Ilkley Cycle Races

The weather was beautiful this morning so I cycled into work despite the heavy legs. It felt good to be turning the pedals again after Sunday's epic. I felt fine on the flat but I was very sluggish on the hills today.

I certainly couldn't have coped with the circuit used tonight for the first ever Ilkley Town Centre Cycle Races. The Grove, seen here, was completely transformed. This is a shot of rising local star Ewan Farrow leading our biggest local star and Olympic Silver medallist Lizzie Armistead into the short sharp climb on what was a very tight circuit. I had a few mates riding in the group behind this one and felt very mixed emotions watching. Part of me was very envious but another part was quite happy that this particular cycling discipline has passed me by.

Neither Ewan nor Lizzie won the race but they were there in the mix and the support was fantastic. A great crowd turned out. Ilkley has totally caught cycling fever.

It's been another really tough day with barely a spare moment to myself. Thanks for all your kind words in respect to the bike. It's definitely been taken rather than mislaid! But as to the when and how, the mystery remains. It's still doing my head in. I'm guessing now it will never be solved.