I wouldn’t have thought I could have so much fun for seven days and feeling strong while riding in the rain mud and snow. I was prepared for grumpiness and meeting myself at my worst. I was nervous because deep down I knew I was capable of facing it all. The past two years I have struggled with post concussion symptoms, balancing life and training has been a real challenge and I had moments in which I doubted if I could ever feels strong again. I’m still not fully recovered and it might be that I never fully will recover, but I’m happy to share that cycling and nature are the best places for me to be.

Looking back on the race, I realise that it was much more than just a physical challenge. I was racing again, enjoying the journey and celebrating how powerful this feeling is. I cried from happiness, feeling gratitude to everyone who supported me to climb back up again. For being there when I needed it most. I learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of, what matters to me most. Overall, the experience was an incredible journey that I'll never forget.

QUOTES FROM THE ROAD

“Dreamy mornings with beautiful gravel roads through fields with olive trees and a view over a valley with soft clouds. A few shallow rivers for which I take off my steamy shoes.”

“It was a difficult night, lonely, dark, and slow, downright boring actually. I don't like night riding so much and eventually decide to sleep in a decent-looking bus shelter for a few hours. I sleep excellently. In the morning, I grab my stinky wet socks again, holding back a gagging reaction.”

“Nice cold feet again today. It's easier now to just step into the river a few times and not think too much about it. The snow is slippery, but also very fun, and the descents have the right amount of challenge for me to bring on the joy.”

As the day breaks, I crawl out of the forest, and by noon, there is a fantastic climb over the Diaselo Kaliakoudus pass. The rocks are red, the flowers bright purple, and for a moment, I forget how annoyed I was this morning. Another obstacle overcome and I am happy. For the rest of the day, the climbs and descents roll along the mountainside, and the views are phenomenal. The heat gets to me a bit. I hope towards midnight to reach the finish line. That turns out to be a miscalculation.

I couldn’t fix my dynamo light, and I only have my outbound lamp, which gives me about 6 hours of light on the soft setting. I can charge the lamp with my power bank, which I have charged for this reason, which will take me pretty far. This also means that all other battery laces are almost never turned on.

It’s the last stretch and can taste the finishline, after three hours in the dark, I am exhausted and struggling to even reach the foot of the final climb. I take several power naps, but my body and brain crave a deep, prolonged sleep. There are no Red Bull, Coca Cola, or Monsters to chase away the sleepdemons, only water, three Haribo’s, and some chips for the long climb ahead. Despite my fatigue, I make it to 4:30 in the morning, but I can hardly see anything, and all my batteries and lights are dead by now. I must lie down for an hour and wait for daylight.

Finally, I reach the top in the shade of wind turbines that thunder and whistle over the mountain. I put on my pants and jacket for the last time and am determined to descend the mountain as quickly as possible. I am eager to finish and enjoy the sun and a good rest. I ride down the gravel road much too fast, and my wrists and hands barely function. I focus only on not crashing and getting to the finish line as soon as possible. A small detour leads me into the bushes somewhere in Nafpaktos, but I remember a warning not to follow the last part of the route and decide to just ride to the finish line at the hotel.

I'm overwhelmed when I arrive. My sweet sister, who hasn't slept a wink, is waiting for me, along with a warm welcome committee, cameras, and the entire Nelson organization. Finally, after 7 days and 10 minutes, I receive the final stamp.

Hellenic Mountain Race

HT550

L’esperit de Girona