Quite an unusual event; a mid-week open TT. Took a flexi-time afternoon off work so I could get over to Essex in time for a 7pm start.
This was on a circuit I hadn't ridden before, it's two laps of a 5 and a bit mile circuit using the lanes through East Hanningfield and Howe Green, and the old main road which is really quiet since they built a new DC alongside. I did one lap as a warm up and to check out the route, and it seemed OK despite a howling gale and drops of rain. I thought the main problem was going to be keeping upright due to gusty winds.
I was talking to my minute man before we started. He'd just started riding again after a 38 year lay-off, and reckoned he had only done 200 miles total since starting cycling again. So I wasn't too surprised when I caught him after just over a mile.
When I got going at race speed the wind didn't seem too bad at all, and I found I could stay on the tribars most of the way round apart from a few twisty bits and one draggy climb on the main road. I really enjoyed the course and it made a welcome change from the dual carriageway courses I've been on lately.
Finished in 26:09 which was 14th place, I'm reasonably happy with that for my Spoco SE counting event.