So today was the white horse challenge and what a challenge it was! 150Km or 90 miles is a long way and further than I have ridden before, so it was never going to be easy.
It was great to meet some other Mad-Tri folk at the start and all went swimmingly until broad town and the first white horse - someone said "look there is the first white horse" and before you new it riders were falling and others were then riding over the top and falling. Nasty. Rick took a very nasty spill but was still first up to check everyone else was ok. There were no further spills, but lots of miles, hills and fantastic cake stops! Lucy was very crafty and didn't stop for cake and very nearly had the better of us. Sarah and Phil gave a great cheer in Marlborough and it was great to see them after battling down the hill into the wind - cycling downhill should not be that hard!
Some of the hills were just silly - coming out of Ramsbury and the Uffington white horse - I think my memory is already fading on those!
I had a pretty grim bit around mile 70 - a gel seemed to help, but my legs never really had enough in them to stick with Rick who was off like a whippet.
All in all a great day out - and I would recommend it to others for next year. Book early - it's popular!
Ian
event [it was not a race, well for me it wasn't!] highs
cake and lots of it - even tho I couldn't face eating as much as I would have liked
the weather - some wind [!] but no rain and even sunshine at times!
seeing Phil & Sarah - great Md-Tri support!
Rick administering first aid to a fallen lady rider - who had hurt her bum. With his hand firmly on the injured body part 'checking' if all was ok he uttered "it's ok, I am qualified..."
No mechanical problems - my recent bike rides have not gone so well!
Feeling strong up to mile 70 - and then not so bad after 80...
Not getting off to walk on any of the hills - tempting tho it was as times!
lows
the tumble in broad town;
feeling grim at mile 70