A Long Weekend: The Dambuster Triathlon and Dartmoor Classic

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18.06.15 at 9:51 am

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It’s always worth taking perks into account when starting a new job. I’ve been with Yellow Jersey for a little under three months now, and as a cyclist, it’s a pretty great place to be.

On Friday, we will be heading up to Rutland Water for Saturday’s Dambuster Triathlon. The Olympic distance event takes place across a 15km open water swim, an undulating 42km bike notorious for its crosswinds, and a 10km run, crossing the Rutland Water dam from which the event takes its name.

An event reasonably early in the summer and used as the start of many triathletes season, the Dambuster is a tough event for even the strongest competitors. I, on the other hand, will be enjoying the Harbour Bar Café by the start area and offering free readings on our body composition analyser, a constantly popular machine at Triathlon events.

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Sunday morning will be an early start as we rush back down South to the hugely popular Dartmoor Classic Sportive.

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From humble beginnings, the Mid Devon Cycle Club have taken their local sportive and grown it into a true festival of cycling, embodying everything we love about our sport.

Run through Dartmoor National Park, the route boasts dramatic climbs and descents among the wild moorland, meandering streams, gorges and cascading waterfalls of an area of outstanding national beauty. With three routes of 35, 68 and 107 miles, the event can be enjoyed by pretty much anybody, and as a result all 4000 spaces this year sold out in a matter of hours.

The sportive ends at the Welcome Village with the distinct feel of a summer festival. With live music, food, good beer, and cycling brands selling all the gear you need for the summer (often at good prices) it finishes off the sportive perfectly.

More than most events, Dartmoor’s Welcome Village gives us a great opportunity to meet other cyclists off bike in a casual and relaxed setting. Last year the riders were treated to a beautifully sunny day, with local people spraying hot and sweaty riders with cool water at the top of the longer climbs, and helping out at the feeding stations along the route.

I know there are plenty of Yellow Jersey customers attending both events, so please don’t feel shy about coming over and saying hello. One of the chief motivators for us at events like these is to put a face to a number on a list.

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