Zwift saved the best for last. Today I was tackling the Uber Pretzel, which was a 116km route which contained 2000 meters of climbing, including the most famous climb on the island, Sa Calobra.
This was the longest route of the day and consequently meant an 8.30am start. Having had such a positive experience the day before with the second group, I decided that it was probably the correct group to ride with, given my current levels of fitness. However, when I lined up at the start line, the only familiar face was Steve, from the day before.
Many of the riders from the previous day’s group had opted to tackle the Mega Pretzel with Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Mark Cavendish, who had arrived the night before as a surprise guest.
What this meant was that Steve and I found myself with a group of riders who were referred to as “Influencers”, with some having followings in excess of 90,000 on Instagram, which slightly dwarfed Mountain Massif’s by 89,800.
As we set off, Steve was in the front of the group, and I was positioned directly behind, and we were speeding along nicely, until we reached the countryside where the group dynamics changed as the influencers slowed to take photos of the cows in the fields, using the cameras that they had slung over their shoulders. Fearing a crash, I slipped to the back of the group to stay out of any trouble.
It was the first ride that I had ever been on where people were more concerned about taking a photo or capturing a video clip than actually enjoying the process of riding. I wondered what photography legend Graham Watson would have thought?
I tried to chat with one or two, but my opening line of “How many followers do you have?” was not well-received, so I decided it would be best to keep quiet and see how the day would play out, and I didn’t have to wait long as the road kicked up.
My Garmin beeped to indicate we had started one of the longer climbs of the day, so I stopped to remove my jacket, which I had donned because it was a particularly fresh morning.
With my safe jacket stowed in my back pocket, and the group ahead, I set off in pursuit. Surprisingly, it wasn’t difficult to pull them back. But already, there was a split at the front. Four riders were already up the road around the next bend. This included Steve, Niccolo from Team Italy, the guide and a lady called Joanne.
So, I upped my cadence and bridged to them and our group soon set a steady tempo and the gap to the peloton behind quickly became a chasm. It wasn’t a particularly difficult climb. A gentle gradient of 4 to 6% meant you could hold the pace and there were a few nice hairpins where you could get out of the saddle.
Upon reaching the top, the guide told us to wait as he descended to reconnect with the main group. Not wanting to break our rhythm, Steve and I decided to continue on. Niccolo, who wanted to wait for the other riders, told us he would inform the guide.
So off Steve and I went on our solo adventure and what an adventure we had!
Within a kilometer or two of where we left Niccolo, there was a bona fide view point, with majestic views of the landscape. We stopped and took a few snaps with our iPhones. To our amazement, one or two of our group sped past us, missing this glorious opportunity to capture this for their Instagram or whatever the latest social media thing is that is being used.
A few more kilometers down the road, Steve and I soon found ourselves approaching the turning to the famous Sa Calobra climb, which we slightly overshot and had to turn back for.
There was a slight incline to the top of the climb, where I noticed I really didn’t have good legs. We stopped for a few pictures of this famous climb before a descent to the harbour at the bottom, where we then turn and complete the climb in full.
It’s probably fair to say I have ridden many of the iconic climbs in Europe, and this is certainly up there as one of the most picturesque. The road snakes gracefully down to the picture-perfect, but expensive harbour town.
As we descended, we crossed paths with the first group that had left ahead of us, which included Rhian Denton.
At the bottom, Steve went for a quick pit stop, and I went to get a can of coke. Amazingly, all the shops were closed, and I spent a few minutes faffing to find one that was open. With a coke drunk in record time and half a cereal bar eaten, we headed up the iconic climb.
It was clear from the first kilometer or two that my climbing legs had been left at home and I sat behind Steve as he effortlessly pedalled away. I had already realized the day before that he was a class rider, but seeing him set a consistent tempo for me to follow sealed the deal. At one flatter section, I pulled alongside to chat, and he informed me that when he was younger, he had done some running, specializing in the 1500 meters, but was able to do a mile in 3 minutes 51 seconds, which was quick.
As we hit a tougher section, I didn’t get a chance to respond and was once again grinding my way up the climb. The scenery was picture-perfect, and I only wished I was in better shape to enjoy it more. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but I made it to the top, but Steve was looking fresh as ever.
A quick photo stop at the top and a gel, we began heading home. We had probably a 25-kilometer gradual descent through some of the most beautiful countryside before reaching the flat. The descent was probably one of the best I have experienced. It wasn’t technical like those found in the Alps. Instead, the downhill was easily navigable, on wide, sweeping roads, which gave you a chance to admire the scenery.
We were soon on the flat and Steve was sitting at the front pulling a steady 40kmph, and I was digging deep to keep up. A small group formed as we collected additional riders, like in a true Zwift ride. However, I was now suffering and reached into my back pocket to pull out a gel, but in doing so, I dislodged my purse, which went crashing to the floor. I pulled on the breaks and spun the bike round to retrieve it.
By the time I turned the bike around, I could see the group sail off into the distance and there was no way that I would get back to them, so I sat up and soft-pedalled the remaining few kilometers to the hotel to find Steve waiting to make sure I got home safely. That was a class act, from a class rider. He explained he was unaware that I had been dropped. I wasn’t worried, as I had just completed one of the nicest rides I have done.
In summary, this was another special day. The scenery was majestic, the climb unique and I very much enjoyed Steve’s company, and I was particularly grateful for the pacing that I received.
I thanked him and we swapped details to be sure to link up with him on Zwift for future rides and off I scooted to get some much-needed refreshments. The 116km ride, which included 2000 meters of climbing, took 5 hours.
As I rounded the corner, I bumped into Monic Schlagne from Zwift Insider, who asked about my day. I explained that I had ridden with Steve, and she casually responded by telling me that Steve was actually Steve Holman, an Olympic athlete that represented the USA at the 1992 Olympic Games and multiple World Championships.
Well, I couldn’t quite believe it. I did laugh, and it explained why he was able to run a mile in under 4 minutes, as he told me earlier on the climb. My smile got wider when I remembered in my previous article that I had listed all the famous people and world-class athletes I had ridden with, and I had not added Steve to that list! I knew he was a class athlete; he was literally world-class!
I thought about the day before, and I was definitely the least talented in the group! But you know that is what has made this Community Live Event so special – we were connecting with people who, in everyday life, we wouldn’t get a chance to engage with for many reasons, including artificial social barriers. We were all brought together because of our shared passion for cycling, where these barriers don’t exist.
What a day! What an event! All I can say is that I hope Zwift does host another Zwift Community Live Event and, if they do, I will be sure to come well-trained, so I can ride with Steve again.
