BishopsCastle 30_06_12

Bishop's Castle Tandem Triathlon - Saturday 30th June

This unique annual event (now in its 27th year) sees around 100-130 tandem teams assemble from all over the UK and Europe. Billed as a fun event (which it is) it sees very serious competition at the sharp end, as well as those taking part purely for a day out in the beautiful Shropshire Hills. Several take part as fancy dress, and there's even a competition based on the 6 pubs that are passed en route (have a pint in each pub).

However, even those not taking it seriously will still find the event demanding. One person completes a 1000m swim (which is the only flat part of the day), boards the tandem for a hilly 21 mile circuit, which includes a very nasty mile-long 1-in-7 hill - Colstey Bank. This is climbed twice. At the end of the second climb, is the start of a 10k off-road run. The run is brutal, climbing to the top of Bury Ditches for some truely breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. Essentially 5k up, then 5k down (although there is a sting in the tail with a 500m uphill finish), made even more difficult this year having been churned up by deforestation work in Colstey Wood. Then re-mount for the final 4-mile dash back to the event HQ. Oh! and because it's June, the event was greeted with a strong southerly wind and peppered with heavy showers.

For Sue and I this was our 4th time, but this year we were joined by newbies - the Father and Son team of Martin and Tom Ford. Sue and I finished 14th overall, and first Mixed Veteran team (which was nice) with exactly 2hours 36minutes, and Tom and Martin 63rd with 3hours 29mins and 49secs. Here's a team photo, with mascot, taken, smiling, before the event unfolded.

Website Designed by Taylored Web Solutions