From Charlie Mortleman

We had a few out for this – Alan Lewis, Richard Bryant and my fair self.

There were 2 options – as many laps you can do of the 8 ish miles course in 2 or 4 hours – which can turn into 2 ½ or 4 ½ hours if you are unlucky / foolish enough to complete a lap just before your time is up and have to do another one. We elected for 2 hours (well Alan entered the 4 hour but subsequently saw the light and changed).

Mass start of 200 or 300 bikes at a very civilized 1130am in bright sunshine. I passed Richard, not due to extreme pedalling prowess, but rather down to a traditionally relaxed approach to following the course, and a proclivity for off piste diversions through the forest.

This lead lasted a full 7 or 8 minutes before we had to go up a hill, and despite my best efforts downhill that was the last I saw of him. Alan I think was just behind me somewhere.

Great course, nice and dry, with about 300m climbing per lap, and based around a motorbike enduro course. Most of the climbing was in the first half of the lap, which meant you could let rip on the second half, assuming you had the legs for it. A few bombholes, steep drops and jumps chucked in for good measure. Saw a couple of very entertaining over the handlebar experiences.

I was slightly horrified to complete my first lap on 48 minutes or so – oh well, 3 laps it is then……..

Finished on 2: 29 ish, with Richard and Alan both waiting at the finishing line. Wondered if Alan had got ahead, but he had carried on his normal approach – not crashing but seeing a few (per Sally’s off) and had helped a rider with a broken arm back to the start on his second lap, losing 20 ish minutes in the process, and hence completing 2 laps.

Les resultats: (Male old codger class) – 118 finishers

1st 4 laps 2:21

26th 3 laps Richard Bryant 2:20:05 (47:05; 46:39; 46:21)

38th 3 laps Charlie Mortleman 2:29:31  (49:52; 48:53; 50:46)

92nd 2 laps Alan Lewis (aka Florence Nightingale) 2:01:30 (54:25; 1:07:05)