whilst the IM was hard, the travelling across Europe to get there, or managing two small kids for a day of spectating and supporting may have been even harder, and we certainly couldn’t have completed the race without the long term commitment and understanding of the true superstars of this trip.  

Mrs Sastrae, MariAnna, we thank you for your patience and support for the last year, for letting us train come rain or shine, doing more than your fair share at home, and for putting up with our complaints of sore muscles or woeful chat about TT bike positions and optimised nutritional supplements. We love you so much, thank you xx.

And, finally, home supporters Remco and Elisla enjoy their Hamburgers from Hamburg!

Pyrenees - September 2022

At last! The senior team gets to cycle in the Pyrenees, and with great riding conditions all week. 

Our base, the Hôtel Terminus in Luz-Saint-Saveur in the heart of the Haute Pyrenees south of Lourdes, with our adventures organised by Rob of pyreneescycling.com. 

We made up a small group, riding with John and Mike, and 19-year old Finlay Pickering, a pro racer with Groupama FDJ. Needless to say, he rode two to three times faster than the GRAC and did some epic routes. An example. We toiled up Hourquette d’Ancizan and the Col d’Aspin having been driven over the Col de Tourmalet to our start point. Finlay cycled over the Tourmalet, knocked off our two cols, then cycled back over the Tourmalet to Luz. And he got back before we did. Nuff said!!

So, the week in a little more detail…

 

Day 1

A warm up for the Prez, Jan and Heyddie before the group assembled later in the day. We headed south to climb to the Col de Troumouse at 1833m. Lovely road and virtually free of traffic at the top end, with just marmots, griffin vultures and sheep for company. 

50km, +1170m, 3h 1m

Day 2

With the group now together, we descended the Gorge de Luz to Argelès-Gazost, about 12km north towards Lourdes. To warm up after a cold descent we rode the local Voie Vert, ‘Green Way,’ before embarking on the 13.6km climb up to Hautacam at 1530m, this year the finishing point of stage 18 of the Tour de France. 

This was a tough, unrelenting climb with an average slope of 7.8%, and some long sections above 10%. The slope between distance markers 6 and 5km to the top was 11%. Great views from the top and we ventured a little higher to gain the Col de Tramassel and a quick refreshment stop. 

Back the way we came, had a quick lunch and then a long hot grind back up the Gorge, a very tiring conclusion to the day. 

71km, +1558m, 3h 49m

Day 3

The ride to the Col des Tentes at 2207m took us back up the road we used on day one, but this time going straight on to the touristy village of Gavarnie. Uphill all the way, but the climb really started with a sharp right turn on to a 10km slope averaging 8.5%. A beautiful road with very little traffic and a decent surface too. 

An abundance of marmots and some vultures seen and heard.

It was a long grind, at times into a strong gusting wind, but the top brought outstanding views to the Cirque de Garvanie, a huge mountain amphitheater on the border with Spain.  

We enjoyed a lovely descent on sweeping hairpin bends and grabbed lunch in Gavarnie before a fast drop back to Luz-Saint-Saveur. 

61km, +1573m, 3h 51m. Jan in top form today too!

Day 4

One of our best cycling days ever. 

We enjoyed cloudless skies and were quickly on to quiet rolling hills after another descent down to Argelès-Gazost. 

The route took us through the beautiful villages of St. Savin and Arcizans before we joined the main road towards Aucun. 

It was here that our first climb of the day began, our objective the Col de Solour at 1474m. This was a 10km ascent, averaging over 8% and with one, thankfully short, ramp of 17%. A great top, populated by local horses. Apparently, they have been known to chew handlebars in search of salt. Yuk. 

Then, west to our second objective of the day, the infamous Col d’Aubisque at 1709m. This involved a relatively exposed 2km descent, a flat 4km with a couple of tunnels, and finally a pull to the summit with a slope of 6-7%. This was a truly magnificent road to cycle along, narrowly traversing a high valley slope with awesome views at every turn.

We returned the way we came, consuming an enormous ham & cheese baguette at the Col de Solour, before a great descent down through Aucun and then direct to Argelés-Gazost, the Voie Vert again, and then the inevitable drag back up to Luz. Today’s ‘twin peaks’ formed part of this year’s Tour de France route. 

93.9km, +1919m, 4h 55m. The Prez in good form today. 

Day 5

Our task today, just a climb up to Col de Luz-Ardiden at 1735m. A superb route, with 31 hairpin bends and wonderful views throughout. Steep in parts but climbed first thing in comfortable temperatures. Great views from the top and a safe descent on very quiet roads. 

Luz-Ardiden 29km, +1079m, 2h 4m. Jan lead the charge today.

But then...a new plan was hatched over coffee and cake back in Luz. Why not carry on and tackle the mighty Col du Tourmalet, the highest road pass in the Pyrenees at 2115m?

Decision made and we committed ourselves to a further sufferfest, especially as the late morning sun sent temperatures soaring. A route of 18.5km with 1385m of ascent at an average slope of 7.5% faced us but, like lambs to the slaughter, we headed up the busy road from Luz. Beyond the attractive ski town of Barèges, with about 700m in our legs, we turned off the main drag on to the ‘old route’ named after Laurent Fignon, a French cyclist nicknamed ‘The Professor’, who won the Tour de France in 1983 and 1984 (and the Giro d’Italia in 1989). Fabulous riding on a road barred to traffic, with massive views, just sheep and cattle to keep us company. Some surface and rockfall challenges in places, but a great way to get a lot of the climbing done, joining the main road again just 4km from the Col. And it’s here that the real work begins, exposed sections with massive drops, some rockfall and some strong wind gusts to contend with too. The last 500m are the hardest, at well over 10%, but were greeted by an ebullient Jan who beat us the top. Chapeau!

A quick refreshment stop at the top and then the long, fast descent on the main road back to Luz. Needless to say, it scared the hell out of the Prez. 

A massive day!

Tourmalet 37.6km, 1404m, 2h 58m

Day 6

A van transfer across the Col du Tourmalet for our group (except for Finn who cycled it!) and we were all very pleased to have cycled it from the west the day before rather than the 17km drag from St.-Marie-de-Campan on the east side. From there it takes you through the ugly ski resort of La Mongie before ramping, steeply in places, to the Col itself. 

From St.-Marie-de-Campan we rode south-eastwards up the Payolle valley, steadily gaining 300m, before turning off the main road to tackle our first proper climb of the day, the Hourquette d’Ancizan.

Climbing from 1133m to the top at 1564m with an average gradient of 5.1% (max 8.8%), this was a nice start to the day, up through the woods before reaching an expansive area of open pastures surrounded by peaks. Heyddie in good form today. 

A huge griffin vulture kept us company on the approach to the Col. 

A fine top, only sullied by a challenging 10km descent on a very narrow and roughly surfaced road that took us steeply down through forest to the small hamlet of Ancizan, with tight hairpins and limited forward visibility. It terrified the Prez. 

From Ancizan we headed north on the busy D929 to grab a quick lunch in the bustling market town of Arreau. 

And then on to our next objective, the Col d’Aspin at 1489m. Incidentally, both of today’s cols were also crossed by the Tour de France earlier this year. 

Heyddie continued with his good form and led the way up a great road, nicely surfaced and with huge vistas throughout.  

It was a straightforward descent on sweeping hairpins to reach the Payolle valley and then a final charge north to meet the van at St.-Marie-de-Campan. 

A lovely day to finish on, and a boozy evening dinner was enjoyed by all. 

57.2km, +1616m, 3h 52m. 

Summary

A superb week, ably organised by our congenial host Rob with his encyclopaedic local knowledge and a nose for the best rides in changeable mountain conditions. 

The team climbed six cols used by the Tour de France and rode 400km over the six days, with a total ascent of 10,319m (34,000 feet). There’s life in these old dogs yet 😀