Day 5: Wet, windy and downright hilly
In terms of places to wake up, Edinburgh Castle is pretty
high on the list of ideally picturesque. A childhood dream of rider Emma, it
was a spectacular place to sleep. Emerging from 4 Scots barracks, with an
earlier start then the previous few days it was a glorious view stretching
across Edinburgh across the cannons and the 1 o’clock gun. As an artillery
enthusiast this made some of us particularly happy but mostly the cyclists were
focussed on the road ahead. Especially as it contained a 7000 feet climb and
some rather twisting and treacherous roads the teams needed all their
concentration for the task ahead.
Setting off took a 30 minute drive to a “White House” as a
start point, with the teams limbering up. After a check of bikes, an adjustment
of water bottles and a quick run into the bushes for a few they were on the
cycles and off, speeding away into the distance. Led by team Captain Trev they
were quickly beyond eyesight and with the day starting off as grey and rather
depressing looking the task ahead of them was on everybody’s minds. There was
no doubt, however, that they would smash the 100 miles today as they had for
the previous 400.
When asking the riders what the terrain was like, followed
various expletives all I received in information was sarcasm from rider Zoe who
replied “it was a bloody good warm up”. Hills followed hills and the cold didn’t
help.
At the first RV, whilst still in Scotland and about 45 miles
in we encountered some cold and hungry riders who inhaled cupcakes provided by
Anna. Today they were cookies and cream, Mississippi mudpie and lemon flavoured
and even if the team didn’t appreciate the variety because they don’t eat long
enough to chew it was definitely a kind thought provided by Anna.
Then, they were off with enough time for Rob to eat another
cake and cycle into the distance whilst chewing. Not long after and the clown
command vehicle was off and found the riders attacking what was a brutal hill
to our little car let alone a bike. We made ourselves useful and providing a
wind block (and rain block at that point as it started to drizzle) but also the
main morale was provided by our stereo. Blasting out “dem beats” to motivate
the riders it became obvious as Rob and Mike pedalled in time to music as well
as showing us that they still dance and ride was entertainment for the rest of
the train.
Possibly the locals of villages didn’t appreciate “Sex on
Fire” but the team sure did and whilst shouting support I managed to pass off a
chocolate bar to Zoe mid-pedal. Later I was informed this was the highlight of her
ride which made me feel somewhat useful. It wasn’t until we took a wrong turn
that we realised that I needed to keep an eye on the map reading and not just
the morale. Onto the second RV point and foil blankets were produced to keep
the warmth in whilst they ate more cakes and flapjacks. It was then we were
back in England, and onto home turf.
Then it was more hills, and more and more rain. Throwing out
some more “pumping beats” we encouraged them along, especially as it got
colder. At that point we needed to speed along and recce the pick up point.
There seemed to be a lot of sheep in Cumbria, with many rolling hills that
thankfully our riders didn’t need to traverse.
Waiting at the pickup point it wasn’t long before the team
arrived and we moved into ambulance mode, covering the drenched cyclists in
foil blankets and throwing them into the minibus to move out to Walcot training
area which was a welcome shelter. After a hearty dinner where the Trev seemed
to consume his weight in chocolate mousse the evening was spent repairing
bikes.
Bring on Liverpool!
Many thanks go to Doug Ramage at Teviot Cycles in Hawick for
fixing a bike and working magic on Katie’s bike. And to Emma’s taxi driver who
reduced her fare for charity sake.
HALF WAY THERE!
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