GRAND PRIX OF AMATEURS ON THE ROAD “Through Poland by bike”
Rajd XI – Wałbrzych Sudetes, Boguszów-Gorce.
A cycling challenge but in a version without racing, i.e. driving “fraud”. I took up this risky task, encouraged by the lack of crazy racing and competition.
Photo. RajdyDlaFrajdy.pl
Rallies for Frajda are a series 16 rallies, one in each province. For obvious reasons, we chose the Lower Silesian stage, i.e. the start in Boguszów – Gorce with the Market Square and the Town Hall, often emphasized by the organizers, which pride themselves on being the highest located in Poland. It already gave a certain picture of the difficulty of the route. The profile only confirmed that. We decided on the Mini version, co oznaczało 88 km with a total height difference of approx. 1.100 m. For us, the longest distance by bike!
Photo. RajdyDlaFrajdy.pl
We came to the place and felt immediately, that the atmosphere is different than on VIA. Without pomp and flair. We collected a starter package with a T-shirt, we listened to the briefing and started sharply down the cobblestones.
The route led from Boguszów-Gorce through Krzeszów (with the Basilica), Kamienna Góra, Stare Bogaczowice. Świebodzice, Lower and Upper Witoszów, The Wałbrzych Bypass in Julianów and return to Boguszów – Gorce.
First 20 km it was good, although the route was undulating and it was not easy. It was flattened after difficult climbs and it was very pleasant to drive. On the way, we stopped for a moment at the buffet and I swallowed a bar with great appetite. 50 km on the meter and slowly I started to count the kilometers to the finish line. The worst was yet to come, the crisis has begun 25 to the finish line. The climbs were unbearable, my knees started to hurt. The pain was very distressing, and strangest of all, while running – even the toughest marathons and hills have never hurt like this (and apparently the bike is good for aching knees). I was afraid, that strenuous driving will exclude me from running – there was an idea to stop driving.
Photo. RajdyDlaFrajdy.pl
Maciek ran to the finish line and I fought with myself and the pain. Two fragments of driveways – I was riding a bicycle, I drank, I ate a bar and my legs rested a little. The finish line was getting closer and I was hoping, and even certainty, that I will get to her. Exit – turn to Boguszów Gorce, target for 4 km i nagle BUM. A sound like a gun being fired, cap. I was driving at speed 30 km / h, quite safe and stopped quickly. I called Maciek, At first, I wanted him to help me change the inner tube, but I saw it, that the whole tire exploded and there was no chance for further driving. I was angry, so little was missing, the more so after such a fight! He came and found the inner tube to be torn as well. He packed the bike, I checked out to the organizer and we returned home.
After that “A rally for fun” I know a lot:
– I have to eat what 20 km – preferably a bar / banana as a last resort jelly beans;
– two wheels, i.e. the bike is not for me;
– the ramps massacre my knees, which is very unusual and confirms the point above.
Photo. RajdyDlaFrajdy.pl
I hope for a rematch next year and will be happy to face the tour again, so as to reach the finish line!
P.S. 66% DNF clearly indicates, that two wheels are not my environment. Apparently these tires “explode”, anyone can cause the chain to come off, as does the derailleur jamming, but are these not some force majeure signals??
* the report will be supplemented with photos from the route
