Taking on the Tempest

Wiggle are renowned for putting on great sportive rides, well stock feed stations along with challenging routes; the Stratford Tempest Sportive didn't disappoint. Our riders at Apache Brave Racing took on the shorter of the three routes on offer a 65 mile rolling hilly route. 65 miles might not seem difficult at the mid season stage but, add strong head winds and it becomes a battle of strength, power and mind challenging endurance.

Right from the start line saw challenging hills that quickly split riders apart with the stronger cyclists pushing out of their seat reaching for the top of the first hill. It set the pattern for the rest of the ride. Hill after hill saw the riders battle against peaks and wind, there never seemed to be any recovery as the wind made the riders push to keep the pace up on the down sections of the route. 30 mile in saw the first and most welcomed feed station, a good selection of gels and protein bars were on offer, a quick grab and then back on the saddle straight on to another hill. The weather had warmed up with the clouds trying to break up to allow the sun to shine, but the wind stayed.

The pace of our riders was still good with our lead rider Steve Ingram pushing over 20 mph for most of the ride. 45 miles in to the sportive saw the final feed station, a smaller selection on offer but the right nutritional selection , a quick refill of the water bottles and a caffeine protein bar and on our way for the final leg to the finish.

A few steeper and longer hills was catching many riders out slowing the pace and breaking any group of cyclist up. Apache Brave Racing rider Richard Watson was now powering to the finish, having balanced his nutritional needs out over the race and a caffeine shot to focus the mind with 10 miles to go he was able to quicken his pace and push toward the finish line and end his ride strong, Steve crossed the line first followed shortly by Richard, Franco and Dina. All team riders agreed it was a challenging ride but a most enjoyable day.