The Long Awaited first GB Quad post Covid ‘Brigg Bomber 2021’
The BQA would like to say ‘A huge thank you to Lincsquad for all the hard work they put into getting this race to take place, it was certainly challenging with so many restrictions having to be enforced. Throughout the planning there was always a possibility of a last minute cancellation, but despite this being in the back of everyone’s mind the Lincsquad Committee pulled out all the stops ‘in true Lincsquad Style‘ and everyone had a fantastic day!
I have been sent 2 great Race Reports, from 2 of our ever supportive BQA Members, thanks to John Kavanagh and Peter Chappill.
John’s Report: It was lovely to be back racing again and renewing friendships between competitors that have not been able to meet up for over a year.
Brigg in Lincolnshire is the usual venue for the opening race of the GBR season. This year it was also a World Cup race, although under the current circumstances no overseas athletes were able to take part. Because the race numbers were expected to be lower than usual, the organisers (Lincsquad) added a triathlon to the quad, which doubled the number of entries. The other changes imposed by the COVID conditions were to reduce the swim distance from 1500m to 800m as many would have had little opportunity for swim training; the bike route (32km) was changed to a single lap but slightly shorter than the 2 laps of recent years; the 7km kayak route was unchanged from last year; and the 10km run route was changed to a single out and back lap, avoiding the town centre.
The start was staggered, with two athletes going off at 30s intervals. The start order was determined by predicted swim times with fastest setting off first. In the Men’s race Steve Clark and Mark Walsh were closely matched in the swim with Michael Mason over a minute behind. Mark was fastest in the bike leg, but Steve had lost some time while Michael moved up into second. The kayak section was decisive, Michael was fastest by far and built up a 6 minute advantage, Steve had closed the gap on Mark and was only 30 second behind. Michael extended his lead on the run, while Steve moved up into second place.
In the Women’s race, the lead was similarly exchanged during the course of the event. Sallie Joseph and Helen Adams set off together on the swim. Helen came out in first place by over a minute, while Helen Bainbridge, who started much later, was second Lady swimmer. Thereafter, the battle for to top place was between Sallie and Helen Adams. Sallie was almost 2 minutes ahead after the bike but Helen Adams was much faster on the kayak and established a 10 minute lead. A super run from Sallie allowed her to regain first place which she held onto by the small margin of 14 seconds.
The race was held in wonderful weather and Lincsquad put on a very well run event. Their marshals, as ever were terrific, efficient, friendly and encouraging. Many thanks to the organisers for putting the event on, especially under the current circumstance where COVID rules and advice are changing so frequently and unpredictably.
Pete’s Report: The Bomber 2021 – New Beginnings. We took some time to think of those who could not be with us.
The priority is to thank all those people involved in the behind the scenes of all events. If you have only ever taken part then this year set aside some time working with those who spend many hours ensuring that the day happens. Planning, typing, printing, equipment procurement, setting up, marshalling, signage, timing, coordinating all the support agencies, dealing with issues on the day, and clearing up.
This year has been particularly testing, the theme quickly became NEW.
The registration, briefing, transition, start, routes, and addition of a triathlon, to accommodate those who haven’t quite developed into a proper athlete yet, were all NEW. Closer liaison with national governing bodies and hoping for a period of stability were at the forefront with the possibility of a last minute cancellation on everyone’s mind. Despite this the planning continued.
We all arrived social distanced at the swim start. Starting in pairs at 30 second intervals seemed very relaxed compared to the usual chaos. First time participants enjoyed this experience as did I. Anyone who has been kicked, punched, and swum over at a mass start will appreciate the difference. Having recently experienced the wettest weather in Wales on record at the training camp with ice over 500m above sea level, all four seasons every hour of every day, the peace and calm was a welcomed change. The bonus was that the river temperature here felt tropical. The NEW shorter swim felt the same distance too me, lack of available training opportunities a reasonable excuse.
The NEW one lap bike course had brutal climbs for us Lincolnshire folk, for those from Wales or Bude they were mere speed bumps. The light wind helped to ease the pain. The spanner in the works was a temporary road work section which disappeared immediately after the event had finished, bad timing. There was space and an air of calm in the transition area.
The NEW kayak route, for the fully fledged athletes only, the triathlon people went on their run. This route utilises the island system and has bends and curves which is more scenic than the straight river out and back route and I couldn’t see how far I was behind the others. The sun came out and things warmed up. The river was flat calm. No excuses available today.
The NEW run route utilised a tow path along the river bank. The old hands might remember it as a single mud track with nettles. Today it is a hard surface designated cycle route some 6 feet wide. This part requires a lot of mental toughness due to the fact that it was hot, and it is straight enough to see all the other runners heading back towards you. The finish line as always was a welcome site even without the support of a crowd. My customary stand in the cold water while eating my free banana gave me chance to reflect on what had been a great day. To actually be with other likeminded people made a refreshing change.
No presentations or tee shirt tour this year.
Thanks again to all those who devoted time too ensuring this event happened and I hope it lifted the spirits, and gave a NEW focus for training for everyone who participated.
BQA Results BQA trophy 2021
WQF Results WQF World Cup 2021
So after such a quiet season there isn’t a lot to report, but I did feel the need to keep in touch and wish you all well with your training over the winter months! I hope we all come out on the other side, ready for action with a full season of Quadrathlons in the diary.
Lincsquad Events 
Sytri Events 
So hears wishing you all a Safe and Happy Christmas and lets hope its going to be a Wonderful Adventurous New Year with our Race Heads Back On!!
along with the Millock Hill that took them back for a September Break! They enjoyed the Quad course and rumor has it they even did the bike course twice (though not on the same day!) 
We were staying at a site on the bike and run course so drove down to Bude to catch the tide coming in. This was Donna’s first sea swim for many years and the sea had been kind with no waves and a small swell. The usual 2 laps were completed. Transition into the kayak as usual completing the normal course. Dodging the pedellos and rowing boats slowed things a little but being able to use the weed free centre channel made the time up. Transition out the kayak saw us driving back to the campsite.
Into the site for transition to the run. Jeff and I joined the route into Bude as usual. Donna famous for add-libbing decided to run the coast path.
‘Sprinkling the Fairy Dust’ – It’s been great company to have Lance Ball along side in all 5 of this years Virtual Quads, I certainly think this was one of the calmest and warmest a fitting tribute to Bude! Perfect conditions here in Chester on the River Dee warm calm and sunny… certainly ideal for our 4 disciplines, transition area was a bit tight in the backs of our cars but it was good to be out there and reminiscing about Bude Races gone by! 
today we were there in spirit, lets hope its the real thing in 2021! Jean 
David Jones and his Quad Friends at Manvers Lake doing there motivational multi session swim kayak and a run in and around the lake! If any one is near Manvers sessions like this go on most Sundays!
So today 6th September should of been the wonderful Shrewsbury Sprint Quadrathlon, unfortunately like all our Quadrathlons this season sadly Covid cancelled. However not to be disheartened and as always #makingthemost members of the BQA got their Quadrathlon Heads on, and did their own virtual quadrathlons! 
Jean and Lance took to the water in Chester and completed a long version of the Sprint quad including an extended kayak and bike, the weather was beautiful and it brought back many memories of all those fantastic races organized by SYTri … we gave it our best shot and we can’t wait to be back in September 2021!
The river was swollen and flowing fast so for the 500m swim I tasted what a decent swimmer feels like finishing in around 6 minutes. Had it been against the flow I would still be there.
The kayak leg was out against the flow and provided some wobbly moments at the turn. The return leg was 2 mins quicker and a lot easier.
ll though these events are not the same with people passing me spurring me on it does act as a normalisation in these frustrating times! Fantastic effort Pete … we look forward to the Bude-ifull Report next weekend!
Covid-19 Replic-Quad Series Round 2 ….the avid followers of Quadrathlon will know that round 1 was the Adventure Bomber.
The transition was back to the grass having to carry the bike through the gate. To simulate Dearne it was a deep water start in the kayak. This allowed Donna the opportunity to practice her high brace.5 “ish” laps around the perimeter of the lake made the 4kms route. The shapely course, plenty of turns and cross winds made for some interesting moments as did the deep water exit.
Meanwhile over in Chester Lance Ball and Jean Ashley were replicating Dearne Valley, thinking of Mark Benton and all at Manvers Lake we took to the River Dee to keep sharing our Quad Passion, and doing our own ‘Social distancing Quad’.
Other BQA Members were out at Manvers Lake, well done to Bob Mawson, Dave and Caz Jones also flying the BQA flag!
This is very sad news once again, to hear Shrewsbury Quad is another race to be cancelled to Covid. We thank the organizers Phil Holden and the SYTri Team for consideration of our safety and everything they have done so far, I have no doubt we will all be there to support them again in 2021.
So last weekend we should of all been racing at in the European Quadrathlon Championships ‘Brigg Bomber’ and it was great to see that some Quadrathletes took it upon themselves to do there own 
