Triathlon England Social Weekend - Done!
- Brad Lincoln
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Our second annual Social Weekend as we emerge from the pain caves and into the spring sunlight. It's a time to run, bike and swim with old and new friends and just enjoy our sport together.
The athletes arrived over the Friday evening to settle into their accomodation. Well, all except Steve, who turned up 3 hours earlier than anyone else and immediatelty dived in - to his hot-tub. By the time anyone else turned up he was so wrinkled we nearly gave him an over 60s age bonus in the Zwift racing!
Everyone was asembled by early evening and gathered in one or two of the lodges allocated for us, bikes stored in the lock up and time to master our pre-event nutrition and hydration. Who knew prosecco was so performance enhancing?
Next morning straight to Alderford Lake. For most it was a chance to stretch the legs in a beautiful rural 5k.
OK. So Dom went the wrong way, but still managed to come in first, and Lauren was the first woman home (if you don't count the dog running with her owner and the 2 year old being pushed in a buggy).
For the hard core, that was a cue to head straight for the lake and an early year open water session.
Many of our triathletes had been spending the winter improving their transition skills, and were keen to demonstrate this in the brilliant cafe at Alderford Lake.
While one or two focussed on their running, the majority took to their bikes in the afternoon and cycled the fabulous lanes and minor roads around Ellesmere. Some opted for the shorter routes - and they were smart because they returned home in the early Spring sunshine. (Those on the longer route stayed out just long enough to encounter side-ways hailstones).
Thankfully the rain was very short lived. James and Mel joined us in the late afternoon to do a bit of British Triathlon liaison and to hear the views of club members. I think hot-tub recovery meetings might catch on, so expect to see BTF policies on this updated soon...
With the meetings over, it was time to set about the evening meal. A chance to compare times, chat through race strategies - oh yes, and there was some great food too..
On Sunday we headed back into the lanes for some more fun on the bikes. Some focussed on the cafe stops, while others bashed out over 90k at over 250watts. (How can it always be a headwind?). What everyone had in common was a great fun weekend.
Thanks to everyone who made it such a fun weekend, and especially to the team at The Barns, the Bolton posse, and Stuart. See you all next year!
If anyone wants to see the best place in Shropshire to enjoy a bit of swim, bike, run, then head over to: https://www.stayatthebarns.com.
A special thanks to Kate, Angie and the team there for looking after us all.
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