AS he reaches the final stages of his charity challenge, personal trainer Ben Carling reflects back on the mental and physical experience of cycling a lap of the TT Mountain Course every day in April
‘This event is by far the toughest thing I have done. I knew it would be hard, but perhaps I underestimated it a little bit.’
So said Ben, who has been negotiating the 37.75 course - more accustomed to horsepower than peddle power - each and every day this month to raise funds for Crossroads Care Isle of Man and Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity.
‘I’m into my final few days, and I have hit my physical and mental walls. My legs are tired and heavy, my knee is sore and I am now struggling to concentrate and sleep,’ reported Ben. ‘I am digging as deep as possible, combined with the thought of all the help I have received and the work the charities are doing is what keeps me going.’
Ben revealed what it has taken to keep getting back on the saddle every day: ‘To give you an idea of what my body is going through on a daily basis, I am cycling about 2 and a half hours every day in any weather. To aid recovery, as it is less than 24 hours until my next ride, I am having an ice bath and a sports massage, consuming 5000 calories, six litres of fluid, energy gels and recovery shakes, a multitude of supplements and stretches all to get me back on the bike and in good shape the following day.’
So with adversaries as notorious as the elements and road traffic, has Ben been in any dicey situations?
‘A few moments spring to mind,’ he recalled. ‘A broken wheel on day one and a near miss with a car not giving way to their right at a roundabout, but it’s day 24 that stands out.
‘I was joined by three professional riders, Tim Kennaugh, Pete Kennaugh and Ben Swift. What an opportunity and a pleasure. Then - eight miles in – my chain snaps. Only due to the huge kindness of a chap at a garage in St. Johns to lend me his car could I get my bike fixed at Bikestyle in Douglas, and get back on the road. I’d have been scuppered. I managed to join back up with the boys to finish the lap.’
Though the silver lining of the intense effort has been the beautiful scenery laid out before him.
‘I have seen some brilliant views, none of which beat the view looking back over Ramsey at the top of the climb on a sunny day, although the view over Douglas on the run off the mountain is a very close second.’
Ben wished to express a heartfelt thanks for the people who have supported him.
‘I have had daily texts and calls, people wishing my good luck in the street and in shops, I have had some people ride a lap with me, and I have had brilliant support from my family and friends in the support car.
But I am really doing the easy job. The hard work is very much done by everyone connected to the two charities, both do brilliant work. I am just trying to increase awareness and help generate donations to their causes. If anyone would like to donate they can still do so by visiting www.charitygiving.co.uk/bencarling or e-mail me at info@completefitness.im’