Riding the Transfaragasan

Other riders set off at a rapid pace and I noticed a steady 27kph for the first 13 km, which felt fine. However, as the tree lined mountains began to rise, I simply looked around at the beautiful hills and let the sun blink through the trees onto me as I smiled and cycled upwards. Today wasn’t about racing, as it dawned on me that the only race today was with myself. I wanted to simply ride myself better and get back to being me. The bike was feeling good, I had a steady cadence and my heart was fine and I enjoyed the moment, as I took regular sips of my drink and ate small pieces of Voom Pocket Rocket bars. Passing Balea waterfall near halfway, I saw others pulling over for a rest, and nearby was a water stop from the organisers. I wanted to ride non-stop though, on my own challenge, and so smiled and kept on going at the easy pace I’d set myself, meditating and living through my childhood memories again,– the good and the bad.

Reaching the open plateau, where the ribbon of road seems wildly scattered in a series of chaotic curves, I felt my heart beat to the rhythm of the mountains. My soul felt at home and I looked towards the summit area – so near and yet with so many twists and turns and hairpin bends, still so far. Each section was taken as a target and kept the steady pace and I weaved my way towards the summit. The heat of the lower slopes was eventually taken away by clouds and dampness in the mountain air that refreshed me. Looking down at the route on my phone and my position as Strava moved me along; I saw only 2 bends left. Then Callum came into view, running alongside me with a camera, before I saw Beau – already finished and changed – kneeling ahead with a long lens camera, so I smiled and kept on to the top.

Then, the final bend led to a lessening of the gradient, as small huts lined the sides of the road and the finish arch lay before me. I smiled and my body buzzed with excitement as I realised that I done it – I’d not only beaten the Transfargarasan, but I’ ridden all the feelings of sorrow and tragedy out of me and I felt bloody amazing. Cristian was there at the finish line, shouting me on and encouraging me and I loved him for this – this wonderful friend. Crossing the line, a medal was placed about my neck and I finally stopped turning the cranks and relaxed. The Voom hydration had done its job and I felt okay. My legs didn’t ache, as in truth I hadn’t pushed myself. I had another challenge to beat that day and I’d achieved it, whilst enjoying the sublime beauty of these wonderful mountains.