The Short Good Friday Sportive

Friday 14 April 2017 (Good Friday)
I have not done enough cycling as I am trying to train for two different 100+ mile runs next month, but I also have an iron distance triathlon in June and another in July to train for too. . A sportive seemed like a good way to get some training in. I have not got enough miles in this year to go for the Long Good Friday 90 mile route, so I chose the 53 mile Short Good Friday route.
I entered last week and so did Billy, I said we shouldn't ride together as I would hold him back and he is training for the Double Brutal triathlon in September and has been injured since last November and just getting his training going again.
When the final email came through, I read the instructions carefully and found out I was not allowed tri bars on my bike. So they would have to come off, and on Thursday I checked out the route and was pleased that the majority was on roads I normally train on, only there was a section that was new to me, the reason being the hills. they were not the type of hills that I would normally take on. The first one was from Aisgarth Hotel, down past the falls and back up the other side to Carperby, then only a short distance down the road the hill up to Castle Bolton, I have walked this hill mant times, it's short but devilishly steep, The next was from Redmire up towards Reeth, (we drove down this a few weeks ago and it was not nice, long winding, narrow and steep) and the final long avoided and dreaded Grinton Moor.
We arrived at the cafe by the lake at Ellerton where Triology are based and registered before setting up our bikes.
 The riders were to be set off every five minutes between  8  am and 9 am following briefings. Billy decided to go with the others from Bedale but I decided to go sooner rather than later.
I realised that i had forgotten my sunglasses, the sun was threatening to shine, but I was hoping it wouldn't.

Ready for the off, 08:16 

I set off in a small group, I think we were the second group. The group quickly spread out as we rode to Brompton-on -Swale where the traffic lights were on red. There were now 4 of us together. When the lights changed we stayed together until the next set of lights, which were on red for ages. When they finally turned green we set off up over the A1. The group got ahead on the long climb into Tunstall, I was soon on my own, but I wasn't worried, It was just like a training ride, but I was also racing, riding hard to get as far as I could before Billy and the others caught me and passed me. I rode with confidence, knowing the route. I passed a couple of riders before I got to up to Leyburn. I sped down into Wensley and over the Ure, I smiled to myself as I saw the route split arrows, the long route hasd a killer hill hiding in those trees, I continued on the long drag up to West Witton, about halfway up I passed a man who had stopped at the side of the road, I asked if he was ok, he said he was, a short time later he caught me up and we chatted a while, he said he came from a flattish area, I pointed out Castle Bolton across the valley and said we were headed up there. I soon realised he was no tonger behind me as I whizzed down out of the village and paaled like mad along the rolling road towards Aysgarth and the long ascent to the hotel. As I turned right down the hill to the Falls I glanced down the road, there were no other riders in sight, but it wouldn't be long, Billy was sure to catch me soon.

The hill down was steep with a 25% corner wich was all gravelly, but I made it down and readied myself to climb out of the valley. I was surprised that the climb out was not as bad as i had imagined and was soon in Carperby, turning for Castle Bolton. Surprisingly this was a fast section, To my left I could see the castle and as I descended the the Castle got higher and higher up the hillside. I felt more confident now that the first of my 4 dreaded climbs was over. All too soon it was time to make a left turn and head to the castle. The fist section of the hill didnt seem too bad, then after a slight flatter section the road rose steeply and I had to work hard, I was nearly at the top when a man passed me making it look so easy. I finally rounded the corner. the feed station was on the green and there was a rider at it. I chose not to stop, I was buoyant at making it up that last hill. A little while later I fulled up to get a couple of powerbar cola shot gels out, as I did the fider from the feed station passed me. I followed him down a steep descent and up the other side, we turned left and the biggest climb of the day was ahead. We had emerged onto the road from Redmire to Reeth, we weren't at the bottom though we were part way up. The climb went on and on, the rider ahead was slowly pulling away from me. There was no sign of the man who had passed me on the Castle Bolton climb. The man ahead had a red and white jacket, i nicknamed him Sunderland and focused on not getting too far behind him. It was a long slog up. I occasionally had to get out of my seat on some steep sections, the road was narrow and it was a bit unnerving how close vehicles were passing, but eventually I got to the top. One climb to go, Grinton Moor, but I had to get down off here first. I stopped for a couple of pictures, the scenery was stunning.

And now the bit that's worse than climbing for me, the descent, I took it steady, there were cars coming up towards me with very little passing space, my arms were screaming from me putting so much pressure on the breaks, but i was getting there. Suddenly with the end in sight i was passed by 2 cyclists, Andy and Nick, the registration team, they had not even set off until everyone else had gone. I saw them powering up the next hill past the youth hostel. I followed on steadily, here we go Grinton Moor, I climbed past the youth hostel and caught sight of "Sunderland" in the distance with Andy and Nick close on his tail. They soon passed him and I worked on reducing the gap between us. Again I managed most of the hills seated and I even changed to harder gears and the distance between "Sunderland" and I, I needed to catch him before the range road as it was easy going all the way back from there. I finally caught him with one small rise to go. "Thank goodness that's over" I said as I passed him and pedalled like mad for the range road, turned left and kept pedalling, Billy had not passed me yet but he couldn't be far behind now. This was a fast section leading to the last climb of the ride, one I have ridden many times before so was not an issue for me. I rode hard, turning right off Bardon Moor on a superfast stretch. As I turned right at the end of the road I glanced back, no riders, good, nearly back now. a left turn and super fast (for me) into Tunstall and back to the A1. Again I had a long wait for the lights to be in my favour. Through Catterick to the lights at Brompton-on-Swale, red again. I waited impatiently for them to turn green. Right turn and Ellerton was within reach, Could I make it without being caught? Two more right tuns and no riders in sight, I sprinted for the timing mat. Yey! it was finished, 53 miles, 3 hours 55 and i was firs female back, fifth rider. Andy and Nick who were last to start had the fastest finish time by a mile.

Wow I felt good. I then just had to wait for the others to get back. Dave and Ben were soon in but no sign of Billy and the others. Eventually they arrived, racing for the line.

They had missed a turn and added a few miles on.

This was a good event. I hope to feel more ready for the Long Good Friday sportive next year.