QF Focus Magazine “Trofeo Penon de Ifach” Cycle Sportif, Calpe 2016
On Saturday 12th November 2016 ten members of Team “Cyclogical” based in Ciudad Quesada, travelled to Calpe to participate in the 7th Trofeo Penon de Ifach Sportif. They all stayed in the Diamante Beach hotel which has been the main Headquarters for the race for the past 6 years.
The Sportif / Race is usually well organised and was supposed to start at 8am with a mass start of 550 riders with 50% participating in the Medio Fondo (85kms) and the other 50% taking part in the Gran Fondo (140kms). Eventually we all started just after 8.30am with everyone now cold and a little bit annoyed as we had been on the start line since 7.30am. All riders were sporting a number on the front of their bikes which was chipped for recording the times. We all started well with the long slow climbs out of Calpe, which sorts everyone out and thins out the group. After approx 25km we were all stopped by the Guardia Civil who made us all wait until everyone was together so as they could escort us through Moraria en-mass. Can you imagine!!! All the hard work and effort we had put in to get away from everyone and get to the front then to be stopped dead in our tracks. We waited for about 15 minutes and were then escorted through and stopped again. Last year was a big improvement on previous years as there was no mass start and no following a pace/ police car. You could start anytime you liked between 8am and 9am. It was basically a race from start to finish against the clock and all the other riders and this was what we had expected this year. Anyway we were now off doing our best to pass as many people as possible and get to the finish line. We were all doing the Medio Fondo, as 6 of the riders were taking part in their first ever Sportif. Harry, who is only 18 years old and is our apprentice mechanic, has only been cycling on a road bike for 8 weeks and did brilliantly getting all the way round without walking. Also Dom TJ, who is 21 has only been cycling with us for 12 weeks and was 4th back in our group, and 68 year old Mike Wilks who took up road cycling earlier this year was 6th in our group. Fraser (who came over to watch last year, was smitten, went home, bought a road bike and flew back over to take part in his first Sportif) also managed the complete course without walking - it was an excellent effort by all four of them. There were 2 food / water stops on route which were optional with beer and Paella at the finish. The route was brilliant, slightly different from previous years, with fantastic views and the weather was great, beautiful and sunny and not a cloud in the sky. At the finish the team celebrated with a beer and paella before returning to Quesada for a night out at Sabores in La Marquesa. Well done to all the guys and here’s to hopefully a better organised 2017 event. Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 100kms at a moderate to fast pace, so if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. We also have a newly formed Improvers Group so if you are looking to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed, and also have a new group of friends to train with, then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637 487 377. Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical in Quesada Monday to Fridays from 9.30am until 5.30pm and from 10am until 2pm on a Saturday to assist and advise you on all your cycling requirements.
Answers to Sudoku & Spot the Difference
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