How it ended

Aaron's lap was the last for the team. There wasn't time for me to do another and to be honest I'd done more than I'd expected based on the training I'd put in and was happy my knee had held out.

The course was longer than before and was much tougher. My body and my bike had taken a lot of abuse. I'd ridden just under 8 hours with only about 1 hours sleep.

We packed up and left about midday. It took about 5 1/2 hours to get home including a quick food stop and a 30 minute power nap at Reading services.

Photo's and more info to follow as the Blogpress app I'm using errors when uploading images :(

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Aaron goes out again

When I got back Aaron was fired up and ready to go. He headed out around 9:15 looking positive.


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Aaron's awake and another lap

Aaron did get up eventually at around 7am.

He wasn't ready to go out so at 7:35 I set off for another lap.

The course was very quiet which made it hard as there was nobody to share the pain of the big claim.

I put in another 1:25 which I was happy with at this stage.

I now ache everywhere. To course is tough and the terrain punishing.

I feel battered and bruised. Not sure I want to do another lap although am sure I could do one if I decided to.

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Breakfast and sleepy head

It's 6am and the stove's on for a pot noodle breakfast.

I'm try hard to get Aaron out of his sleeping bag and on bike but without success at the moment :(

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Short lay down and night lap 2

After a trip to the catering tent for pasta Aaron decided to wait until daylight before going out again.

We hit the sack about 12:30. I set my alarm for 2:45 but didn't sleep much as it was so cold. I eventually got out of my sleeping bag around 3:15.

After stumbling around in the dark, changing batteries on the lights and much faffing I headed out at 4:00 and did another 1:25 night lap. By the time I got back there was an amazing sunrise which was almost worth getting up for alone.


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1st night lap complete

I went out about 9:30 and got back at 10:55. Only 5 minutes slower than my last lap which is a big boost.

The technical stuff is really tough in the dark.

The bar light went into limp home mode after 10 mins which was a pain but the main head torch lasted until I entered the main arena. I had spare battery packs but couldn't be bothered to change them.

Aaron is feeling better now but seems to have sewn himself into his sleeping bag.

My stomach is churning away at the moment. I'm going to try to drink and eat something and have a lie down for a while :(


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Dark is looming

It's nearly 21:00 and it's starting to get dark.

The lights are prepped, spare batteries packed and I'll be heading out soon on the first night lap.

We're both a bit nervous about this as the course is very challenging. I'll be taking it easy to make sure I come back in one piece.

We had a reality check 15 minutes into lap 1 when a guy crashed not far in front of me and was out cold. I really must sort my first aid training out as I was no use to anyone.

A call was made to the emergency satphone. A few minutes later I saw the air ambulance fly over. I hope he was ok.


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Aaron's 2nd lap and getting colder

The sun's gone in, the wind's picked up and the temperature had plummeted. It feels cold now :(

Aaron's been out for his 2nd lap and came back in 1:20. Our lap times are identical at the moment which is a bit freaky to be honest!!!

Aaron has been suffering from stomach cramps so is resting and sipping water.

Energy food and drinks are not kind on the stomach. He should be fine soon.

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Second lap hurt

Around 15:20 I headed out for my 2nd lap which was hard even when fueled by chilli jacket :(

I got back 1:20 later. The big climb was painful.

We rested, try to get food which wasn't on until 18:00! The pasta was ok but took a while before Aaron was ready to go out.


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Relaxed a bit

When aaron got back we had a short break and listened to the footie to hear Man U win the league boo!!!!!


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Late lunch

While Aaron was out I tried to fire up his gas stove for a pot noodle feast but failed to get it started so headed to the catering facilities for a very nice chilli jacket :)


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Aaron's get in his first lap

Aaron set off on his first lap before 14:00 and completed in a near identical 1:15 without any major problems other than being exhausted when he got back.

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The start

We missed the riders briefing which must have changed times but know the ropes so got by.

It was my turn to start for Flatlanders so lined up in good time.

At 12:00 we set off in sunshine and cloud but no rain!

Aaron has some video of my crawling over the line in the pack which I'll post when I can.

The course has changed a fair bit this year for the 10th anniversary and has made it about 15 minutes longer plus more technical and challenging.

Highlights include a boulder field climb, a stream crossing, an extremely challenging climb that goes on for about 20 minutes and hurts! plus a bog section which is already bearly ridable!

It's much more fund to ride but takes longer and uses more energy. After the first lap I'm already worried about the night laps :(

I took my time and finished in about 1:15 which for me is respectable.

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Freak tent attack causes injury

I'd like to say that I crashed whilst tackling an extreme downhill section but it was down to a tensioned tent pole breaking free and hitting my leg. A big bruise the size of a golf ball (and I'm not exadurating much) popped up within minutes on my shin.

Considering the pain I didn't swear too much :(

Pictures to follow when it's come out properly and look more impressive!




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Arrived and tent up in record time

Tent was up and ready before by about 9:30 which is record time.

We must be getting better at this!

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Early breakfast and the sun is shining!

Didn't get that much sleep but it's dry and the sun is shining.

Going down for breakfast :)


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Made it as far as Cheddar but very late

Had a clear drive down but forgot how far it was !!

Usually I pick up Aaron on the way which breaks up the journey but we've just done 4 hours straight with a 10 minute fuel stop arriving at 23:45 :(

No time for beer and curry this year!

The B&B seems find but am still wired from the drive. Plan to get up at 6:45 for breakfast. We would have preferred a nice long sleep in preparation. Still we can sleep properly Sunday night :(

On the plus side it's not raining and we've got 24 hours of mountain biking and camping in front of us tomorrow. Plus we hope to raise a shed load of money for a good cause along the way.

Thanks to everyone who's sponsored me and here's the link for anyone who wants to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GaryKilby

If I can get a signal then I hope to post updates over the weekend. In the mean time it's 00:30 so goodnight !

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Rider no. 84

I've got my race number through. No 84 and riding for our team Flatlanders with Aaron.

Just been to the home of one of my work mates to meet his wife and daughter.

Had a great evening and some amazing Indian food. I tried not to eat too much but couldn't resist !

Going to lay done and wait for it to digest :(


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Enjoying a rest day

On the wind down to the weekend that involves no riding or gym work :)

Also trying not to eat too much which is a challenge when staying away !


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Lights shakedown and it's scary at night

I knew I shouldn't have done my lighting shakedown ride after visiting the Dinosaur Adventure Park.

Riding in the forest in the pitch black on your own is scary enough without imagining every noise is a Raptor or T-Rex !!!!!

The lights are working well although I only tried them for about 25 minutes. I've got a batch of new batteries that need to go through a handful of charging cycles before CLIC24 kicks off.

During the event we'll be charging the batteries via a 12v power pack, a bit of car power and maybe even a generator.

The bar mount and helmet mount combo in the picture should keep us going through the night with a bit of luck.

Night riding is totally different from riding during the day. Even with good lights shadows are thrown over everything. Your senses are hightened as you have to react to stuff much faster and much of which you cannot see !

By the time sun rises around 5am you feel like you've died and gone to heaven as you can actually see properly again. Still another 7 hours to go though :(

Last training ride in Richmond Park

My training is coming to an end. On Friday 6th May I did my last training loop from Brentford taking in Richmond Park. It would be sad to think that I'll never go back. Once the dust has settled after next weekend I think I'll take the car there a couple of times a week for a run.

So for the weekend we have a big day out for Lukes birthday on Saturday and a busy day planned for Sunday. I hope to get a ride in on Sunday of some sort and a shake down ride for the lights (at night obviously !!).

Easter holiday catch up

I got a few more light training rides in with my young son. He only learnt to ride his bike a few weeks ago but wants to go out every day. We've been out for an hour or so a day over the last weekend.

Since returning to work yesterday, I've done a 30 minute session in the gym last night and my standard 15 mile training loop this morning. I plan to continue this for the rest of the week.

I hope to get a couple of hours in on Sunday then wind down next week for the event.

My knee's holding up OK although is definately not a strong as the other. I'm icing after each session and so far have not had much swelling. A rest next week should help it settle down.

It's getting really close now but I now have a tent and all the equipment I need. I'm struggling to get roof bars at the moment though :(