Race day. We rolled back down to the castle, now crowded with contestants going about their pre-ride routines. As we joined them, I spotted a screen displaying a livestream from a nearby osprey nest, contrasted between sponsor marquees. Race day – but also, Earth Day.  

The forecasted rain fell right on cue, as the first wave of riders flowed onto the course. Once the initial period of jostling and sketchy, tyre-on-tyre descending passed, we settled into a rhythm. It felt good to be moving. The familiar Kielder dust was dampened by the continuing rain and cascade of tyres – this was going to be a very different ride to last year. Although Martin, Jake and I had drifted apart as we naturally found our own pace, we reconvened at the first feed station.

After a refuel, we headed back out into the expanse of forest. The largest man-made forest in the country, surrounding the largest man-made lake, and under one of the nation’s darkest skies. In this land of firsts, we felt like a true medley of mediocrity. Embracing the ‘smiles, not miles’ philosophy, we continued, making sure to appreciate the space we moved through and the people who we shared it with. Moving along the route, I considered the lack of biodiversity amongst the young growth, coniferous plantation that surrounded us. Despite this, the air was clean, and the rest of the world seemed distant. The combination of challenging, physical activity in nature was once again proving hard to beat.

As the miles ticked by, the crowd thinned and there was a growing sense of community and shared will to make it to the finish. Faces became increasingly familiar as we pedalled, crested, and coasted. I spotted a ‘10 miles to Kielder Castle’ sign, followed by a ‘9 miles’. Time slowed during the final push around the reservoir in the setting sun. I realised that I hadn’t checked my GPS all day, and had enjoyed the relative unknown of speed, location, and time. A large roe deer darted across the lakeside trail. As I crossed the final bridge and begun to winch up the final climb to the castle, Martin and Jake cheered me from the garden of ‘The Anglers Arms’. After just shy of 12 hours in the saddle, I crossed the line and was greeted by a marshal explaining how I go about receiving my much-anticipated reward of a hot bowl of curry.