rain miles count double

Sunday, 6am, cold, wet and windy. After the week I’d had it was not a likely time to be awake, but today I was getting up, getting fed, getting dressed and heading for Craigavon regardless. It’s Lap The Lough 2010, after all.

The mile long queue to get into registration!

As I approached the registration point at the Meadows Equestrian Centre shortly before 8am a slow moving queue of cars was already building up. I abandoned the car and cycled on in, the first of many miles to be ridden today. It was after 9am before the rest of the team managed to get in and registered, and it was a cold wait, but the Hi-De-Hi style PA announcer managed to keep the gathering crowd’s spirits up even through the rainstorm that closed in just before the off. “It’s just a shower”, he promised. Yeah.

Almost ready to go...

Just after 9:30 we were off to Lap The Lough with a small crowd of random spectators waving us on our way. Rain showers and a strong, cold wind blowing in from the north made the first leg to the Washing Bay water stop quite a struggle at times. I was glad I’d brought my jacket and gloves, but even so I was still shivering for a while and could hardly feel my fingers to work the brakes at times, which is hardly ideal when moving in a large groups of cyclists.

Washing Bay. Don't let the sunshine fool you.

Still, the pace had been easy so far and we were all in fine form as we hit Washing Bay at about 17 miles in. The wind was still cold and strong, but the sky was brightening and the hardy were taking their jackets off, so things were looking up for the next leg to the Ballyronan Marina feeding station.

We were still travelling at an easy pace behind a large group, but as this group hit the steepest hill of the day – half a mile of 3.5% – they slowed and slowed and slowed to a crawl until I couldnae take it any more and sprinted past to the top of the hill. The drugs hit however and I had to back off at the top, but soon recovered and we were on our way again, this time at a much healthier pace.

Pulling in to Ballyronan Marina

We lost Nige and Steve at the marina as we waited for them to catch up, not realising they’d done a quick stop and headed on trying to catch up with us. Communication fail. Maybe we should have walkie talkies next year? Or, you know, use our mobiles.

Moving on from Ballyronan we rounded the north west corner of the lough and headed for Antrim, and to our relief the still strong wind was now coming from the side. Traffic through Toome was slow and my progress was further hindered by missing a right turn sign that was obscured by the cars! Fortunately I saw the sign at the last moment and so didn’t travel very far in the wrong direction at all.

Stuffing faces at Shane's Castle

The Shane’s castle lunch stop at 52 miles was pleasant enough and the weather continued to improve. Refuelled on sandwiches and with the wind now at our backs, the final miles to Kinnego flew past. Well, apart from Graham who was struck with cramp and had to have a little lie down in the road for a bit. It wasn’t bad timing actually, as we were stuck behind a slow group on a narrow road with no chance to pass. Nice one, G, and sorry for taking off after that and leaving you to catch up.

Taking on "water" with ten miles to go

Ten miles to go saw the final water stop, though the liquid the lads took on here bore little resemblance to water. It was black, thick, had a head, came in pint glasses and tasted of Guinness. Whatever, it seemed to do the trick and the mood was light for the final stretch. Allan and Pete missed out as they’d sped on, eager to get chomping on the promised hogroast and crepes at the finish line, no doubt. Nige and I came in next, to more cheers and waves from more random spectators, with the rest following a short distance behind.

Lap The Lough number 2 was complete!

Allan, ever prepared, had a mini video camera with him took some footage of the ride, including some intrepid interviews. I’m the fat one in the all-blue top, by the way.

I’ve also uploaded a few photographs of my own to a Lap The Lough 2010 photo album, and a GPS track of my Lap The Lough ride on RunKeeper.

I completed the 83.5 mile course in 5:33:30, averaging just over 15 mph and a shade slower than last year. I’m a little disappointed with that time, but then I have to remember that on Friday I wasn’t going, after sleeping all of Saturday I was 50/50, and even on Sunday morning it was still a case of get-up-and-see-how-it-feels. Legs were leaden, no speed. From sticking together and travelling with other groups the pace was easy throughout (well, mostly), but that was welcome given how I was feeling. Honestly, I’m glad just have made it around!

At this point I am required to mention that I was beaten by a girl, @lisam75, on her first time lapping, by over half an hour. Well done, and see you next year *evil laugh*

Lap The Lough 2010

The event was better organised and signposted than 2009 I think, certainly registration went much more smoothly (though to be fair the LtL Powers That Be were surprised by the numbers showing up on the day last year). Pre-registration and a cap of 1,500 participants seemed to work well. I’ve only heard reports of one minor accident too.

Lap The Lough is a great day out on the bike and is suitable for even the most average of cyclists. The atmosphere is how I imagine riding the last day of Le Tour must be, a bit of cycling that’s as serious as you want it to be. I very much enjoyed my 2010 Lap and I’ll definitely be back for more in 2011 if I’m able.

Did you take part in Lap The Lough 2010? How was it for you? Let me know in the comments!