SPORTIVE RIDE - WIGGLE JURASSIC BEAST - Sunday 8th May 2016
In May Nicky Carsons added yet another challenging sportive to her palmares.
Details of the event.
Report from Nicky.
Taming 'The Beast' in Dorset.
The forecast was excellent for my first 100. But true to British weather there was a sudden change. It had rained on and off over night and was still raining on my ride to the start at Bovington Tank Museum. Whilst listening to the safety briefing the heavens opened but I didn't let it dampen my spirits.
Remembering club members advice I set off at a gentle pace. The goal apparently was just to get round the 101 mile course. "Dont try and win a Gold award Nicky". Right from the off the hills were brutal but the scenery stunning. With 7034 meters ascent there was a beautiful view around every corner. After 10 miles the sun was out and it turned into the hottest day of the year so far. Riding through lovely thatched cottage villages and fields of rape looking like yellow lakes, there was plenty to distract me from what lay ahead.
The forecast was excellent for my first 100. But true to British weather there was a sudden change. It had rained on and off over night and was still raining on my ride to the start at Bovington Tank Museum. Whilst listening to the safety briefing the heavens opened but I didn't let it dampen my spirits.
Remembering club members advice I set off at a gentle pace. The goal apparently was just to get round the 101 mile course. "Dont try and win a Gold award Nicky". Right from the off the hills were brutal but the scenery stunning. With 7034 meters ascent there was a beautiful view around every corner. After 10 miles the sun was out and it turned into the hottest day of the year so far. Riding through lovely thatched cottage villages and fields of rape looking like yellow lakes, there was plenty to distract me from what lay ahead.
As with all Wiggle events the feed stations were well stocked with fig rolls, flapjacks, bananas, jelly beans, pouches of fruit smoothies, pistasios and much more.
The feed stations were like a banquet. So having been given the advice I made good use of them.
What I thought was going to be a tough battle turned into a really enjoyable ride with friendly cyclists to chat to.... and draft off!
8hrs and 3 feed stations later, with sunburnt shoulders and a smile on my face. I arrived at the finish line to receive a finishers T shirt, medal and a family size packet of crisps.
Would I do it again? The Lake District would be nice.
The feed stations were like a banquet. So having been given the advice I made good use of them.
What I thought was going to be a tough battle turned into a really enjoyable ride with friendly cyclists to chat to.... and draft off!
8hrs and 3 feed stations later, with sunburnt shoulders and a smile on my face. I arrived at the finish line to receive a finishers T shirt, medal and a family size packet of crisps.
Would I do it again? The Lake District would be nice.
