I ummed and ahhed about doing this, because my son isn’t easy to predict sometimes and its hard to know what he will enjoy. However he’s shown such an interest in cycling with me recently I thought I’d enter us both and have a go.

We parked up and Beverly Longcroft and went off to register, and unexpectedly got a rather lovely little courier bag and water bottle each, along with our numbers and tags for attaching to our bikes.

The start was all pretty easy – there were only 26 of us in the Mini G, so we all gathered together, had a quick briefing about where to go and then off we went, following the chap leading us off. This was good, because I felt really supported, cycling on a cycle track, in a pack, at not too fast a pace.

Once we left the cycle track we were on the road, but these were quiet country lanes, and for most of the time there was someone ahead for us to follow. I was nervous that we would lose our way, but once I began noticing the very distinct orange arrows on the road I relaxed, and realised that navigation was not going to be a problem.

Anders was having a great time. He rode in front or beside me most of the time (the roads were that quiet we could ride two abreast). He rattled on about this and that, the way he does, which is quite sweet. We were both mightily relieved when we found the point at which our route split off from the Big G – which meant we wouldn’t be riding through ‘til the next morning!

There were hills, and with his big knobbly mountain bike wheels he did find it difficult at times – “Mum, my legs hurt”, but he kept going. He loved the challenge of letting himself build up speed on the downhills!

The feed station was very welcome – wraps, malt loaf, ginger cake, and flapjacks. We both enjoyed a little stop for a nosh and a little rest.

And then off we continued. I kept reminding Anders that a sportive was not a race, but when we started to pull away from the boy with the racer, Anders certainly began to build up speed, which he maintained for the last 5 miles back to base. It isn’t a race, but the chip timing was a nice touch, and yes, Anders was thrilled to have beaten a racer. He’d pedalled so hard towards the end he had no appetite for the food at the end, but I did, and was happy to tuck into my pie and beans before packing the bikes in the boot and heading home.

This event was a perfect introduction to anyone wanting to take their biking just a little step further than a little bumble to the park and back. It had the flair and support of a ‘proper’ race, without any of the pressures to achieve a certain time or position. Very child / beginner friendly – most of the people riding with us were parents with their children, although there were about 4 adults on their own as well.

Look out for it next year – but get in early before it sells out!

Ann Holmes (West Hull Ladies RRC)