Circuit of the Cotswolds Report

[Hal]

I rode the circuit of the Cotswolds, on Sunday in good weather warm with mixed sun / cloud and not much wind. Road out with a group at 8:58am, groups every 2 minutes between 8 and 9 but there were still more groups after us. Got into an early rhythm and decided to sit on the front of the group to up the pace a bit with a couple of others to the first check point, where I met my Mrs with some drinks. A loo stop later and I had missed the 8:58 and 9:00 groups and rode hard for about 5 miles to catch up with a big bunch. The pace was pretty steady so I pulled round to the front to get things moving. As we turned into Broadway I looked back to see about 50 people sitting on my wheel!

Strong up the climb with 3 or 4 others some regrouping as we came into Winchcombe for the checkpoint. A quick stop and I rolled out to Cleve Hill. 25%. After Hardknot pass at 33% I though it wouldn’t be so bad. It was bad, but I rode all the way. Another drag up out the other hill from Winchcombe with a small group of 3 or 4. Mixing things up with a group of pretty strong riders about 10 or so in the end.

Into the last checkpoint to meet the Mrs again for a quick refuel, a couple of the faster guys had already left but we still had 3 of us to work well together. A quick run into the finish without so many big climbs stomping along pretty strongly. Completing the ride in about 5:45. Way faster than I expected. 102 miles, 5:30 on the speedo average of 18.6mph. Very happy with that. Well done to the others ACC’s on the course. Roll on the Dragon.

[Andrew G]

[quote] ... Cleve Hill. 25%. ... Hardknot pass at 33% ...average of 18.6mph

[Stu Merckx Man]

good stuff hal, and you didnt walk the 33%!! ouch!

[Hal]

The 33% was on the Fred Whitton back in May but I managed to cycle up that too. (on a 34 x 27)

The cotswolds was 'just' 25% but straight up the side of cleve hill with no let up, front wheel lifting sitting, back wheel losing grip standing.

[Hal]

Wow, I just had a look at the formal results, my official time was 5:41 which put me as the joint 6th rider home!!!

Now I need to match that with a 6th place at Palace.

(Sean, yes it was dry roads)

[Toks]

[quote="Hal"]Wow, I just had a look at the formal results, my official time was 5:41 which put me as the joint 6th rider home!!!

Now I need to match that with a 6th place at Palace.

(Sean, yes it was dry roads)