Western Lakes Polka Dot Challenge

Following the the Joyce Country Challenge and what must have been a good 20 miles of running, jogging and walking yesterday, the legs felt a little achey on waking up this morning. It was really good not to have to rush. The event start was only 3 miles from the cottage that Esroh had found for us, which meant that we had until 9.30 am to get ready for a gentle spin out to Ballinrobe for the start at the very civilised time of 10 o'clock. The expected numbers had been depleted by a clash with a road race scheduled at short notice for the same day so only around 40 or 50 riders were signed on. It was to be a mass start, with a motorcycle escort. I first thought that the escort was just to get us safely through the town, but he was actually to accompany us for the whole ride. The roll out was at an easy pace and we pretty much stayed together for the first very flat 10 miles. This was the longest stretch I had ridden without a hill all year! I was thinking that I could get used to this kind of cycling, chatting away to people without stress or strain. It was all remarkably sociable and non-competitive.

The pack only started to break up on the first climb. The lack of a competitive feel to the event made me a little uneasy about pushing too hard on the climb, so I kept well within myself in a small group just behind the leading riders. I really had no idea if there was an observed etiquette or not. The climb of Lally's Hill to about 300m was wild but actually rather gentle compared to the hills I am used to in the Yorkshire Dales. We seemed to be over the top very quickly and were rewarded with spectacular views over Lough Mask, to which we descended at the village of Toormakeady. I felt something distinctly odd about the bike handling on the way down, and it finally dawned on me that I had a soft back tyre. I should really have stopped to check it out but it's so hard to break your rhythm and momentum when descending. On reaching Toormakeady I did finally stop to be able to confirm that I did indeed have a slow puncture. I didn't want to lose the little group I was with so I quickly pumped it back up and carried on. I was hoping that it would be slow enough to avoid having to stop to fix it completely. Past experience suggested that could take me a long time!

The road from there climbed back up again, offering more wonderful views over Lough Mask, before reaching the main feed station. This caught me a little by surprise, firstly because the time had gone so quickly, but also because it felt so relaxed. Instead of riders dibbing, quickly collecting food and water, and whizzing straight out, everyone was sat down, drinking tea and soup, and generally taking their time over eating their sandwiches and cake. It was a proper lunch stop. It was great because I was able to have a couple of mugs of tea and some food before changing the tube in the back wheel. I was assured that people wouldn't leave without me! Because I felt no pressure of time and wasn't in a panic, it was all done very quickly. Or perhaps it's just that I'm finally getting the knack!

As the riders I was with earlier started to drift out, I decided to join them and found myself in a group of four. We were soon over the little climb and past the point from which we left the road yesterday to begin those many miles of trackless wandering. It didn't seem possible it was only yesterday that we were running along here. But another day, another event, and a whole different tempo. We were into the wind beside the beautifully wild and wonderfully named Lough Nafooey and we silently shared the work at the front. I had the rare experience of having those on my wheel struggling to keep up and when we came to the short climb (see picture) which led up to the where the feedstation from yesterday's event was situated, I began to pull away.

The climb from the head of Lough Nafooey

A great descent followed and then a right turn to take us down towards Lough Corrib. Here we picked up a bit of a tailwind and having overtaken a few riders on the descent I was starting to feel a little competitive. The road ahead was now a more major affair with some straightish sections where I could see other riders ahead. I upped the pace and started to pick people off. A few latched on to my wheel and I rather enjoyed being the lead man. Suddenly, though, I found myself on my own and it was only later that I found out that people had decided to stop for a pint at a bar! It was hard not to think that perhaps they have the right idea about events over here!!

Meanwhile, quite oblivious to this very relaxed approach going on behind me, I was on a bit of a roll, enjoying the tailwind and the fantastic scenery, but mostly taking pleasure in my fitness and feeling strong despite the rigours of the day before. The route was well marked and it wasn't too long before I got my bearings and was in familiar territory, following the road to Clonbur and then Ballinrobe. I chased down a couple more riders, but they were getting thin on the ground now. I arrived back at the cycling centre just under 5 hours after starting, just catching another rider as we entered the town. I was amazed to find that only one other person had already returned. The informality and lack of fuss was very refreshing. I had a quick bite to eat and then reversed the course to see how M was doing, taking pleasure in cheering through quite a few of the riders I'd been chatting with earlier, including Esroh. At Clonbur I decided to stop for a break and shortly after saw the broom wagon pass through. I was told that M was with two other ladies and would be with me soon. It turned out that M had enjoyed a very long and civilised lunch stop indeed with her two new friends, and I escorted them all back to the finish, now beginning to properly feel the accumulated tiredness from a long weekend. By the time I'd got back to the cottage I'd completed 100 miles for the day.

As it turned out, M and I were the only two people to complete Esroh's double challenge. I'm trusting that these two visitors from faraway shores will now be written into local legend - and function as a spur to get more local people to take this on. They should, for it really did make for the most wonderful weekend. Esroh's sportive route was stunning, although, I have to admit, not as hard as I was expecting. The hills are beautiful here but nothing like as demanding as the ones we have back home. Which isn't a problem at all. Not every event has to be a killer! For something a little different, to be integrated into a holiday, I can thoroughly recommend this event and would love to see others travelling to have a go next year. I'm pretty sure I can guarantee the same fabulous hospitality that we received.