Tour of Wessex Sportive 2008

Sat 31 May 2008

Tour of Wessex Sportive - 24th, 25th, 26th May 2008 

Day One

Route: Castle Cary, Bruton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Cheddar, Glastonbury
Distance: 153 km (95miles)
Climbing: 2,297m (7,537ft)

By John McDowall

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Day one of the Tour of Wessex dawned sunny, but with a strong wind, that combined with a substantial amount of climbing over the ninety-five miles threatened a demanding day in the saddle. 

After about twenty miles of steady riding we were approaching the first really steep climb of the day when we were a little surprised to be overtaken by a fast wheeling tri-athlete, resplendent in aero helmet aboard a carbon Cervelo TT bike complete with close ratio block!  Allan Mendelsohn later reported, much to the amusement of all, to seeing this ‘character’ completely blown hobbling up a hill about two-thirds the way round the ride. 

The initial climb was a steep, groveling, ramping torture of a thing, not helped by a slightly wet road surface that meant standing up lead to your back wheel spinning.  As we re-collected and headed off into the increasingly difficult terrain Richard Somerset and then Allan rode off leaving me and Nick Harris to ride together. 

I can’t really say I was enjoying the ride at this point as a feeling of nausea had arrived just after the first climb and my back was starting to creak like a First World War biplane. 

The countryside has a verdant and mystical Arthurian look about it, with many wonders of man's achievements such as Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral and Allan’s mini-roundabout designed system outside a Tesco’s at Shepton Mallet. 

In riding terms I was having what is called in Association Football – a shocker.  The last twenty miles home where thankfully rather flat but into a strong headwind.  I did at least half a mile of that final twenty on the front as I cowed on Nick’s wheel as he towed me home cursing the family inheritance of a decrepit back. 

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Allan had arrived back in time to receive the Bronze medal with Richard arriving after him.  Nick had looked strong but had remained to help me back while I mentally made note NEVER to do this ride again! 

Results

Alan 171st – 5:45:31
Richard 445th – 6:48:05
Nick 592nd – 7:03:35
John 591st – 7:03:33

792 finishers

Day 2

Route – Castle Cary, Sherborne, Cerne Abbas, Puddletown, Bovington Hill, West Lulworth, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Bere Regis, Milton Abbas, Bulbarrow Hill, Sherborne
Distance - 166km (103miles)
Ascent - 2,264m (7,469ft)

By Nick Harris

In contrast to the dry and bright conditions of Day One, we awoke on Sunday to drizzly rain which I think was the last straw for John who decided to give his back some much needed recovery time and didn't take the start.  He was kind enough however give me a lift to the start at Castle Cary which was much appreciated. 

After a minor glitch inserting my back wheel I was soon rolling over the mat to record my start time while wondering whether I was ahead or behind of Richard and Allan. I didn't have to wait long to find out since within a mile they both flashed past as part of a small group, leaving me to continue my ride solo.  

Halfway up the first hill I spotted Richard at the side of the road fixing a puncture while muttering about starting too hard, being knackered and maybe turning back.  After checking he was OK I continued my ride picking off a few riders ahead of me from time to time. 

A little later (can't remember where exactly but it may have been near Cerne Abbas, (home of the famous giant) Richard caught me up sounding a lot perkier than last time I had seen him.  We rode together for a while until a particularly steep hill saw me dropping back (I blame age and being too mean to buy a compact chainset).  Since I still had plenty of food and drink I decided to bypass the first feed at which unbeknownst to me Richard had stopped but he spotted me and gave chase and I was soon recaptured. 

We stayed together until he left me behind again, this time on a downhill run to Lulworth Cove.  I'm a useless descender at the best of times but in the rush to the start I managed to forget my prescription glasses which made me even more cautious than usual on the downhills. 

At the top the climb out of Lulworth through the gunnery ranges Richard was waiting for me again and we rode until just before the run down towards Corfe Castle where we were caught by a small fast moving group. 

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As we whizzed through the turns to Corfe we were both remembering the many times we had travelled this road while on the club training weekend to Bournemouth; this time however rather than crossing the main A35 to Studland we turned towards Wareham knowing we were now homeward bound.  This was the last time I saw Richard until the finish back at Castle Cary since he was able to stay with the small group while I dropped back (again!). 

By this time the weather had improved immeasurably and the sun had appeared to dry the roads making the run home a much more pleasant experience although Bulbarrow Hill, another fond memory from the training weekends was looming.  In the event although the drag up through Milton Abbas was particularly difficult I was vaguely and pleasantly surprised when I realised that I was at the top with only the tricky and in parts very steep descent to follow. 

After that I can remember only that the remainder of the ride was a road with hills, junctions and variable surfaces until the final sting in the tail up to Castle Cary where John provided me with a much needed cup of coffee.  Although not a race we were timed and placed.  Allan was the quickest North Roader finishing 68th overall out of some 450 starters and 22nd in the 40 - 49 age group, covering the 105 miles in 6hr 10min 34secs, Richard managed 6hr 42min 21secs for an overall 154th place and 48th in the same age group.  And I took 6hr 54min 48secs which put me 192nd overall and 66th in the age group.

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Day 3

Route: Castle Cary, Somerton, Bridgewater, Dunkery Beacon, Minehead, Bishops Lydeard, Langport
Distance - 210km (130 miles)
Ascent - 3,069m (10,070ft)

By Richard Somerset

Well it rained heavily all day so after ‘hard man’ Allan decided he wasn’t riding we all went home. If I was being lazy I would stop my article at this point but as John and Nick have made the effort I think I better expand the narrative.

Come Sunday evening I was looking forward to the last day. Three hundred plus miles in three days was new territory for me; I’ve only ever done that sort of distance on a six day training week. I held back a bit on day one fearing that I would be too tired to ride on day two. I had a crisis early on the next day’s ride as my legs felt very heavy on the first hill and I had thoughts of giving up. However after a puncture and a chat with Nick I continued and improved steadily on the ride to the south coast and back, so when I awoke Monday morning I was disappointed to be welcomed by a torrential downpour outside and three clubmates who had no intention of riding.

I put on cycling clothes for breakfast to make the point that I was up for it but as Allan was my driver I could hardly ride round on my own.

I was quickly relieved that we had made the sensible decision as once we set off to drive to the HQ to return our transponders the rain was so heavy that we half expected the event to be cancelled. It wasn’t but it was reduced to (only) ninety-five miles. About one hundred and twenty riders managed to get round. Amazing.

I really enjoyed the ride and was pleased that I got stronger as the miles ticked by. As long as it is dry next year I hope to have another go.

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