The Inaugural International Col du Carnock meeting

It was billed as the cycling event of the year and so it turned out to be. Thrills, spills, skids and blowouts,the inaugural International col du Carnock meet had it all.

Nine budding cyclists all vying for the 'Yellow Jersey of Carnock'. As if to remind the guys about their roots, the rain showered everyone as the Ironman kicked down on the pedals as the first man out. Team Turtle were represented first by The Doc and subsequently by The Duracell. They should both be proud of their times. Team Turtle may soon have a new members welocme sign if this pair continue to speed around time trials like today. Junior I and JuniorII made a big splash on the scene demonstrating youthful enthusiasm. Junior II taking a spill and ripping his jumper. It was only moments before the start he mentioned we would like a new one with pockets. Coincidence?? Junior I fresh from racing sheep around the fields of Aberdeenshire, came home to a podium finish of 2nd showing he has lost none of his pace since moving to the far north. It was great to have him in the line up.

Santiago clearly drained from his fantastic time in the London Triathlon struggled with the pressure from the high quality field, nevertheless finished strongly. The Fit One kept up a cracking pace consistently around the course, despite being unfortunate in arriving at junctions and being held up by cars.

Bigman struggled against the windy conditions however managed to pick up time on the cycle track with a steady 32kph the full distance unbeleivably coming home marginally in front of Little Bigman some 30 years his younger but still massively fit. Perhaps the wind also did not suit his light and fleat of foot frame.

The Yellow Jersey for the 2009 International col du Carnock meet goes to The Ironman. Having blasted around the 20 mile course, he got a puncture just two mile before the finish line. His focus and determination meant he just cycled on including the ascend of the Col du Carnock itself before crossing the line in sub one hour. What a cracking time.. As the New Zealand comentator says, He is the Ironman

When all said and done the end positions do not matter. What we experienced today, was a group of friends and families across all age spectrum from the expected but not yet arrived and up to the age of Bigman, enjoying friendship in a small town in Fife.

A big thanks to Fett Images for teh photography and to the Wingman for his barbeque and logistics management. Top gun!