STOP PRESS: LIWA REPORT Our apologies for not being as quick as usual to get this report up for you. But here, in all its glory is what happened to us in Liwa at the Liwa Cycling Challenge last weekend. A superbly wonderful experience. AN EPIC IN EVERY WAY The inaugural Liwa Cycling Challenge set out to thrill and it did. The unexpected is all part of cycling and the fact that someone hit the ‘summer switch’ on the eve of last Saturday’s 100km race posed challenges to organisers and competitors. Leaving the comforting shade of roadside palms on the outskirts of Liwa shortly before noon, Skydive Dubai led the Elite peloton off at break neck speed westwards for some 15km on the main Liwa to Abu Dhabi highway. Following on a little more sedately, but only a little you’ll note, Team SWR rapidly added to its posse as individuals were quick to seize the opportunity to jump on the squad’s wheels. Six-strong for the occasion Team SWR’s Liwa contingent comprised Nicolas Girot, Allan Greenfield, Gary Flint, Samantha Cadwallader, Rachel Clough and Lucy Monro. Driving support was Yael. The team was riding in the Open category which, for the girls meant they were up against the Elite ladies as well as amateur riders. After about 15km the route turned on itself bound eastwards back to Liwa and the first serious challenge, Palace Hill. A straight-up climb of some 200m, Palace Hill’s abruptness intimidates more than its severity, but coming as it did 30km into the ride it quickly prompted the first bout of natural attrition, shattering a previously neat peloton and leaving many to make liaisons of convenience for much of the remaining road ahead. With an hour and a bit gone on the clock midday heat started to become an issue as riders made their way along some very scenic lanes winding between date plantations in a positively delightful rural neighbourhood. Unfortunately great scenery doesn’t hydrate and by the time the route rejoined the main highway at the 45km marker lack of water was becoming an issue to many as first one, then two and then three water stops offered nothing more than an empty cool box to riders in all but the first group. With 13 climbs in the last 35km Liwa had always been going to be about the route’s last third. And so it proved to be, but for reasons previously unforeseen rather than just the cumulative ascent tally. Many who had coped admirably with the continual roll of climb and descent for 60km found themselves beaten by sustaining and then increasing that effort in brutal temperatures that accelerated the effects of dehydration. The road to from Liwa to Tel Moreeb, the UAE’s highest sand dune whose name translates as ‘Scary Mountain’, is an exquisitely beautiful rollercoaster; a tarmac ribbon that winds gracefully through red rolling dunes. On a bike it is a relentless series of climbs and descents. There is no respite but the climbs seem almost perfectly honed to optimums that make them enticingly enjoyable. Time after time, just as things get serious summits present themselves almost politely, promising descent and respite. What wasn’t polite on this occasion was the heat. With every metre climbed temperature increased so that on Strava and Garmin profiles the temperature graph mirrors the ride profile almost exactly. Team SWR’s Strava profiles clearly show 39C at the top of each climb and that took its toll. With no drinking water left at any of the water stops on the Tel Moreeb road most riders were at the mercy of their own metabolisms and the kindness of strangers. As riders abandoned they handed any water they had left to those continuing and support vehicles supplied whoever was in need as best they could. It wasn’t enough and the heat exacted a high price prompting a spate of abandonments that included Team SWR’s Gary Flint and Nicolas Girot. Allan Greenfield made it to the finish but did so seized with agonizing cramps as potassium and electrolyte imbalance wreaked metabolic havoc. Notably the girls fared better, very possibly because lighter frames need less hydration. Sam was the first across the line, just a nanosecond ahead of Rachel with whom she had ridden throughout. Sam took fifth position and became Team SWR’s first rider on a podium. Absolutely brilliant. Massive congratulations. Lucy and Allan were next over the line, Lucy having caught Allan on the last climb as cramps threatened to end his ride. A bit of friendly yelling and encouragement staved off collapse long enough for the squad’s Kiwi strongman to power his way through the pain to make it to the finish. Would we do it again? Yes. In a flash. Yes, water was an issue and everyone involved is aware of that. But the issue can be solved. The positives of the ride are many and incomparable. The route is superb, not just for the scenery but for the ride itself. The incessant rolling dunes are a delight to tackle and as everyone who has ever been there knows, the Empty Quarter is an extraordinary place. Racing on closed roads is a privilege that amateurs rarely experience and it was a delight to do so. The marshaling, stewarding and organisation was excellent throughout. Team SWR is proud to have been a part of the inaugural Liwa Cycling Challenge and everyone involved looks forward to taking part in the next one. We do #LoveLiwa. Pics coming up...
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 11:35:02 +0000
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