Mstina South East Jersey series LVRC

[Alan M]

I sometime read the results but rarely post them- but this morning I participated in a 10 mile TT prologue for this SE Vets series.

Having advised Doug to be more upbeat about his early results I now need to swallow the same medicine.

The course is CCT Q10/26 whatever that means; it comprises a there and back course up a big hill and down again. On the way out I was at least encouraged that I reached the halfway mark without being overtaken but the time of more than 17 minutes gave me cause for concern! On the way back I was first overtaken by my 2 minute and eventually 5 minute man! Finally, I realised I wasn't even on course for evens! People more 10 years older than me did quite a bit better and my time was 30.41 was very disappointing.

Various discounts include: no pointy hat, tri-bars, disc wheels, being under-geared on the faster return leg, having been in Peru over January and February, only 5 hours sleep, it being very cold and not being properly warmed and being crap at time trials.

On the up side I wasn't last, actually 4/5 in my age group giving me 9 points for the series. Colin Batemen did well with around 27.20 and received the same 9 points. I also got a good work out and it prevented me from drinking much too alcohol last night.

The Vets seem a nice bunch with some stars of yesteryear and some very expensive kit. To Join LVRC you need to be 40, it costs £16 and race entries cost £6. Women can ride with older groups (but I didn't see any). It is therefore an economical option. I am told the racing, while competitive is relatively safe, probably with rather less testostrogen than 4th cat Surrey H'caps

Well it is over and done with and my first race in the series is at Henfold, 19 April where I go off the faster grouping being a few days short of my next age band - so we'll see.

So, we'll see. I'll add to this thread as the season progresses but I full expect the next posting about being spat out of the back in the early stages.

All advice and encouragement gratefully received.

http://lvrc.org/

[quote]People more 10 years older than me did quite a bit better and my time was 30.41 was very disappointing.

[Alan M]

[quote]does the Henfold race go up that steep hill?

[Snoop Doug]

Well done for giving it a go and for getting round mate. Your humility is a strength and you will get better.

[Toks]

Hey well done Alan, I know we spoke about the LVRC before so I'm glad you've started to race with them

[Alan M]

Well, surprise, surprise, I managed to finish in the bunch on my first proper road race.This was the LVRC Epsom CC Spring Classic on the Henfold Course. This is an age handicap race and because I have a birthday coming up I was at the outer limits of 2 groups spanning the 50-59 age range. I move up next week! There were 3 races and ours was the second one with about 40 starters.

I learnt quite a bit from the experience: firstly, I need to arrive a bit earlier and warm up better. My first lap was almost a disaster. It went off very quickly and I was soon on the rivet and then selected the wrong gear on the one short sharp hill. This put me at the back of the group and I failed to get back on and did half a lap with a few other stragglers. The race actually caught up with the supposedly faster one ahead so was nuetralised at the end of the first lap and we waited to start again; so I was back in with another chance.

From here on I was riding within my capacity and mastered the hill and kept with the accelerations. Unfortunately a break got away and due to a horse rearing up in front of the main bunch, they stayed away. I 'sat-in' for the whole of the race and in the final lap got onto Colin Bateman's wheel, knowing that he would be well positioned for the sprint. I lost the wheel at the last corner as a cramp hit my calf muscle but was able to recover quickly and finished somewhere in the middle of the group.

My average speed was 22.2, probably not that fast, and my average heart rate was only 145 which means I wasn't working that hard, but this did enable me to stay connected when there were faster and more demanding sections. My max heart rate was 170 which is the highest I have seen this year.

The race was well run and I always felt safe - very little if any shouting or bad feeling among the competitiors. I did enjoy the experience and aim to do some more over the coming year. Am awaiting the results which were collected by a transponder

[huw williams]

Hey don't knock it - 22.2 is a good enough speed. 145 av hr means you were in control and a new max hr suggests you're fitter than you thought you were - all in all an excellent result I'd say. Congrats

[Alan M]

[quote="huw williams"]Hey don't knock it - 22.2 is a good enough speed. 145 av hr means you were in control and a new max hr suggests you're fitter than you thought you were - all in all an excellent result I'd say. Congrats

[Marek]

Well done Alan, put your reports in the results section as more people will look, did not know you were doing this.

Cheers

Marek....

[StephanieG]

Hey nice work Mr Malarkey. Its the first of many Road Races I hope. Be careful though this racing lark can get addictive . There are lots of circuit races for LVRC racers at both Hillingdon and Hog Hill so check them out on the LVRC calender
Cheers Toks

[Andrew G]

Nice one Alan.
[quote="Alan"]This is an age handicap race and because I have a birthday coming up I was at the outer limits of 2 groups spanning the 50-59 age range. I move up next week!

[Snoop Doug]

Cool and how

[Nick W]

Well done Alan. Nice one!

[kieran]

well done Alan, glad you enjoyed it, sounds like a good race and atmosphere. For over 40's ? only a year and a bit to go then.

[Toks]

[quote="kieran"]well done Alan, glad you enjoyed it, sounds like a good race and atmosphere. For over 40's ? only a year and a bit to go then.