Sunday 30th March                      The 2008 UCI Cheshire Cat cyclosportive

 

 

Bright skies but a cold strong wind greeted 1000 riders in Knutsford, Cheshire for the choice of either a 59 or 98 mile trip. I, being slightly ahead of myself for this time of year entered the 98 miler, quietly confident that the Cheshire plains would be a reasonably easy route; even the profile didn’t look bad, except for the ‘killer’ climb after 70 miles.

 

I hadn’t taken into account that the roads, although well signposted and a lot of riders over the first 40 miles to sit-in with, were lumpy and felt slow. The wind was strong and it seemed very hard work. After the first feed station I started to get into the swing of things and felt better, the headwind became a sidewind and even the sun felt warm on my leggings and overshoes for a while. Experience really paid off though and I stayed at a reasonable pace knowing what was in store after 70 miles.

 

The famous ‘Mow Cop’ loomed up out of the rolling Cheshire plains and yes, it was as steep as everyone suggested, but strong legs just let me steadily grind continually upwards without any suggestion of an award for a spotted jersey! Well at least I rode the hill without weaving, putting my foot down or even walking as many riders had to and I have the medal to prove it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final 20 miles were fast and I even managed to lead-out a group of about 15 riders for a short while, the orange jersey of Norton Wheelers leading the way, although after nearly half an hour I realised what a mug I was as my legs were screaming and my brain started to go bonkers. I even saw the direction signs and calmly sat up, to indicate to traffic of my upcoming right turn, only to have frantic shouts from behind to say the signs say LEFT TURN! My brain cells had stopped working!

 

Well, it was an excellent event, well signposted except for a small section where a local farmer took down several signs, but the organisers were there almost straight away to keep us on the straight and narrow. I enjoyed the ride but a few more winter miles would have been a benefit. Here’s to the rest of the summer, warm sunshine, blue skies and hopefully a few rides without full winter kit!

 

Jonathan