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General Category => Road Races => Topic started by: Steven on January 24, 2016, 08:56:12 PM

Title: Don Stoute Memorial Road Race - Barbados
Post by: Steven on January 24, 2016, 08:56:12 PM
The OVW colours were on display in a road race today when I rode the Don Stoute Memorial RR. The race started 30 minutes late ( Barbados time) and prayers were said at the start and I was identified as 'a rider from Britain' to the 50- strong field!  Thankfully we had a rolling road closure and an ambulance in attendance.  It's a while since I have ridden a RR but you never forget your tactics, so I made sure I was near the front of the mixed field of Juniors ( Skittish), Men ( fast) and Masters ( Me). 6 of us got away and the rest of the field were left behind.  We were a bit ragged so I had to give them all a chaingang - style telling off and then we worked together better.  Then I began to realise I had a problem. I was riding with 2 bottles ( one more than usual!) and everybody else was getting a fresh one each lap.  The temperature was 84 degrees and the humidity was high.  I decided to quit before I got heat stroke which turned out to be a good idea as I really suffered on the ride back to the hotel.  Will plan it better if I get the chance to do it again!
Title: Re: Don Stoute Memorial Road Race - Barbados
Post by: Teresa on January 25, 2016, 10:27:50 AM
Any comparisons to Bermuda?
Title: Re: Don Stoute Memorial Road Race - Barbados
Post by: Steven on January 25, 2016, 06:21:57 PM
Mainly the heat and humidity! I think I'm only good for 90 mins in these conditions! The quality of bike handling was variable, I soon learned which riders to follow...
Title: Re: Don Stoute Memorial Road Race - Barbados
Post by: ron b on January 28, 2016, 08:45:46 AM
Conditions much the same as here, heat and humidity are the main problems, lack of heat and lots of the other! But same for everyone.