My Ryedale Challenge

Ryedale Grand Prix (9 July 2006)

Phew! Am I glad that race is over. To say it was hard is an understatement. There's no way with my current time allocation that I can train for 185km races... let alone in the North Yorkshire Moors hills.

Paul, Bob, Alex H and I had a great trip up to the event. Got to meet Bob's wife, Maggie, who seems to be a real hoot (a lot of fun). I had a quite chuckle to myself when she said that she'll have a party the night Bob's away. Sounds like Bob is a 'handbrake'. A top bloke and a real help at the race.

I felt a little sorry for Paul (Coleman)... he did an amazing 1200 miles in 2 days. Carting us around the countryside and helping is beloved son (Neil) with repair work after his nasty crash 2 weeks ago at Nationals. He sure deserves a 'pat-on-the-back' for his efforts.

As for the race itself - HARD! The first half of the race went ok, but I started to really suffer with my chest infection. My legs just kept burning. As soon as I went uphill or put in a big effort my legs ached and my chest burned. I know I shouldn't really have ridden, but I was keen to ride and to do it with the team again... and I've never ridden in North Yorkshire.

The course consisted of 2 circuits: 4 laps of the first and 4 laps of the other. The finish was a brutal uphill dash. My stats for the race:

HR: 160/191
Dist: 185km
Asc: 2300m
Time: 05:03
Temp: 23 degrees ave.

The result:
1. Evan Oliphant
2. Ben Greenwood
3. Matthew Stephens
9. Kev Dawson
13. Alex H
15. James W
24. Gazza
25. Neil C
33. Rob E

Go to the BCF website for more on this race.