Old Ports 10

[Dominic]

Lessons learned today:

1. Don't book a ride on a course and expect a PB.
2. It's the rider that makes the PB not the course.

I had booked today's ride to get a PB as simple as that. I have only ever done 10s on the Holmwood course and my PB is 21.59 set at the last President's 10. It was myself and Mr Green out today, John L was a DNS with apologies. The organiser was very impressed that you drove there to tell him . Big Dave Palmer was riding as well and was just in front of Andrew.

Driving out there were few showers and the course was damp. I was off 51 with Christian Yates in front of me, so I would be seeing no-one on my ride after the start. Felt good warming up, didn't think there was much wind, the only thing left to do was go as fast and as hard as I could to get that PB.

I had a good go. Steady up the the first roundabout and started to nail it. 53x15 and 14 to the turn. Predominately 53 x 14 and 13 on the way back. From the last roundabout, raining by now, down the hill 53 x13 and 12 and through the finish and relax. Felt sick which is always a good sign. Back to the HQ and changed.

22.09.

10 seconds off and gutted. I have to apolgise to Dave and Andrew for being a bit down at the HQ but that's what happens when you build these things up. Andrews ride turned out to be worse for other reasons than mine but I will let him tell you. We all agreed that 10 miles feels very short after a 100.

Chris Yates won with a 20.56 I think. I was sixth or seventh. Top 10 in an open 10, can't grumble (anymore) about that

Roll on the Anerley 50.

[Michelle]

Well done, Dom. Like you said, your legs must be missing the chain gang.

I reckon the bike picks up weight going through all those puddles, it must be that which slowed you down.

[Andrew G]

As Dom said the road surface was a bit wet to start with which if you can stay upright is always good as it makes a nice slick fast surface. That's the old wisdom and whether scientifically (boo, hiss) it's true or not I've always found it good for me.

Felt good after the warm up and once under way was absolutely flying. I was hoping to get under 24mins this season (current PB 24.17) and had a good feeling about today. Don't know which gears I was in except they were big ones, just kept rolling them over and powering up the slight drags far better than I have done previously.

On the return leg it started drizzling quite a lot, not hard just quite a lot of water coming down which reduced visability a lot as it was sitting on my glasses. Wasn't a problem today though and didn't slow me down in the slightest. I also had my head on from the start and was really focussed throughout the whole race.

Well when I say whole race......down the little drop towards the finish snicking it in to 53x11 and still powering along as it leveled out. Just before the final roundabout and HISSSSSSSSSS, instant flat on the front and riding on the rim . Soooo close to the finish but in the wet just about to enter a roundabout I wasn't going to try and roll it in to the finish. A rear possibly drag it in but not a front.

Eased up and got off the road. Checked the computer, 9.6 miles covered in 23.06 I'd have had my PB and beaten 24. Bugger I think is the word I'm looking for.

Walked passed the roundabout and a car pulled up to give me a lift back to the HQ . Very fast TT-er, top photographer, and all round good egg Mike Anton who'd been out on snapping duty today. So I shared the front seat back with his camera with it's unfeasibly large lens. Top bloke.

Muchos thanks to Dominic for the muchos flapjack.

Oh well that's the way the cookie crumbles, and not a waste as I had a chat to the organiser afterwards who is also doing London-Edinburgh-London next year (he did Paris-Brest-Paris this year) so we arranged to get in touch so we can hook up for some training rides. Agreeable chaps those Old Portlians .

Christian Yates on his 120" fixed again today .

[tel]

Hey Andrew, sorry to hear about your puncture, never good.

But when are you going training with Ben Instone. He`ll whip you into shape.

Terry

[Andrew G]

I sent him a PM just to note the somewhat vast gulf in class, I said he'd have to use one leg - with which he could still comfortably kick my arse with .

I did give him a link to the forum though so that if he does move to the area he might be able to link up with some fast boys for some training or show him a few routes.

[John the old'un]

I had every intention of riding today until I saw the spray coming off the road from cars, vans, lorries atc. This was along the course apart from near the HQ. It was also still very wet as I drove home.
As most people on here know I will never race on a wet road again, following some bad crashes when I was young.
My belief that the road was slippery was borne out during the clubrun this morning when I believe it was three people came off, resulting in blood and grazed knees.
Sorry to read of both your disappointments chaps. To get so close to a PB must be very frustrating. I am sure time will resolve the issue. Something I am rapidly running out of.!!

[Andrew G]

Wise choice John as I think you'd have been on course when it was drizzling so it did get wetter. You did miss out on some very nice quality flapjack though .

[Dominic]

John,

Please don't think it was a criticism I appreciate fully your reasons for not riding. Lets hope there are a few more dry days for you

Dominic

[Antloony]

Bad luck Mr Thwarted by the weather once again by the sounds of things. Blame the rain for washing all sorts of crap onto the road.

[George]

Dom well done that's still a fast tt time, I remember last year watching you get that PB at the presidents 10 whilst I was recovering from my broken neck, you were on a mission that day, it's gonna be pretty darn hard for me to beat that one I can tell you.

Andrew I too had a flat front today .4 of amile from the line you should have finished for that PB Andrew

Unlucky John but indeed a good decision, today was just for the hardcore nutters

[Andrew G]

I had a 20mm tub George so when it went flat I was straight on to the rim, with a 22mm I might have been okay as they tend to give a touch of protection to the edge of the rim. With the wet road I didn't want to risk coming off and injuring myself particularly with the roundabout, or damaging the wheel.

[Sylv]

Know how it must feel to be that close Dom, but still very fast. At least you will PB at the 12h
Surprised you didn't have much wind.

Andrew bad luck, if I was on my expensive wheels or any wheels for that matter I wouldn't ride on a flat at the risk of wrecking them, even for a PB.

[John the old'un]

[quote="Dominic"]John,

Please don't think it was a criticism I appreciate fully your reasons for not riding. Lets hope there are a few more dry days for you

Dominic