by Sylv » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:45 pm
Well that was a rude awakening - after not touching a bike for ten days, and doing virtually no exercise except for two 1-hour runs, I wanted to gently blow the cobwebs in order to last more than one lap at Hog Hill on Saturday.
My knee that had caused me grief on the ride to Brighton had been painful (bearable) after 40 minutes while running, Tuesday I got new cleats and insoles for my shoes, and went for a gentle 30-mile road ride, and another one this morning. Still a bit painful but not getting any worse during the rides. Got onto the mtb tonight and within 500m the pain was back and much worse. Didn't know whether it could be the different position on the mtb or the fact I'd been riding in the morning. I thought about turning back, but tried lowering the saddle 1cm and at least to ride to HH.
It got better so I decided to race. I was expecting a not-too-competitive race with a 20-30 field, but it seems everyone had the idea of using this race as a rehearsal for the upcoming cyclo-cross season. We were over 70 at the start, with some of the top riders in the London League. Saw Maria but no Kieran (excuses!). The race went ok-ish for me, I lost contact with the front group early on, hardly any pain in the knee, settled in my own rythm managing to pass a few, after about 40 minutes of the 55-minute race I started tiring, some people who I can usually keep up with came past and I couldn't respond. The course was good fun except the full lap (and a bit) of the grass centre of the velodrome, a nightmare with big fat tires.
By the end I was pretty spent, but had to rush home straight after as I hadn't even thought of taking lights (parts of the course were pitch-black by the end of the race). My ride back turned into a bit of a nightmare, I improvised a route to try and avoid climbing to Palace, but ended up doing a longer route AND doing the climb. Had to ride on the pavement in the end as it was getting dangerous, I was getting really tired and am now still completely spent, just like after a hard 5-hour ride.
Thankfully I have two more days to build up the miles before the weekend!