Geordieman Half Aquabike, 31 Aug 2025

This one had been in my diary for just under 12 months. I was thinking of doing it last year but it lost out to the Lochore off-road mixed terrain Aquabike which intrigued me, and which I enjoyed. The Geordieman was my third and last half distance Aquabike of the season and was the last chance to get a decent result which I could use to qualify for the 2026 European Championships if needed.

Preparations went well, I was ready as was my preferred bike, a Blue Triad SP checked, serviced, chain newly waxed and a full bike clean. Saturday afternoon I got my kit together, checked it off my list and loaded the car. Although the race was ‘local’ I was up at 0345, washed, dressed, breakfasted and out by 0430.

I arrived at 0535, following a diversion due to a road closure, parked the car, and registered. With numbers on me and my bike, tyres checked, hydration bottles filled and fitted to bike I entered transition, racked the bike and got into my wetsuit. Dawn had just about broken but there was no sign of the sun just yet. Briefing was lakeside at 0615. Still no sign of the sun! 0620 the first wave were off, immediately after, the second wave which I was in, got in the water. The water temperature was a few degrees above the ambient air temperature and I didn’t need too much acclimatisation. A quick look around to check my position in relation to the first bouy and to see the rest of the field and I caught a glimpse of the rising sun through the trees behind me. That could cause problems with sighting later on, but no time to dwell, “3,2,1” the horn sounded and we were off.

I started quickly, with hindsight too quickly, my stroke was out of synchronisation with my breathing, so I slowed the pace for about 20 metres, then gradually increased the pace. We’d been informed at the briefing of the presence of weeds, heavy in places, particularly in the shallower water to the south and north shores and to swim as straight a line between the bouys as possible. Something most competitors would do, however, it did mean the washing machine effect was there, not just the start, but more or less for the duration of the swim. The leg from first to second bouys went well, my plan was to start to pick up speed after the second bouy. It was a bit of fight getting in position to round the bouy, as many competitors arrived at the same time, but that was the least of our problems, once round the bouy I tried to sight the third bouy but was blinded by the sun. Fortunately it was the same for everybody. I caught a brief glimpse of a boy and headed in its direction, mindful to keep competitors to my left and right. Around the third boy and a few attempts to sight the fourth bouy as the sun was still causing problems. Around the fourth and with normal vision resumed, the finish, two yellow bouys were clearly in sight. Time to pick up the pace again.

Out of the water I gathered my senses, unzipped the wetsuit and jogged/ran to transition. Wetsuit, hat and goggles off, helmet gloves and shoes on, bike out of the rack and headed out of transition on the 75 or so metres to the bike mount line.

The route went west out of the country park, then south, with just a little taste of what was to come later, heading into a moderate southerly head wind. I hit my stride quickly and started to pick off riders. The roads although not closed, were relatively clear of traffic. At approximately 14km the route turned and headed north, time to take advantage of the tailwind and I was still picking off riders. The route was predominately heading north, with occasional forays west and east. At 37.5km the route went through Hipsburn, no such thing I thought, I felt fine and was still picking off riders, although I started to yo-yo with another rider. At 58km the route turned and started to head south, 32km to the finish and into the headwind which had intensified, and was getting stronger with frequent blustery gusts. Time to knuckle down and finish what I had started. I was still yo-young but maintaining speed. Another rider overtook me, but he was competing in the full distance event, so wouldn’t affect my overall position. Signs for Druridge Bay where the race started and was to finish suddenly came into view. I had a clear run to the finish, no other riders in sight ahead of me and none threatening to overtake. I got to the dismount line and was off the bike in a flash, a run to transition, re-racking of the bike, then promptly exited transition the logical but as it happens the wrong way to the finish. A 180 degree turn and a sprint through and then around transition led me to the finish straight.

It was a great race, despite the conditions. I wasted time in transition at the end and could have knocked a couple of minutes off my time, however, it wouldn’t have affected the placings. I ended up 7th overall and first in my Age Group. A pleasing result.

Bryan Harding