LEJOG - The First Training Weekend

Well what a weekend!

Mersey Tri has got some very dedicated members.  While North Wales was slowly being submerged, its rivers bursting their banks and their roads disappearing beneath rising water levels, there were 9 dedicated, committed, brave, wind beaten, wet and cold Mersey Tri members battling the elements in a common goal … to train for the July LEJOG Trip.

The weekend saw 9 of us disappear through the Birkenhead tunnel and over the Welsh mountains towards Betsw-Y-Coed and beyond.

Progress was slowed on both days due to three main factors:

-      The weather did not follow the plan.  On Saturday, instead of being a cold, crisp day, we had to contend with heavy rainfall and incredibly strong headwinds and side winds.

-      The fact that the Garmin led us through the hilliest routes in North Wales, whilst adding to the occasion, did mean our pace was slooooooow.

-      An unprecedented number of mechanical issues to contend with – including a cracked seatpost, numerous punctures, ripped tyres, lost cycle computers, lights falling off bikes …

Rather than the 125 miles that we had planned, we managed to cover almost 90 miles from the Birkenhead tunnel. 

We stayed just outside Betsw-y-Coed on Saturday night in a great little bunk house, where we shared our trauma of the day, reliving the highlights. 

Wet and cold on day 2

During the evening we debated our route home, whether to take a more direct route in light of the weather or to continue with the planned route.  We consulted the weather forecast more than once but left a decision until the morning, when all would become clear (or not as it turned out).

Sunday, although less wet, was windier than Saturday and we had to put up with fierce headwinds and sidewinds, which actually blew us off the road at one point!  The ride back showed us that despite being triathletes we could actually be a well drilled peloton.  Day 2 saw us cover approximately 75 miles.

Sunday also saw us all return home stronger athletes as I doubt any of us have cycled in worse weather.  Having said that no one lost their attitude nor gave up.  True champions!  If the weekend proved anything, it is that we all had heart.