Reposted from John’s Facebook, here for posterity!
The 60th Three Peaks Cyclocross was held last Sunday. The toughest cyclocross race in the world by a long chalk, taking in some of the finest upland terrain in the Yorkshire Dales. Things had been beyond fever pitch for some time in the Elwell household with Lucas tackling the race for the first time, my eighth edition and also my 60th year. On top of that, the team mechanic decided to take on the build of 3 pairs of wheels and was faced with a full strip down and rebuild of one of the bikes due to frame damage a month before.
Setting off at 9-30 sharp from Helwith Bridge, the neutralised road section was relatively slow this year which resulted in some tense moments negotiating the bridge in Horton in Ribblesdale and the cattle grid at the start of the off road section leading to Ingleborough.
My Achilles rehab paid dividends of the 40 degree slopes of Simon Fell and before long I reached the summit of Ingleborough. I made a fairly brave stab at the boggy, grassy descent to Cold Coates where our marvellous pit crew, Rachel Kendrick, Spike Elwell and Tony Stubbs supplied me with fresh drink and energy bars. I also got confirmation that Lucas was safely ahead.
I got in a strong group on the road past White Scar Caves and was soon battling up the stone steps of Whernside. With relief I reached the upper, rideable section and past the summit checkpoint. Things unhinged somewhat on the descent and two crashes disrupted my rhythm. However, things fell back into place on Blea Moor and before long I was met by the usual enthusiastic reception of spectators at Ribblehead Viaduct. More top support here from the pit crew, then the road section to Horton.
Legs tiring now but I was able to press on up Pen y Ghent Lane. Unbeknown to both of us, I was passed higher up by fellow V60 Mark Ferguson and dropped into second place. Just before reaching the summit loop I was thrilled to see Lucas heading down, looking like he meant business! After negotiating the 206 summit steps (mostly avoided by using the grass at the side) I reached the third and final summit and set off on the fast and technical decent. Rattling down Pen y Ghent, getting cheered on by friends and other supporters is always a race highlight. All that’s left after that is the gruelling road section back to the finish at Helwith Bridge.
I crossed the line in three hours and fifty seven minutes. Not a PB, but not a fast course this year neither. My finish line print-out revealed I was second V60 and Rachel gave me the awesome news that Lucas had finished third Junior rider. The last suprize of the day had to wait until the podium presentation when we got the news that we were the second placed parent and son team! Another top day out. Chapeau Lucas! Thanks especially to our support crew and to Woodrups Cycles who made an eleventh hour repair to my back brake. Thanks also to the organisers, volunteers and supporters out on the course.
