Farnborough and Camberley 25

[Phil H]

Finally managed to get out and ride the new TT bike in a TT. Actually 25 miles is further than I've ridden it at all.

Still getting used to the bike and residual shoulder problems made holding the aero position for long a bit uncomfortable. I reckon that's just getting used to it though. When "assuming the position" it does seem to add speed/reduce effort a lot.

Set off on the uphill draggy section, heading southwest. From the couple of TTs I did last year on this, I was expecting it to be a bit draggy and nasty. Not today - for some reason I seem to be flying up - although the HR is already Too High. Down the Col du Hen and Chicken for the first time and I also remember that I haven't got used to going over 35mph on the aero bars. Round the bottom turn and the reason the first leg seemed so fast becomes apparent. Out of the shelter of the rab and suddenly there's wind gusting. This is made more of a problem if you're coming round on the aero bars - which may or may not have something to do with there being a photographer on the roundabout.

Strava tells me that the Col du Hen and Chicken is a measly 53 feet of altitude gain. Strava lies. That over and it's the downhill run all the way to the turn unless my memory is incorrect - which it is. There are a couple of rolling bits to combine with the headwind. I carefully memorise where the actual finish actually is. Lap 2 and I'm well back into "oh so this is timetrialling" feeling. HR is still suspiciously high but it doesn't go down when I ease up so decide to live with it. Past the start and I see George queuing up, I shout something like "see you in a minute" which is probably lost in the noise. Actually it was 3 or 4 minutes before he came storming past.

Second run and the Col du H&C and I knew I had to give it my all - which, it turns out, isn't very much.

Results:
Winner (I think): Richard Simmonds, Altitude Centre - 50:40

ACC times
George Brent: 55:20
Steve Davies: 1:04:55 (I may have remembered this wrongly)
Paul Tunnel: 1:05:22
Phil the Pie: 1:06:02

SCCU 25 next week back on the G53 course. The theme will be "roundabouts".

[Andrew G]

I thought it would be a bit breezy out there today, excellent time George so early in the year on a chilly day.

Good to hear you're enjoying assuming the position again Phil. Lovely 25 course Bentley, see you at the roundabouts next week.

There would have to have been a very fast fella out there to have beaten Rich so expect he did win.

[Phil H]

I've just seen the start sheet for next Sunday. It's 10% ACC. Also I see that George is off 6 minutes behind me. Do you think he'll notice when I grab his seatpost?