Room 101

The big day arrived for the Kington Classic Sportive, 70 miles of murderous climbs, insane descents and a smattering of fast road sections. Red Kite Fostering hosted the event that was ably put on by Kington Lions. We were riding on our home turf but some of the participants came from far and wide, Yorkshire even.

It was a time for bike porn, and catching up with an old friend, niether of us knew each other cycled, one of us hasn't put any weight on since we did battle on the squash courts.  We got our race numbers, I was 101, my favourite number.

Three of the Red Kite Riders turned out, well four did but one got away before the team photo. We raced the first seven miles then paired up for the next 63 miles, Christian in green went ahead with Jimmy while I stayed with Elaine who was on her first sportive and longest ever ride.

First challenge of the day was Stonewall hill, this has been bugging me as the last time I attempted it I failed to get to the top (read half way) This time I almost made it, so close I could see the top, one more bend, a final bit of effort, I had the legs I was going to get there but the two riders in front ground to a halt I ignored that mental block and ground the pedals round but rider two moved into me and as I zigged out of his way my centre of gravity pulled me over and that was that. Two minutes later I was back on top and the view was worth the effort.

The first water stop had an interesting mode of transport on site, this would have come in handy later on. My dad had one of these, at least I think he did. Its on my must have list but its not going to happen for a long time. Anyway back to road racing, or rather not racing. I got a bit ahead of Elaine and got goaded into a 15 mile battle with the men in black, three riders who were in a train racing along after me who was battling alone into a nasty headwind. I let them past and tucked in behind and for a while we shared taking the front while the others slipstreamed. Once we were into a set of climbs I forced the pace and soon we were down to two men in black and me. In the end I slacked off feeling bad for leaving Elaine and wondering where the third men in black had got to. Lunch stop gave me a chance to chat to the two racers while waiting for Elaine, me thinking they were waiting for their amigo. Apparently not, they were a bit tired after the high speed man test and the third man was nothing to do with them, who ever he was we broke him.

Lunch stop saw me reunited with Elaine and we were fairly quick over the next 14 miles, Elaine choosing to ignore the yellow signs with black arrows pointing the way with me shouting "This way" as she freestyled the route and headed off south instead of east. A short quick chase ended thanks to her having the sense to stop and look at the map and we were back on track to the next water stop and the legendary Glascwm Hill. This is a 14% on average hill with some 20% sections and shortly after the cattle grid I though sod it and pushed my steed to the top before walking back a short distance to help Elaine wrestle her bike to the top. Total climb to that point was over 5400 feet and by the time we finished was around the 6000 mark.

And that was it done apart from nearly getting crushed by a tractor, it being so wide and the road so narrow the only way we could pass was for cyclists to climb into hedge and hold bike whilst praying, hit by a camper van and black car who in avoiding a horse and rider nearly killed two of us and a silver car that had a dent in its roof caused by the driver jumping out of his skin as he met me on a bend, yours truly did not have time to jump as he was hanging on the handlebars, braking and trying to stay upright while both front and back wheel skidded on gravel.

Back in civilisation we rounded the final corner

where Elaine was presented with flowers for completing such a grueling challenge, a brilliant effort considering she only began riding last October and then she only managed four miles,

and yours truly was presented with a bacon roll. Each to their own!
Thanks to all those who supported this event, the Kington Lions for organising it and most of all to my beautiful and oh so patient wife for keeping the apprentice and rug rat mkII occupied while I was out enjoying myself and for bringing them to the finish line so they could cheer their mad dad as he crossed it.