Now admittedly on Saturday 21st July 2012 there
were probably slightly more people thinking about the le Tour, Mr Wiggins’
sideburns and the maillot jaune than a small cycle track in Middlesbrough on
Marton Road. However for those in the know Prissick Cycle Track was the only
place to be! Mister Steven King Esq had gone to the trouble of organising a
charity duathlon in aid of Teesside Hospice and a whole variety of individuals
and teams from Patterclubbers to 7 year olds, Icycles to frighteningly serious
looking club athletes had turned up to take advantage of his fine efforts (and
the sunshine). (It should be noted at this point that Margaret, Peter &
Julie were representing the I Runners, however as Peter wasn’t running Icycles
seemed appropriate.)
Mr Steven King Esquire
An early arrival found said Mr King, and duck, looking
slightly harassed. Actually Steve looked harassed; the duck looked, well like a
duck!
Apparently last minute changes to the categories had caused a lot of
reworking of paperwork and a late night to boot. But all was well and the sun
was shining. (Now I will probably mention that the sun was shining quite frequently
as it has been quite an unusual occurrence so far this summer). But with the
sunshine came the competitors, 43
starters in all, a combination of solo athletes, teams of two and a couple of
teams of three. The route, a three(ish) Km run (once round the bike track and
then off road around the park), then a 16 Km cycle (16 laps) and finished of
with a 2(ish) Km run around the park. Soon everyone was assembled, assorted
bikes on view (borrowed, bought and BMX), those of us that had borrowed bikes
had a quick spin to make sure we could actually do it (they’re right, you never
forget) and a quick lesson on changing gear, specifically changing down, which
for me at least would be very necessary. A quick briefing and they were
off...well most of them were off but a few didn’t realise and had to run a bit
extra to catch up.
As the runners streamed off down the hill towards the back
of the circuit, the remainder of the relay teams looked on, thankful that for a
little while at least we didn’t have to do anything. As they came back up the
hill, 1 km in we were even more thankful, it was very hot out there and the field
had stretched out quite considerably. Never the less they stuck at it,
streaming through transition and heading off to the park for the next two km.
11 minutes or so in the leaders where heading through transition, grabbing
their bikes and setting off on the cycle leg. It should be pointed out at this
point that a certain Harry Larkin, age 7, came through transition in 17 mins
and got on his BMX(little wheels, knobbly tyres). Julie, the lead off woman
for team Icycle came through shortly after and despite muddy legs and a certain
glow around the cheeks (did I mention that despite the sunshine the park run
leg was really rather marshy) successfully handed me the metaphorical baton and
I was off on my bike. At this point I realised that I am not and will never be
Bradley Wiggins, in fact I felt more akin to the little man on the motorised
scooter at the front of the Kierin. But I pedalled hard, not hard enough
though, the front runners were sweeping by me as if I were standing still. Then
I reached the bottom turn on the circuit and I very nearly was. Now I know that
Le Tour goes over the Alps and what have you, but I had to pedal up that hill
16 times before I was finished, it got so bad I took cheer from passing Harry
and Lily (Lily Quinn – slightly bigger tyres than Harry, still on a mountain
bike though).
Harry Larkin & Lily Quinn
future Olympians!
Then there was the problem of counting – 16 laps, my dear team
mates helpfully shouted out the laps as I went past (although they admitted
later to having missed me on at least one occasion) but after what seemed like
an eternity I got to pass the torch to Ms Super Style herself, Margaret Myers,
the third member of team Icycle and the one charged with bringing home the
bacon. Now I’m fairly certain at this point that the winner had finished and
several others too, but we carried on. Out round the park went Margaret,
immaculate style as usual, eating up the ground as she went. All too soon we
were shouting ourselves silly, cheering finishers over the line and saving a
particularly big cheer for Margaret who of course finished in fine style. Team Icycle finished in 1 hour 9 mins , 35 th
position and shattered! There was still enough breath left to cheer Harry and
Lily (future Olympians if ever there were any, mark my words) over the line in
an amazing 1 hr 18 mins.
Barbara & Hilary bring "style" to the occasion
Breath caught, sandwiches eaten (thank you Barbara and
Hilary, who may I say were not only colour coordinated but wearing union jack
specs too) it was time for a “fun” Devil Take the Hindmost. (Basically everybody
rides round the track and the last one each lap drops out), there was some
concern on the starting line that the size of the field meant it would go on
forever, so adjustments were made and more would drop out each lap. Your
intrepid correspondent made it to the end of lap two, and to be honest was
lucky to get that far. The big boys then made a proper race of it until there
were two left for the final sprint finish. Frivolities over it was time for the
prize giving and Steve’s hard work the night before meant that everybody was
rewarded with a prize of some sort. Congratulations to everyone who took part
from first to last it was a great effort. Over £500 was raised for Teesside
Hospice and lots of people had lots of fun. Particular thanks to Steve King for
organising what hopefully is the first of what will become and annual event.
Team Icycle Team 138
Photos courtesy of Karen Larkin
Excellent write-up Peter!
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