Worthing Excelsior 25

[Snoop Doug]

According to some dictionaries, excelsior means ever upwards.

With a 15mph NE wind and a miserly 10.5 degC I was not expecting to PB today. I was keen to race intelligently and see if I could continue my climb up the results table. Time wise I'd be happy with under 1.07.00

I've got my race prep off pat now - or so I thought. Finished my warm up and as I was getting ready to go realised I needed a pee . Taking a leak with a skinsuit on takes some planning so by the time I was back on my bike I was cutting it fine school boy error. Got to the start with 20 seconds to spare . Afterwards Dave Palmer was kind enough to say "how professional"!!

So - roll off the start, blimey it's brass monkeys glad I put my arm warmers on. I was number 49 today so as usual I got passed by Mr 0 just after the railway turn. He didn't go whizzing off mind so I focussed on him and pushed myself along. I had a gear change nightmare day today, I really must abandon this 10 speed cassette 9 speed mech nonsense. I kept jumping out of gear and hitting the shifter = change a gear was not a mathematical certainty .

Keep going and I see someone a bit ahead of Mr 0. Crikey, it's MY MINUTE MAN!!! I worked hard, and caught him just before the left turn to Tollgate hill. That's a first for me on a 25 - I was dead chuffed I tell yer!! Struggled a bit up the hill in the end used the small ring cos my gears were buggering me about. Rounded the top of the hill and blow me down I can feel my minute man breathin down me neck, bloomin cheek! I stepped on the gas and as I changed to the big ring I dropped my chain . That just made me mad so I stomped all over the pedals and blew the guy away down Tollgate never to be seen again.

I caned it down the long straight to the railway turn cutting roundabouts as fine as I could, spinning my 11 and loving this speed. I was feeling good though my saddle was starting to cause me major pain in the ar5e . Up and over Farthing interchange and push hard yup to the service station. I allowed myself a glance at the time - oooooh. Not on for a PB - but pretty damn good nonetheless. Got to the turn and just killed myself for the last 2 miles, passing two more fellow competitors, yeah!!!!! I had to sit up briefly on the last climb - my backside was so painful I needed some relief .

Finished in 1.06.14. Not a PB but definitely my best race this year so far. I wonder how many other riders came within 1 min 20 odd sec of their PB in the race today? I'm learning loads and getting better at dealing with the pain.

Got a break next weekend then my first 10 of the year @ the SCCU course. I am soooo looking forward to that - I know pretty much every inch of tarmac on that baby. Surely my crappy 10 PB of 27.37 has got to fall ?

The only negative points from today were - no photographer, how the hell am I supposed to win the tongues out with service like that!! Also - I need a new saddle - badly

Snoop

[John the old'un]

I've got a Profile Design saddle going spare, which is the same one as Robert R-E uses if you want to try it Snoop.

[tel]

Well done Doug, I reckon the hcp prize is yours for the taking in the Southern Counties 10. Should knock off 2 or 3mins I reckon. Just hope for a good morning.

Terry

[Michelle]

That's brilliant Snoop, you just keep getting better and better.

Apart from your ars*!!!!

[George]

Nice one Snoop the wind must have had a nasty little bite to it today as Paul informed me

Capt'n keeps reelin in the fish, I like the way you kept throwing your line up for bait.

Lets get our painful arse's down to a decent 25 course one of these days for a sure fire PB, well done Snoop.

[Snoop Doug]

John - I'll try anything once . Yes please - I've PMd you.

Terry - unfortunately the SCCU 10 is nto a hcap race . I seem to kick lumps out of my time when there's no proze up for grabs. Hey ho - guess I'll just have to be happy with those PBs then

Michelle - must be that kicking you gave it @ CSS a few weeks back

George - top idea mate - I'll have a shufti through the book and see what's coming up.

Snoop

[quote]I dropped my chain .

[Mike I]

I looked out of the window this morning and said to Mrs I, "Not a good day for time trialling, so good job I'm on a sportive." So, good ride, by the sounds of things.

There is a handicap prize for the SCCU 10. Indeed, if I'd gone 4 seconds faster last year, I'd have won it. You might as well spend the money now Snoop - put it towards a new toaster or summat.