I'm on my way to the Antarctic, spinning along in a nice-looking gym surrounded by athletic bodies shaped by years of exercise. Despite the normal stationary spinning bike, I have to hold on to the handlebar as the boat rocks around. As you might have guessed by now, I'm on the RSV Nuyina, in the gym area on deck three. Sorry for the misleading headline but clickbait works and you made it this far, so please continue reading.
We are heading to Davis station and we have the joy to explore the Antarctic oceans for four weeks. There is plenty of time to spend in the gym and embrace the fitness junky in us. The gym is quite a popular place and I see a lot of weights getting pushed around in the gym while I spin along and my thoughts drift away. Behind me, the rowing machine makes this beautiful rhythmic flushing sound and the treadmill provides the stomping pace for me.
As an avid cyclist, I was very keen on exploring the biking options at Davis station. I did see bicycles and riders in the promotion videos from the AAD, but didn’t know if it really happened. A few days after arriving at the station, we were still excited and exploring. We learned about the station limits and got an idea of the range of things we can do in our spare time. There is an excellent, (small but well-equipped) Gym in the Green Store. Just opposite is a small rock climbing wall. Next door is the boat shed, where all the other outdoor equipment is stored. I spotted about ten bicycles in various condition, some 'normal' looking MTBs and a handful of fat tire bikes. Since it was still really cold outside it was a great opportunity to do some maintenance on the bikes over the few weeks that followed. Josh and I shared the work and we got most of the bikes in pretty good shape while the temperatures rose to a more pleasant cycling condition.
Davis station is surrounded by a lot of rocks and gravel. We are about 20 km away from the ice shelf and the area is well known for the lack of snow in the summertime. The upside is there is a decent road network and plenty of long hikes possible without even stepping on ice.
My first bike ride was along Dingle Road, a nice flat gravel road of around 7 km. It's still spring, the snow is melting away, and there are a lot of puddles and mud on the road. I'm covered in slurry mud and the chain has a bad grinding sound in no time. It feels like the 20 knot headwind is always head-on, despite the direction I'm cycling in. It's time to head back, clean the drive train and defrost the toes (not so good). The weeks go by, and the snow completely disappears. The Hagglunds are having a summer break, saving the road surface from being torn up. Instead, the 4WDs compact the road surface quite nicely and the bikes start rolling easier.
Especially the fat tire bikes, the rolling resistance is quite good on the loose gravel and snow mud. The temperatures are rising, the sun seems to be around most of the 24 hours and cycling becomes my regular thing to do after work. Embracing solitude from busy station life.
Many sports people have a training log with their sports gadgets, whatever it is, a Garmin, Adidas, or Strava. It's similar to Facebook but for sporty people. I'm curious if some previous expeditioner may have marked a timing segment on Dingle Road to compare and compete. Yes, there are around a dozen entries within the last six years. The top ten times reach from 30 to 20 minutes going outbound (into the wind). There is a goal for the season right there. The wind seems the biggest limiting factor, especially the last kilometer to the end of Dingle Road is on the sand and the wind is right in your face, without cover from the hills. Despite the fastest time in mind, I keep exploring the track options in the area. There is the 'End of the World' or airport drive, which takes you further east into the hills. It is more of a mountain bike ride, a nice rollercoaster road with beautiful views over the ocean. Due to the hills, the road remains snow covered with very large and deep puddles until mid-December. Near the end of this road are some huts not far from the road, good to stay for a night. For a faster way back there is a short cut called 'Waynes Way’, a bumpy road newly developed which takes you back to the beginning of Dingle Road. If the weather turns super quick there is also a survival box in the field. Your friendly FTO's will give you advice and equipment requirements for the trips. The station also has plenty of roads and tracks to offer. The climb from the beach is only 30 metres but while doing laps along the pipeline track, there is an opportunity to get some climbing in.
Looking back at this summer season, it was great to have such high-end bikes on the station. Our plan for a bike park with some sick jumps got rejected! But there are still great rides out there. I had great encounters with wildlife, I got ‘Magpie panic’ with a big bird that kept following me. I think it was a Petrel! I had a Penguin sit on my foot after I stopped with squeaking brakes (sounded similar to a penguin call judging by the way they ran towards me!) Most of the time the eyes are ‘tearing up’ from the cold wind, looking only at the front tyre, snot flying everywhere but it is unique in many ways. Who can claim a personal best in Antarctica? On Dingle Road only a few people so far! There can be only one KOM (King of the Mountain). I invite you to knock me off the podium and a reason to come back!
Keep on spinning,
Carsten
