A chilly start, but the team soon warmed up as the roads climbed north out of Leeds. This year, just five participants: Carlos, Fabian, Jan, Alanssandro and Stewie, but all in good condition for the challenge, despite excessive hydration in the Half Moon the evening before. Stewie had even been working out in the gym!
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| The team if full pre-ride hydration mode. Alberto (second left) with us in a supporting role ;-) |
Carlos, keen to demonstrate just how much time he'd spent on the turbo trainer during the winter set off at a strong pace, trailed by the hapless Fabian (the Prez) who always thinks he can keep up with the younger ones (but can't). And Team Prattachi fell into a good steady pace, keeping together for the duration of the ride.
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| The team looking brave before the 123km epic |
We expected the usual workout on Côte de Greenhow Hill out of Pateley Bridge and the Côte de Otley Chevin, but there was a horrible little surprise waiting for us at Summerbidge, a nasty, gnarly climb out of the valley bottom that was relentlessly steep and completely unexpected. The Prez's heart rate reached 183 bpm...nuff said and he is mightily glad the he's still here to tell the tale!
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| Jan topping out on Greenhow Hill |
At about 30km out, Carlos correctly decided to drop the Prez, and finished 21 minutes ahead of him, but the latter still happy with a 5h32m ride time over 123km with 2,456m of climbing. Carlos, was, naturally, gutted that he didn't smash the 5h barrier. Team Prattachi also posted a respectable time, Jan finishing in 6h 11m.
This year's finisher's medal was the work of Fabian's favourite Yorkshire artist, Mackenzie Thorpe, a nice memento for all the effort. Chapeau all!
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