We have raced at Dorney Lake before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Adrian was keen to try and qualify for the Sprint Triathlon Age Group World Champs in Hamburg 2027. I thought I’d join him for a day out, and although I don’t usually “Sprint”, I thought it would be fun to try the Sprint Aquabike.
On Saturday 11th July 2026, we set of early for the drive up to Windsor. On arrival we were happy to be directed to what seemed like a VIP parking spot closest to the registration.
We registered and then faffed about a fair bit before heading over to set up in transition. It was quite a hot day and was deemed to be “no wetsuit”, even for over 60’s. Most people weren’t happy about that, but Adrian is a good swimmer, and I am quite buoyant in the water, so we didn’t mind.
Dorney Lake is a lovely venue for the swim. Created for the London Olympic rowing, it is clean and easy to sight in. The bike is also on closed laps and we were excited to try our first draft legal bike!
Adrian went off first and I was able to see him come out of the swim and give him a cheer before heading off to get ready for my briefing.
In the Tuff coached swim session on the previous Thursday evening, Graham had us practising sighting and drafting. In particular Graham encouraged us to get up close and enter into a bit of argy bargy!
As our wave set off, I was able to get on the feet of a swimmer. She was quite distinctive in a Royal Airforce trisuit! She was going a little faster than I would normally manage on my own, but I felt relaxed following behind and keeping up close. I tried not to touch her feet too much but couldn’t help it occasionally!
Being a Sprint race,it was only a 750m swim, and as we came towards the end, I tried to draw up beside the Air Force lady. I was almost squashed between her and another swimmer, and she clearly didn’t like me being that close, so she forcefully pushed back at me and hit my arm quite painfully and I had a big bruise appear the next day! So much for the argy bargy, but fair game as I had a good ride around behind her!
Then on to the 20km bike leg which was 4 laps of the course. Being draft legal, tri-bars were prohibited. When I have ridden together with Adrian, I have had quite a bit of practice of drafting behind him and am used to sitting close on a wheel. I also often draft in a Angmering Cycling Club Group as they often go a bit faster than my comfortable pace. The first two laps I struggled to get on a wheel as I could catch up to a group, and I didn’t manage to stay with a group that sped past me. At the end of the 2nd lap, I heard Adrian give a cheer from the bridge.
Soon after, I got behind a wheel and really benefitted from drafting, only to be disappointed when that lady finished and went off the course to transition.
Not long into my 4th and final lap, a lady came past me quite fast. I made a big effort to get on her wheel and managed to hold on. It was quite exciting being pulled along at about 39km/hr, considerably faster than my usual pace.
On the far side of the lap, the wind was against us. I thought it only fair that I give back a bit, so I asked if she wanted me to take a turn on the front. She said, “yes please”! So, I went past and did my best to keep up the pace but into the wind. I didn’t last long, but she was appreciative as she went on to transition to her run. I had given it my best and that was the end of my aquabike race swim-bike-done!
Back in transition, we met up with the legend that is Bob Rogers. We looked up the results and found that he had won his age group Sprint triathlon! This also meant that he was English Champion, British Champion and had qualified for Hamburg!
Adrian has a percentage for Hamburg, so he will have to wait for the roll down. If so, it will be my turn to carry the bags!
I can recommend Dorney as the perfect Lake swim and closed road triathlon venue!