Steven - Day 15

It's over. All Epic Camps have been amazing but this was something special. Everyone rode the length of the country and it's great to be part of a group where everyone feels success. Going point to point is a massive logistical task and I am in awe of John Newsom and Big Dave for co-ordinating such an enormous task so seamlessly. There may have been alsorts of headaches in the background but as a camper I didn't see any sign of it which is testament to the incredible job they did. The support crew throughout were top class. Always smiling, never seeming to be down, nothing too much trouble and with a talent for making you feel special. This makes the training we do easy !
The final day started cold with the promise of superb weather. The early pace in the bunch was not brisk enough to keep me warm so I rode off the front at a pace that warmed me up. From then my pace was dictated by my internal temperature. I was really enjoying just riding on my own (probably the first time all camp) and looking at the scenery. The odd occasion made me think of Scotland and reminded me of the little solo camps I would do. The terrain was just to my liking and made for great riding - fast flats (tail wind), steady climbs with some quick descents. Being left alone with my thoughts was really nice as I mulled over such an awesome camp. I'd achieved so much more than I'd hoped. I knew I was riding well but hadn't realised just how strong I had got. It took a group like this to push me for me to appreciate what I was able to do. A very nice feeling made even better by not really feeling my cycling dropped off through the camp at all. As for running... it feels like a turning point in my recovery from injury. Until now I'd not done more than 35k in a week yet I've covered 224k of running in this camp with no ill effects. I promise I'll be taking some time off from running to give my foot a fighting chance.
I continued pushing on till lunch but before then Douglas came by me like a bullet. This terrain clearly suited him ! Lunch was lovely and relaxed everyone becoming demob happy.
We cruised together to Bluff with about half of us heading up Bluff Hill. With only a 39 x 23 I was still giving it a shot but as we hit the really steep corner near the end I was only just turning the cranks and realised I couldn't make it and pulled the pin before I fell. Douglas cut inside me and was going great guns till he did a backwards roll with his bike and was reduced to walking. Big E powered up by us and was impressive to watch. Clas got the prestige of hitting the top minutes ahead of anyone else.
We regrouped, headed to the end of the road and congratulated each other. All very pleased. Only a little run round the end of the Island. A couple of sips of champagne didn't help that and then finding we were running back to the top of Bluff Hill made for an appropriate end to the camp - 2,400km of riding sandwiched between hard runs to start and finish.
Coming away with yellow was an enormous dollop of gravy on top of an already fantastic camp. This time I think I played the game a little wiser. Having such a big lead in the last few days allowed me to ease off and only do the minimums. I did well in most competitions and rode fast most of the time (not tacking on on the bike contributed to this and made the riding a lot more fun!). All this probably means that for once I won't have the biggest volume numbers. David Craig cranked out 250k on the bike and I know both Jo and Petro did bigger swimming volume than me.
Here are my numbers
Swim: 43.3k at a pace of 1:37 per 100 (that includes rest)
Bike: 2,395km at a pace of 30.7 km/h
Run: 224km at a pace of 5:33 per KM
Hours: 110.4
The end of camp dinner was great fun as always. Dave Dwan did a great job of awarding prices to most campers for various things. Mirror for Rip to put on his bike, brush for Russ's mohican ! My little nephew will be chuffed with my prize - a little toy lion as apparently I hide my competitive side with a smile. It turns out no one has won three yellows before and I was given a set of Hed Wheels as a prize. I was stunned ! Even now I can't quite believe it.
This was a trip of a lifetime and I met so many great people many of whom I hope will become lifelong friends.

Finally ... I posted dual blogs for most of the camp and managed to write slightly differently on each. So if you want another doze go to:
Epic Camp Day 1
Thats the first post and just follow through the next 15.