Waterside B

Greetings peeps. Today was the next step towards the DW and it saw us compete in Waterside B, 17.6miles and 19 portages on an 'up and back' course. We had heard stories about how choppy it gets at the start and at the turn around, so we were preparing for that. Also it can be complete carnage at the portages, so it should be a fun event :o)

Last time out at Waterside A we had an average speed of around 4.5m/ph/, we know we need to get our average speed up to 5m/p/h if we want to complete the DW in the 24hours we have set ourselves. Bear in mind though, that this is total speed to account for stops and portages as well as speed over the water.

We had a target of around 3 hours 30mins for today as step up in pace. The start was complete mayhem, so many crafts of all sorts scattered and rafted up all over the place waiting to be given the all clear to head up to the line, and then the first 500m was really choppy due to the volume of boats in a narrow stretch of the canal.

Without going into immense detail, we did the ‘up’ stretch in good time (apart from once getting tipped in by a C2 pair who seemed to have no sense of decency on the second portage). We were both feeling good for the 'and back' stretch which would always take a bit more out of you as we would be paddling against a little flow.

We kept the boat moving pretty well, the major leaning issue of Waterside A seemed to be resolved and we paddled home in 3 hours 11mins, so well inside the target we had set. To say we were pleased is a bit of understatement, we have come a long way in even 2 weeks. I put the extra speed down to Enda's new running shoes ;o) However, we still have room for loads of improvement; we got tipped in once which cost us a few minutes. Also although our portages were quicker, they can get a lot slicker. For the record, that gave us an average speed of around 5.7m/p/h a fair improvement over last time.

Want to say a massive thanks to our support crew for today, Andy and Gareth. Never thought I’d be fed Jelly Babies like how you would feed a horse and Enda received a drink in his eye once, don’t ask ;o) lol

How do we feel now? Well not too bad for me, sore knees from the getting in and out and a tingly right hand from shoving my hand in nettles or something on a portage, but red wine eases the pain :o) lol

So Waterside C in 2 weeks, how will we fair there?????????

A couple of pics below of today and a video of one of the portages. I will upload an album once I get all the pictures onto my computer.

Ready For Action!!!

Carnage at the Start

A Bit of Portage Action