Day 9 // And I Only Am Escaped Alone to Tell Thee

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Words by Stuart Downie

Photos by Liz Seabrook and Tomás Montes

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The drama’s done. Why then here does any one step forth?—Because one did survive the wreck.

Perhaps a slightly dramatic way to begin this: the final report from Trans Pyrenees Race No. 6, a beautifully hard bike race that’s won yet more hearts on its double crossing of the Pyrenees. Won in 4 days, 4 hours and 24 minutes by Frenchman Nicolas Chatelet (008) on Tuesday morning, with FLINTA winner Anna Richter (004) finishing only 18 hours and 24 minutes later, the race at large is not yet over.

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Last night, amid the rambunctious final thralls of the finisher’s party, Sophia Atwood Apperley (092) arrived to claim the Maglia Nera, a prize awarded to the last rider to finish within the time limit. Her partner, former TPR participant Mark Agar, is there to meet her with an ebullient example of PDA. Super Randonneur Sophia planned the late dash for this prestigious award, and much more besides – perhaps I’ll spare the details.

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Rising with Great Force

My personal highlight came only 15 minutes earlier when Sergey Shulubin (099) rolled in, feet unclipped from his flip-flop fixed-gear bicycle, claiming his first GC finish at the sixth time of asking. What unbelievable resolve. When I ask him why he does it, the understandably elated Sergey seems to say it’s in part due to a Russian magician – but I’ve misheard. In fact, he’s referring to Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman (called a magician of mathematics), famous for saying, "If the problem is solvable, it's not interesting."

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Now the problem is solved. Sergey has finished TPR before, but never within General Classification. I wonder what new complications he’ll find to make future editions interesting.

Race Reporter Maya Noriega tells me her highlight is Grace Pyne’s (108) finish earlier that day. That’s a close second for me – I interviewed Grace before the start of the race, and she told me that she’d be really proud of herself if she managed to finish in GC, which she has, and presumably is proud, as are all the people gathered to greet her at the finish, and when she recalls this, it brings tears to my eyes. As beautiful as this race is, it’s rare that it provokes such a reaction in me, and I’m grateful Grace has shared the moment with all of us.

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The Fates Ordained

A highlight of the finishers party, of course, is the awards. Our recipients last night include Robert Mueller (003) for his inventive packing, tempter of fate – if the problem is solvable, it’s not interesting? TCR vet Jaimi Wilson (007) wins an award for persevering in spite of a particularly potent saddle sore. Sergey Shulubin (099) wins an award for his fixed persistence, but later – as we know – finishing in GC is the ultimate reward. They all receive a much-coveted Albion bundle.

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For overcoming a series of possibly avoidable wrong turns, Eleanor Hulm (039) wins an award for dogged perseverance and added elevation. Sophia Attwood Apperley (092) reroutes for the weather, via Burger King, and makes a last-minute dash to clinch the maglia nera and an award for on-the-fly routing. Tanja Hacker (060 gets a nod for overcoming the broken bike wheel (read yesterday’s report for more details). Each wins a year’s subscription to Ride with GPS, the world's most trusted mobile route planner. Adam Bibbey (065) gets the attention he deserves after being rudely awoken by a sprinkler system: an Enigma goody bag, plus an invite down to the Sussex workshop for the tour and bike fit. Finally, Marin de Saint-Exupéry (009) takes the Spirit of the Race award, having found Omar di Felice (010) after his crash, called the emergency services, notified our comms manager, and stayed with Omar until help arrived. We would all be so lucky as to have a friend like Marin on the road with us.

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Floating On The Margin

Like many riders, front to back, Tourmalet was a big test for Grace. Everyone who struggles over it, riding the many highs and lows of ultra racing, is a finisher regardless of their position. During the party, Race Director Andrew Phillips tells a scratched rider that ultimately only two things matter: having fun and learning something about yourself. Out on the road – and despite the weather – riders have plenty of opportunities for both.

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For now, Laurence Snowden (028) is our Lanterne Rouge, the last rider on the road. With heavy rain in Barcelona, we hope Laurence is faring well in the Pyrenees, with the rest of the Raid’s bounty still to be enjoyed. Even with the hard work done, who of us wouldn’t wish to be there with him still, breathing that mountain air, watching the light change from inky blue to pinks and oranges and back again. We’re all envious of Laurence.

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Towards The Closing Vortex

The scratches for our final day are: Rob Hyde (116), Michael Fidorra (038), Henry Roberts (100).
In total, 76 riders have reached the finish line, 51 have scratched, and 9 are still out there riding – and we are out there with them.

Until next year, thanks for coming along.

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