chertsey 2/6/07 crash!!.....

[MattD]

Having heard of some rather extreme stories of blood and gaul, I decided with a bit of trepidation to enter my 2nd CAT4 race at Chertsey . However, the first challenge was finding Chertsey….. riding from Clapham with google map in hand , I soon realised that printing out directions with just road names was not going to help when confronted with large road signs with numbers on … and NO road Names . 36 miles later I arrived @ 9.58 … and fortunately was advised by Tim (in his event organising role!) that I had a few minutes to spare!!

60 plus riders , lovely sunny day ..( perhaps a bit too much of a warm up ) but I was up for this race . Chertsey is an invigorating circuit, and because of the uneven surface, you have to be constantly on your guard for unpredictable moves. Strategy was to practice riding off the front to ensure a good workout , find the best lines through the s bends at the back of the circuit , a few out of saddle moves over the rolling slopes to move up places , and just focus on always being able to return to the top 10 when required .

Lots of breaks, out for an early lap with 2 other riders, but before I could get into any rhythm they both peeled off for a cup of tea and a chat . Patience was the order of the day , stretching my legs occasionally , following the plan , until finally the last lap ! . Down the back straight I was in the middle of the pack , keeping inside the tarmac divide , then moving slowly out to prevent being boxed in …. Pace quickens , riders are streaming past on my outside - I must follow or I’ll be at the back before I know it.....slowly does it … GREAT … caught a wheel … now I’m part of the train on the outside …..CRASH … carbon hits the ground behind me … don’t look back … just reach the hilly section and you ‘l be fine …. Hit the hilly section…. pace quickens further … now its time to move… out of saddle , round the outside , up and down over the hills until a swoop into the last left hand before straight … MAGIC … I’m in top 5 … feeling strong … quick I think …. catch his wheel as rider hurls himself past us all to take the lead … dig deep … phew ive got his wheel … I’m in second place tanking it down the back straight … lungs burning , legs starting to impersonate over cooked spaghetti , but I hang on , how long can this straight be …… then , another train starts to come past . ive got no way of getting a ticket, so I tack to the left of my lead out man , but im exposed , one final push , but I’m shot … out of top 10 ……….Glory postponed for another day !!

[carl f]

Exellent story Matt!