My training has been getting on pretty well lately. Apart from a short interruption from having a one-day bug, it has been nice and steady. My training is made up entirely of commuting.
This consists of a blast over to Fenchurch Street every morning followed by a short two-and-a-bit mile loosening up to the Station. The morning rides are generally very quiet and, with less traffic, are at a far more steady and controlled pace, interrupted only by (multitudinous) traffic lights. The evening ride is far more crazy; and the traffic coming out of the vicinity of The City is probably best described a Battle. A low speed jostling between bikes, motorbikes, cars, cabs, buses...
The bicycles generally win, because we can get through the smallest gaps. And, given the amount of cycle traffic on my route, there is a lot of impromptu racing which is where it all gets fun. It's probably not the best way to warm up, as effectively it is usually game-on from London Bridge, but it certainly makes for a great interval session.
On the Bikeradar forum, this is known as SCR - Silly Commuter Racing - and the forumites enjoy posting stories of their latest scalps. There is also a cute ranking system (based on position in the food chain, my ranking being 7). I don't know if I've met one of the 'Radars, but I certainly have had a lot of fun chasing down whoever might be around.
My personal bugbear is red light jumpers (RLJ'ers). So I make it a goal to chase these guys down so I can give them The Eye, and then leave them for dead. This is the goal anyways. Usually I catch them only to reach another red, so being forced to repeat the whole process. Or they simply get away as I'm stopped by successive reds. Whichever way it works (and high horses aside), it is a hard interval session and has helped in acceleration hugely.
After Elephant and Castle, the nature of my ride (and prey) changes. From the fast sprints light to light, the route is less interrupted and so becomes about trying to keep pace with the cars - which is usually about 40-45km/h. The bike traffic seems to mostly continue straight ahead where I turn right to head to Vauxhall, so this bit is a bit lonely in terms of SCR. So it is time to dig in, keep the cadence smooth and let the legs burn.
Vauxhall gives me a bit of a breather as lights provide rest time, traffic density slows things down (together with the need to be a bit more alert to traffic hazards!), but here I also pick up a few more cyclists. Onto Nine Elms Road I'm usually quite stuffed, but this is prime SCR territory. Not as much by the quantity of contenders, but rather the quality of battles possible; there are few lights, the Red Route bus lane provides a nice free flowing highway and the fast guys I've met along here have been pretty quick indeed. This section has been great for getting in some nice long, high intensity efforts in as I'm usually chasing a flashing tail light in the distance, or doing my darndest to stay away from a white flashing LED behind me. Or just racing buses.
From Battersea Park, I do try to slow it down to get a nice cool down and make sure I haven't got piles of lactic acid in my legs, but inevitably I get myself in to chasing down an RLJ'er on the run to The Latchmere.
Inevitably you meet the same cyclists on a regular basis; there is a guy on a black Bianchi 1885 who I have yet to get the better of, and another notable is a Specialized Roubaix pilot who is quite a rouleur but sadly also an RLJ'er - which makes my life doubly difficult.
But hey, it wouldn't be a challenge otherwise.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Saturday, 14 February 2009
The end of Winter?
I woke up feeling grotty. The week had been a long one, and Friday in particular was miserable and draining. Not that I was feeling anything like what I'd classify as "poorly", but certainly not 100%.
In my fuzzed state, I missed wandering around the corner to my favourite local café for my Saturday morning hit (but I did get a bunch of laundry done - how's that for messed up priorities!). I got the bike, race bag and other racing essentials into the car on time, but misjudged the traffic and ended up being stressing about missing the race. I still fail to understand how it is possible that it was quicker to get from our previous home in Reading than it is from Battersea, but that is how it is, go figure. Anyhow, thanks to deft navigation (thanks Garmin), we arrived with enough time to sign on, unpack and get onto the circuit. Perhaps it was the adrenaline of trying to get to the track on time, but as soon as I was on the bike the fuzzy head was forgotten and I was feeling ready for action.
The first few laps of the race were quick; though probably felt faster than they were due to my lack of a warm-up. The Imperial trio were turning up the wick at the front which strung the group out a little. I moved up and got stuck in a little.
Thinking back to the first race of the Winter Series, it is amazing just how much the racing has evolved. Previously the racing was fairly cynical, a collection of random, ill-conceived attacks that, combined with little co-operation, would inevitably lead to nothing. Yesterday's race was a lot more interesting so that now the 4th Cat race is no longer seems to be mostly about riding around for half an hour and then hoping to finish in a reasonable place to get some points.
Back to the race: after staying right at the front in the early stages I decided to drop a but further back into the shelter of the group but keep an eye on what was going on. I was feeling great and was looking forward to the final lap. I got myself into two break attempts that looked like they had at least half a chance. The second was unfortunately ill-timed. For some reason I thought there would be just a lap to go when it started, but there were still two. I was gutted to head up the finish line to see the "2" board. Argh! A lap at full bore would be OK, but not two.
So I settled back in to catch my breath. I still felt great and was really looking forward to putting everything into a final surge to the line; I was ready to do something special. Unfortunately my run up to the line didn't go at all according to plan. I got boxed in and passed on the back straight and so ended up further back than I wanted to be heading into the 2nd last corner. Then that sickening sound of bike hitting the deck.
Being on the right edge of the track, I had nowhere to go but the grass, my momentum taking me right into the (thankfully flat) field. I've always wanted to do cyclo-cross, but this wasn't how I'd envisioned my debut on the rough stuff. And so ended my ambitions of a great finish. The guys who went down were OK, so I turned my cranks up toward the line to complete the duty of the lantern rouge. But despite the disappointing finish, this was possibly the best race so far - or at least the second best (last week was particularly enjoyable!). I felt great and I believe a good finish was definitely on the cards.
As with so many things, my experience of the Imperial Winter Series was completely not what I expected and all the better for it. Naively I has wanted to get stuck in, grab some points so I could start the season as a 3rd Cat.
I missed that target, being four points shy. But I have ended up gaining far more from the racing. I've learned a lot and my race craft is certainly sharper. I've also grown a lot more confident as a racer.
For now I'm looking forward to the rest of 2009, certainly a lot more racing. Firstly I'm going to have a lot more fun. And secondly I'm going to chase those points down; there are still a few races around in the coming weeks, so perhaps I'll drag myself over to Redbridge to see what that all this talk of the big hill is all about.
In my fuzzed state, I missed wandering around the corner to my favourite local café for my Saturday morning hit (but I did get a bunch of laundry done - how's that for messed up priorities!). I got the bike, race bag and other racing essentials into the car on time, but misjudged the traffic and ended up being stressing about missing the race. I still fail to understand how it is possible that it was quicker to get from our previous home in Reading than it is from Battersea, but that is how it is, go figure. Anyhow, thanks to deft navigation (thanks Garmin), we arrived with enough time to sign on, unpack and get onto the circuit. Perhaps it was the adrenaline of trying to get to the track on time, but as soon as I was on the bike the fuzzy head was forgotten and I was feeling ready for action.
The first few laps of the race were quick; though probably felt faster than they were due to my lack of a warm-up. The Imperial trio were turning up the wick at the front which strung the group out a little. I moved up and got stuck in a little.
Thinking back to the first race of the Winter Series, it is amazing just how much the racing has evolved. Previously the racing was fairly cynical, a collection of random, ill-conceived attacks that, combined with little co-operation, would inevitably lead to nothing. Yesterday's race was a lot more interesting so that now the 4th Cat race is no longer seems to be mostly about riding around for half an hour and then hoping to finish in a reasonable place to get some points.
Back to the race: after staying right at the front in the early stages I decided to drop a but further back into the shelter of the group but keep an eye on what was going on. I was feeling great and was looking forward to the final lap. I got myself into two break attempts that looked like they had at least half a chance. The second was unfortunately ill-timed. For some reason I thought there would be just a lap to go when it started, but there were still two. I was gutted to head up the finish line to see the "2" board. Argh! A lap at full bore would be OK, but not two.
So I settled back in to catch my breath. I still felt great and was really looking forward to putting everything into a final surge to the line; I was ready to do something special. Unfortunately my run up to the line didn't go at all according to plan. I got boxed in and passed on the back straight and so ended up further back than I wanted to be heading into the 2nd last corner. Then that sickening sound of bike hitting the deck.
Being on the right edge of the track, I had nowhere to go but the grass, my momentum taking me right into the (thankfully flat) field. I've always wanted to do cyclo-cross, but this wasn't how I'd envisioned my debut on the rough stuff. And so ended my ambitions of a great finish. The guys who went down were OK, so I turned my cranks up toward the line to complete the duty of the lantern rouge. But despite the disappointing finish, this was possibly the best race so far - or at least the second best (last week was particularly enjoyable!). I felt great and I believe a good finish was definitely on the cards.
As with so many things, my experience of the Imperial Winter Series was completely not what I expected and all the better for it. Naively I has wanted to get stuck in, grab some points so I could start the season as a 3rd Cat.
I missed that target, being four points shy. But I have ended up gaining far more from the racing. I've learned a lot and my race craft is certainly sharper. I've also grown a lot more confident as a racer.
For now I'm looking forward to the rest of 2009, certainly a lot more racing. Firstly I'm going to have a lot more fun. And secondly I'm going to chase those points down; there are still a few races around in the coming weeks, so perhaps I'll drag myself over to Redbridge to see what that all this talk of the big hill is all about.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Prime Spot
January 2009 has been crazy. With trying to find a new flat, then moving in on the 24th and afterward trying to settle in, my blogging has been a bit poor.
Getting back into bike racing has been going pretty well in spite of the upheval, I've improved my finishes, learned many lessons about how and when to chase and most critically where to position myself.
Race 7 on the 3rd Jan saw me getting another 9th on a relatively warm and beautifully sunny day. There wasn't much wind and I was feeling pretty strong. I was a little disappointed with the position as I managed to get horribly boxed in at the end and found myself on the back foot heading up the hill to the line.
Race 8 on the 10th was in some of the hardest conditions I've ever ridden a bike in, biting cold with a dusting of snow on the track. I suffered a lot, and the cold took it out of me badly. I found it difficult to concentrate and to make matters worse I found operating the basic controls on the bike difficult as I'd lost feeling in my fingers. I guess us Saffers aren't built for these sort of conditions; winter in my home town of Durban rarely getting below 10°C in winter!
Race 9 was good fun. Despite very nearly getting caught up in an incident on the run up to the line, I managed to keep a bit of momentum and secure a 7th. The race was good start to finish, I rode with my head and I was feeling strong from being on my bike a bit during the week hunting for a new home. Things were starting to come together.
Race 10 I missed as we were moving. What a pain.
Race 11 - what a disastrous weekend! We were in the throes of unpacking, and so I ended up being a bit late getting to the race. I also wasn't feeling great from a hard week at work and a fairly hard new daily commute across London. Whatever the excuses, it was a culmination of things going wrong (I'd also I forgotten my track pump, my gears weren't shifting quite right ... it was just one of those). Enough said.
Race 12 - I woke up feeling positive, I'd got the bike 100% the night before and I was ready to race. I was up for doing something today; trying something new and maybe a bit interesting. There was a sprint prize at 20 mins which I thought would be cool to get stuck in for, but it wasn't my focus. I was keen to stretch myself in some way and learn more about what I could do.
After 20 mins the bell went I and I was feeling nice and loose from a few pulls at the front, so I thought, "Why not?" Heading onto the back straight I rolled up to the front. The pace was surprisingly slow with the tension only just starting to form, "This was my opportunity!"
So hopped out of the saddle and gave it everything. I was convinced someone would be on my wheel so I decided to keep the hammer down all the way - accelerating and not letting up until I crossed the line. Even then, it took a few seconds for it to sink in. I was so surprised when I looked back and saw the huge gap I'd pulled on the group - it felt pretty cool indeed.
Of course, as that excitement ebbed, the flaw in my plan emerged. I had put everything into that sprint, and now I was battling to recover; as one of my mates put it, "Now you've just got to do the same in about 15 minutes."
Getting back into bike racing has been going pretty well in spite of the upheval, I've improved my finishes, learned many lessons about how and when to chase and most critically where to position myself.
Race 7 on the 3rd Jan saw me getting another 9th on a relatively warm and beautifully sunny day. There wasn't much wind and I was feeling pretty strong. I was a little disappointed with the position as I managed to get horribly boxed in at the end and found myself on the back foot heading up the hill to the line.
Race 8 on the 10th was in some of the hardest conditions I've ever ridden a bike in, biting cold with a dusting of snow on the track. I suffered a lot, and the cold took it out of me badly. I found it difficult to concentrate and to make matters worse I found operating the basic controls on the bike difficult as I'd lost feeling in my fingers. I guess us Saffers aren't built for these sort of conditions; winter in my home town of Durban rarely getting below 10°C in winter!
Race 9 was good fun. Despite very nearly getting caught up in an incident on the run up to the line, I managed to keep a bit of momentum and secure a 7th. The race was good start to finish, I rode with my head and I was feeling strong from being on my bike a bit during the week hunting for a new home. Things were starting to come together.
Race 10 I missed as we were moving. What a pain.
Race 11 - what a disastrous weekend! We were in the throes of unpacking, and so I ended up being a bit late getting to the race. I also wasn't feeling great from a hard week at work and a fairly hard new daily commute across London. Whatever the excuses, it was a culmination of things going wrong (I'd also I forgotten my track pump, my gears weren't shifting quite right ... it was just one of those). Enough said.
Race 12 - I woke up feeling positive, I'd got the bike 100% the night before and I was ready to race. I was up for doing something today; trying something new and maybe a bit interesting. There was a sprint prize at 20 mins which I thought would be cool to get stuck in for, but it wasn't my focus. I was keen to stretch myself in some way and learn more about what I could do.
After 20 mins the bell went I and I was feeling nice and loose from a few pulls at the front, so I thought, "Why not?" Heading onto the back straight I rolled up to the front. The pace was surprisingly slow with the tension only just starting to form, "This was my opportunity!"
So hopped out of the saddle and gave it everything. I was convinced someone would be on my wheel so I decided to keep the hammer down all the way - accelerating and not letting up until I crossed the line. Even then, it took a few seconds for it to sink in. I was so surprised when I looked back and saw the huge gap I'd pulled on the group - it felt pretty cool indeed.
Of course, as that excitement ebbed, the flaw in my plan emerged. I had put everything into that sprint, and now I was battling to recover; as one of my mates put it, "Now you've just got to do the same in about 15 minutes."
I tried to find refuge in the group but the pace was going up and shelter from the wind was in short supply. In all honesty I'd run out of juice and just didn't have enough for another all out run up to the line.
So a rather anoymous finish after my moments of glory, but I reckon it was worth it. I really enjoyed charging up to the flag for the Prime, and I know far better what I am capable of. I'm really looking forward to the last race next weekend, but also the 2009 season. I reckon it is going to be a good one!
Friday, 2 January 2009
Speed catches ...
What would you say is a perfect way to mark the New Year? This year (my darling wife) Tasha did a 10k trail run at Bodmin Moor.
When we got there, I looked at the route map and thought, "hey, the elevations must be in feet" and when we looked across at the "tor" we assumed the run can't be heading up that thing. Was I wrong.
Bang on 11am the group trundled off, and I watched them traverse the valley, and head up the mountain. Eish! At this point I realised that the 1 hour target I'd chatted to Tasha about might have been a bit optimistic. Nevertheless I knew she was having fun, so I dragged my cold body (+ sore knee and Life in the UK study notes) into the warm bowels of the Jamaica Inn.
I wandered back out at around 45 mins past - expecting that most of the fastest runners would already have got in, only to get there in time to witness the first man in. OK. This was clearly a hard run.
Tasha made it in 30 mins later, looking pretty good. By all accounts she had a great time and did a solid run. It was odd for me to sit on the sidelines, but I am very proud indeed.
But I'm now preparing myself for tomorrow. I think my head is where it should be, but my knee is still quite uncomfortable. I'll try to save it all for the finish. Looking forward.
When we got there, I looked at the route map and thought, "hey, the elevations must be in feet" and when we looked across at the "tor" we assumed the run can't be heading up that thing. Was I wrong.
Bang on 11am the group trundled off, and I watched them traverse the valley, and head up the mountain. Eish! At this point I realised that the 1 hour target I'd chatted to Tasha about might have been a bit optimistic. Nevertheless I knew she was having fun, so I dragged my cold body (+ sore knee and Life in the UK study notes) into the warm bowels of the Jamaica Inn.
I wandered back out at around 45 mins past - expecting that most of the fastest runners would already have got in, only to get there in time to witness the first man in. OK. This was clearly a hard run.
Tasha made it in 30 mins later, looking pretty good. By all accounts she had a great time and did a solid run. It was odd for me to sit on the sidelines, but I am very proud indeed.
But I'm now preparing myself for tomorrow. I think my head is where it should be, but my knee is still quite uncomfortable. I'll try to save it all for the finish. Looking forward.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Ok, now I need more
It's funny. A month back I had this Hillingdon block and wondered if I'd ever finish a race at the West London circuit - there always seemed to be something going wrong to scupper it. So after Round 3 of the Imperial Series and finally putting a point on the board, I went into Round 5 (missed 4 due to Christmas in Exeter) expecting a placing.
I'd driven up from Exeter the day before, and got in fairly late. Then I had to play with my new toy (Garmin 705 generously given to me by my sparkling wife), so I only got to bed very late. Saturday morning was a scramble after I wittered away much of the morning reading the new Cycling Plus, so I got to the circuit with just enough time to sign on, put my bike together, get dressed and do two warm-up laps.
It was very blustery, with a strong North Easter howling across the track. It would be a difficult sprint. The field was fairly small, 28 riders, and consequently it was fast but not too intense. I stuck to my plan of keeping out of trouble but staying close to the front, though I managed to somehow find myself in a breakaway group a few laps from the finish. This almost messed up the race for me as I was well into the red and nearly fell off the back of the group! Fortunately I held on and got myself back in contention.
Unfortunately I fluffed the sprint again - this time ran out of legs about 10m from the finish line, and in the process lost a bunch of places. Ended up 10th overall again, so another point to my credit, but I do nevertheless feel a bit annoyed with myself and know I should do better in the sprints.
I learned a bit more and got a bit faster. My knee is conspiring against me, so I'll be taking it very easy this week, and will hopefully be back in fighting form for the weekend.
I'd driven up from Exeter the day before, and got in fairly late. Then I had to play with my new toy (Garmin 705 generously given to me by my sparkling wife), so I only got to bed very late. Saturday morning was a scramble after I wittered away much of the morning reading the new Cycling Plus, so I got to the circuit with just enough time to sign on, put my bike together, get dressed and do two warm-up laps.
It was very blustery, with a strong North Easter howling across the track. It would be a difficult sprint. The field was fairly small, 28 riders, and consequently it was fast but not too intense. I stuck to my plan of keeping out of trouble but staying close to the front, though I managed to somehow find myself in a breakaway group a few laps from the finish. This almost messed up the race for me as I was well into the red and nearly fell off the back of the group! Fortunately I held on and got myself back in contention.
Unfortunately I fluffed the sprint again - this time ran out of legs about 10m from the finish line, and in the process lost a bunch of places. Ended up 10th overall again, so another point to my credit, but I do nevertheless feel a bit annoyed with myself and know I should do better in the sprints.
I learned a bit more and got a bit faster. My knee is conspiring against me, so I'll be taking it very easy this week, and will hopefully be back in fighting form for the weekend.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
No longer pointless
I had a good race today. It was the 3rd race of the Imperial series. The sun was shining (sort of), and the wind was strong but steady.
I'd spent the night before getting the bike 100% for the race, so it was shining and whirring along perfectly as I turned onto the track for the warm up. I felt good, helped no doubt by time on the exercise bike at the Dartfod Hilton, but it was colder than I'd thought so I had to switch to full gloves from the mitts I thought would be OK.
The race started fairly slowly, and I found myself close to the front wanting to drive the pace a bit, but knowing I didn't have the legs for anything too crazy. Next thing I know I'm off the front with the group a good 20m back. I was tempted to sit up and wait for them, but then I thought the better of it and put my head down. I decided that I'd stay out for at least a lap, which I managed, but it was futile, there was no way I was going to ride out solo until the end. Gasping for air, and with my heart rate on the red line, I was relieved to be caught and settled back into the cover of the group.
After about 15 mins, by knee started playing up again. It was hurting quite a bit, and I considered packing it in, but decided to see how it got on. It must have eased a bit, because I noticed it less and less so it wasn't an issue for the rest of the race.
The race was fairly uneventful and soon enough the 5 lap board went up, and the pace went all stupid - mostly it was absolutely mad turning on the finish straight uphill, but almost ground to a halt into the wind on the back straight, no-one being willing to work. This played right into my hands, allowing me to pick my position - the pattern continued with four, three and then 2 laps to go. I positioned myself in the perfect spot to attack, so on the last lap I was chasing right into the thick of it - and I was able to use my momentum to get a jump on the group for the sprint.
I started the sprint in 3rd, but sadly daft gear choice and legs that simply weren't up to it saw me fluffing the sprint badly and a few riders managed to scoot through.
After the race I hunted down the official and found that I was recorded 10th. Ok, it is the last points paying position, but still in the points.
So I've opened my 2009 BC account and now plan to make many more deposits. Bring it on!
I'd spent the night before getting the bike 100% for the race, so it was shining and whirring along perfectly as I turned onto the track for the warm up. I felt good, helped no doubt by time on the exercise bike at the Dartfod Hilton, but it was colder than I'd thought so I had to switch to full gloves from the mitts I thought would be OK.
The race started fairly slowly, and I found myself close to the front wanting to drive the pace a bit, but knowing I didn't have the legs for anything too crazy. Next thing I know I'm off the front with the group a good 20m back. I was tempted to sit up and wait for them, but then I thought the better of it and put my head down. I decided that I'd stay out for at least a lap, which I managed, but it was futile, there was no way I was going to ride out solo until the end. Gasping for air, and with my heart rate on the red line, I was relieved to be caught and settled back into the cover of the group.
After about 15 mins, by knee started playing up again. It was hurting quite a bit, and I considered packing it in, but decided to see how it got on. It must have eased a bit, because I noticed it less and less so it wasn't an issue for the rest of the race.
The race was fairly uneventful and soon enough the 5 lap board went up, and the pace went all stupid - mostly it was absolutely mad turning on the finish straight uphill, but almost ground to a halt into the wind on the back straight, no-one being willing to work. This played right into my hands, allowing me to pick my position - the pattern continued with four, three and then 2 laps to go. I positioned myself in the perfect spot to attack, so on the last lap I was chasing right into the thick of it - and I was able to use my momentum to get a jump on the group for the sprint.
I started the sprint in 3rd, but sadly daft gear choice and legs that simply weren't up to it saw me fluffing the sprint badly and a few riders managed to scoot through.
After the race I hunted down the official and found that I was recorded 10th. Ok, it is the last points paying position, but still in the points.
So I've opened my 2009 BC account and now plan to make many more deposits. Bring it on!
Monday, 15 December 2008
Imperial #2
Stinking weather keeps away crowds. It made a change from the first race and what was apparently a record for a Cat 4 event at Hillingdon. The wind was howling from the South East, the rain was unrelenting and it was bloody cold.
I arrived early to sign-in and fortunately had a lot of time to settle myself and warm up. That said, given the stinky weather, I sat in the car as long as possible before braving the track for a recce and "warm-up".
Despite the weather, the track was clean, with little debris or mud and it felt good to get out and turn my legs. I chatted to a few of my fellow competitors during warm-up - all in all it was quite amiable. The group on the start line was small, which had me thinking that we'd be in for a hard race. With the wind beating us up on the straight, and with a small field, it was a great opportunity for a small breakaway group to take advantage and ride away from the main group.
And so it happened, the pace was really hard, with attack after attack. I found myself battling to keep in the group and once I had to work really hard to get myself back in as the wheel I was on splintered off the back. Then a few more vicious accelerations, the main group was split and was trying to make up ground. My legs just weren't up for it and started to cramp. I tried to massage it out but it wouldn't go away, so I decided to just ride on.
I fought hard to get back in, getting fairly close to the group, but I couldn't make it stick and soon found myself in that awful zone just off the slipsteam without enough juice to get back in. Onto the back straight I fell back and wanted to just make it stop. I tried massaging my calves again, but again with no benefit. I approached the "pit entry" but decided to stick it out and hang on. You never now what may happen and with a willing partner or two, getting back in the race wasn't too far fetched. So I kept pushing.
Another rider ahead had been dropped, and so I started chasing to try to get onto his wheel - and it seemed to be going well until my legs said "no" in a big cramping fit. "Argh!" But it was after 35 mins, into the last 5 laps and I was going to stick at it.
The low was being lapped, two laps from the finish. I thought that at that stage I was out, but after stopping I was told by an official that I did not have to stop, so I got back out. By this stage my legs were screaming, and even the gentle acceleration out of the "pits" triggered bolts of cramps.
The finish was thoroughly anticlimactic, but it was brilliant. I had not only broken my Hillingdon block, but also won a battle against myself. The experience was invaluable and it will help me next time. I can't wait for the weekend!
I arrived early to sign-in and fortunately had a lot of time to settle myself and warm up. That said, given the stinky weather, I sat in the car as long as possible before braving the track for a recce and "warm-up".
Despite the weather, the track was clean, with little debris or mud and it felt good to get out and turn my legs. I chatted to a few of my fellow competitors during warm-up - all in all it was quite amiable. The group on the start line was small, which had me thinking that we'd be in for a hard race. With the wind beating us up on the straight, and with a small field, it was a great opportunity for a small breakaway group to take advantage and ride away from the main group.
And so it happened, the pace was really hard, with attack after attack. I found myself battling to keep in the group and once I had to work really hard to get myself back in as the wheel I was on splintered off the back. Then a few more vicious accelerations, the main group was split and was trying to make up ground. My legs just weren't up for it and started to cramp. I tried to massage it out but it wouldn't go away, so I decided to just ride on.
I fought hard to get back in, getting fairly close to the group, but I couldn't make it stick and soon found myself in that awful zone just off the slipsteam without enough juice to get back in. Onto the back straight I fell back and wanted to just make it stop. I tried massaging my calves again, but again with no benefit. I approached the "pit entry" but decided to stick it out and hang on. You never now what may happen and with a willing partner or two, getting back in the race wasn't too far fetched. So I kept pushing.
Another rider ahead had been dropped, and so I started chasing to try to get onto his wheel - and it seemed to be going well until my legs said "no" in a big cramping fit. "Argh!" But it was after 35 mins, into the last 5 laps and I was going to stick at it.
The low was being lapped, two laps from the finish. I thought that at that stage I was out, but after stopping I was told by an official that I did not have to stop, so I got back out. By this stage my legs were screaming, and even the gentle acceleration out of the "pits" triggered bolts of cramps.
The finish was thoroughly anticlimactic, but it was brilliant. I had not only broken my Hillingdon block, but also won a battle against myself. The experience was invaluable and it will help me next time. I can't wait for the weekend!
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