Down Striding EdgeAfter a very wet and windy night day 2 began on a soggy field alongside the Keswick showground. For the early starters it was a case of getting ready in the dark while the elite slept, though that hardly seemed just.<br />
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This was where those new to multi-day racing found out some of the harsh realities, and it wasn’t just the aching limbs that needed to be stretched and re-energised. It was finding all the kit for the first stage in the jumble of boxes and bags in the van in the dark, then finding much of it was wet. The last minute panic of missing pumps or inner tubes, lost maps or dibbers, and some jobs there had not been time to do on the bikes. Most of the support crews are new to the task, and it’s a steep learning curve, so those with experienced support and previous multiday experience have a distinct edge.<br />
The start was moved from Keswick market square to the outskirts of town ... because market stalls were being set up! This was one of many minor adjustments being made as the race progresses ��" the campsite in Keswick was moved three times, the finish of day two was moved down the street in Kirby Stephen and the first transition of the day was a car park ... which the council had dug up to resurface.<br />
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This made the transition, set up on a single track road just across the Thirlmere reservoir dam, a bit tight, but somehow room was made for everyone to leave their kayaks, ready for the racers to pick up after their short ride out of Keswick. They then had to carry down a steep set of steps to the waters edge and paddle the length of the lake, which was perfectly calm. There was one glitch for team number 73 ...no kayaks. Their support crew had not turned up! They arrived after an anxious 15 minute wait. <br />
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There are worse calamities, and one is your support vehicle breaking down ��" which happened to Team Jakil at the end of day one. They managed to find another vehicle and buy a new bike rack, but couldn’t stretch to a new canoe rack for one day of racing, so had to miss most of day two and just complete the last cycle ride. But from day 3 they are back in the race!<br />
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After the idyllic early morning paddle along Thirlmere came the steep ascent of Helvellyn, and it was anything but calm up on the summit. Some racers missed their way on the top in cloud as they attempted to find the start of Striding Edge, though for most of the time it was clear, but very cold for a ‘summers’ day.
SleepMonsters
