Ledbury & Back

What orrible conditions! A bike or a pedalo were the choices. On the positive side the rain had all but stopped. We still had to negotiate rivers of water racing across the roads, and then to top it off a further delay was needed for a tree to be removed from the downhill section on Woodrdding. With wind racing across the course, deep section wheels had hairy experiences for the riders, not fun…..

The Destroyer, looking terrified by the conditions

On form Turbo Will romped home first, with a The Destroyer taking the silver medal position.

Third spot was more of a fight. I could tell The Missile had dropped the hammer down on the first downhill as he was at the top of the first climb as I rounded the left hander on the downhill section. Max on the other hand had given it his all to the finish, well almost the finish. Reports say he’d blown badly on the final section and was on impulse power over the line, which may have given The Missile the edge taking the bronze medal. I was wondering if Max had forgotten the finish was another mile on and not at the top of the hill, something I'd done in the past.

Adam looked happy with his ride afterwards, but possibly wondering why he’d done it. Little Fallon had his first big scalp, taking me by 10 seconds. If I’d not been so ill, even Will would have been worried about me. In fairness I should not have ridden, but hey – kill or cure!

James, you have confused me on this one, I was expecting you to have my scalp as well. You were 4 minutes quicker last year. Last this week, as someone has to be was Nigel. This was his first outing, and the longest he’s raced so far, so pacing was important. Steady this year, light it up next year!

Thanks this week, not sure I have enough space was Julie timing. Chief Marshal in charge of signage and tree removal co-ordination was Bill Reay, Paul Fallon & Mary for the marshaling either side of the clear up and Preston’s Cross roundabout. Last but not least Tony “The Tiger” for pushing off.

Rider of the night this week was “The Missile” as someone said, he did a good job getting that exceeding large frame up the finale climb. Well actually, I made that bit up….

PTW50

 

Bit of a surprise Sunday, after a pep talk on the way down in the car, The Destroyer Scalped Fallon who immediately had a re-occurrence of Tourette syndrome again before graciously congratulating Graham. Max & Julie both tackled their first 50, both reasonably happy afterwards. Bar counting times are Times were Graham 2:02, Fallon 2:04, Max 2:15:37, Me 2:17, Julie 2:41:25. Can’t read the time on the photo, but you all get the idea.

Next week is back to Walford, the long range weather forecast is not good. 

Forest event is a Speech house circuit. 9.6 miles with a climb up speech house hill to finish