The Rift 2022

The Rift is a gravel race through the dark lava fields in the highlands of Iceland – taking place on the tectonic split between North America and Eurasia. An ever-growing battlefield that grows an inch every year. A rift is defined as a crack, split, or break in something. In the context of the race, it’s the divide between the American and Eurasian continental plate…in the context of the race it’s the divide between me and my ego…. I was so slow literally everyone overtook me – this is the first time I’ve encountered an aid station being void of food and the race photographer having packed up and gone home before I passed. But finally, it was the most amazing yet ridiculously hard experience I’ve had on a bike!

Up until May my 2022 focus had been on running. I’d barely ridden for the first four months of the year – in March and April combined I rode my bike for just over three hours. Bike specific training started early May, early June I flew to Bombay, on my return I tested positive for Covid. Training started again quite soon, but I was suffering from massive fatigue and energy levels had taken a hit. Early July I flew to Singapore for another work trip. At the time I didn’t see the problem, but they do say consistency is king, and my only consistency was inconsistency. These are not excuses, but important observation after scratching my head 50km in the Rift asking myself “what’s happening!!”.

The Rift starts with a neutralised tarmac section. This session of road is part of only 35 km of non-gravel over the entire 207km. By the turn-off onto the first gravel session and the start of 60km of climbing I realised it was going to be a long day. I’d been sitting closish to the front of the peloton and already my heart rate was sky high, I knew I had to ease off and immediately started to fall back. I’d normally expect to quickly find a place where I was cycling with people of a similar ability. It didn’t happen – for the next two hours I simply kept being passed. This was tough as ‘racing’ at the back of the field is not something I’m used to. However, I had to make a call – keep going ‘hard’ and face an almost certain DNF, or ride by feel, which means easy and ensure that I have a better chance of finishing. However even with the change of pace by 50km I started to wonder if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. I knew my power was low, my back was ceasing up and with the constant navigation of the unrelenting terrain, eating and drinking was troublesome to say the least! Finally, I decided that when I needed to stop to stretch or even eat, so be it. By Check Point 2 at 98km I’d taken all pressure off myself and decided to simply enjoy Iceland and the environment which was just beyond anything or anywhere i've ever enountered…in other words my goal for the day became to have fun, but most importantly disregard time.

The ride from 50km to 70km took in most of the serious climbing and walking, as the river crossings, climbs and snow in a lot of cases were unrideable. By the time I reached CP2 I could tell that a large portion of the field had already been and gone. I was still feeling ok, a little weak perhaps, but my stomach was holding up. I didn’t rush and took time to take on plenty of food and fluids and most importantly re-lube the bike chain. After twenty minutes I decided I better get moving again...

From CP2 to CP3 at 122km the route started to descend but was somehow still slow due to the washboard which in some cases was cavernous. I could feel my stomach starting to become an issue and my back still ached. I continued to take my time and eventually made it to CP3 where I was so happy to find Jean and Vanesa waiting for me - a genuine site for sore eyes and a real lift. Here I took on more food and some fluid, and after departing I started to suffer with appalling reflux which just slowed me down further. I stopped about 15km after CP3 to put my fingers down my throat and try to throw-up. This helped control the reflux and I managed to take on a little more fluid, but with the stomach in this condition taking gels, or any other type of food for that matter was a problem.

CP 4 was at 168km, in the 46km from CP3 I ate almost nothing and only managed a little water as the reflux was creating havoc. Reaching CP4 I took on some water and gingerly started on the next 37km to the finish. I could feel the lack of nutrition becoming an issue and so tried to keep my effort and HR low with the theory being to tap into the fat stores!? By the time I reached the last river crossing at 190km I was having issues, feeling lightheaded and even slightly delirious. By this stage I was only seeing a few other athletes and those I did see appeared in a similar condition.

Finally, I crested one last climb and saw the coastline which was pure elation. Hitting the tarmac again for the last 9km to the finish it felt so easy, but I was tired and only wanted to stop. Less than 1km from the finish the heavens opened, and they sobbed for me – I could feel an intense chill come over me which is my bodies way of telling me I am on the limit and that I needed to stop and get warm very soon. Crossing the line, I headed straight for the car barely saying anything to anyone and having to be chased to down by volunteers to be given my medal and Phil to ask if I wanted my Finishers beer. I crawled into the back of the car and stripped naked infront of anyone who was interested. At this stage I didn’t care. I had a new goal – get warm and go to sleep.

Once I was dressed and warm Jean chauffered us back to the hotel. As soon as we reached the room I put my head down the toilet and had the most amazing chunder. I could only manage milk and soup that night, but made up for it at breakfast the next day where I ate the entire restaurant. Immediately post-race I did feel a lot of disappointed. I'm no rock star, but I've also never raced at the back of the field before, and it’s humbling…...no, demoralising finishing long after others have gone home. The truth of the matter is nobody but me cares about my time and the real achievement with a race like this is finishing and most of all the enjoyment of just riding...

Cheers!