Etape Caledonia

Today I revisited the Etape Caledonia race having completed it last year for the first time.  5,500 cyclists from all over the UK and Europe compete in the only closed road race in the UK.  Its a hilly 81 miles and it was made more difficult than normal by a strong wind - the first 30 miles were straight into wind!
It required me to travel up the night before and get up at 4.45am to be there in time to have everything prepared.  That includes queueing 20 mins for the toilet and next time I'll bring my own loo roll as the majority of the portaloos had run out.  Too much detail I hear you say but the point I am making is that I learn something new every time I race - sometimes the hard way!
There were a few people taken off the course by ambulance which underlines how you must give the course your full concentration.  The crowds were amazing as we were cheered all the way round.  My target was 4 hrs 30 / 45 mins. not allowing for the wind and I came in on 4hrs 43 mins so very pleased with the result.  Then I bumped into one of the real cyclists from Lanzarote who came in 3rd in 3hrs and 22 mins!  What a star.  Another of that crowd came in just under 3 hrs 30 mins.  At the end of the day you set your own goals based on what you think you are capable of.
Finally a colleague of mine entered the race and was in it just to finish - he had his doubts.  During his training he shed some weight which was one of his goals and completed the course in 5hrs 41 mins which is a fantastic result.  It just goes to show what you can do when you put your mind to it and I'm looking forward to see what's next on his list as he can build on this result.