När jag skulle anmäla mig till Cykelvasan frågade jag en vän till mig lite kring hur det fungerar. Jag fick följande mail med information han skickat till sina polare.... Njut läsningen. :)
Right-i-oh loons,
The race, in broad-strokes:
1. You will get up in the morning and eat a carb-rich breakfast. You will also drink some hydration medicine (salts) to stave off cramps later in the day. You will then take a big shit (important).
2. About 45 mins before your start time (which will be later than the rest of us) you will ride down to the start area (about 20 mins at 45 mph down a long hill). It may be cold – wear a jumper that you can take off and leave in your drop bag. You will have with you:
a. A drop bag containing a towel, shower gel, a change of clothes, two beers, and smokes. You will leave this bag at the start and pick it up again at the finish.
b. Recommended, but not required: a second, smaller, bag that you will have with you during the race that contains your hydration bladder(s) with hose(s), energy gels, spare inner-tube(s), pump, tools, credit card, phone.
c. A word on hydration during the race – water bottles are ok, but bladders with hoses are better – I use two bladders; one with water and one with energy drink – no bottles.
d. Proof that you have bought a ticket for the bus back to Sälen (mail in your phone is fine (make sure it is fully charged)).
3. You will start the race slowly but firmly. It should start to hurt pretty fast – this is good, now you know you’re doing it right. Just make sure you keep a stable level of pain.
4. When you feel good, it is time to get some energy drink on-board. Think sigmoid curves.
5. When you start to feel mediocre, it is time to get some energy gel on-board.
6. You will likely become separated, even if you are actively trying to stick together.
7. If you want a good finish time – you will not stop at any of the drink/food stations. Unless you need what they’re pushing, just ignore them.
8. Depending on the weather, don’t forget your water. If it’s a hot day, you will be riding through the hottest part of it.
9. After just under four hours (I think this is a great target if you’re half fit), or maybe just under three and a half hours (if you’re serious about trying to beat me) you will cross the finish-line.
10. You will wander aimlessly trying to understand what to do next and looking for each-other.
11. Make sure you do find each-other as you will want someone to share your excitement and horror stories with (also, Jaff, I fear we will lose Dooben if you’re not there to lead him about).
12. You’ll make your way to the bike drop-off / bag pick-up area. You’ll pick the hottest chick in the bike drop-off area and leave your bike with her. You find your bag and follow the crowd to the showers. You’ll sit on the floor in the changing hall for a bit and drink one of your beers. High fives, photos, chatting with other idiots. Shower and change.
13. Pick your bike back up.
14. You may now have an opportunity to eat some free (fairly crap) food – you probably won’t be all that hungry though.
15. Go find the buses. Leave your bike with a lorry that is going to Lindvallen, not Sälen (important). Get on a bus that is going to Lindvallen, potentially via Sälen. Open your second beer.
16. Keep an eye out on the right during the journey as you will catch glimpses of the track and other idiots struggling through the woods.
17. You will test the toilet on the bus. It will stink and you will piss on your foot.
18. You arrive back at Lindvallen and await the lorry containing your steeds. Find your way back to the house and receive a standing ovation for your performance. Open more beer.
Logistically, it’s going to go something like this:
1. F is driving. He and I will pick you up at the airport on Thursday when you arrive. We’ll load the bikes onto the roof-rack and head north (west).
2. At some point we’ll stop and eat greasy pizza or steaks or something.
3. We’ll shop for dinner and breakfast materials.
4. We get to Sälen after about 4 hours of driving. Pick up the keys to the house and meet up with J (the douche) and M (his fast GF).
5. J will insist on making spaghetti bolognaise. He likes to cook, but only knows one recipe.
6. Friday will include a warm-up ride (up the mountain) and a wander around the manufacturer’s and sponsor’s tents in the ski resort. Tweak bikes, prepare sport’s drink mixes. Pack the drop-of bag, etc.
7. We’ll probably try and fail to book a restaurant for dinner, ending up eating more spagbol. We will go to bed early, after max two beers.
8. Saturday is race day.
9. Saturday night we will drink and cry, eat dinner in one of the restaurants in the ski centre, probably falling asleep pretty early in a sofa.
10. Sunday we need to clean the house and head-off.
11. We’ll drop you at the airport in time to check-in for your flight.
Couple of other thoughts:
1. If you are not familiar with energy drink, find a brand you fancy and start drinking some now – get your body used to it as you do not want to experiment on race day.
2. Same goes for energy gels – you don’t want any digestive excitement caused by experimentation on the day.
3. If you need new shoes, saddle, race bag, handlebar grips, gloves, bib-shorts, etc. Get them all now and get them worn-in. 3.5 – 4.5 hours of hard riding in brand new kit will result in blood.
4. The race starts just outside of the village of Sälen. We’re staying at the ski centre in Lindvallen, which is just up the (steep) road from Sälen.
Finally:
1. You need to buy a bus ticket to get back to Lindvallen after the race.
a. Chose ’Mora – Sälen 13:00 – 21:00’
b. There will be loads of buses going back and forth and you’ll be able to get on any one of them.
c. This ticket also includes your bike, but you’ll load your bike onto a separate lorry. Make sure you pick a lorry that is going to Lindvallen.
d. The bus might stop where the race started (Sälen or ‘Vasaloppsstarten’) and in Lindvallen, make sure you get on a bus that is definitely stopping in Lindvallen and don’t get off too early.
2. You’ll need sheets and towels for the cabin – we can take some of my stuff if you’re short of packing space. Just let me know.
3. You can’t race without a helmet. Not that you would want to try.
4. Glasses are a good idea. I wore sunnies the first time and they worked fine. Make sure they’re a tight fit though – it gets mighty bumpy in places.
I think that just about covers the important stuff. F, did I miss anything?
\Lion
