Hillingdon 7 Feb

[Sylv]

Rocked up at Hillingdon for the penultimate round of the winter series, West London was practically devoid of snow the snow clouds must have melted going over London. After a warmup on the rollers out on the circuit for a couple laps, word was that numbers were down, and it did look like there were only about 12 of us on the circuit. But then onto the start line and it was about 45 riders. Angus was there (no Chris Moores) and I got to see the size of his thighs from close. Big. He’s looking forward to riding with you Paul.

As probably could be expected he shot off the front on his own right from the start, and was to spend most of the race at the front somewhere – awesome strength. It took a lot of attacks to succeed though (probably cos noone could match him), not until about over 2/3rd of the race in. The circuit was dry except a bit of ice/salt in a couple places, and water at the bottom corner. I had been feeling rubbish this week so not expecting great things, but it wasn’t too bad in the race.

It was a bit hairy at times though – someone slammed the brake when he saw he was riding on the salt, a couple riders from the same club almost took each other out on the climb (and me in the process, shoulders rubbing, grass riding..), and in the sprint a rider from the same club went down heavily.

Once Macalister (who won) and Walters were away I got a puncture so had to take a lap (and a half!) out to change wheel, got back on again and realised my rear wheel was not too well pumped up ... ah well it wasn’t too bad. We weren’t going to catch them, but there were still attacks to chase. Then the sign for 5 laps, I was determined to get a good positioning for the sprint, but messed it up with 1.5 laps to go by chasing a last ditch attack that looked promising on the back straight. I totally cooked myself, and went right at the back.

I thought I’d never recover and even less make it back towards the front, but it eased off a bit and I was able to recover partly, and move upwards, but not quite enough. The sprint oh my, that was so hairy, the crash right by my side, which forced me to ride on the salt/ice, I wasn’t sure how well this was going to go!! Then was in too high a gear, ended up 11th in the sprint, 13th overall, and 4th in the 3rd cat race.

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3261126828_1d008d5ff1_m.jpg[/img]


Lap - Time - Average Heart Rate
1 - 00:02:20 -
2 - 00:02:08 -
3 - 00:02:24 -
4 - 00:02:26 - 148 bpm
5 - 00:02:16 - 150 bpm
6 - 00:02:20 - 169 bpm
7 - 00:02:14 - 166 bpm
8 - 00:02:20 - 167 bpm
9 - 00:02:23 - 152 bpm
10 - 00:02:16 - 157 bpm
11 - 00:02:32 - 163 bpm
12 - 00:02:13 - 165 bpm
13 - 00:02:10 - 166 bpm
14 - 00:02:11 - 168 bpm
15 - 00:02:21 - 166 bpm
16 - 00:02:09 - 169 bpm
17 - 00:02:24 - 166 bpm
18 - 00:02:18 - 155 bpm
19 - 00:02:16 - 167 bpm
20 - 00:02:12 - 166 bpm
21 - 00:02:15 - 159 bpm
22 - 00:02:14 - 165 bpm
23 - 00:02:23 - 159 bpm
24 flat 00:02:18 flat 158 bpm
25 - 00:02:32 - 146 bpm
26 - 00:02:27 - 154 bpm
27 - 00:02:14 - 153 bpm
28 - 00:02:18 - 154 bpm
29 - 00:02:13 - 163 bpm
30 - 00:02:09 - 168 bpm
31 - 00:02:07 - 164 bpm
32 - 00:00:19 - 172 bpm

[Keith]

Well done Sylv. Sounds like it was pretty scary - makes me nervous just reading your report!

[Antloony]

Yep,scary stuff indeed. Again, well done and well done for even going, I'd have put money on it being cancelled but as you say that side of town seemed to have missed the snow, was over that way late last night spinning tunes.

[Andrew G]

We said you must be mad when you left us this morning but you tend to be fairly catlike on a bike, glad you didn't get taken out by others with inferior bike control.

[Toks]

I don't think that 2nd cat license will take too long arriving if you continue at this rate Sylv. Given all your mishaps thats a great result. Chapeau
PS Saddo that I am, I googled Angus "The Engne" Macallistar and see he came 40th in the British National Indoor Rowing Championships back in 2001

[Sylv]

Hey Toks I think I beat you in that dept, I googled "angus mc+paul h"

The final race should be interesting to watch

[Michelle]

Well done Sylv, and for avoiding the crash too. Got more points again this week I see

[George]

Another puncture sylv still you had a good warm up in the morning out on the mtb

[Sylv]

I got a puncture on that mtb ride too ... well kind of, more of a tube hernia poking from a split tire sidewall, like a toad on heat ... managed to ride it home though

[Sylv]

[quote="Toks"]I don't think that 2nd cat license will take too long arriving if you continue at this rate Sylv.