It is a mere 2 degrees overnight and it’s fair to say a bit
nippy in the tent but at least it isn’t raining for the sportive.
The professionals are doing Middlesbrough to Scarborough but
sadly we’re just doing a small section of that. Well most of L’s 40km is
actually on the route but my 85km includes a big loop round Dalby Forest which
isn’t. Sadly a lot of these roads are narrow, mud strewn, potholed and
spectator free. In fact even the 'on course' sections are largely spectator free as
they have set us off so early that no one is in place yet unlike last year when
the crowds were fantastic and cheered us up all the hills. Problem was us
amateurs almost held the experts up when they caught us up, so I assume things
had to change.
The event, while still good, isn’t a patch on last year’s in
other ways too. The ‘toad in the hole’ and fresh flapjack feed station isn’t
repeated and the finish takes place in total gridlock on the roads into
Scarborough. As people head into town in their cars to watch the race the
riders slalom in and out trying to reach the finish line. A tad dangerous I
think. At least the last 2k is traffic free.
We all do get a crack at the Harwood Dale ‘King of the Mountains’
climb where David Millar has kindly set the time to beat at 3:57.
After the race I head back to camp. L has already finished,
had an isotonic beer and gone off to see to the dogs.
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