Cyclist "gutted" as cold temperatures and strong winds halt NC500 record attempt
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ENDURANCE cyclist Matt Page said he was gutted to call off a NC500 record-breaking attempt after being caught in adverse conditions.
The ultra cyclist, who was attempting to break the record time set last year by Mark Beaumont (who completed the 516-mile route in 28 hours and 35 minutes), stopped his journey north of Berriedale after.
In a video shared on Instagram stories, he said: "I don't really know what went wrong, I think it all stemmed from getting very cold, temperatures plunged and I had a really strong crosswind. I think that that was probably the start of things.
"I just felt like I fell off a cliff soon after that and I wasn't able to pedal, I wasn't able to run on a straight line – it was about safety more than anything, I just had to stop."
Mr Page, who had left Inverness Castle at 6am yesterday and was planning to arrive back to the Highland Capital this morning, spent a total of 21 hours and five minutes on the road according to his tracker.
Some legs of the route saw him get well ahead of the standing record.
He added: "I am gutted because before that everything was going well, I was feeling good.
"I didn't feel like I was pushing it too hard, It's just one o those things.
"The support group I had was absolutely amazing. These are things you can't do without a big support group. I owe them everything. I am just so sorry that I wasn't able to make that happen.
"Also all the people who have supported me - especially Precision Fuel Hydration, they were key."
The athlete praised the former record breaker and wished the best to those wishing to attempt in the future, however he added that it is unlikely he will attempt for a second time.
