“Breaking records, not bones.”
Shu Pillinger is not your average athlete. The renowned ultra cyclist, from Ware, undertook one of the most arduous endurance races to date, going on to become the first British woman to complete the Race Across America (RAAM) solo.
An avid leisure cyclist, Shu was commuting from her then home in St Albans into London daily, to beat the morning congestion.
“I was already competing in triathlons, and then I began to use Audax, which set cycle rides in a fix time, helping me build endurance, and I continued to push myself more. I ended up doing a 24-hour time trial around Goodwood race track, and as I filled the form out, it asked me if I wanted to be considered as a RAAM solo competitor. I wasn’t even sure what it meant, and just ticked yes.”
It was only after she turned up, that Shu realised she was the only solo woman RAAM competitor, coming third overall in the time trial, and qualifying.
As part of her training, Shu undertook a double Ironman, Race Around Ireland, and the 400 mile Deccan Cliffhanger race in India as a RAAM solo qualifier, which she won overall, not just the first woman.
In 2014, Shu attempted Race Across America for the first time.
RAAM is considered one of the world’s hardest bike races. Competitors use a variety of bike models, tailored to the altering US landscape, and are expected to complete the staggering 3,000-mile course, crossing 12 states, and ascending over 175,000 feet.
Cyclists are given just 12 days (12 days 21 hours for women and men 60+), completing around 250 miles of ground per day. However, sleep deprivation is one of the biggest obstacles for competitors to overcome.
Sadly, nine days in, she was forced to drop out.
“The pure exhaustion got on top of me. One moment I was cycling, the next, I fell asleep, crashing out, breaking my collarbone on the way down. The disappointment was crushing, but I wasn’t going to let this be the end of it.”
In 2015, Shu made her next play at RAAM, with a consistent and steady strategy, as opposed to pushing for ultimate speed, as many competitors had attempted previously.
Trained to cycle at a distance, it was the sleep deprivation that again was Shu’s main concern.
“Forget saddle sores or pressure points. Cycling 22 hours a day, for 12 days, you are pushing yourself to the ultimate limit.”
With her body operating on the highest level of fatigue, Shu discovered a surprising side effect, toward the end of the 2015 RAAM.
“Pushing past the physical endurance, many forget that half of the battle of RAAM is mental. From day six, I was hallucinating, seeing a lot of things that weren’t there. I was thankful to have a supportive crew that monitored me throughout.”
RAAM boasts some of the most beautiful scenery, including the Colorado mountains, where cyclists have to air caution, due to the altitude and risk of pulmonary oedema.
“The descent from the Rocky Mountains stays in my mind today; it was truly breath-taking. I also loved Kansas- there’s one stretch where there’s 100 miles of no turns, all you could see for miles were fields of corn.”
She added: “My favourite part of the race was a little village called Solsberry, Indiana. It genuinely reminded me of the town from The Simpsons. Picturesque lawns and waving neighbours. To compete, finish, and be the first solo British woman to do so, is something I will never forget.”
Presently, Shu is a cycle coach around her full-time career at AstraZeneca, and offers support on Breeze rides, which are inclusive rides, for women. Nowadays, she prefers to pick her own routes, at a leisurely pace.
Would she compete in RAAM again?
“Never say never.”
Has Shu’s endurance story inspired you?
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