In which Grumpy Bob ends up riding solo...
This event is a regular on Team Grumpy's not very long list of annual 2-up events. In fact, we try to start each season with this event and finish the season with the other main 2-up, the Duo Normand (sadly not in 2020 through 2024 owing to Covid). This year was no exception. And as usual, the team faced problems.
In actual fact the event, entered as a 25 mile time trial, was reduced to 15 miles owing to roadworks on the dual carriageway section. This wasn't too much of a concern to us as a shorter opening event in the season isn't really such a bad thing. Unfortunately a lengthy period of difficult work-life balance for Grumpy Art coupled with a bit of a cold had left him uncertain as to how he'd get on in the event.
Things looked OK during the warm-up, where I needed to stop a couple of times to get all my bike's systems properly connected. On the way to the HQ, we'd noticed some traffic light signals at roadworks on the back road section. As it turned out, we'd only pass these in one direction, and the organiser had it marshalled to ensure that riders could get through without trouble.
At the start, we looked the part with matching bikes and skinsuits (aka 'uniforms'). Pretty quickly, though, it became clear that while Grumpy Art was well enough for a warm up ride, he definitely wasn't well enough for a full race effort, and he was struggling to breathe. Just before the turn off the opening DC section, he decided to pack and told me to go on as a solo ride, which I did.
Pretty soon after that, the team that started behind us came whooshing past looking great. I suspect they were about a third of my age.
Getting caught!
Most of the 15 mile course used on the day could be described as 'sporting', it features sections of quite rough road surface and plenty of ascent and descent. It's a very pretty road though I guess the hardened racer ought not to be noticing that! I was, however, now riding this as a training session.
The loneliness of the 2-up rider!
As I crossed the finish line I could see Grumpy Art hanging about and tried to get out that last bit of energy. I finished in 39:39, which would have been good enough for 17th place had I a second rider! Not a bad outing, and a good weekend away in Wales.