C2C Day 3 - Across the Dales

Charlotte Hattersley / 26.08.2013

Whilst the faster competitors enjoyed a relative lie-in, late finishers became early starters once more. They left the town square at Kirkby Stephen, and headed off in to the clagg to Nine Standards Rigg. Visibility was reduced although it was possible to see all Nine of the Standards, where Mick Kenyon & Chris Heppenstall had posted themselves for the King of the Mountains competition.

Today's winner was Family Duncan - Haglofs, in 48 minutes, 53 seconds (although Bruce Duncan did reportedly appear to have been dragged up...), second was adidas TERREX Prunesco (51:01), and third was Total Adventure (54:44). First male solo to the top was Ant Emmet (55:40) & first female solo Sally Ozanne (1:00:56)

Route-finding once more created challenges; as supporters drew conclusions about their team's navigation according to their place in relation to other competitors - one supporter (who will remain nameless said), "If she's behind them then she's definitely got lost…"

Eventually however, they were all descending off a muddy Nine Standards and into the transition at Ravenseat - a new location since the last race, and one in splendid isolation, although the farm cafe did good trade.

Then it was on to the bikes for the rest of the day - initially a stunning off-road route to Castle Bolton, & then an on-road ride through the Vale of York to Northallerton.

The off-road route took riders alongside the River Swale, and up and across East Bolton Moor, before descending to Castle Bolton on a bone-shaker of a bridleway. It was at Gunnerside on the Swale that a mishap befell Tom Gibbs of adidas TERREX Prunesco. He described it as "putting too much power into the rear wheel" - whatever the cause, the result was that he had to complete that section on a single speed. Wayne Elliot also managed a spectacular entrance to the Castle Bolton transition, by means of a 10yard skid - even he doesn't know how he managed to remain upright.

The second bike leg was no less eventful - unfortunately Claire Smits of Team Family Duncan - Haglofs had to withdraw after a fall from the bike - and has reason to be grateful for the helmet, the remains of which she's been displaying in this evening's briefing.

Then the Swedish team managed to trash a bottom bracket - resulting in a tow (improvised from borrowed inner tubes) for around 40km to today's finish at Northallerton. A pleasant change, the competitors finished in glorious sunshine - and dispersed mainly to Caffe Nero & Pizza Express, as far as we can tell.

Tomorrow's finish at Robin Hood's Bay no longer feels far away. An earlier start this time, with racers setting off at five minute intervals from 5am until 8.30am.

They will have a swift ride to Swainby, a run over Clay Bank including tomorrow's King of the Mountains, then a ride across to Whitby before the final transition onto foot for a stunning cliff top run down to the finish at Robin Hood's Bay, where trophies, medals, and glory await.

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