Last weekend saw several Looe pioneers showing what amazing athletes they are as they took to two wheels to take part in the extremely challenging bike ride - Coast and Clay sportive 2021. This was on the hottest weekend of the year, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees.  There were several distances on offer to the athletes, Nina Bond, Helen Lawes and  husband Simon Lawes both opted for the 44 mile route known as the Challenge. Phil Gibson, completed in the Epic, a 71 mile route. Whereas Mandy Gibson opted to complete the longest of the routes on offer known as the Extreme, being 104 miles long. 

All of the athletes' starting point was Padstow, the athletes rode down to St Mawgan, near to Cornwall Air Ambulance, where they turned towards St Columb Major at the 11.5 mile mark. At this point the route varies depending on the distance they have signed up for. For the 44 mile route, the athletes head south towards Summercourt, then turn to Mitchell and turn again to St Newlyn East, by now the athletes are at the 25 mile mark. Athletes head up to Kestle Mill and on to St Columb Minor. From mile 30 they head north, having a view of the sea, at Harlyn, mile 42, athletes turn towards Padstow to finish their race. 

For those on the 71 and 104 miles route, they leave the other athletes at the 11.5 mile mark, where they take a wider loop around Rosenannon, Ruthernbridge, Victoria and Roche. From here there is a significant increase in elevation making the athletes work even harder.  Reaching the highest point in the route, of nearly 1000 feet. Both groups head back towards Indian Queens, moving south to give the athletes a view of Meledor. At mile 44 the two groups split, with the 71 mile group turning towards Summercourt and completing the same route as the Challenge group. Whereas the Extreme group travel the 8 miles on to St Austell and Charlestown. From here the athletes move on to Hewas Water and at mile 67 make it to Lamorran. Moving over to Malpas, then the rides start travelling north to Tresillian at mile 72 and up to Brighton. Here athletes rejoin the 71 mile group at Summercourt and complete the same route as previous riders. 

Nina Bond completed the 44 mile route in 4:27:05. Simon Lawes finished the route in 4:33:22, with Helen Lawes completed the route in 4:34:38 and this was her longest ride to date. Phil Gibson completed the 71 mile route in an impressive 6:38:10. Mandy completed the 104 mile route in 7:55:53, being the first female back, an unbelievable achievement.

Mark Deacon, known as Coach to fellow Looe Pioneers, came back from a year long injury to compete and dominate in the Plymouth triathlon, which took place earlier this month. The Triathlon pushes athletes, and incorporates a 1500M swim, in the case in open water, 40K bike ride then a 10K run. 

The swim started from Mountbatten, taking the athletes into open water. Mark completed the 1500M swim in an impressive 31.30.

The bike ride starts at Mountbatten, takes the athletes along Church Hill Road then Hooe Road. Athletes then carry on to the outskirts of Plymstock, to Elburton Village, on to the Elburton Road. Riding on to Brixton, turning around just before Yealmpton. Here the athletes return to Elburton Village, this time turning and riding towards Staddicombe before rejoining the road on Hoe Road. For athletes, like Mark who took part in the Standard Triathlon and therefore longer triathlon, they have the pleasure of doing the bike ride twice to make the distance. Mark completed the bike ride in 1:41:50.

The final element of the triathlon was for the athletes to complete a 10K run. For most of the run, the athletes keep close to the water's edge. From Mountbatten athletes run along Lawrence road then return to the water's edge, along to Hooe park, from here the run across to Jennycliff round Fort Stamford back to Mountbatten.  Then repeat the reverse of the loop and head back to Mountbatten for a well earned rest. Mark completed the run segment of the triathlon in 49:57.

Overall Mark Deacon came first in his age category, after a year of suffering injuries, this is an excellent way for him to enter the season.

​In early July, Carol Beaver is a seasoned Triathlon athlete and Julie Gregory, who completed her first triathlon. Though 4 events of varying distances were on offer, both competed in the Big Squirrel Tavistock Triathlon. This amazing duo had to complete a 400 m swim, followed by an 18K bike ride and to finish the event a 5.4k run. With the swim taking place in Mount Kelly's amazing Olympic Legacy Pool. Then athletes transition to the bike element of the route. Starting on Parkwood road, which runs parallel to the River Tavy, athletes continue along the A386 until they reach Mary Tavy. From here, athletes cut across the Dartmoor National Park to North Brenton, where athletes turn again on to the main road and continue back into Tavistock. With not a moment to lose the athletes start their run, along Old Exeter Street, across the Tavistock Viaduct and along Viaduct walk, once the athletes reach the 2 mile mark, then they turn around and return along the same route that they had come, before finishing the race and taking a well earned rest. 

Carol completed the triathlon in 1:59:14, finishing 5th in her age group.
Julie finished 2:38:15, coming 6th in her age group, an epic achievement for her first triathlon.