23/6 Dunsfold Park Series #10

Great conditions again at Dunsfold tonight, perfect blue skies and a little wind. If difference to normal the wind was in your face on the start/finish line. I took in a couple of laps to get warmed up ready for the start. I'd imagined a tough race tonight as most of the Mitre were competing in the inter-club 10 TT over at Steyning. Thankfullly I wasn't alone and 4 Mitres lined up on the start line.

Tonight was a handicap race with longer split times between the groups. Women off first, followed a few minutes later by the 4ths, then us in the 3rds, and finally a small but strong group of E/1/2's. The more experienced 3rd's in our group got us organised on the chase from the start line. 2 lines through-and-off and no let up until we'd caught the 4ths. 30 or so of us worked together in this fashion with a few getting a free ride at the back. Within 5 laps we'd caught the 4ths, ourselves being caught a lap later by the E/1/2's.

The organised chase for the first 20-30 minutes of the race was perfect warmup for the action in the second half. As the E/1's started to attack each other the race pace increased and being close to the front I'd managed to keep up with the quick changes in speed. Coming round the top for the 8th lap prime, one of the Wildside 1st cat riders came alongside Nick and myself saying that they were going to attack just before the prime and they wanted one of us to come along. I didn't need asking twice and approaching the prime sprint along with group of 5 E/1's we attacked off the front of the bunch. I must have picked up some prime points in the process as we opened up a tasty gap from the bunch.

Unfortunately our move was nulified by a quick organisation of the bunch and half a lap later it was altogether. Coming into the final lap it was obvious tonights episode was going to be decided in another mass gallop for the line. I'd positioned myself in the front 15 of the bunch but started to get boxed in coming up to the final bend before the finish. I spotted Thatch moving up and tried to follow but the gap closed up behind him as he powered off towards the finish in 10th place. I came a second later about 25th, my best result at Dunsfold so far. The other Mitre chaps all finished in the top 25, a good night all round.

Škoda Velothon Berlin 2009

Race report!



Came in place 4000 something. Time: 3h36m (120km/75miles). Considering I'd done the very minimum of training i.e. a couple of spins with MEAT and Siôn many weeks ago, I'm well pleased with the result. The road bike was on its first outing this year and it (she?) performed beautifully, shifting under load no problems, trusty handling, not a sound as we sped along. The main massive difference was riding in bunches almost all the way, I'd seriously underestimated the energy saving this brings you. I was lucky to grab on to a group of 10-15 riders who were riding together and just eating up the road ahead of them, when I was in that bunch no-one overtook us, we just devoured the slower riders, it was awesome. I took a short turn at the front and it was a fantastic feeling to be pulling along this rolling train. I was spent after a minute or two of this and the next riders took over at a crazy pace which I thought I'd never be able to keep up, but by the time I'd drifted to the back of the bunch, I could keep up again under the protection of the slipstream.

In the last 5km or so, my breath started running out, reminiscent of when I had circulation collapse many years ago in the alps, but I hung on to the finish line and at least I know I couldn't have given more. Managed to stay on the bike and not pass out and finished ok, so actually pretty well paced all in all.

The race was superbly well organised. Loads and loads of marshalls, good-natured spectators cheering us along almost all the way. Unfortunately, I did see the aftermath of a couple of crashes: cyclists with bleeding bodies being stretchered into ambulances. I read afterwards that there were 54 first-aid cases, of which 17 cases needed to go to hospital. Considering there were 12300 participants, that's not too bad, really...

The race was won in a mass sprint with a time of 2h46m. Erik Zabel strolled in 2 seconds after the winner.

It was a really great race and I'd definitely do it again. A couple of areas I know I can improve - apart from actually doing some training - are: switch from mountain bike to the racer a few weeks early to get used to the body position. The Trek fits me like a glove, but the handlebars are way lower than the Klein and a few miles into the race my neck really started aching and still hurts a day later! And, the main one which would've saved me 5 minutes or more was the constant need to pee when I'm on the bike. I don't know what it is, but I'm thirsty and drink about a bottle every 45-60 minutes or so, but it just goes straight through me and I needed to stop and pee twice in 3 and a half hours, which is a waste of good racing time. So any suggestions/tips/bizarre contraptions greatly appreciated...

See you in Berlin next time?

21/6 Surrey League Goodwood

A sizable field of 3rds lined up for todays SL race at Goodwood with blue skies and a little wind. At the start Mick identified a few people to watch out for and there were a few other strong chaps I recognised from Lewes Crits. It was likely that today would be decided by a winning breakaway and I was determined to be in it. I decided to shadow a particular rider and wait for his likely move early on in the race.

A few attacks went in the first few laps getting the race pace up early. In marking the rider tipped for a breakaway I missed out on an early move of 10 riders including Driss from the Mitre. They stayed away for about 3 laps before being caught. I latched onto several dangerous looking moves over the next few laps, though none had that kick required to open up a gap. As each contained some capable riders the bunch wasn't going to let us get away that easily.

With 3 laps to go I went for it on the back straight before the chicane and was joined by another rider. We'd opened up a good gap and continued our all out effort through the chicane over the finish line before sitting up for a breather. A minute or so later we were joined by another 4 and it was starting to look good to get our last minute attempt organised. Unfortunately the bunch thought otherwise and within a lap we'd been chased down and caught.

I was out of position coming into the final lap which effectively means the race is over. You need to be in the front 10 coming into the chicane to feature at the finish. With the bunch galloping towards the chicane for the final time, someone ran into difficulties and nearly caused a huge pile up, forcing many onto the grass to avoid a nasty crash. All in all a great race and the 40 miles screamed by at an average of 26mph. Next race is Dunsfold on Tuesday and I'm going to try and get to Portsmouth Wednesday.

18/6 Lewes Crits #3

Double points tonight and points mean prizes. The last of the series was set to be a close fought battle from the gun. We'd decided to mark the top 5 on the GC in pairs, myself teaming up with Martyn to mark #59, a powerhouse from Southdown Velo who lay in second place over all. We were slightly down on numbers tonight but everyone was fired up for the task of protecting Nathan's lead in the series.

Felt great in the warm up, even after Dunsfold, just seem to be getting stronger each race at the moment. However I was feeling aprehensive about the race and wondered if this would be one to many after 4 in 6 days. At the start line Martyn and myself flanked #59 on both sides and shadowed him during the neutralised start. My task on the first lap was to follow his every move and cover any attacks, whilst Martyn would lead out Nathan on the first prime. Other riders were responsible for the rest of the GC, and everyone else would cover any other attacks.

On the first lap we were up in the front 5 or 6 going full gas, even then a few attacks went in. The Mergler and Driss were up there chasing them down bringing it all back together once on Laughton Road. The first prime was fast approaching and a couple of miles out the bunch started getting twitchy as teams positioned themselves for the lead out. Several attacks went on Laughton Road, including #59 who I stuck to like glue.

Coming into the rise up to the prime, Nathan stuck to Martyn's wheel as he guided him through to the front. I was right on the wheel of my marker, but using his skill and experience he managed to shake me off, squeezing through the tightest of gaps by phyiscially brushing people aside with his shoulders. The gap snapped shut and I was left to see him get towed to the prime which he eventually won, pipping Nathan into second. Not exactly to plan so far.

Second lap it was my turn to get Nathan to the prime whilst Martyn covered #59. Several more attacks rained in on the Broyle but nothing dangerous as yet. Laughton road was another matter, with the One Life Fuga boys determined to get their man to the prime first, along with Bayeux Landcapes. In the 3 miles to the prime I helped close 4 major attacks down. By the time we reached the prime I was of no use whatsoever to Nathan. He contended the prime on his own but was swamped out by the small but strong organised teams. No points for the Mitre on prime 2.

Lap 3 was absolute hell. Chasing #59 around the circuit for 2 laps had left me with nothing left and after the prime I was 10m off the back of the bunch at my limit. Thankfully Nick Haskoll dropped back and paced me back to the bossom of the bunch. It took a mile and some last effort digs from to maintain his wheel. Once in the bunch I'd necked a gel and half a bottle and kept out the wind. Driss, Martyn, Mergler, Mick and Morgan were all up the front keeping an eye on things so I sat on wheels for lap 4 trying to recover.

Same as the first Lewes Crits, coming into the last lap I was fully recovered and started to work my way back to the front. Hitting the Broyle for the last time Martyn pulled up alongside and told me not to let anything get away. Seconds later Will Kemp from One Life Fuga (who eventually won) attacked strong and got about 20m off the front of the bunch and looked like he had the legs to keep going. A couple of Mitres tried to follow but faded, digging deeper again I managed to get over to his wheel and sat there. We dangled out front for a while but not for long, the other teams by now getting organised ready for the finish. Mitre shirts were appearing left right and centre, along with all the Bayeux Landscapes riders, One life Fuga and the 2 super strong Southdown Velo’s. The lone rider from Sigma Sport who won last week was also up there.

Last time onto Laughton road the race was really in top gear now. A few last minute attacks were made and with the Mergler we closed them down just as another fired off. Mick and Morgan both tried for the Mitre but faded, and the Mergler shortly after. The head of the bunch was made up of all the top 5 on GC plus me stuck to the wheel of the Sigma Sport chap. I knew if I could stay on his wheel I’d have a good chance of ending up in the top 10, if my legs held out. Will Kemp from One Life Fuga had a last ditch attack using all his remaining effort and opened up a big gap off the front. No-one appeared willing to chase, and in hindsight I wished I’d taken his wheel and not the Sigma Sport guys.

500m from the finish line, preparing myself for one last all out effort I could see the Sigma chap preparing to leap from the bunch. This time I was going to make sure I didn’t get boxed in and jump with him. Seconds later I hit a pot hole at 35mph. Front tyre blew out instantly as the rim slammed against the side of the hole. The bike sprang right into the bunch, but somehow I managed to stay upright leaning on a guy next to me. Thankfully he was strong enough to take the weight of my lurching into him and we both avoided a horrendous crash. Behind me were 2/3rds of the bunch travelling at over 30mph. I freewheeled to the verge and watched the bunch scream past, adrenaline rocketing wondering what could have been – if I’d been able to contend the finish and if I’d crashed.

Nick Haskoll saved me for a second time, returning from the finish with a spare tube and inflator. I got back to the Roebuck pub just in time to see the award ceremony where Nathan got a very respectable 3rd place overall. Will Kemp won the series with the Sigma Sport chap in second. I was now beginning to realise how lucky I’d been instead of being preoccupied with what result I could have got. People who were behind me when I’d had the blow out came up saying they were sure that me and everyone else were going to eat tarmac.

Next race is Sunday at Goodwood with the 3rds. Full results and more pictures of the race are here - http://ontherivet.ning.com/

16/6 Dunsfold Park Series #9

Got to Dunsfold early tonight with Martyn, sat in the sun taking it easy before getting ready to warm up. Mitre turn out tonight was myself, Morgan, Martyn, Driss and Paul Thatcher. Windy as usual but not too bad and blue skies. Tonights race was a scratch handicap and my first start with the 3rds. Of the 60 or so riders, the ladies went off first with about a minute gap to the 4ths, then us in the 3rds, then the E/1/2's shortly after.

I was feeling ok, legs good but could tell I was fatigued from the weekend. Couldn't get heart rates up high but was still able to get involved up front in chasing down the 4ths. Within a lap it was all together. Next 3-4 laps all the Mitre boys were in the front 20 working hard and both Driss and Paul had attacks after the primes. It wasn't until the 5th or 6th lap that a move went away with about 20-25 riders. At the time I was towards the back of the bunch having a breather from helping chase an early break so missed out on the split.

It took the group I was in about 4 laps to get organised in chasing the breakaway down. As it contained Driss, Martyn and Paul we didn't get too involved and just sat on wheels. A couple of riders tried to get things organised by zipping up and down the bunch shouting orders and eventually on the second to last lap everyone started working together. We caught the breakaway on the bell lap.

I came through to the front up with Driss and Paul and slipped into 2nd slot at the spearhead of the bunch. 3 guys were still away so the rest of the placings would be down to a bunch sprint. Coming into the final bend I switched to the front with Paul in my wheel and used my last effort to tow him along as fast as I could. With 200m to go I pulled over and let him steam past hotly persued by a phalanx of VC Meudon riders. He was swamped in the final bend and didn't make the placings, though I think Martyn got 8th or 9th.

Was a great evening, just what I needed after the weekend. Being able to stay with the bunch and get involved at the front on the final lap was good progress from my last race there in May where surviving to the end was my only goal. Next time the goal has be getting into a break. I like Dunsfold in that you have to mix it up with the Elites, 1sts and 2nds, it really pushes you to your limits right through the whole race. Although you have little chance of getting a top 10, each race you can set a new goal to acheive as the pressure to get a result is off. One week working on chasing, another try and get in a break, another try and steal a prime before the E/1/2's catch you etc.

I've got tomorrow off work and will get a good rest ready for the final of the Lewes Crits series. Its double points for primes and placings tomorrow night so its anyones for the taking. Nathan currently has a 6 point lead on GC which we aim to protect by dominating the primes and protecting Nathan till the finish.

14/6 Susie's Circuits (Thruxton)

Another perfect day at Thruxton, sunny and a light wind. Got changed and started to warm up slowly straight away. Started gentle laps in the 39 ring then up into the 53 after 10 mins. 15 mins to go started a few out of the saddle efforts, getting HR up to about 145-150. Had one last hard effort a few minutes before the race start. Looking around the other riders today was going to be completely different from Hillingdon. There were a lot of able looking people about and some strong turnouts from Fareham wheelers, Sotonia and Andover wheelers. A top 10 could be a challenge today. I was remembering my experiences from March where I'd ridden conservatively but not head the legs for the final sprint out of the chicane.

40 or so of us headed out into the first lap at a very steady pace. This was soon distrupted by 2 Bristolian's who considerably upped the pace coming into lap 2. I wasn't feeling great, but hovered around 10-15th position in the bunch keeping out of the wind. Soon after Claire appeared next to me, the organisers had let the womens start with the 4th Cat's as there were only 4 entries. This would later prove to be a big help.

The next few laps were pretty quiet, with just a few solo breakaway attempts being left to suffer before being swallowed up again after half a lap. Coming into the last 4-5 laps the Sotonia and Fareham Wheelers boys got active, having plently of riders they were able to launch a few attacks to up the pace of the race and let the other teams tire chasing them down. As these got more serious, Claire came to my aid and successfully chased down 2 concerted efforts by Sotonia and Fareham Wheelers.

On the 9th and second to last lap a potentially dangerous looking move of 3 riders formed just before the rise to the chicane. Having so far kept myself out of trouble and well below threshold the entire race so far I decided to close the gap and attacked out of the chicane. 100m or so later the move was nullified and the bunch back together for the final lap.

This time round wasn't going to make any mistakes. I'd kept in the front 5 coming into the last lap and positioned myself at the left of the bunch to be well out of the wind as we approached the rise before the chicane. To my right in a wheel length echelon were 3 others lead by one of the strong Bristol South CC lads from earlier. Coming into the base of the rise he attacked and I slipped past the others and glued myself to his wheel. This is where on the last 2 races I'd made my mistake.

Instead of opening up my sprint, I kept in the saddle and a centimetre from his wheel in front. As we approached the chicane two or three others came through on my left and right handside, but not fast enough to get past. Coming out of the chicane I could see my chance for a top 5 slowly slipping by with riders in my peripheral vision, though as yet none had come past. I was waiting for someone to power past at any second but as yet no one seemed be to closing. I put my foot down and got a wheel length on the Bristol South chap, but wasn't going full gas saving a final effort should there be a last ditch effort from someone.


With the finish approaching fast I instinctively kicked for the line, still expecting to be overtaken right at the last second. Freewheeling I couldn't believe I'd won it. I was so sure someone was going to overtake in the last 25m, I was still in disbelief. The Bristol South CC guy got second, about a bike length from the rest of the bunch sprinting after us. He rode over to congratulate me, saying he'd thought I'd win it after he saw me warm up earlier!

Technically the race couldn't have gone better. I'd only excerted myself once in the whole hour when closing down the move on the second to last lap. I'd bided my time when the final move was made on the rise into the chicane and kept the bunch at bay just enough to have another kick left should anyone pop through in the last few metres. Unknown to me the whole sprint was caught on camera by one of the British Cycling photographers.

Claire had rode an awesome race as well, getting 6th over all and 2nd out of the women. Having her there for the last few laps closing down attacks and offering some protection was a great help. As the weekends results began to sink in I was amazingly happy. I'd still not fully taken in getting 5th the day before at Hillingdon and getting a win the next day was better than I could have possibly imagined. I'd wanted to get my 3rd Cat with a win, not a few points here and there but I'd always known it would be very hard to achieve.

As a coincidence I now move into the Peak period of my training program which takes me right up to the Devil Ride before 2 weeks off in Wales and France. This next week has 3 races, this Tuesday at Dunsfold, Thursday for the last of the Lewes Crit series (currently 15th on GC) and Sunday is Goodwood.

13/6 Minet Park Grand Prix - Hillingdon

01:50pm - Race - Minet Park Grand Prix / 4th Cat Race / 1 Hour + 5 Laps (Hillingdon)

Got to Hillingdon circuit in good time and started to warm up. The circuit wasn't what I expected, was thinking more along the lines of Cherstey but instead it was more like Hove Park. During warmup I checked out the other riders. A far number of hairy legs and pot bellies around, but also a few handy looking people. Never judge a book by its cover I thought...

25 or so signed on for the race in glorious sunshine with a slight wind. The circuit really suited my abilities with its sharp fast corners and slight rise to the finish. Looking around the start line I figured of the 25 it would come down to about 6-7 of us at the finish.

First 30 minutes was relatively un-eventful. Heart rates were ok and I sat in the front 1o up on the bars. A few tried to get away but it was pointless, the fast laps meant that once into the wind they'd soon tire and get caught. I was feeling great and as the half hour approached was starting to feel restless for some action.

A couple of guys had attacked of sorts coming up the rise and had opened a 50m gap on the bunch. I decided to bridge over, but saved my move for the series of hard turns after the finish line. Cornering in the bunch was shakey and slow for a lot of riders and I knew I could easily open a gap without expending much effort. With 30 minutes to go I attacked off the front of the bunch coming into the first bend, took it at full speed shot straight past the 2 guys out at the front. Went flat out for the next 100m and sat up to see what response I'd got. The bunch came up shortly after, with one guy wheezing saying to slow up as we'd still got 30 minutes of racing left. During that effort I'd reached a new max heart rate again at 190bpm.

15 minutes later I'd recovered and gave another dig in the corners again, this time using almost no effort to get another 50m gap. This created more of a reaction this time round as 10-15 riders reacted and chased me down. 10 minutes later another guy did the same and in following I was up at 100% effort again. The combined efforts of both these attacks was enough to shake the dead wood from the bunch leaving about 10-15 of us for the last few laps.

A few more attacks rained in, but they were all left to dangle about 25m off the front, the wind and the rise to the finish line soon tiring them out. On the second to last lap a serious effort was put in by a Brixton wheelers chap and an independent and they started to gain some ground on the bunch. Coming into the base of the climb I decided this was looking a bit dangerous and did a third max effort to bridge across, reaching 103% max HR. By the last lap we'd been caught and it was down to about 7 us for the sprint finish.

One poor chap had made a mistake in the corners, coming out into the wind on the front. The worst place to be on the final lap. He kept weaving and slowing up trying to get someone to come through but he was stuck there. Looking over my right shoulder a chap was there grinning like a fucker at me, I'd not seen him all race at that point and I knew he'd been biding his time. I was in 2nd place, fighting for the wheel of the guy in front it with another rider. Coming into the rise 150m from the finish line he started his sprint and I reacted, jumping past the guy in front. As expected the smiler came past both of us, but was beaten on the line by a Dulwich Paragon rider. I came in 5th place, about 2 bike lengths behind.

I should have won, no doubt about it. In my impatience for the race to start proper earlier on I'd made 2 maximal efforts and a 3rd covering an attack in the last 10 minutes. Coming into the sprint I was in a perfect postion but just didn't have the legs for another hit.

Positives to take away was being able to reach new maximums and recover, and positioning for the sprint. Negatives were impatience and too aggressive riding wasting energy. Still, 5th place is 5 points towards my 3rd Cat license. It also felt great being able to influence the race and watch peoples reactions. 5 more points to get and its Thruxton tomorrow.

Results

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Lewes Crits #2

Got to Lewes nice and early and rode a full lap with Martin and Driss. Felt good in the warm up, did a few digs on the back lane. Felt calm and collected waiting in the carpark listening to the Commissaire reiterate the rules of the road to us. At the start there was no loitering at back this time, almost all the Mitre was assembled at the front of the bunch from the start.

The neutralised start was a little longer today, just over a mile and the lead car only pulled away after we turned onto the Broyle. A young lad got disqualified straight away for attacking on the wrong side of the road, crossing the double white lines within 30 seconds of the race starting proper.

Coming down the Broyle on the first lap there were 10 of us on the front controlling things as a small breakaway involving at least one Mitre rider pulled away. We were sitting comfortably coming into Laughton Road letting other riders chase the breakaway and give us a free tow. A strong wind was on our backs pushing the bunch along fast. It was going to be a very quick race. Unfortunately about 250m from the small roundabout is where my evening changed fundamentally.

Almost right in front of me Martin hit a massive pothole, wrenching his wheel and bars sideways as we raced along at 30-35mph. In front of me all I could see was his bike spinning along the ground as he tumbled into the hedgerow. Slamming on the breaks and skidding I somehow managed to avoid the bike and another Mitre body sprawled in front of me, but had a feeling someone was about to plough into the back of me. Seconds later I was out of the melee, sprinting for what was left of the bunch disappearing round the corner. The crash had split the bunch in half and we'd not even completed 1 full lap.

At maximum effot for over a mile myself and a few others chased the bunch, just about tagging on as they took the left turn to head up the small rise to the prime. Devilish timing, as the bunch surge in speed meant we had to jump again to keep up. Heart rate was hitting 98-99% after the chase from a standard start after the crash, so this second maximum demand on the body was a tough one. Nick Sky offered a wheel but I couldn't match his pace.

Hitting the Broyle I regrouped with Viv, Mick, Nick Haskoll and 4 other riders. We worked hard through-and-off for a lap to close the gap, but slowly started to lose our number. After a lap of chasing just Viv, myself and 2 others were left. The bunch was at 50 secs and unknown to us speadheaded by what was left of the Mitre chasing down a breakaway. There was no way in hell we were going to catch them.

The last 3 laps were spent riding at threshold, snatching chances to recover as the less experienced in our quadsome took long turns on the front. Coming to the finish we had our own competition, me leading Viv out down Laughton Road for a sprint finish. Unfortunately he was pipped at the line by a last ditch effort from one of our solo companions.

All in all a very tough evening, one of the toughest for some time. Heart rate was good but the early maximum efforts really ended my chances of getting involved later on. My biggest regret is not throwing every last bit of effort into latching onto Nick Sky's wheel to stay with the bunch after the crash. Its easy to think in hindsight but at the time telling your body to go beyond its limits for a third time in as many minutes isn't so easy. Thankfully Martin and the others involved in the crash weren't injured, though his bike came off worse - snapped top tube!

Hillingdon on Saturday is going to feel my frustration!

Bike Radar Live

As my somewhat lame season of cycling continues(in comparison with Mitre Bert) I found myself at Donington Race track for Bike Radar Live on May 30th. The concept is as follows: Bike Radar – an umbrella brand for all the major cycling magazines brings together 4X racing, XC racing enduro style, hot laps around Donington race circuit, BMX, bike demo’s etc. It worked too. Great fun, amazing weather and lots of smiley faces and interesting tan lines.

I was there to do my first 100 mile Sportive of the year. At 7.30 when I woke up it was already getting hot – it went on to be about 29C which was a little harsh. Considering the Sportive started at 8am and I needed to eat, build my bike and register I realised I would be cutting it fine! Due to a delayed and staggered start I was able to make it to the last but one start time.

I rolled up to the line with Cliff, a CycleSurgery colleague who was riding with me and Geoff Thomas – the Pro footballer who suffered Leukaemia, recovered and read Lance Armstrong’s book, next thing you know he rode every stage of the TDF and is now a big name in charity cycling & fundraising.

As I rode off the start ramp I knew it would be hot, fast and I knew that my poor preparation meant I had no food or energy gels to help me round the next 100 miles.

I was somehow feeling good – considering the campsite was situated directly under the landing strip of East Midlands Airport and I had only 2 hours of non interrupted sleep. I rode past lots of people and then about 7 miles in I caught a group of very motivated riders, I settled into their rhythm and we were really moving, I stayed in the front 6 riders, doing my turn frequently and dragging the group at 23mph average. At one point on the front I caught this guy who had a funny retro team kit and no socks on, his riding style was really peculiar and he really stood out, I later found out that it was Graeme Obree – who has twice broken the world hour record and is famed for being the pursuit champion on a bike made of washing machine parts… I digress and I spat him out of the group. No respect from our train!

At 40 miles there was a road split. Here I realised that turning left takes you 20 miles back home to complete the 60 mile route, right is the 100 mile route – My train veered to the left and I was the only one turning right! The penny dropped that I had been in a group – all shaven legs riding at a 60 mile flat course pace and I had to go 60 more miles through the peak district… whoops.

The route was good, and on my own I quickly latched onto a group of riders from a Derby based club who were riding together. We worked well and when we reached the 60 mile checkpoint we were the first people in. This was my first opportunity to re-fill my water bottles and pick up some gels. There was no free food available and I believe that this had a big impact on my next 40 miles.

From this point we were deep within the Peaks, we went up 1 in 4 hills and soon after we rode through Hartington – home of smelly cheese I was spat out of the back of the group along with another guy who had also been hanging on by the skin of his teeth. We worked together and managed to ride quite well, however I was longing for the 80 mile checkpoint and hoping that solid food and plain water rather than PSP would be available as the heat was now properly blazing.

A 2 minute stretch, a handful of sickly PSP strawberry bars and fresh water refill were a welcomed addition, the full on headwind for the final 20 however was not.
For reasons of vanity I had done without gloves so my hands were raw from the sweaty hands rubbing on DA hoods, My body was depleted of anything useful and I have never needed a pizza so badly! I arrived at Donington race track and somehow managed to sprint round the race track – that tarmac is so amazing to ride on!

As I went the wrong way for 3 miles at one stage and had to turn back my ride distance was 106 miles, and I finished in 5hrs 52 in 22nd place.

This ride was brutal – not due to the terrain, but due to the scorching heat and the punishing first 40 mile pace, however I was pretty impressed with my bodies ability to cope and I feel that without the 6 mile diversion and if I had a bit of cake stuffed in my pocket I could have done even better.

All this positive talk will be lost in my next post as this weekend I tackle the infamous Dragon Ride in South Wales. One of 3 European Grand Fondo’s and 3500 entrants taking on the 117 miles and 3000m of climbing. My legs are protesting already

4/6 Lewes Crits #1

Absolutely awesome race tonight. Felt good in the warm up and ready to go. We'd fielded 14 riders out of the 50 places in the series so there was plenty of activity from the Mitre right from the off. At the start line I found myself near the back of the bunch, but was content to sit there saving energy whilst attacks from Nigel, Wil, Nathan and Martin started on the first couple of laps.

Coming into lap 4 my heart rate was looking healthy, sticking well below threshold around 145-150bpm for most of the race so far. Folloing Mick's wheel I'd headed up to the front of the bunch where Wil was attacking again. A couple of others followed so I got a free tow to the front about a mile from the 4th and final prime.

With two guys ahead I stuck to their wheels coming into the hard left corner before the rise up to the prime. Accelerating out of the corner we'd already created a sizable gap from the bunch and the sprint for the prime was between the 3 of us. One chap was stronger and opened a 15m gap in front of me, but I'd dropped the other rider with 500m to go to the line taking the prime in second place. In this sprint uphill I'd discovered another new maximum heart rate with my HR monitor chiming at 102%. We sat up to recover, long enough to get a drink in and a gel, before grouping together to try and breakaway.

It was pretty clear that I was too cooked to be involved and shortly after got caught up by the bunch. Digging in as deep as I could I managed to tag onto the end of the bunch with my heart rate still up in the high 170's. Heading down the Broyle I just about survived and clinged onto the back of the bunch trying to recover. The gel seemed to do the trick and coming out of the roundabout onto the last lap I regained a few places up to the middle of the bunch.

Last lap I was fully recovered from the prime sprint, though still out of position. Coming into the roundabout I was second from last in the bunch and had a lot of work to do. Feeling strong I was able to accelerate out of the roundabout again, past the whole bunch and drop into the front 10 riders. Nick Sky was away on his own so I slipped into 7-8th spot and sat up. Nick was caught with about half a mile to go so I turned my thoughts to the sprint.

Up until this point I'd been in a good position, but as we neared the slight rise to the finish line riders began overtaking and starting their sprints on the other side of the road. Interesting move seeing as the finish was on a blind summit, but the roads were pretty quiet. I was getting boxed in on the gutter side, but was waiting for a gap to open up as the riders in front reacted to the attacks on the right. Unfortunately this didn't happen, probably people were reluctant to follow wheels on the wrong side of the road! The chap in front of me sat up, effectively ending my involvement in the sprint. I coasted over the line at the rear of the bunch.

All in all was an awesome race, most enjoyable yet. It was good to keep cool in the first few laps, keeping heart rate down, ready for a maximum effort on lap 4 to get prime points. Even better was being able to recover sufficiently for 2 all out efforts on the final lap. It was a great night for the Mitre, Nathan getting 1st, Driss 5th and Martin 4th I think. Add my prime points and we are looking good to win the series!

More pictures and results here - http://ontherivet.ning.com


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