Pete Kelsey took part in the Surrey Legs of Steel Long Course sportive on Saturday:
This local Sportive starts and ends at the top of Box Hill, so if nothing else it is a good spot for a well-earned post-ride coffee.
Circa 650 riders took part over the short (46k) and long (81k) course, which are both ‘hilly’ – the short takes in 1,020 metres of climbing and the long 1,600 metres. Legs of Steel’s long course includes 8 hills that most Viceroys will know well: Ranmore, Leith, Holmbury, Winterfold, St Martha’s, Coombe Lane, Crocknorth and finally Box Hill. It is a lovely route and the event is very well run by Full On Tri with proper timing chips, 2 feed stations and simple but effective signs.
Winterfold (aka Barr Hatch) is a lung-buster at 21%, by far the toughest climb on the ride.
Last year I had a DNF in this event from a broken rear mech hanger, which at least led me to realise that my bike has one of those, even if I had no way of fixing it at the bottom of Holmbury Hill. (in other words, Phil Walker wasn’t there to help – I won’t kid myself about being able to do anything mechanical). This year the bike was well-serviced (by Phil), lesson learned.
The ideal pre-race carb loading and early night was however in tatters as Margot & I joined Viceroy Founder Gary Brine & his wife Lisa at Kate Bush’s final concert. After that was delayed by 1 hr 30 due to power failure I rolled into bed at just before 2 am having ‘loaded up’ on kettle chips and popcorn for my 6 am alarm.
In no time the alarm sounded, it seemed like only minutes after my head hit the pillow, and I was feeling decidedly Babushka Ya Ya.
The event’s gold times are achievable and for my aged 50+ group the target time was 3.25. I however had a harder target in mind as I was trying to drag a work colleague round in sub 3 hours to hit his 18-39 category, which we did, just, in 2.57. No major mishaps except a 5 minute delay at Chilworth’s railway level crossing for a toy town train to roll through very slowly with nobody on it. In the end I was 5 minutes behind the winner in my ‘veteran’ age group, and 5th in the over 50’s a much better result than last year, but I must time the level crossing better in future!
Overall I recommend the event to any Viceroys out there who enjoy hilly rides, and it was something to celebrate later that night at Chairman Yeo’s 40th fancy dress party!’
