Redmon RT report

[huw williams]

Another reliability trial and another ill-advised tear-up yesterday.

As God is my witness I only wanted a steady ride yesterday after the previous week's fireworks and the large crowd gathered at the start didn't seem to contain any scary race teams.

Then things went terribly wrong. Visiting the gents for a final loo-stop I returned to the car park to find the main group gone. Left standing in the second group were, you've guessed it, a scary race team. Guy Pearson and his mates from Pearson cycles. If that wasn't bad enough 1st cats Matt (part time ACCer) and Dave Kenett turned up with Steve Cave, Tim Harris, Brian Tidy and Aidon in tow.

By the time they'd all signed on we'd given the lead group almost fifteen minutes start. "We'll catch em before the top of Coldharbour" insisted Richard Hallett, CWs technical Editor who, in the best shape of his very experienced cycling carreer set about achieving just that.

Hallet and Pearson set a relentless 20mph+ up over the Banstead, Epsom, Langley Vale and Headley climbs. By the time we attacked Coldharbour there were droped remnants of the lead group strewn out all up the long hill. I saw a couple of yellow ACC kits on the climb but I was seeing stars already due to the high tempo and couldn't identify them as we passed.

Through Ockley then Abinger Hamer our group stuck together sweeping up riders dropped by the first group. The sun came out, the temperature rose and Matt and Guy drove things along at a ridiculous 24mph.

At the top of the Coombe Bottom climb was a tea stop where we finally caught up with the lead group which included Jackie M-Smith, Terry and Graham O

After that it was flat or slightly rolling all the way back along fantastic roads through Cobham and Ottershaw.

After a not too serious crash involving one of the Pearson Cycles juniors halted the group for a short interval, Hallett and Dave Kenett again wound it up, splitting the group before the run in. It's always been one of life's great pleasures to sit on Dave Kennett's wheel as he is relentlessly smooth and bloody quick.

On the final stretch along the A17 into Morden I achieved a lifetime first by 'spinning out' on the flat. I had no gear left to push against (on a 12-27 block) and the speedo was registering an alarming 38mph. Somehow I managed to hang on and we completed the 58 miles in three hours on the nose which includes the tea and crash stops. Hallett confirmed that his 'riding time' average was a smidge over 20mph.

Excellent maps, tea and cakes from the organisers and a superb route. I'd certainly go and do that one again.

[siwickm]

Now who is the guy who is always telling everyone that they are mad to go so fast so early on in the year, hmm, think that is Huw. Spoke to one of the guys you dropped today and he said it was pretty hardcore.

Good to see you are taking it nice and easy before the season starts, hopefully you will all have slowed down in time for the racing.

Cheers

MArek....

[huw williams]

I've merely found myself in situations where the pace has been 'nudged along' by other riders. You know what peer pressure is like!

I feel like I've already done a season after the last two weekends.

Next weekend I am definitely, DEFINITELY, going slowly around the Old Ports RT. No question about it. Slow all the way. Fast? Not me.

[Kevin Rynne]

Wow just sitting at my desk reading that report has exhausted me!

[quote="huw williams"]I've merely found myself in situations where the pace has been 'nudged along' by other riders. You know what peer pressure is like!

I feel like I've already done a season after the last two weekends.

Next weekend I am definitely, DEFINITELY, going slowly around the Old Ports RT. No question about it. Slow all the way. Fast? Not me.

[huw williams]

Dammit, exposed as a charlatan!

[siwickm]

Too right, I seem to remember you saying something like you were going to take it easy on the Autumn Epic, where you proceeded to drop all the rest of us on the climbs.

Next time you say slow down I think I may have to ignore you.

Cheers

Marek...

[ajay khandelwal]

The enigma of Huw 'piano piano - ATTACK ATTACK' Williams - champion racer in January - you are a marked man now for the next 11 months ! See you in July !

[DavidKennett]

See you next Sunday Huw

May take the mudguards off

[siwickm]

Hello David,

I hear you have been terrorising people on Saturdays and now on Sundays as well. Mr Cave gave me the low down on a hellish ride on Saturday, think you finished him off on Colgate hill.

What are you doing next Saturday, I may see if I can get out and meet up with you, I could do with a fast steady wheel to follow.

Cheers

Marek.....

[huw williams]

AJ - I thought marriage to the fair Ninder had dented your eternally optimistic attempts to rediscover your racing legs of old. If not then bravo! I'll see you in July.

But why July? That's half a year away. There are races and sportives in March/April/May and June too you know. What can you be doing in the meantime? A secret training regime perhaps?

Dave - re-fit the mudguards. Better still fit really heavy, iron ones and give the rest of us a chance on the hills next week.

[Toks]

[quote]Next weekend I am definitely, DEFINITELY, going slowly around the Old Ports RT. No question about it. Slow all the way. Fast? Not me

[huw williams]

Coincidentally Joyce forwarded me a shiny 2006 BC 3rd cat licence just last week so all being well, yep I'll see you on the line.

Looks like we won't be seeing AJ unitl July though for some reason!

[Graham O]

Sounds like huw had fun with the fast chaps. I managed to sneak away at the top of combe bottom whilst they were supping tea. Just about managed to stay in front until the finish. My legs ran out toward the end as usual.. good fun though..

Bring on the next one..I'll have to ask you guys how I have a go at the racing.

[DavidKennett]

Marek,

Mr Cave was only with us down to Colgate on Sat, we carried on down to Ditchling at steady pace, real fun was coming back, nice steady through-and-off.

Saturday I'll either be doing a steady ride with some hills or down the lanes Ditchling

Sunday, up and down the hills of Kent, what joy