13/09/2026
Nice one coached rider Deborah Jeffries, what an epic and what an achievement 💪
Last weekend saw a huge weekend of racing for Team Zurbaran Racing— Hill climbs, Nationals, Track Racing and even a first-ever 100 for one of our girls! 🚴♀️💨
There were podiums, medals, personal achievements and plenty of pink & grey along the way. 🩷🩶
🥈 First up… Debs!
"Vags 100
No pressure just my biggest distance ever and it would make me the only female in Teesside and VTTA North to complete the 3 distance competition of 25, 50 and 100 miles.
Everything was prepped as well as you can around 2 SEN children. Probably not out to HQ as early as I would if I didn’t have the boys but we made it work.
Rolled up to the start with 2 super fit 14 year olds behind me. Absolutely lovely kidsand as predicted both passed me about 3 miles in.
But a 100 is a marathon not a sprint I deliberately took it easier in the first lap to build up my power as the day went on.
I only started cycling in June 2023 my first time trial was a 25 mile SPOCO at Bishopton held by Cleveland Wheelers on a triple chain ring hybrid bike in the dry. I finished that event in 1:37.35.
Lap 1 complete and I was on for around 6 hours. I managed to eat a one good thing on the move and sipped on my bladder 10 sips every 10-15 minutes. The road surface was improved after red row on last year when I did the 50 and I was sitting in to build up and have a lovely day.
The marshals and support was outstanding👏👏👏
Lap 2 building up speed everyone else in the 100 had passed me with words of encouragement but this was my personal challenge. I’m a tubby mid-40s mum of 3 who rides a very nice road bike with flat pedals because I’m scared of clipping in. Another breakthrough moment I managed to take a gel whilst riding without stopping 🙌
Lap 3 started huge cheers from the junction where the 50 ends the at about 60 miles things went biblical roads flooded the plan was over at 50 miles I might have got under 6 hours. Couldn’t take any risks it was about survival and getting home safe. Must be about 4 or 5 TTs this season I’ve had a soaking. Had a hairy moment 30 miles to go when a fast 50 rider shouted behind me when I was going round a wet manhole in the road. It frightened me a bit which made me angry and I
might have had a few fuming tears. I stopped at a farm soon after thinking with 30 miles to go and biblical rain I had to take my glasses off to see better and 2 gels to fuel me to the end.
Lap 4 started 25 miles to go already my longest ever ride which was previously 73.8 in March
2024. Rain started easing roads were less flooded but traffic was getting busier.I stopped at Widdrington South R/A ready to turn right. Once traffic cleared I set off round the roundabout. As I went round the roundabout ready to approach the exit my bike must have skidded on something and went down on my right side. I had no warning I just went down. Fortunately nobody else was involved I had a hole in my skin suit arm just below my elbow which was bloody. I jumped up to continue no way was I DNFing with 15 miles to go. If my bike was going so was I. The marshals helped me get my chain on checked I was ok. I was very cautious for the last 15 miles but also conscious of the marshals standing out waiting for me to finish. My hoods were all twisted I honestly thought my bike was going to be done for the season but my breaks and shifters worked so on we went.
I crossed the line at 6:18.09 my first 100 completed. Remember that first 25 I mentioned if I had done a 100 at that first ever TT pace for 25 miles it would have taken 6:30.20 so in 3 years I have made good progress.
At the finish I receive first aid from Peter and Frances. I was first (and only) female road bike so with an antiseptic wipe on my bloody arm and my arms out of my skin suit I took to the top step of the podium with a wee wobble.
It was a good day out and definitely character building. I have unfinished business with both the 50 and the 100 for different reasons but winter training will be building up for better times in those distances next season. "
Well done Debs. Super proud of you! More silverware to add to the collection!
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