On Saturday 15th January, the 3R Endurance Academy tackled their first of two challenges. Part 1 involved a 12-Hour epic. I joined them for 3 hours of their ride and checked in throughout the day to see how everyone was faring.
Leading the event was Rob Keunen, who was doing it in memory of his daughter, Feline, who sadly passed away 2 years ago. In addition, Rob wanted to raise money for World Bicycle Relief, and now has successfully raised over £10,000, inspired by friend and fellow Race3R teammate Mitja Kovacic who had previously completed a 24-Hour ride in 2021.
Part 1 of the Endurance Academy: 12-Hour Challenge
Rob explained his unique journey in the final few weeks before the event:
It was the beginning of December. I started to feel weak, my power dropped, my race results were awful. I had a higher-than-normal heart rate. I suspected that I had COVID-19, yet tests stated otherwise.
I upgraded my Zwift setup to a direct driver trainer and on the 30th December rode 8 hours with the WBR 500 crew. My confidence returned and all looked good for the main event two weeks later, but I needed to get my COVID-19 booster injection, which was scheduled for 7th January.
I did not react well to the booster injection. My heart rate skyrocketed and I was forced to rest. In test rides prior to the event, I noticed a high heart rate, even riding at 2 w/kg, which is well within my comfort zone.
I took the day off work before the event. I rested, ate, prepared food, clothing, and double-checked my Zwift setup.
He continues, telling the story of the actual ride:
I jumped on my bike at 7:30am CET on the 15th January without a lot of confidence, but determined to ‘ride through walls’ to complete the challenge. I was accompanied by 17 members from the Endurance Academy, who had their own reasons for undertaking this challenge.
We started with our usual 120km, 3-hour group ride. My heart rate was above 150bpm, even at 2.2 w/kg, where it normally is around 130bpm.
I shared that news with the group after an hour and they tried to calm me down, Catherine Allen had the same high heart rate during her 12hour ride, only a few weeks before.
My legs felt great, but my mind was spinning, how on earth could I pull this off with an average heart rate of 155bpm after 1.5 hours of riding?
Leading the group for the next 3 hours kept my mind off the heart rate issue, and the big group was very supportive. I really felt positive seeing all that support from 3R and Zwift riders from all around the world.
After the group ride completed and Zwift spawned us into the normal Watopia Tempus Fugit, my toughest hours began. Hours 3-6 were a real struggle, mentally speaking, and I had to remind myself many times why I was doing this. My elevated heart rate would not destroy my goal. With my beloved Feline in my mind, and the support from the riders, I pulled through. The support from the community was invaluable. Without them, I would have stopped.
After 6 hours, I stopped for 10 minutes to eat something with my wife and son. It was during this break my wife said “Why don’t you take off your heart rate band, and ride without? You will continue anyway!” So, I did. That was liberating. From that moment on, I forgot about my heart rate issue and my mind focused on everything else that was important.
Hours 6-10 were great. The high heart rate issue continued, I could feel it and I had to eat and drink a lot more than anticipated, to keep myself fuelled. Fortunately, my stomach, legs, neck, back and arms, were all in a good condition. I was not in any physical discomfort until hour 10.
The support from the 3R and community was awesome. From around the world fellow riders, friends, 3R members, dropped in and out to support. Being there was mentally very supportive, but also emotional.
My ride was being broadcasted on YouTube by Mitja, so I had my family and friends watching, and sending me messages, throughout the day too. See the recording:
After 10 hours, I felt my legs become tired, which was not strange. I was already 2 hours over my longest ride ever, so I anticipated this. It was at this point that the group split. Some members of the Academy still felt great, and others like myself, needed a slower pace.
One of my original goals was to go for 500kms but after the first 6 hours, I let that goal pass, and focused on the original of 12-Hours.
I soon recalibrated my distance target to 450kms. But to achieve that, I needed a tow. There were so many riders, but a special “thank you” to Pete, Deej, Michael, Karel, Billy Bob and Ross, Thomas and Kate from Australia, who started with us in the morning, and jumped in again in the evening!
The last 30 minutes I suffered. I had developed cramps. My legs were not in good health. I had spent more energy due to my elevated heart rate. I pushed through pain but had to stop several times to stretch. I had Deej, Karel, Ross, Thomas and Kate around me for the last 20kms, which was fantastic but I was really tired and emotional. I was proud that despite all the challenges, I managed to ride 12 hours in honour of my daughter Feline.
I eventually stopped at my target of 450km, in 12hours and 5 minutes. 8:45pm CET (so taking 40 minutes of breaks in total). Mitja, who sadly could not ride as he had COVID-19, was able to share this via the YouTube channel.
I stumbled off the bike, grabbed a beer, and dropped on the floor in the living room. My son was still up, waiting for me to finish, he gave me a hug, and said that “I did a great job!”
Riding for 12 hours at such a high heart rate does strange things to the body. Finally, at the beginning of February I am starting to feel normal again, my power is back to 80% and my heart rate has returned to normal.
Do I regret pushing ahead even with the high heart rate? No, I am proud that I finished the challenge even with all the setbacks. They are part of life, so I embrace them. Am I going to do something like this again in the future? Yes, I discovered a love for cycling challenges, so I will do these things more often in the future.
A special thank you to all those who helped me on the journey, especially Emma Curtis, who jumped on the challenge from the beginning, completed it too, was a tremendous inspiration for me, and also a major help in the fundraising part of the challenge.
Part 2 of the Endurance Academy: 24-Hour Challenge
Looking ahead, the Academy is almost at its end. Part 2, the 24-Hour Challenge is scheduled for the 26th February. 7 riders, amongst them Mitja, will tackle the challenge. They will use Tempus Fugit, but ride at their own pace. The event starts at 8:00am CET with the goal of raising funds for World Bicycle Relief.
To donate, visit the 3R 24 Hour Challenge Academy’s team fundraising page for World Bicycle Relief
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