East Surrey Hardriders - 09/03/14

[Dominic]

This was the 50th anniversary of this event and my first race for a couple of years. The course had to be shorted to just over 28 miles due to Flanchford Bridge being shut and the start was at Reigate Heath. It was then along to Dorking, the A24 to Broadbridge Heath, along the A264 for a couple of miles a left turn and up a hill (can never remember the name) and along up and down the country lanes, a la club run the wrong way, through Rusper and Newdigate back to Leigh.

I was off 3rd from the end that meant the civilised start time of 9.43am and it was nice and warm. It almost didn't happen because after having a chat with Mr Green at the HQ I couldn't get any air into my tubs after the valve extenders came loose. Got this sorted, had a quick warm up and off to the start. Started off far too fast, caught my minute man, another Mr Green with in two miles and was hacking along at some points towards Dorking at 29mph. I had the top seed off two minutes behind me and had expected to get caught before Dorking.

He eventually caught me half way between the top two roundabouts on the A24 and slowly disappeared into the horizon. I kept pushing along and it as fine on the flats and downhills but any slight rise or hill I was suffering like a dog. When I turned off the A264 for the final poper hill I was in 44x23 out of the saddle and breathing out of my a**e!!

After that I just went as hard as I could passed, loads of leisure cyclists and almost didn't see a car when I was turning onto the main road at Rusper and had to give an apologetic wave. Passed number 74 within 2 miles of the finish, gave each other a friendly shout. He's an old boy who rides all these events on fixed and seems to thoroughly enjoy himself. Cross the line to finish with 1.10.17. My average speed was 23.5mph, which is a mile an hour down on my fastest on that course, but it is in the right ball park. The winning time was a 1.01.10 I think. I was about half way down the field and didn't seem to worry any of the prizes on offer, of which there was a considerable amount, including a bike fit worth £200 for 20th place.

The original field was 90 strong but there were a lot of DNS so probably a field of just under 80.

I did win the fastest Addiscombe rider though

[tel]

Well done Dom

Everything seems to be in order for a good season. Training must be going well.

Regards

Terry

[Jon H]

Sounds like you had a good ride Dominic.

I switched my alarm off, and promptly fell asleep again, to wake up about half an hour before my start time
Not used to early starts on Sundays.

[Andrew G]

Well I did better than that Jon. My DNS was sore knee related. I rode out with a slightly sore and puffy knee, spare jersey etc in backpack to race, but as it was still a bit sore when I got there decided it would be better not to push my luck and race on it. Left my apologies and had a chinwag with a couple of folk before heading home again. Still a bit puffy when I got home so think it was the right choice but a pity in such nice weather.

Good to see Dominic again, and a good ride on that tough course. Drags, lumps, a nasty hill, speed sapping road surfaces, and plenty of potholes etc to avoid. Tough to carry speed.