North Cornwall Tor

Event Details: 67 miles
Event Site: http://www.northcornwalltor.co.uk/
Team: Mark, Phil, Jon, Tim, Alex, Paul
Time: TBC
Position: TBC

Didn’t get a good night’s sleep, not slept on a bunk bed in years. My stomach didn’t feel too good after breakfast either. I made sure to strap my knee up but felt apprehensive about finishing without doing it more damage.

The ride started from Bodmin leisure center and after a brief downhill we were presented with the first of many climbs. This split the group up. Felt sorry for the guys on a standard double and wished I had Paul’s triple!

Tim and I broke clear as we started riding through the moor. At 10 miles I started to feel a pain in my hip. At 15 miles Tim and I stopped for adjustments. My saddle was a little high but I was nervous that lowering it would cause issues with my knee. Jon and Phil caught us up as we resumed riding. The adjustment made and immediate difference.

We rode as a 4 for a couple of miles. Riding as a pack makes a huge difference. We eventually split at the next big hill. Experienced a bottle neck so had to work pretty hard overtaking. After this Tim and I agreed to spin it out for a while. The plan was to take it easy for the first 20 as the profile showed the to have the bulk of the climbing. It did have the longest climbs but not the hardest!

At about 30 miles is was pleasantly surprised to be overtaken by big Phil. He’d left Jon when Alex rejoined them and pushed himself. Had a good chat as we made our was on to the coast road. Climbing on hill we rode in formation for the photographer; until Tim decided to show off and sprint away.

The coast road proved t be the start of the tough stuff. Pulling off the main road we were soon into some steep climbs. Not all were long but it was enough to make it feel like interval training. The descents were just as hard; being steep and narrow on rough surfaces.

I crested one long steep climb hoping for a rest but all I saw was a decent leading to Milllook Hill. I’d seen this 30%er on YouTube (see me at 7:10, blink and you’ll miss me!) and new it would hurt. I got caught behind a slow group at the base so sprinted round the steepest bit. As with it didn’t end like the video made out. Turning left the wall of tarmac continued.

The hills didn’t ease off and at about 40 miles I felt my knee start to cramp. I debated stopping to prevent injury but opted to try and stretch as I rode. A long fast decent to Boscastle helped. I raced through the town worried that I’d get done for speeding. But on seeing the climb out I let go the brakes and rolled up the first two switch backs.

Pics

http://www.idenna.com/store/details.php?gid=238&pid=7964

http://www.idenna.com/store/details.php?gid=238&pid=7966

http://www.idenna.com/store/details.php?gid=238&pid=7968

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