Another “online friendship” one made over the years – Simon Scarsbrook and I have chatted about the race on and off for several years. Simon kindly sent me this write-up – exclusive to the 3 Peaks Blog..! Blimey this site is cutting edge!!
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| Simon Scarsbrook at Ribblehead (on one of my old Cannondale Frames. Little known fact.) |
Knocking on the door of 50, after last year I had some dark thoughts as to whether the 2013 Three Peaks, my 17th, should be my last. I have always entered with the thought of being competitive, i’m never going to threaten Jebby, or my old friend Ian Taylor, but sub 4 hours has (as with a lot of people I think) been a good aim.
This year though my aim had definitely been to just finish. A torn ligament & tendon damage in February (playing hockey!) left me on crutches through to May, and I am still visiting hospital for physio . I am able to ride without too much of a problem though, and a good showing at the South London Summer Cross series, built my confidence. The Peaks would be the target, to get fit for, to ride as father & son with my eldest, Kai, maybe finish, maybe a swan-song.
On the heady slopes of Simon Fell, I re-discovered my Three Peaks mojo. I relaxed as I don’t think I ever have before on the race, which probably contributed to a ‘not-bad-for-me’ descent. I admit to sitting in at the back of a group to Whernside, on which I suffered & was blown about as the rest, but soloing to Pen Y Ghent lane was a joy (there, I said it), and even after losing half my food early on Ingleborough (pockets packed in a hurry!) an expected ‘bonk’ didn’t materialise and I enjoyed the descent (looking anxiously for Son, who had had the mother of all cramps).
There can’t be a better experience in a race than hitting the smooth road again at Horton, and I sprinted in over the bridge at Helwith in 4.23:23 (226th).
So with thanks to all the organisers, helpers, cheerers, clappers, competitors and of course the weather!, here’s to my 2014 assault on the 50+ vets category!
