Tough ride today, managed to get a ride off the list of reserves. The field was decided on ranking and was mainly composed of 2nd and 3rd cat riders I think there were only three of us riding 4th cat in the race. After the Betty I was not sure that road racing was for me, but I'll always try something twice... even putting my hand in the fire.
Thankfully the riding was much better than my previous race attempt and it felt quite sensible going around the course, there was one big climb on the course of 12% which we had to do on each of the six laps but apart from that it was relatively flat but quite technical (for me at least) on the top section of the course with a couple of 90 degree turns etc. Weirdly the climb was straightforward and not too intimidating. I kept falling behind more on the technical section on the flat part of the course and the decent after the climb. I had decided to ride this one towards the back of the group so didn't have that much of a view of what was going on, but in reality I would assume the front riders were smashing it up the climb and stringing everyone out so the pace dropped, same thing I guess on the technical sections riding fast through the corners trying to get away.
I was going OK until the penultimate lap where I got stuck behind some slow wheels on the climb and struggled to close the gap on the decent, I had four on my wheel on the decent and we worked together to keep the main group in sight. I kept saying at this point that I had nothing left but still managed to put big efforts in an come to the front (amazes me why some of the guys with us just looked around when it was time for them to step up, we were out the back at this stage!) True to form during a big turn on the front I missed a turn sign and me and the guy in second wheel had stuffed it right up. Just had my head down smashing it and the brain went into standby mode, just don't enter me into the Krypton Factor OK?
By that time we were out of the race anyway so we weren't that miffed. We did the final lap, had a good chin wag and swept up anyone we came across on the way. I was surprised to say I walked away from that with a smile on my face and ready to have another go. Sensible riding and a good pace too, no idea who won it but good on them as it was a tough race. By all accounts another mid life crisis smash up to the finish line.
Ta
P
