Urge Kenya Report
Play by Play Part 1
Date: 2009-02-20
In the centre of Provençe Fabien Barel and Fred Glo came up with this innovative concept. The project began amid economic turmoil - less than ideal timing to say the least. It was clear that this adventure was going to be a challenge for riders and organizers from start to finish.
The concept was simple: To bring together the best possible group of MTB Gravity riders with representation from different riding styles. From Slopestyle, riders and freeriders to enduro and DH riders; everyone was included.
The project had two main objectives:
- Organise a real long distance downhill race against time on a 24 km track from 16 000 Ft (top of Mount Kenya) down to 7 000 ft.
- Use this exceptional challenge to raise funds for a humanitarian organization called ACORD. 10,000 Euros to develop a water system in the Massai country.
A snow storm in western Europe kept the European contingent grounded in London until the weather improved. Fabien tries to catch up on some sleep.
After challenging travels due to bad weather conditions in Europe, the first real satisfaction on the first day in Nairobi was to see Caroline Testud, Acord Leader, who came to meet all the riders: Mark Weir, Darren Berrecloth, Wade Simmons, Nico Vouilloz, René Wildhaber, Remy Absalon, Sam Peridy, Alex Balaud, Yvaral Villier and Fabien Barel. An amazing group of very talented riders chosen for the adventure.
Your chariot awaits...
Our caravan included a good old Japanese bus, really tired & loaded to the roof. We loaded up for a 7 hour journey to reach our first lodge base at the bottom of the Mount Kenya. For many of us this is the first time seeing Africa from the inside: its traditional inertia, its slow pace but also its colourful scenery, its active life on the roadside and its talented stunt drivers keeping cars side by side on rocky roads filled with pot holes… The riders ask many questions to the organisers. They do not really know what to expect. There is already a sense of solidarity among the riders as they gladly share their concerns.
...your added horsepower.
Wednesday morning the real adventure finally begins. The bus made it to the park gate not without the effort of everyone pushing it to the top of the last hill. Sirimon Gate, south entrance to Mount Kenya is open for us and this unique challenge.
Seven Euros and three North Americanos ready to contest Urge Kenya: The Fabien Barel Invitational.
As everyone builds their bikes only Mark Weir is slightly unhappy. His Santa Cruz was left in London and did not make it to Kenya. Mark will have to ride a Yeti lent by the organisers. This was unfortunate, particularly in light of how carefully Mark and friends prepared their rides for the event.
Riders carried their own bikes but porters packed all the other gear.
Every rider meets his porter and hands over his back pack. Each porter will put his own personal gear on top of the riders luggage as is their custom.
The riders pedal slowly to the first refuge, the Judmaier hut at 11 000 Ft. Everyone is trying to save energy on this offroad trail that is sometimes very steep and at certain points we are forced to walk. The first one to reach the hut is Mark Weir, who probably needed to get rid of the frustration of his lost bike.
Riders saddled up for the first of three days of climbing but for the last two it was mostly pushing and carrying.
The comfort level is low and for some like Nico Vouilloz, it will be the first time in a refuge and in a sleeping bag. Others, like Remy Absalon realized that the summer sleeping bag he brought was only good to go camp by the beach…
Mark Weir was comfy but it was Nico Voullioz' first night in a sleeping bag.
Our cooks work hard in a very dark kitchen to get a a meal ready for 26 people - a surprise dish that tastes very good. Unfortunately our porters eat by themselves as it is typically done.
Sneaky Sam opened up bags of dehydrated food despite the other riders making fun of him. A small blow to the trip spirit as everyone must be treated the same way and eat the same food. In Africa food can have a major impact on your body’s performance. For the potable water our lead guide Robin did things well as he had carried up enough water for everyone a few days earlier.
The porters managed to prepare a tasty dinner at elevation.
Everyone went quickly to bed in a main room where earplugs, noseplugs and headlamps are required.
At breakfast the next day faces of those who did not sleep well and are starting to feel the first taste of altitude appear in the steam of the coffee bowls.
For many altitude sickness was starting to set in at breakfast after a restless night.
This second day will be long and tiring but a beautiful sun lighting Lenion Peak (16 000 ft) and Batian (16 200 ft) gives energy and strength to everyone. Lenana Peak, our target, is not visible and we can only imagine how long the walk is going to be.
Berrecloth making his way to the top.
For the first time since the beginning of the trip the riders start carrying their bikes on their shoulders in order to go over hard rocky sections. From Judmaier camp it is all single track combined with rock gardens and grassy fields. From now on the riders will have to carry and push their bikes as often as they ride. We arrive at the last section of the day where we have to carry the bike to a pass that reaches 13 000ft. At this moment we discover a massive old ice valley where huge Lobelies and Senecons (old African plants that you only find there) growing.
Fabien Barel enjoying the scenery despite a broken scapula.
In the middle of this scene we see a beautiful river but also an amazing snaky single track that everyone starts picturing for the way down. One of the things we should mention, an important rule of the race is that the walk up is the only moment where riders will be able to check the track. The same path used for the way up will be the race run on the way down.
Wade Simmons approaching the summit where the real racing will begin.
Expert riders like Nicolas Vouilloz and Fabien Barel made serious mistakes which had consequences in the final rankings.
Fabien, as always very generous, gladly participated in one more photo session. He unfortunately crashed hard and badly injured his shoulder. We suspected a broken bone but Fabien continued the climb to the refuge carrying his bike on the other shoulder. The hut of Shimpton’s camp is at 14 000 ft where Paulo, the doc, checked him over. We couldn’t be sure but a scapula fracture was diagnosed (and it was confirmed when we arrived in Europe) but Fabien, thinking positively, strapped his shoulder tight for the night.
Do Red Bull sponsored athletes sleep with a hat or a helmet on? Rene Wildhaber becomes an honorary Canadian by donning his toque.
A few hours later Fabien organised a Karaoke competition where the riders had to sing Hakuna Matata, a famous Kenyan song, to rank themselves for the race start the next day. Everyone participated except Yvaral Villier, who was in bed on doc’s orders as Africa’s food and altitude were taking their toll. Weir and Wildhaber were also feeling it but they pushed hard to stay awake and play the game 100%.
The jury decides everyone has tied for first after a special moment filled with laughs and smiles. It would be a random start order.
Almost no one is immune to high elevation. Some of us can’t eat that evening and everyone is going in bed asking himself the same question: Will I be able to reach the top tomorrow to start the race? Everyone was looking for moral support except our Canadian “lumberjacks,” Simmons and Berrecloth who seem very peaceful.
Fabien Barel steps away from the high start line near the summit.
The night will be short for everyone with a 6 am wake up. Alex Balaud wasn’t feeling bad the night before but he wakes up with no energy - and energy is needed to carry his bike to the top. We have to climb 2500 ft higher to reach the Lenana peak and the start of the race; walking in small rocks and sandy ground frozen by the night air. Alex tires but finally he will has to accept that he will not be able to make it. Life is on a thin line at this altitude and you cannot play games with yourself. Very disappointed, there is nothing else to do than start his descent.
Stay tuned for Part II
Is this a real mountain bike event? An adventure race? The best of both? What sayest thou?
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