Gbduro21 - day 11.1 or .2 or…..I’ve lost track

I still have the log in details for this which is a good thing... After having my wings clipped I’m still being allowed to fly… for now…. Albeit I’m flapping about uncontrollably on the floor.

Without further ado, lets get this runaway train back on the tracks and catch up with the good shit!

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Finally, the route has treated us with the weather our summer should have dealt us. Those still out on track or in the hills will be feeling pretty smug about themselves. They’ll get to experience Scottish wilds in all their glory. Their story hasn’t yet ended so we’ll be keeping tabs on them as they make their way to the end of the pink line,

Below is a snap shot of those riders who have so far made it to the end of stage 4 and the end of a gruelling event. These are the order in which they appeared at John O’Groats. The weather and terrain have not been kind on their bikes, body and mind, but miraculously they are still smiling! 

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Monday and Tuesday morning was a bit of a blur for everyone. However we can’t ignore Angus’s incredible ride, who rolled in very early morning, regardless of the outcome. 

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Ollie just got stronger and stronger as the days passed. Apart from a low point earlier on in the event he seemed to take most of what was thrown at in his stride. Early battles with Lee Craigie and later Jaimi, had us on our edge of our seats. 

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Our first female home on Stage 3, just of a couple hours behind Ollie, but also our first female home overall. If we’d had a podium for overall shed been on it alongside Mark and Ollie. Stunning ride!

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Seemed to be in front of the lens a lot as well as being towards the front of the field. A strong performance, rolling in 3rd on stage 4, The photographers must’ve taken a shine to him as we’ve heaps of pics of him!

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Needed no introduction at the start and still doesn't! A superb ride from our celebrity and first time bunch rider… Rumour has it he’s pretty handy on a bike though! The Corrieyairack pass will be ingrained in his memory for some time to come. A huge congratulations to Mark for being our first rider home. Again, it’s not the way he wanted thing to transpire but you can only ride your own ride.

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Rolling in together, Philippa and Alice both had a storming ride! Our 2nd & 3rd female home respectively made even more impressive that they were 5th & 7th home overall. Both we’re lively characters on and off the bike and keep the other riders and crew entertained throughout. Plus, they can ride their bikes! PDQ.

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

An honorary Scot for the past week, after all but one of my countrymen and women kacked it and scratched. Carl is another hard bastard that just rides his bike without fussing. No surprise he rose to the occasion when the weather turned shite. 

[Photo Credit: Tomiczkovva]

One of the many riders who seemed to smile their way through their ride. Emily genuinely looked like she was having an absolute ball!

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Nick flew under the radar to put in a solid ride both on stage 4 and overall. Coming home to bag 6th rider home overall. However I am very unimpressed with the mismatching tyre sidewalls. Just wrong, Only slightly redeemed by matching the reflective strips to his bottles. Fine work sir.

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Fast and adding colour to our photographs even when the weather was ming! Still haven’t a clue why she looks immaculate when all around her look like they’ve been dragged through a hedge every which way.

Simon’s photo should be about here but our photographers were….

[Photo Credit: Tomiczkovva]

I’ll trawl IG and grab one of him and update this later!

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Ed was another to put in a sold ride. Not a stranger endurance sport - his IG handle suggests as such - coming from the dark side of tri and running daft distances he dipped his toe into the world of TRC having done TransEngland and TransWales, as well as the ‘DURO’ events he seems to be no bad at cycling daft distances off-road either.

[Photo Credit: Tomiczkovva]

I met Howard while he was Riding the GlenDuro in July. Scoping out the GBDURO route no doubt. Having been one of the last riders home within the GC crowd, there’s no shame given casualty rate dished out by a savage route which has claimed around 20 souls. 

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Claire has measured her effort throughout the event and managed To arrive within the GC cut off. Through she’ll get a row from the team as she hasn’t posted a timestamp pic yet. So I’ll put that down as pending… she maybe went straight onto the beers as rumours that Lewis was nearby, who’s job seems to be, put a can of T in the hands of the riders pronto.

[Photo Credit: Tommycheck]

Last night was the official finishers party. Although, going by the cut of Carl above before revelries commenced, I’m not sure how lively it was.

Provisional results are up on the website for the statos out there. 

​Will keep you updated as riders roll in.

Laterz
DP