In the past I have always left the biking to Jon (who is pretty good at it) but over the last year or so I have gradually been sucked in to the world of biking and actually started to rather enjoy it, especially since I bought a beautiful road bike last summer. This summer with some triathlons and long bike rides planned I was keen to get back out on the bike now the winter has gone, and the City of Durham Duathlon seemed the perfect opportunity. The event, run by Durham Tri Club (whose illustrious membership list includes many Striders (or is it vice versa…?!)), was billed as a friendly event for beginners who are up for a challenge – and sounded right up my street. Almost literally since it was only 10 mins cycle from my house, rather a nice change from some rather long haul races in the recent past.
The weather forecast was not good, and after not a very good night’s sleep due to newbie nerves we awoke to lots of water underfoot but no actual rain, which was good. A quick Shreddie breakfast and kit check later we made our way to Meadowfield Leisure Centre where the event hub was. Registration was easy, pick up number, timing chip and stickers for bike and helmet. There was some confusion over where one’s race number should go as it turns out number belts are de riguer for triathlons and neither of us had one, but a very friendly and familiar marshal (hello Jacquie!) set us right – and so we pinned the numbers to our backs and went to get our bikes racked in the transition area. This done and helmet and clippy shoes (in Jon’s case) laid out neatly we headed back in for the race briefing. Compared to road races, there are a lot more rules in bike races and my head was spinning about putting your feet down at junctions, which order to put your helmet on and where you can get on and get off the bike but there were marshalls everywhere advising you what to do which was much appreciated.
The actual race involved a 5k run, a 25k bike ride and then a 5k run. Written down it doesn’t sound too bad, but the first lap of the first run (a three loop XC-esque course around the sports centre) was a nervy affair, partly because I wished I’d had trail shoes on, and partly because it was hard to concentrate when you know you have a 25k bike ride and another 3 loops of the course to come. The run was a loop of three halves, the first bit hilly and muddy, the second lap on tarmac but into a headwind, then a downhill off-road section. The course had friendly marshalls shouting encouragment at every point which was greatly appreciated, especially as I was pootling along at the back of the pack. 
First transition was ok – helmet before bike, chuck my waterproof on the floor (the sun had come out so it was clear I wouldn’t need it), grab bike, run with it to the mounting point, jump on, pedal. After a load of hills it was actually bliss to sit back and let the bike take some of the strain and I really enjoyed the first half mile or so before having to put some work in up the Stonebridge hill. The bike route is pretty straightforward and only involves one evil hill (Button Bank) then the rest is a lovely long downhill, so as bike routes go it is one of the nicest and again there were plenty of marshalls out on the course showing you where to go and shouting encouragement. I did ok on the bike and negotiated my way safely back to the transition point, stowed my bike away and then set off for the final 5k. There weren’t many people left on the course by the time I arrived but the marshalls were still as cheery as ever and I managed to catch up and pass two people, despite the fact that my legs had forgotten how to run. The lovely Kerry and Rob had also come down to do some spectating which gave me the boost I needed to crack on with it and I finally finished in around 2hrs 10 – not a great time but a great achievement! I have no idea of my split times as the results have not yet come out but I think I was about 5 mins quicker on the bike than I had been previously which I am pleased about.
Some excellent Strider performances including great debuts by Jon Steed and Lindsay Rodgers, but star of the day is Rachael Bullock who was first senior woman home and won a rather nice trophy and gift voucher. A lovely event and highly recommended for first-timers and those looking for a challenge close to home.