Stepping up: Follow Rachael Gurney through the Trans-Savoie
“This is big mountain alpine enduro”, That’s the tag line the race organisers have chosen for the Trans Savoie and if that doesn’t get the heart racing, the blood pumping and the legs itching to pedal, I don’t know what will! When I read that in my head, it’s got the same ring to it that the voice over in the cinema has at the start of an epic movie. That deep, intense voice that sounds foreboding, creates suspense and yet excites you.
You know this is going to be a demanding and brutal test of your bike skills, courage and character, yet despite all of this there is no doubt in your mind that it will be one of the single most incredible biking experiences!
So, first impressions over and done with let me tell you a bit more about the Trans Savoie. It’s a six day race with multiple stages per day, travelling from the start in Val D’Isere on day one to the finish line in Chamonix on day 6. Each day is likely to hold four timed stages with a total daily timed descent of 3000-4000m, covering 20-30km of pure, beautiful alpine tracks.
Sounds like it couldn’t be better, but it is – the Trans Savoie is partially lift assisted, after the lifts are done the racer can expect to climb about 800-900m under their own steam in a day. Looking at the statistics 4000m of daily descent verses 900m of climbing, this is looking very good! As per any standard gravity enduro the small print is the same; the winner is the rider with least cumulative time over the times stages and liaison stages are not timed.
Like other races of this format, the Trans Savoie caters for all your needs camping and catering wise whilst you race, leaving you time to recount your big crash of the day or massive huck to the other racers or just crash out! The base camp moves on as you race, ready to meet you at the end of the day in a new location. There are also on site mechanics to help keep your steed going, providing on the move support on the mountain.
So who’s idea is all this? That’d be the team at trailAddiction, a company specialising in guided, lift accessed mountain bike holidays. trailAddiction has been perfecting the art of providing these experiences since 2002 so are well versed and certainly know their stuff. Supported by Shimano, WTB, Nukeproof, Endura and the Steve Peat Syndicate their aim is to offer top class, unique and memorable ‘big mountain’ experiences.
My notice to take part in the Trans Savoie was quite short to say the least, unexpected but an amazing opportunity not to be passed up! With about a month until the event any training I would need to do to boost my fitness levels would need to be fitted in quickly with the risk that overdoing it too close to the race would lead to fatigue and hamper my performance. If on the other hand though you have been planning this trip for a while the race instructions would have met you with excitement and not so much trepidation as on my part! Here is the condensed version received from the organisers:
- Terrain to expect – anything and everything
- Fitness – this is challenging and physical (Need we say more?)
- Bike set up – reliable, not trick. Hardwearing over lightweight.
- Tyres – burly
- Brakes – the most powerful you can get your hands on
- Helmet – full face
- Insurance – most definitely
- Luggage – one bag, no kitchen sink
- Spares – essentials only
- Travel – get here 3pm on the 23rd, don’t be late
From the above I read that I will be in for an epic (painful at times), thoroughly enjoyable week where my bike will get hammered on the very terrain it was made for. I must be prepared and I must pack well!
My bike preparation has included inserting off set bushes into my bike, setting the head angle back from 67 degrees to 66. I ride an On-One Codeine which is a 29er so finding tough tyres to keep me puncture free on the harsh terrain has been difficult. In the end I have opted for Michelin Wild Grip’R Advanced Reinforced, my boyfriend used these for the Megavalanche and said they were awesome. This rubber in a 29er rolls in at 1150g, not the lightest tyres by any means but at the organisers say, and I quote: “Forget obsessive weight saving. Forget ultra-pedalling efficiency. Forget expensive, shiny, trick components. You simply need the most reliable bike you can put together”.
The only other addition has included a bash guard, I think the Codeine comes pretty well suited to this sort of riding from the off. I am lucky enough to be supported by the suspension tuning company TF Tuned, Murray there deals with my bike and really knows his stuff. I sent my shock off for a once over prior to the race and Murray tuned the myriad of different adjustments available on the Cane Creek Double Barrel air to make my bike more sensitive to the small bumps and track better in loose conditions. Lastly my kit sponsor Flare Clothing has provided me with a weeks’ worth of kit ensuring I stay dry, fresh and bright on the trails, this along with new Ride100% goggles from distribution company Decade, I guarantee that you won’t miss me!
It has to be said I am a bit anxious about the event, I am just coming back from injury (broken collar bone) and the Trans Savoie will be my second race post injury in just as many weeks! I know I am ready for it, my head is in the right place and I’m as eager to ride as I ever was, I have been going at the turbo trainer and the gym hard as soon as I possibly could and I have recovered well.
I feel strong but there is nagging thoughts in the back of my mind with regards to fitness and technical ability. I think my biggest fear is coming across something that I simply can’t ride and not getting off in time. What if I’m on the obstacle before I realise and it all goes horribly wrong?
I know I will need to walk bits of the special stages, that goes without saying but what if tiredness or through not paying attention I don’t fully assess the situation? I think this stems from my last injury, I’m pretty sure my inattention was the causative factor in my broken bone! I then fear that I will be very slow as I am over cautious. I’m trying not to pressurise myself with any expectations, but I want to do my best, and of course a podium place is always sought after! I am willing myself into a relaxed state of mind, my main goals are to finish, drink in the atmosphere and to make sure I give my all!
With just a few days to go, I’m looking forward to this experience more than most others……….
Check in on Sunday for the next installment of Rachael’s adventure!
Words: Rachael Gurney
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