Another winter basecamp season closes...

Special correspondent coach Paul wrote..

Final Basecamp of the winter period and this time there was no snow, well.. just a little at the top of the Farefield Horseshoe. This camp was a little different than all the rest being for both triathletes and cyclo sportive riders a new idea has begun and it could be big. Saturday was the first of the big rides and everyone set off together on a cool misty morning, temperatures soon began to rise though as we all climbed Kirkstone pass, out of the mist and into the sunshine and the groups began to split to all there different levels. First stop Keswick and a much needed refuel at a very nice café, it was then decision time do we complete the full ride and head over Honister and Newlands passes or take the direct route back to Basecamp.

All the cyclists and most of the triathletes headed off on the long route whilst I decided to head back to Basecamp with the Endurance coach to prepare the evening swim session. Little was I to know that this decision was going to lead to a race up and then back down the struggle.. the legs where burning and the lungs bursting but sat at the top of Kirkstone drinking orange juice outside the pub in the sun, was one of the highlights of the year so far..

(It should be noted at this point that whilst coach Paul rode a carbon Giant road bike, endurance coach was in fact on a mountain bike! Just in case coach paul starts spreading rumours of how he kicked endurance coach's ar*e!! Not so on the race down.. smart boy! - Editor)

Day two and the groups go there different ways, cyclists off to ride Whinlatter followed by the mighty Hardknott and Wrynose passes and Triathletes off to run the ten mile Fairfield Horseshoe. A great run with spectacular views of Ambleside, Rydal water and Grasmere. Even a spectacular fall in front of everyone couldn’t spoil the day, although as I walked back up to meet the rebel group (you know who you are) the blood had started to dry and I wasn’t looking forward to taking the compression tights off.. The cyclists arrived back at Basecamp some eight hours later, tired hungry but all with a sense of achievement at completing all the Lakeland passes in one weekend. A great bunch of people, good weather, the stunning Lake District scenery and awesome training, it doesn’t get much better.

Here endeth theenduranceblog..