Rousay Lap

A superb event. Over 70 competitors and a really great atmosphere from the moment we all started gathering for the ferry. Not officially a closed road race but there wasn't a lot of people on the island who weren't either competing or helping to organise so any traffic on the roads was few and far between. Lots of folk at the bottom of their gardens waving encouragement along the route.

Thankfully the rain stayed away and all we had to contend with was a wind that hadn't yet hit gale force but still did it's best to hold us all back on the outward route but gave us a helpful push on the home stretch.

Our results:

Steven - 1hr 3min 9sec, 7th place
Ruairidh - 1hr 17mins 12sec, joint 12th place
Me - 1hr 26mins 31sec, 18th place.

18th place!!!! Out of 45 cyclists. (I should point out that a lot of the cyclists behind me were kids under 10.... but I'm not going to.) I even managed to come in before any of the runners. Although the lead runner did overtake me a couple of times on the big climbs but luckily for me every climb has a downhill, and that last downhill went all the way to the finish line.

I enjoyed every minute of the race. Even the bits when slogging up the steepest, longest hills with the wind pushing against us.

The best bit? Crossing the finish line at full pelt with lots of cheering and clapping. Hadn't expected to get such a rush out of that.

Well done to the organisers. A really great day, very well run, right down to the very welcome soup and sandwiches at the end. Still counting up all our sponsor money but hoping to have raised around £400 for Asthma UK. A huge thank you to all who generously donated.