Even though I would not have started this 'challenge' if I didn't think I could do it, I managed to get myself pretty nervous about it. A summary of the thoughts going through my head: "What makes me think I can do this? This is difficult for people on their lightweight racing bikes. Why do I - someone who possesses no exceptional talents or strengths for sports - think I can do it on a bike that makes it significantly harder?"
With that last question in my mind, I started climbing. And about halfway through the first climb, I came up with a rather - if I may say so - statisfying thought-swirl:
I concluded that I think it's more about mentality in these challenges. There's something you want to get done, and you're getting it done one way or the other. The struggle and (learning how to deal with) setbacks are part of the plan, even though you pretend they won't exist in the preparations.
That brought me to a question I've been asking myself a lot in this past week: Is me underestimating these things a problem, or is it actually what makes me do (and complete!) them? Which made me realise that's/what's the most important thing cycling has taught me (or what cycling has helped me teach myself 😉): if I really want to do something [difficult], I can do it. All I have to do is be kind to myself and listen to what I need to best help myself get through it. And if that isn't the single most important life-skill to have...
(^ More of a thought-swirl than an answer, right?!?! Introducing this term to you now btw, you’re welcome.)
About this route: Wtf.
When I finished the first climb, I knew I'd be able to do the rest. So I stamped the route as 'doable' in my head. But looking back now... this was a ridiculously intense day.
Beforehand, I thought each climb would have one aspect in which it would be the hardest:
- 1st climb (Bédoin): Mentally
- 2nd climb (Malaucène): Physically
- 3rd climb (Sault): Chronologically? Haha
And I still think that sums it up quite well. If I knew I could get myself through the first one, I could also do the second one, and after having done the second one there was no way I was suddenly going to skip the third. That meant it felt like I only needed to finish the first climb to be sure I’d complete all three of them (so, mental). Then, only the first 2 climbs have longer sections with 10-14% in them, and therefore it would make sense that I'd be more tired when reaching them on the second climb (so, physical). I absolutely HATED the third climb. I can't really say if it really was that boring, or that I was just extremely prone to be bored by barely moving forward on yet another long climb. It was the easiest climb of the three on paper, but it seemed to be an endless struggle. I even walked for a bit because I was so done with the repetitive nature of my surroundings and the cycling 😂 (So, time definitely played a role here, but I also would not have wanted to do any of the other climbs last.)
Favourite climb? The one from Malaucène. The last part is really hard, but the view makes you forget all about it!!
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