WIGGLE SPORTIVE 23rd OCT 2011
STANDARD SPORTIVE (70 miles)
15 club members tried a different type of a triathlon discipline and entered the Standard Wiggle Sportive which consisted of a 70 cycle (we’ll come to that later) starting off in Chichester and going in and around the South Downs. The riders were Chan Morton, Del Morton, Patrick Glynn, Mike Cooper, Gary Williams, Katie Michael, Toby Bigwood, Steve Long, Brian Gowdy, James Woodward, Steve Hasler, Trudy Cunningham, Wilf Hill, Anne Sydenham, Andrew Soppitt & Nige littler.
All started well with a strong pace up Goodwood hill but the pace was a bit too fast for some and we soon had 2 groups. Unfortunately as we were descending down Duncton Hill we had to be diverted as a cyclist ahead had a serious accident and the police closed off the road, Our best wishes are with him. We and many other riders went on a diverted course which had at that time not been marked up and many took different routes to get back on course resulting in some riders doing 74 miles and others doing 78 miles.
The ride was very hilly and I don’t think we missed any on the South Downs map!! However we all managed to finish with the exception of James Woodward, who on the way up South Harting hill had the mishap of his pedal shearing off putting an end to his ride.
Unusually we only had one puncture with Toby Bigwood being the lucky recipient of that. Katie Michael was unlucky to have her chain jammed but with the help of our club bike expert Brian Gowdy we soon had her back on the road. You could say the above could have been avoided with a good bike maintenance course!!!
The ride took just over 4 hours, considering the few mishaps we had was a very commendable time, no doubt some club members will be looking forward to the next event and some maybe not!
FUN SPORTIVE (45 miles)
Whilst the younger, fitter, keener members chose to do the standard distance; 3 of the more senior lady members (Cathy Burnie, Trycha Darling, Diana Littler, Sally Dukes) had a great morning cycling the ‘fun’ distance. Although we weren’t sure where the fun part was prior to starting!!
We were pleased with the weather and also that a young girl joined us at Lavant but couldn’t keep up with us!! Our ride out to East Meon was lovely, even the ups and downs were enjoyable. Cathy made easy work of Butser hill, putting Diana & Trycha to shame. We all managed to be on our bikes when we passed the photographer though!!
We were really pleased with our time which was 3 hours 15mins (including stops) and 2 hours 59 mins of cycling – We all were grateful that there wasn’t a run at the end of it either.
All in all a great introduction to sportive cycling……. a must for all Triathlete’s!!
After crossing the finish line we went to the centre for our well earned tea & coffee!!
Del/Diana