Day 3: Hull to Newcastle

CUOTC VTCC Day three: Dedicated to Rich McLellan

Day three began with a bright and chilly start, the teams luxuriating in the Officer’s Mess in the Defence School for Transport with a large breakfast and a full recharge from sleeping in proper beds. It was the morale boost they needed to tackle what would be one of the more challenging days on the race- the intimidating climbs of Yorkshire. With a climb of over 2000 metres throughout the day  it wasn’t going to be the easiest of days but with the team’s spirits on a high they set off it looked like they were going to smash it.

As we moved on past them, it only took the power of the small clown car we were driving to realise that this route isn’t easy, with some steep inclines followed by dismounts that looked like they would require some serious control. But CUOTC was more than capable and having driven by them, they still had their game faces on and pedalled on. The only bump in the road, and the reason for the title of this blog entry was the stellar effort of team 2ic Richard McLellan.

Before the first rendezvous point, Rich’s bikes’ chain had snapped and the team had left him to press onto the first RV. The support van was dispatched to provide him to fix his team and judge whether he would be in distance to catch up. The team then arrived at the RV where driver JUO Gillespie had provided some much appreciated cupcakes which were swiftly consumed along hot cross buns, bananas, bagels and flapjacks. Then they were off with a tired nod and a smile, especially as Rider Huffie had made contact with the road simultaneously with her face and her knee it was inspirational to see her still maintaining good cheer as they pushed off for another leg.

Then, about fifteen minutes later Rich pulled in with a big smile and a cupcake was handed swiftly over. Not only did he look like he had just emerged from a coal mine with hands black from dealing with his chain but he had also doubled his pace to keep up with the team. A few moments later after he’d refilled his water bottles and he was off.

We swiftly followed in the command support vehicle and at one point thought he had turned off the route we had anticipated because there was no sign of him. Up and down the road was as difficult as before with a few tight corners thrown in for good measure, it wasn’t until about ten minutes later we saw a rider pushing on and realised that Rich had exceeded our expectations. Pulling in to provide some support and possibly a bit of cheeky drafting we moved off again thoroughly awed by his pace. Encountering the rest of the pack, we threw out more words of encouragement and again providing a car shaped windbreak for the riders to catch their breath after a particularly challenging hill.

Then it came to finding the next RV point, a car park just beyond a site that had some amazing views, not that we had time to enjoy them as the team rounded the corner ably guided in by RSM Shaw wearing a lovely hi-vis jacket. As they rounded in and ate sandwiches and biscuits faster than I’ve seen a mammal manage (with Katie consuming 6 biscuits in such a rapid fashion that she managed to give herself a ‘biscuit-headache’) they waited to refill water bottles.

It was then, with the chorus of Driver Anna’s shouts that we saw a loan and triumphant figure round the corner and pull into the car park. Not only had Rich managed something that many would think if not difficult possibly impossible, and raised the team’s morale to an incredible level but he’d done it all barely breaking a sweat. This is why this blog entry is dedicated to the tremendous efforts of Rich McLellan, whose initial concern was not for himself but the team, and managing to cycle forty five miles on arduous terrain was a morale boost for all concerned.

The team, after Rich had re-joined set off with Rich at the front and onwards to the final rendezvous with smiles and a few thumbs up. Promises of ice baths, massages, and all the bagels that Michael Cannon could eat followed them.

Finally waiting at the final RV point there was a sense of anticipation for the most arduous day so far. As the CSM walked by a car which had steamed up the windows in a rather suspect fashion we waited in a car park for the team to arrive. Not long after we arrived we saw them streaming over the hill in a proud blue train, with Captain Trev deciding to overshoot because once again 100 miles in one day is just not enough.

Afterwards we were regaled with stories, from dogs appearing in suicide runs in front of the riders to kamikaze pheasants diving in and out of the cycle route. It has proven to be an eventful day but the riders have more than proven themselves ten times over. Bring on Scotland! 

Many thanks to Dave from DB Autotech LTD. In Driffield, East Yorkshire who helped to fix our minibus and Debbie from Rustics in Driffield who provided the cupcakes that the team appreciated so much.