You’ve made if through the aid stations, dealt with a flat
or two and now Drew Bragg has called out your names as you cross the line. Now
comes the most important part of your day.
After you cross the finish line
The TransRockies will take more out of you than you expect. By
the time you cross the finish line you’ll be all in. But what you do over the
next hour or so will make all the difference in the upcoming days. You need to
pay the most attention to the three Bs; body, bum, and bike.
- Body – There are lots of schools of thought about recovery however most people agree that you need to get some protein as soon as possible. At some of the stage finishes there are people selling burgers etc., other people will rely on a recovery drink of some sort. I bring along a couple of 35mm film canisters with my recovery drink powder and mix it up right after I finish. Either way, you need to get some protein in you within the first 15 minutes after you finish. And a litre or so of liquid will also help your recovery. This is also the time when you may want to book your massage, assuming you have not pre-booked them in advance.
- Bum – Get out of that wet chamois ASAP. I know, you’ll be tired and feel like just lying down and having a snooze, but your bum will thank you for the change. After downing my recovery drink I grab my duffle bag and find a spare tent. I pull out my clothes and towel and head for the showers. With the new shower truck the wait times are usually very reasonable. (The wait time is usually under five minutes.) If, for some reason, the shower line-up is too long, get out of your riding gear before your shower. After your shower dress in clothing that is, as they say, cool and breezy. The “commando” option is to be recommended as it will allow plenty of air circulation to the nether regions.
- Bike – I have seen too many people in their stinking, soggy riding gear standing in line to wash and detail their bikes. Unless your bike is going to need a long session of TLC from the mechanics at The Bike Shop, your bike can wait until after you’ve showered and changed. When cleaning your bike the want to get the mud out of the drive train. Apart from that, the rest of your bike just needs a quick once over. In some locations the hoses are pretty high pressure, so you need to be careful that you don’t drive water and dirt into the bearings, bushings and pivot points. After you clean your bike, dry the drive train as much as possible and give the chain a quick coat of lube. Then check the tire pressure and you’ll be ready to roll for the next day. If the line-up for the bike wash is huge, you and your partner may want to share the waiting. One stays in line with the bikes while the other showers and then you swap.
- Massage Therapy – Even if you don’t use a massage therapist any other time of the year, on the TR the massage therapists can be a life saver. The time blocks are usually 30 minutes. I usually start with shorter blocks at the start of the week, and work up to 60 minute blocks by day five or six.
- Swim – In a few locations there is water on-site or very near. Even if it is cold, the water will do your legs the world of good. You’ll need something quick drying to wear that will preserve a modicum of modesty. (So light coloured shorts that go transparent when wet are right out.)
- Put your feet up - You do need to get off your feet, out of the sun and relax. As I mentioned in an earlier instalment, a faster finish will give you more time to rest and relax. And good relaxation, with your feet elevated, will make you feel much better. Some people like to read; others listen to their iPods and relax. But no matter what you do, you should avoid walking around as much as possible and let your legs recover.
Well, only a couple more
instalments to go. I’ll be covering the evening meal, travel, and safety. These
instalments are based on my experiences, mistakes, and hard earned lessons on
the TransRockies since 2004. I’d welcome any suggestions, corrections and/or
additions from other riders.
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