Well well what can I say! Considering the weather over the last few days it was a pretty good turn out!... Rob wisely split us up into two groups: yellowish race numbers for novices and white ones for those who'd raced before...interestingly enough, Ajay has never raced before and was therefore wearing a yellow number!.. As one of the most popular crits in London Hillingdon, race circuit was a good choice for the agreeable only annual race: one mile long, fairly wide, slight up hill drag near the finish and some manageable but not too tricky turns .... After we'd done a training lap we all set off in one big group - for what proved to be quite a testing 25 lap race...Almost immediately the racing group (whites) went to the front. Tim, Keith, Marek, Kevin, Simon and myself all took turns dragging the Addiscombe Possee around the very windy track. Unfortunately I had to call it a day after about six laps because I punctured. A prime (chance to sprint for money) was available on the 10th lap and that was won by Richard. With about 8 laps to go Keith, Richard, Marek and Tim managed to jump away and gained a 14 seconds lead on the bunch. However hard work by the yellows (can't remember the guys names on the front) soon brought them back 2/3 laps later. The race stayed together till about 2 laps to go or when the original four-some from the break started to string things out. Keith unfortunately jumped on the penulltimate and would have taken a great win. However, Rob decided not to change the lap board from 2 to 1 so Keith just won the sprint to the bell. When the bell did finally go and the finish line truly did appear for the last time a tired but determined looking Marek managed to hold off Tim to take a fine win...
Special Mention to all those guys who've never raced before I think you all did really well: Menacing Mark -pulling into a headwind, Kick Ass Kwai, Super Sean, Awesome Alan, Steve the shadow etc etc -great Job geezers!!
Also a superdupa BIg 'BIG UP' to Rob - you are definitley the man!
Well done Monty the cinematograpy...I look forward to seeing some of you at races in the future. If Ajay can do it then...(Super you know I love you!!! Take care dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!