SWIMINGDON- not for softies!!

[Toks]

A little over five hours a go I was riding tentatively along the Uxbridge Road on my way to Hillingdon race circuit. The rain that was forecast had yet to materialise. So, I was in fairly good spirits despite the fact the skies were becoming increasingly darker and greyer as I approached Hillingdon. Maybe the predicted heavy downfall might not arrive till nine I thought. YEAH RIGHT! Almost on the starters whistle (ok it wasn't a whistle, I think he just said "off you go!") the heavens opened up. Yes those weather forecasting peeps really know their 'sh1t' these days. It began to rain BIG STYLE!!.

The 4ths ,women and Junior race set off a at fairly managable pace but almost immediately I was in difficulty. Not only did we have to cope with the high pressured spray from riders back wheels but there were also large puddles of water on the circuit and of course non stop, incessant, in-yer-face RAIN. I couldn't see, I tried taking off my clear goggles but my eyes started stinging... I spent most of the race at the back of the bunch...

Riding well at the front was the only other 'agreeable' in the race, Neil (met him for the first time - cool dude!). In the 1,2,3rds was John and Rob (you looked strong dude!). Despite the horrendous conditions there were no crashes in either race. I think the 4ths had about 25-30 riders and the 1,2,3s may be 40-45. The average speed on my computer was 24mph for the 17 laps which took about 30 minutes...My journey back to 'Ealing was the coldest I can remember ever. I kid you not my teeth were chattering. Oh well 'its character building stuff' one of the racing officials said. Mmmm!!!