FRR Charity Day Report: 24 hours Atop Ventop

Flamme Rouge Racing (FRR)’s inaugural Charity Day happened last Saturday (May 18), and many riders put in smashing efforts! FRR furnished the report below as a follow-up…

A massive thank you to everyone who took part and gave up their time to support the day, I know my expectations are always high but it was truly incredible the effort that everyone put in whether you completed one or a few more. And there were certainly more!

Before we get into the numbers, a word and an arm around the shoulder for anyone who set out with more in mind. There will be another day. Use the experience to make you stronger and don’t overlook the effort and determination you showed to achieve what you did. Well done, be proud of your efforts.

The Day

While the first event started at 0700BST the day certainly didn’t. Riders from around the world geared up for their personal challenges, and those who started from any coast of America certainly showed their colours early in the late hours while those down under rode into the night and out the other side.

Great to see so many familiar supporting virtual faces. We had the Trustee Director of Cyclists Fighting Cancer, Richard Salisbury, join, and he found himself chatting with the Watopian Weekly Podcasters on the origins of CFC. Thanks Hollie and Dustin for running that show.

Before we get into the awards and leaders who undoubtedly have earned their accolades let’s look at the day in numbers:

Our lead cast were seen all day on the hill as they either climbed past or zipped by us on their way to recording a magnificent double Everest. Oliver Birg from Team Evolution and Holly Diop from Coalition powered their way to record 12 ascents, each achieving a double vEveres and vBicingles, becoming FRR Ven-top ascent record holders with potential to be new World Record Holders for the most ascents in 24hrs of Ven-Top.

Both showed incredible strength and determination to succeed. Oliver is clearly a machine, as was commented on many times during the day, but he was always first to offer support and encouraging words to all riders who approached.

Holly went well into the red zone, starting at silly o’clock in the morning and with just 35mins to spare crossed the line for the final time to reach that magical number. I’m sure there were a few emotions as she approached the summit for the final time… there would be if it were me!

We had 3 riders who rode in all 24 hours, now I know the event was titled “24 hours atop” but did I really envisage a rider or riders staying out there all day and night? Not really. But wow… simply incredible efforts!

We saw them all during the day and I know my last message with them was at 2am BST before I had to sleep.

Richard and Angela were in tandem all day (and night), just separated by a few thousand kilometers (Hampshire in England to Victoria in Australia) and I’m pleased to say I summited with them on their first ascent.

The resident FRR climbing machine Mr Matthew Ladd completed his goal of a 10k vEverest plus one, in honour of Allan Georgiou-Park who was taken out of the day but hopefully he’ll be back fighting fit again very soon.

Quietly tapping out their way up and down were Jen Jen and Jon Valdelin, both whom I saw on the hill over the day. My second ascent I shared with Jen Jen and Jon nicely passed me sadly on my very slow 5th and out. But I take inspiration from them to join their club next time! Jen went further again looking to complete a ROAM challenge of 400km which she had another 75km to do… on the flat… and she did!

Completing a vEverest and vBiCingles saw a further 5 names added to the above roll of honour.

vCingles and vEverest base camp are no easy achievements and they are the minimum requirement for earning the converted FRR Zwift Jersey .. and now all those that have achieved it know exactly what it takes to wear it…

While the event was not a race it cannot go unmentioned that Äsa Fast-Berglund (SZ) not only produced the fastest ascent of the day at just under 68mins but completed 3 ascents in 4 hours 18mins.

Of course, this was also a CLUB challenge too, with the 3 Clubs whose riders achieved the most ascents sharing in 30% of the funds raised.

Evolution with 65 and Coalition with 42 were both well supported to easily secure the top 2 spots, but the 3rd place could have easily gone any way had one more rider showed up and ascended. Amazingly, it was decided by the Queen of Yorkshire herself, Hollie Burgin, who climbed back on her bike to do one last ascent after her shopping trip.

As it happened this selfless act was sufficient to take Team DIRT into third place with 13 ascents, with 5 clubs within just 3 of them. (Note FRR were excluded from the Club table as we had aligned to CFC already)

Awards

Leading Ascenders

Both Oliver Birg and Holly Diop won themselves £200 each to be used in the FRR Club shop.

FRR Zwift Jersey

All who completed at least 3 ascents will receive the exclusive FRR Zwift Jersey. You’ve earned it so wear it whenever and wherever you’d like, you are now in a very exclusive club on the platform.

These riders were also entered into a draw where 2 have won £100 each for use within the FRR Club shop. The draw winners are:

• Joe Precious
• Amy Margolis

Post event there are two further riders who deserve a little something from FRR to say thank you, though in truth if we could do the same for everyone we would.

From the day’s ashes our most exclusive club has risen, Club F24. It’s a Club that will take every ounce of effort from you to join, and it has just three members. I’ll discuss with Angela Macrae and Richard Gowen what item they would like from our shop range to recognise their incredible effortm and of course this includes Holly Diop too!

We are additionally going to create Club F10, to recognise the efforts of those who achieved 10,000m ascent. I’ll be in touch with those riders too!

All prize-winning riders will be contacted by May 22nd. Congratulations to you all!

Fundraising

The report has tried to acknowledge the level of effort and selfless sacrifice the virtual community has put in to help raise awareness of the event and most importantly raise funds for two great charities.

We set out with a very modest total in mind of £5,000, and at the time of writing we are nearing 70%. Hopefully by the end of the week when the page closes we can be much closer to the target.

Donate on JustGiving here >

I must also mention Jon Meals of TFC, who has designed Diablo. I’m sure over time, his smiling chili face will appear on much more, but for now, thank you all who took the opportunity to buy a Diablo T-shirt.

Club Shop

For those looking, the shop is open for orders until May 27th. A blue/white outdoor/indoor jersey is being added, and having received my indoor jersey I can say they are really good.

And now they think it’s all over…

In closing thank you all so much for choosing to spend time doing our events, supporting us as you do, spreading the word, posting, helping each other… the list goes on and on.

The support and great feeling that stretches from Auckland to Hawaii, Southern Europe to the Nordics, back down to Cape Town and back up to Crewe all gives us the energy to do more and simply be better.

Thank you again and we very much hope to see you again soon in another FRR event – details of what’s up next at the end of the month.

Kudos to everyone and see you soon!

Richard – Hayley – Lee