The Rookies guide to the new IMUK Bolton Bike Circuit
So the big news this week was that Ironman changed the bike circuit for the 4th year in a row…..
‘Oh ffs’ we all cried…..
Rather than jump on the bandwagon and offer an opinion like every fucker else, I decided to keep stum until I had actually ridden it…..
Rode it for the first time today I did…….
Before I tell you what happened, I’ll get on me soapbox for a second if I may, then I’ll ‘frame’ the post with a bit of science and then we’ll get cracking……
Soapbox (30 seconds honest)
Anyone who ever experienced the iconic support on Babylon Lane and Hunters Hill have pined for those days ever since they were casually ripped out of the Bolton bike circuit in 2018…..
The spectator support in those areas was nothing short of incredible and in my view, it hasn’t really been the same on the bike route since……
Why they changed it we will never know……
I suspect Ironman’s hand was forced…….
One thing I noticed from the new bike circuit straight away……
There are loads of new boozers for the wonderful supporters to get their teeth stuck into…….
Top of Walshaw/affetside in particular have the potential to be very special indeed……
Science
I might have done Bolton 5 times in a row but that doesn’t mean i’m any good….
‘Just’ get round and i’m happy as a pig in shit……
It was an ‘impossible dream’ in 2017 yet I became addicted and have done it every year since…..
What am I addicted to?
3 things:
- Paying my respects to the iconic supporters that line the racetrack…….
- The way I feel when I train for it (like I could take on a lion and win)……
- Getting my hands on the sacred medal…..
In terms of my fitness, at 5/11 and 14 stone 8 I am at least 2 stone overweight, so you could say I am a bit of a fat bastard…….
Not exactly ideal is it?
You must also remember that whilst I have been training since January, it’s been a rocky road full of blips and it wasn’t that long ago I was bouncing around a Lanzarotte nightclub throwing a few shapes at 2 in the morning following a bellyful of beer and a box of smokes when I really should know better at 45 years of age……
Dickhead….
Can’t imagine Joe skipper doing that 10 weeks out can you?
In terms of my current performance, my previous loop time was peppering the 2:30 mark but after a bit of focus and a touch of fine weather for a change I managed to get that down to 2:10……
So a 2:10 loop is the benchmark for where I was at…….
What happened on the new loop?…….
The weather was on a par with the 2:10 effort, clear and dry with a bit of a gusty headwind (as there always is round these parts although the wind today was a tad stronger to be fair) …….
I’ll cut straight to the chase…….
I rode 2:13 which I was absolutely over the moon with I was expecting the changes to kick my arse, but they didn’t……
So the loop time is pretty much identical to the previous circuit……..
But the experience of riding it?…….
It’s chalk and cheese mate……..
For once the Bolton bike circuit actually feels like a racetrack instead of a grindtrack……
There are large parts where you can get down onto your bars and glide…..
Yes you heard me right……
We get to ‘glide’ mother fuckers…….
When have we ever been able to say that in Bolton?
Don’t get me wrong, this is still a tough test and lap 3 will certainly be very tasty indeed……
But I reckon these changes have the potential to make Ironman UK the best experience for years……
Come and have a do and you will soon see what I mean!
Buzzin I am right now…..
Let’s av it!!!
2 laps planned for next week, update to follow next Sunday on here if you fancy a read!
www.strava.com/activities/7142797508
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By the way, have you heard about this book? its nearly 500 pages crammed full of hints and tips detailing exactly how I was able to go from zero fitness to completing an Ironman triathlon and covers super sprint, sprint, olympic 70.3 & full iron distances all from a ‘first timer’ perspective – please take a moment to read the reviews on amazon www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Ironmen-Iron-Rookie/dp/1974002322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540676777&sr=8-1&keywords=iron+rookie
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