Two-barred Warbler, Spurn

 

We were lucky, it was still there this morning so off we went to Spurn. A nightmare of a journey with an overturned lorry closing the motorway and all the traffic diverted through town so absolute gridlocked from our road end. Eventually arriving at Spurn mid morning, the bird showed on and off the whole time we were there, but with a large crowd it was certainly not easy. But, see it we did and it took Karen's UK tally to 433.

Pic by Ian Smith. 

British Cycling Championships, Men's Road Race, Lincoln

There was a decision to make this morning in our house.........cycling or birding. So Simon left the decision to me and I chose cycling hoping that the mega Two-barred Warbler would stay at Spurn until tomorrow. It was chucking it down and I was beginning to wish that I had chosen neither and we were having a TV and logs on the fire sort of day !  I have to admit, I am a massive cycling fan and with Mark Cavendish being the superstar rider today and he would come past us 13 times.....it was an easy decision.  So a roundabout with a sharp left turn was chosen, thinking they would slow down......wrong !  Jesus, 40mph in the wet with a road covered in leaves on a sharp corner with lots of road furniture, did they slow down, did they bugger !  And they all stayed upright which was an absolute miracle. The crowds were almost non-existent, everyone was in Lincoln city centre watching on the hill climbs and cobbles. 

We had an excellent day, thoroughly enjoyed it. Team Ineos Grenadiers winning yet again with Ben Swift retaining his title and Ethan Haytor coming in 3rd, Fred Wright of Bahrain Victorious was 2nd. 

and here they come !!

Mark Cavendish 

CAV   !!

British Time Trial Championships, Lincolnshire

 

Ethan Hayter

Alex Dowsett, Israel Start-up Nation

This car was the star attraction, an electric Porche. It looked fantastic, wouldn't say no to one !

Catching you !

Connor Swift, Team Arkea Samsic

Filming you, filming me, filming him !

Lincolnshire is hosting the British Championships this year so we headed over to Tealby and Walesby to watch the Over 23 Men's Tile Trial. We know the area so chose the hill climb with nearby parking for us. The crowds were quite small which diminished the atmosphere somewhat. There were only 40 entries into this race so it was soon done with Ethan Hayter of Team Ineos Grenadiers taking first place, Daniel Bingham and James Shaw of Ribble Cycling came 2nd and 3rd. Chris Froome was entered as was Owain Doull but they had both pulled out. Very disappointed that Froomey didn't ride but I have Cav to watch on Sunday at the road race. 

We have been totally ruined by watching the grand tours on TV as this was certainly back to basics with some riders being on simple road bikes with no support car and no sponsorship. A vast contrast compared to the Ineos team with cars and bikes to cobble dogs. This race was won by Ineos as was the Under 23 time trial which was won by Tim Hayter, Ethan's brother. 

Looking forward to the road race on Sunday, should be good.