Six intrepid adventurers chose to go into the wild, to go where few had gone before. Despite advice from friends and foe alike they went in pursuit of their dream of conquering “the big one.” Doing what most said, couldn’t and shouldn’t be done.
It was a wild evening where all forecasts were subject to microcosmic variations and inextricably low levels of accuracy. (Some would say that the weather changed every few minutes while a possible storm was brewing.) The ultimate test of the brave and hard cyclist was reaching a crescendo. Would the storm descend and extinguish the fire of all the cyclists in its path, or would it pass with a mere whimper, or something in between?
Six brave man-machines, with varying degrees of risk appetite flowing through their veins, chose to go into the unknown. Their search for inner glory was reflected in their weapon of choice. There was the full spectrum from full disc back wheels and deep-ish rim fronts, from standard handle bars to time trial aeros. Twas only a training night, but what a night. Some had fought in previous battles only 2 and 3 days before, and were already battle weary, but still adrenalin hungry. The chance and challenge of riding on such a night and the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the inner-winner, is a prize that few can truly understand and appreciate. These now immortal, hard men, can say I was there that night….and survived.
“Respect commands itself and it can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.”
(Eldridge Cleaver….apparently)
Well done chaps.
And thanks to the Gurkhas…for timekeeping and marshaling. (Geraldine, Carl and Frank)
Pic below of the (4 legged) spectators, who lined up in awe also. Now we know them all by name!
[Frank]
Results
Mark Millar 53.24
Peter Morrison 55.00
Enda Marron 58.24
Steve Begley 67.10
Conor Preshaw 31.24 (1)
Mark Hanna 33.20 (1)