BTS Club Champs 2023 at Dorney Lake

Results

1h03mn17s
AG 2nd/15
Gender: 7th/54
Overall: 8th/80

The swim

The swim was unexpectedly brief—only 400m. For a moment, I regretted not bringing my TT bike, as I wouldn’t be as far behind the fastest swimmers as I was expecting.

The cycle

Ah, the cycling leg—where the magic happened. As I mounted my vintage Peugeot, I could almost hear fellow competitors’ distant cries of “Is that a museum piece?”. But instead of rusting away in the annals of history, my trusty steed roared to life (or as much as a vintage bike can roar). I averaged 36km/h, overtaking many modern-day triathletes. At some point, I pictured myself as Dave Scott riding a similar bike in his triathlon glory era.

T2

Transition 2 (T2) was a breeze! Not having to change from cycling to running shoes is a game-changer. My T2 was so swift that I’d shaved seconds off my record faster than you can say, “T-R-I-A-T-H-L-O-N!”

The Run

The run leg was my moment to shine—at least, it was supposed to be. I charged ahead with the enthusiasm of a kid on a sugar rush, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t quite catch Rudy. I suppose my vintage bike had drained all my historical reserves. Finished with an honourable 2nd place in my age group, just behind the untouchable Chris. I managed a respectable 7th male and 5th Club-wise.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the BTS Club Champs 2023 was a blast. Racing on a vintage bike was a dream come true and a highlight of my triathlon career. I might not have won, but I certainly rode away with a smile—and a bike that’s officially cooler than most people’s social media profiles. A huge thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who cheered me on. Here’s to more races where I can blend nostalgia with athletic prowess and maybe one day figure out how to get the best of both worlds.

TIME CHIP