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German riders beat the New Zealand crew by under 10 minutes over the 200km Yarmouth-Annapolis Royal Stage One Leg of the 5-day international unicycle race. The New Zealanders closed the gap by about 6 minutes over the 218km rain-drenched Stage Two to Hubbards. Today are the Time Trials from Hubbards, along the 22+km Aspotogan Peninsula, and later in the day the Truro Criterium Loop.
Nova Scotia High Rollers have found the international competition very tough and pulled out of Stage 2 about 40km outside of New Germany in shockingly heavy rains. Being chased by a Rottweiler and having a team member suffer stomach illness did not help. They will continue in the event at the Hubbards Time Trials today.
School children have lined the streets along the route. As riders left Yarmouth kids came out to greet the teams racing by. In Lawrencetown kids “high-fived” riders and were thrilled at the teams doing BritechGPS-baton exchanges. In New Germany an estimated two hundred school children welcomed teams at the first check point of Stage two, despite the rain. Knots of rural Nova Scotians watched in amazement as these athletes flew by and sprayed a trailing tail-feather of water , with video and still cameras recording the event. Flags were hung. Signs of welcome were posted. Balloons decorated many farm gates. Towns rang church bells and blew fog horns to signal the arrival of teams.
Seven teams arrived within about 23 minutes of each other at the end of Stage 2, an incredible result considering the distance and weather conditions. About six minutes after the German Team arrived, the New Zealanders crossed the finish line, with Team Smile (UK-Australia-USA) a close two minutes after the Kiwis. Heavy rains changed the dynamics of results. The young Korean Team, Team UFO No.5, for example moved up from 13th spot on day one to 8th spot on day two. The all-female Team Venus No.3 dropped several spots as did the Hurculean duo of Nathan and Beau Hoover. British teams fared well in the rain.
Despite the conditions many riders were having the time of their lives.
Standings will be made available as soon as they become available to the blog.
In celebration of Ride The Lobster, Condor airlines (www.condor.com) is offering a free flight draw to Europe for two.
-Edward
