I was hoping for another PB and a good time as in theory this should be a faster course than others I've ridden. Not silly fast and no gift downhills or anything like that, but a pretty flat course with just a minor rise on the way. The weather was quite good too being a decent enough temperature and only a slight breeze.
The breeze was on the start side, so a head wind in that direction, but it wasn't a struggle in to it just knocked your speed back a bit. I was off at 36 with Terry a few in front of me at 32.
It's fair to say I was on it today
. From the off I was going well and keeping the speed up to 22-23mph in to the breeze for most of the time. It dropped back to about evens on the little drag but it only lasts a hundred metres or so. Payback was going the other way where I found I could shoot along at 27-30mph for long periods.After 3 miles I caught 34
, then after 6 miles I caught 35 . I had a glance at my watch here as although I felt good I was a bit concerned I might have started too quick catching 2 people so soon. All seemed well though so I carried on and caught 33 at 11 miles , I was enjoying this a lot. I kept pushing ignoring the pain from my legs and kept my head "on" again all race today.I saw Terry coming back the other way at the 2nd turn but it was slow progress closing in on him. Round the final turn and I could see Terry just ahead and with only 5 miles left I dug in another level. I finally caught Terry approaching the little lump for the second time, gave him a shout and pushed on.
Just over the top of the lump I caught number 30
and absolutely hammered it to the finish. My legs were screaming at me but I just told myself to ignore them as it was only a couple of miles to go now. In the final mile I spotted 29 up ahead and buried myself to catch her just on the line.Safe to say it's a good day when you catch 6 people and no-one catches you
.I glanced at my watch while I waited for Terry shortly after the finish to ride back to HQ together and it looked like I had a shortish 1.01 which would be nice.
Back at HQ and I was greeted by the most fantastic cakes a tester could wish to see. Massive 12" double layer homemade jobbies, plus homemade flapjack and bread pudding
.Supping tea I checked the results board...hang on that can't be right, oh yeah I started my watch early didn't I.
I probably had the biggest grin in the HQ as I basked in......
[size=150]
1:00:11[/size]
Absolutely delighted, I'm still pinching myself as I thought it'd be next year before I was down below 1.01s.
Now where did those 12 seconds go
.I didn't stay until all the results were in so don't know who won.
Addiscombe Results:
Terry Hill 1.07.35
Andrew Green 1.00.11
Good to see 2nd claimer Steve Hehir too who did a 1.04.11.
Off for today's well earned recovery drink of Pedigree now, I'll probably still have a silly grin on my face come Tuesday.
r 
