Monikie Festival of Sport Standard Distance Aquabike, 4 Jul 2026

Library photo (actual weather was much better!)

It’s been a while since I’ve competed aquabike at standard distance – 5th May 2024 to be precise, my second attempt to qualify for GB age group. Although I performed well, I didn’t qualify and subsequently moved up to middle distance, which with hindsight, suited me better. So why go back to the standard distance? A couple of reasons. The first was that Monikie was a British and Scottish Championship, secondly it was also a World Championship qualifier, and, thirdly, the shorter swim distance might suit me better having had shoulder injuries to overcome this season.

I travelled up to Dundee the day before the race, the plan being to drive the bike course, which I was glad I did. Quiet narrow roads, a largely unsheltered, undulating, two lap course with a total elevation of 361m including two ascents of Carrot Hill, 2.4km with an average gradient of 4.7% max 9%. Certainly challenging but nothing to get worried about. My main concern was the weather. The forecast which I had been following all week was overcast, with some rain and potentially very windy, gusts of up to 30mph. Although I had a disc rear wheel and deep section 90mm front wheel in the car, the bike was fitted with more suitable wheels bearing in mind the potential wind. With the recce of the course done I drove the short distance to Carnoustie where I was staying overnight.

After a relatively peaceful night, I awoke and effortlessly shifted into race mode. The weather was remarkably calm, few clouds and not even a hint of rain let alone wind. With everything packed away I left the hotel and drove the 10 minute journey to race HQ and parking.

Still no hint of rain or wind and a more blue sky than cloud brought about a wheel dilemma. Should I, shouldn’t I, change the wheels. I almost did, but decided not to.

Having registered, I sorted out the numbers for me and the bike, put the hydration bottles in the cages, checked the tyre pressure and proceeded to transition. The swim was a wave start, in age groups, 15 minutes apart, youngest first. My wave was last to go, I only had two hours to kill! Still no rain or wind. Before transition closed I put on my wetsuit and made my way to briefing which was in two parts. First the bike, with the swim to follow lakeside, after all competitors had walked behind the solitary piper to the lake.

Another hour to wait while the waves set off, then all of a sudden it was time for my wave, into the water which was a pleasant 19.2°C to acclimatise, 3,2,1 and then off. The swim went well, I got into a good rhythm, my sighting was OK although as I often find, bigger bouys would make sighting so much easier. Back to the start bouy when I picked up the pace with just one lap to finish. Getting out of the water wasn’t easy, fortunately Marshall’s were on hand to help. I was out of the water 120 out of 147 (11/15 Age group). It was then an uphill 250m jog/run to transition. I was out of transition 83rd (5/15 AG) and on to the bike. A few drops of rain during the swim or was it just splash water, the wind had picked up though (good decision on the wheels)!

I started picking off riders straight away, unfortunately there was no way of knowing if they were in my age group. All I could do was pass as many as I could without being passed.

During the previous night’s road course recce, I noticed a fair amount of gravel/grit on the narrow country lanes and made a point of being cautious, fortunately, the roads were not as bad as I had thought, in fact I was wondering whether someone had swept the roads first thing! Unlikely. Second lap came up and it was time to step up and throw caution to the wind, quite literally as it were, for the gusts were becoming more frequent. A few more riders in the bag before the entrance into Monikie Country Park and the dismount line which was also the finish. I had completed the bike finishing 56th quickest (4/15 AG).

Overall I was 78/147, Fifth in my age group, but more importantly the fourth finisher registered for the 2027 world championships in Hamburg which meant automatic qualification.

To say I’m pleased is a gross understatement.

Bryan Harding