Surrey League - Rusper - 2/3 - 13th Sept

[Keith]

So what is it with me and the Rusper course?

This time last year I went 2 laps before retiring with a puncture.

Today's race? Managed 1 1/2 laps . Going over what must be the bumpiest road in Surrey, my coumpter mount self destructs. Half of the mount is securely cable tied to my bike. The other half is still securely attached to my computer which is now lying in the road somewhere behind me. I've only had this new computer 8 days so I turned back down the hill and picked it up. I tried to chase the bunch, but it wasn't to be.

Oh well, that was my last road race of the season. Shame to finish on such a let down. Next year I will finish the Rusper course.

[Sylv]

Was it Butlers that fitted it for you

Cheer up there's always next week

[Marek]

Why were you using a computer in the first place? Surely that is going to be adding more weight. What about Cutmill next weekend?

Cheers

Marek....

[Scott]

[quote="Marek"]Why were you using a computer in the first place? Surely that is going to be adding more weight.

[kieran]

I know how you feel Keith, I punctured in the morning's 3rd cat race. But managed to get a bit further than you, I punctured about 3/4 of the way through lap 5 of 6. Then started the slow walk back to the HQ. A cyclist who was following the race gave me a spare inner, which punctured immediately upon inflating. The tyres were new (just put on Saturday) Michelin pro race 3. Couldn't find the cause of the punctures, I later fitted another new inner tube which is still holding up. Paul T later picked me up in his car (Thanks). Paul H was very active in the race and was nearly up there at the end, Thanks for the lift to Coulsdon.

There was one crash, with 2 riders down, not sure how badly injured they were.

[Rob W]

Yeah that crash happened about a bike length in front of me and i had visons of bits of carbon going flying but i managed to slip through a 3 or 4inch gap and get away.phew that was close.The race ended with me coming in about mddle of the pack,after being blocked on the final two little climbs by riders dieing in front of me.Any way a good mornings training.

There was one crash, with 2 riders down, not sure how badly injured they were.[/quote]

[Antloony]

Well my 3rds race at Rusper started well only to get worse. Went into the race feeling in good shape, stayed near the front of the pack on the first lap with Paul H always in sight. He started to put in an attack on the climb up past the finishing line so I went with him and shared the work load but unfortunately it came to nothing. Was finding the pace quite comfortable and on the second lap Paul went away again on the drop down through the trees from Rusper with one other rider in tow, he got a gap so I shot off the front of the pack to bridge the gap and join him. I was followed by 3 others who worked together till they gave up leaving me to do the rest on my own. After a hard dig I finally got to Paul, soon the other 3 caught us but no one was willing to share the work with us and as I needed a rest from all the chasing we gave it up and were soon swallowed up by the bunch.

Another lap went by, I was at the back on the climb past the finish up to Rusper but by the time we got to the top I was at the front again and feeling strong. I shoved a gel down my neck to keep the energy levels high and remembered to keep drinking. Caught up with Rob and had a quick chat before getting my head down and making sure I didn't miss any breaks. Coming onto the finish line climb with 2 laps to go I slipped to the back but this time my legs just gave up, its like someone threw a switch some where and just turned the power off to my legs. They just filled with lactic acid and I virtually ground to a halt within seconds of going really well. Gutting really as I had been going along nicely. Can only put it down to lack of race distance miles in my legs over the summer due to my knee problem which, in an ironic kind of way, seems to have upped and left me.

Might have another bash before the seasons over but hopefully on a flattish course that I'll stand a better chance of finishing. Still enjoyed myself though, felt good to be riding in a big bunch again on the road racing.