Jun 09
The spectator friendly venue at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham, once again held host to a weekend of top Triathlon racing. Sunday saw the turn of the inaugural, yet now hugely successful Half Outlaw Ironman.
Despite never having held this event before the ‘One Step Beyond Team’ found their 1200 places (and later to be extended to 1300) were snapped up in little over a week!
Did it live up to the billing? Definitely!
Jun 05
The European Quadrathlon Championships took place in Brigg (North Lincolnshire). Steve Clark (GBR) and the German athlete Lisa Hirschfelder won the European title over the distance of 1.5k swim, 7k kayak, 36k bike and 11k run.
Jun 05
Race report Old Man of Coniston Triathlon
2K swim
70 k bike
13.1 run
Having enjoyed Helvellyn last year I decided to enter the Old Man of Coniston Tri. It is not just for the old men but you certainly feel like one the next day. My legs feel about 110 years old now. I arrive in Coniston on the Saturday afternoon in time to meet Luke Osborn who had just finished the Coniston Standard Distance Tri, and had come third out of a field of 120. Well done Luke.
After pitching my tent I decided to drive the bike course, which was a mistake. The Wrynose and Hardknot Passes seemed really scary in a car; you feel like you are in a metal box that could easily slip off the hill into a ravine with the smallest of mechanical failures. I was glad when Sunday morning arrived and I could get on with it and stop thinking it through, although getting up at 4.00 am for a 9.00 am start is a little excessive.
May 24
They say bravado is a dangerous thing.
…and last year whilst having a giddy moment and texting Mr Kona for advice and being told … the sprint is for wimps, I decided to book myself onto the Slateman full triathlon…it was nearly a year off, that’s ages I thought … how time fly’s and how quickly the Slateman juggernaut was heading my way.
Suddenly my bravado had turned into a panic for the last couple of weeks…for anyone that was on the Majorca “training” camp will testify, I’m afraid of water (well things in water…long story) and heights … so for the past few months my brain has been struggling to understand the logic in entering the Snowdonia Slateman triathlon.
Anyway it was here and after having a restful night at Camp Lincsquad and a pre tour of the bike course with Steve as my guide race morning had arrived…after nearly forgetting my goggles last week at Grantham I went through my kit at least 10 times .. pre-race briefing when told how to make sure your lungs don’t go into shock with the coldness of the water didn’t help the nerves!!
Wave 1 and 2 had set off and I was in wave 3 with Rob Wood and Gareth Barker…into the lake we went and after warming the wetsuit as I had been told…I leave everyone to work that out lol, it didn’t feel too bad, it was a deep water start so as we bobbed there I took the opportunity to get my head under water…completely black..which was great for me as then I couldn’t see anything!! Continue reading
May 20
From the Classroom to Canada……
For those of you that don’t know me, let me first introduce myself…..
My name is Emma and I am a Science teacher from Brigg. In the last couple of years I have realised I am quickly getting old and needed to try and achieve something awesome in my life before it’s too late. This story is a brief glimpse of the journey I have gone through in my quest to be the best I can possibly be…..
ITU Qualification Attempt 1 – Dambuster Duathlon – March 2012
My search for an ITU qualification began at the Dambuster Duathlon in March 2012. This went horribly wrong and apparently it’s not possible to run or cycle successfully on the following ailments of the knee:
• Hamstring fibula insertion tear
• Numerous blood clots
• Bone marrow oedema
• Floaty cartilage Continue reading
Apr 18
The third year of the Paul Kirk North Lincs Cyclosportive has been a resounding
success! A record number of riders took to the course this year, 290 riders this
year, the biggest number in the events history so far.
Riders keenly registered from 7am on this some what blustery morning,
anticipating the ride ahead, no one knew just how windy the ride would be.
Amongst local riders we welcomed cyclists from local areas such as Sheffield,
Barnsley and regular friends from Selby Cycling Club but riders have started to
attend from further afield as the events reputation spreads.
The course was well sign posted as it is every year, one of the main attractions
of our sportive, as well as the plentiful home made cakes!
The wind certainly started to take its toll on the riders as they headed along
Trent bank only a few miles in! By 10 riders started to arrive at the first feed
station, in it’s regular place in Market Rasen to enjoy the previously mentioned
cake and enjoy a few minutes shelter from the conditions before making there way
onwards. Continue reading
Apr 11
For many the winter off season has been a long one but for those who filled it full of training now is the time to find out “has it been worth it?” at the first Lincsquad TT of the year.
A few new bikes and lots of new faces especially in the female division meant an almost capacity entry of 59! With both defending champions Steve G and Rachel Love absent who was going to step up, throw down the gauntlet, grab the bull by the horns and at the same time stop me from using up all the usual metaphors on only the first round?
As usual the weather was playing havoc with many questioning if it was actually a real Lincsquad time trial due to the lack of rain. Jon Dixon breaking the golden rule and mentioning the “r word” just as the first rider rolled up to the line.
And what a first rider! Who better to start the series off than the clubs no.1 WAG Clair Dolby? One by one the riders lined up and waited the standard one minute as the Timekeepers Vicky, Elinor and Annie Dolby set them off and counted them back in. As ever Kev was on the start line to hold the riders as they prepared themselves for the next 9.8miles
Amongst the 59 riders 25 posted PB’s despite the blowy side wind that was as good as 90 degrees to the route so was present out and back! Personal best riders were Clair Dolby, Bill Censi, Rob Walsh, Bob Taylor, Ewan Chesman, George Coghlan, Luke Osborn, Emma Wright Phillips, Neil Barker, Matt Rigall, Bevan Jones, Vicki Stewart, Sallie Joseph, Philip Marshall, Richard Walker, Gary Horner, Andrew Bradley, Alex Bradley, Nick Stonehewer, Ruth Wilson, Pam Challen, Matthew Goodwin, Stuart Barnes, Paul Fytche aaaaaaaaaaaaaand Phil Cox!!! Continue reading
Mar 15
Now only just over two months away, entries for the Keyo Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon are going well, with total competitors now over 50 across the solo, team and corporate team races, but we still have room for more.
Whether you are an experienced multi-sport athlete or not, you can play a part in this great race. Continue reading
Feb 19
Christian Brown (1972 – 2013)
I am truly saddened to inform you that our friend & club mate Christian Brown passed away yesterday, Monday 18th February.
Christian was involved in a serious cycling accident 6 days ago and was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary in a critical condition, unfortunately he never recovered.
I’m sure like myself you will have many fantastic memories of our time with Christian, his strength, his determination, his will to succeed, which will stay with me forever, he will be greatly missed by us all.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Christian’s family, girlfriend and many friends.
Farewell my friend, Rest in Peace
Jan 28
What started out as a group MTB ride in Laughton forest soon became the now infamous Beastdodger! The initial route utilised the many firebreaks and tracks within the woods to make a sweet 2km run 1, 10km bike and 1km run 2 all centred around a single transition area.
The non intimidating nature of the event and the “entry fee” of bring a cake for the post race debrief not only brought out the athletes but more importantly the bakers!
In late 2011 when the event was run for the first time there were only two deep water areas however recent rainfall, a high water table and thawing snow has made the last few events practically amphibious.
Once again the appeal for help setting up the event was responded to and with a map of the course drawn in the snow and photographed using a mobile phone (yes really!) the two working parties consisting of Andrew L and Emma W-P in one team and Gary H and Megoodself attached direction arrows and barrier tape to various trees on the route.
By 9.30 Sunday morning Team Dobbers had set up race control and a dozen runners and riders were about readyish. Half the field were first time ‘Dodgers and half of those were ladies meaning there would be a 1st 2nd and 3rd scrap for both male and female races. Further “races within the race” would become apparent later where trash-talk would either become fact or empty promises! Continue reading