Attenburrow and Reed conquer Trans Alp race

HANNAH ATTENBURROW conquered one of the most daunting stage races in Europe with a powerful performance in the Trans Alp event.
Hannah Attenburrow and Michelle ReedHannah Attenburrow and Michelle Reed
Hannah Attenburrow and Michelle Reed

The race is an ultimate test of mountain bike endurance and skill.

It takes in three countries, with climbing over 17,000m, (equivalent to climbing Mount Everest twice).

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Pedal 2 Pedal rider Attenburrow and her team-mate Michelle Reed completed the 521k distance in 44 hours, over seven days, finishing in a respectable 11th position.

They relished the challenge of doing battle up mountain passes, riding along valley floors, passing through tunnels and dropping down breath-taking descents as they crossed from Austria to Italy.

Attenburrow said: ‘The Trans Alp was far tougher than we imagined.

‘No training in the UK can prepare you for exhausting 2,000m climbs.

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‘I relished pushing myself and found the whole week one long learning curve on bike handling, climbing, team work, nutrition and positive mental attitude. I enjoyed it all.’

As a team they burnt around 70,000 calories and went through four sets of brake pads.

They were fuelled by bananas, watermelon and energy gels.

The Trans Alp Bike Race claims to be the toughest amateur mountain bike stage race in Europe.

A total of 600 two-rider teams (16 female, 584 male), set out from Imst in Austria on the seven day epic that ended this year in Arco, Italy.

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Attenburrow thanked her family and sponsors for helping to make the trip a success.

She added: ‘Thank you to my Dad, all my family and friends who supported me.

‘Thanks to Specialized for designing such a great bike (the Era) and supporting my adventure.

‘Thanks to Bike Fixers, Grip Grab, Food for Thought and Dogtag for supporting us on this journey of a lifetime.’

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Pedal 2 Pedal also enjoyed recent success in the Pivot 24:12 race in Devon.

They produced some excellent performances in the popular event formerly named the Bontrager 24:12.

The Pedal 2 Pedal club was set up by Attenburrow in 2014 and is based in Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

Attenburrow also competes regionally and nationally in mountain biking XC and has completed many 12 and 24 hour races.

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