Meeting Miguel Indurain

It's Saturday July 23rd, 2016 in Villava, a small village on the outskirts of Pamplona Spain sees the arrival of thousands of cyclists gather in the main square, all milling around to find their spot in the start queue to start the 'Marcha de Miguel Indurain', a tough race at 183km and over 4000 meters climbing. Just when I think all my preparation has paid off I see thousands of cyclists at the other side of the square....seems I have been too relaxed about getting to the start and the majority have beat me to it. I accept my fate that I have no chance of being up there with the leaders and squeeze myself in to the start pen when some young Spanish lads let me in. I say a heartfelt "gracias chicos" and settle into my usual pre-race routine, Garmin set...(check) Energy bars...check, pump...check.......etc. I'm riding solo today without my training partner Tony so hopefully things go without incident.

Into race mode I'm sure I spotted a group of women in the front start pen and begin to think about the odds of me catching them but quickly dismiss any idea as I realise just how far back in the queue I am. Never mind, no pressure then, ill just ride without fear I say. Once underway we have to negotiate some loose tiled roads at the edge of town but are soon beyond it and into the lower slopes of the Pyrenees. I soon get into my rythym and join a small grupetta which is moving quickly through the first few kilometers. The first rise hits us and we begin to pass those struggling to maintain the pace and we race down a fantastic smooth descent at 85kph!!!!

I do my bit and maintain a respectable 50+ kph on a flat section before (thankfully) the guys help me out and I'm back in the pack sitting in comfortably, the worry over about whether I have gone too hard receding quickly to the back of my mind.

Well into the race now we begin the first climb proper and I start to see and pass some of the women I saw at the start, I start picking them off one by one as I negotiate a couple more climbs. The descents on the next climb are a bit busy and wet with the steady drizzle that started on the way up and its tough to pass safely but we do and I'm soon away and on to the second part of the race. With the toughest part to come, the Alto de Artisiaga (a 15 km ascent with gradients up to 20%) .I stop into a drinks stop at the top of the Alto de Egozgue to refuel my bottles and debate whether I should have brought that rain gillet as it begins to pour down with rain. I can hardly see 50 yrds in front of me so safety first on the next descent which brings me into a forested area which is 'fun fun fun' as it twists and turns as it undulates through to a motorway underpass where a Police motorbike rider shouts out to me "venga chica, segunda segunda". I quickly translate and realise I am in second place!! this new found hope seems to transfer to my legs and I move through the gears and feel as though I'm flying. I hit the bottom of the last climb, the Alto de Artesiaga feeling strong and begin tapping out a steady tempo, I pass a couple of guys and they get on my wheel and its not long till we are half way in at 7km. Then I see her, well....a pony tail actually.....it could have been a guy but it soon became clear that this was the last woman I needed to pass to win. I slow my pace slightly but its clear that I am climbing faster as I begin to close...she's with a couple of guys who are riding with her (same team kit) so I make my attack, as I pass I notice there is no counter so I pass smoothly but strongly until the next bend when I know I'm out of sight. I hit the peddles hard and climb out of the saddle for a hundred yards or so. I risk a look behind but all I see is open road and feel a sense of accomplishment like never before. I climb, oblivious to the lactic acid that is beginning to gather in my legs (which are relatively new to cycling) and reach the summit where there is a drinks stop. A quick check at my supplies tells me I'm OK to push on, tentatively at first as the visibility is almost down to nothing, but then a couple of local guys come past and I take advantage of their local knowledge and follow down the technical descent.

Once down I am only 30 km to the finish, I take a hard right and hear some Spanish supporters cheering me on "venga chica venga venga"

Its rolling from here on in and a motorbike rider offers me water (very pro I think) as a small grupetta pass me I'm quick to react and I'm soon sitting in and enjoying the ride.

I'm soon crossing the outskirts of Villava and elated to see the finish line where an enthusiastic crowd cheers us in, and then It sinks in that I am the overall winner of the women's event at 6 hrs 11 minutes. I catch up with the guys that I passed on the Alto de Artiasaga who congratulate me on the great tempo I set on the climb and agree to keep in touch on Strava as they are from Murcia not far from my base in Spain.

As I'm collecting my after race meal I hear my name over the tannoy, and use my 'rusty' understanding of Spanish to know that there is to be a podium presentation and the excitement builds at the prospect of receiving my trophy from the man himself Miguel Indurain, and I even get to try out my Spanish whilst doing an interview for the local paper......What can I say, I had dreamed of this the night before when I realised he was riding the race, but never thought it would actually happen....so far THE best day in my cycling life.

For a detailed analysis of my ride check out my STRAVA account-

Louise Ryde (Just Ryde Cycling)