Pace was rapid from the off and the group ahead was very soon in view up the road. The catch was made before the end of the first lap, just after they had caught the group in front of them. With such a large group now, the remaining group or groups (not sure how many were now ahead of us), were swallowed up without even noticing. A few efforts off the front were quickly reeled back in, with ACC involved in all of it. George was doing his thing by just riding hard all the time and getting away if he could. Matt was super strong up at the front making sure he be would be part of anything if the opportunity arose, and the rest of us were all there or there abouts, closing down any gaps, doing turns on the front and making sure we stayed up at the business end.
Half a lap to go there were still 50? riders all together in one big bunch motoring along now, down the back downhill section of the course toward the finish. Both sides of the road were now being used and I started to get a bit nervous, quite a bit nervous. A couple of cars coming the other way forced us back on to our side of the road and when I think back about it now it seems crazy
. But at the time you just get on with it as calls of "CAARRR" from the front makes everyone melt back across to the left. George was now at the front, the speed down the hill was probably over 40mph, riders were all fighting to get a good position, I got slightly swallowed. With about a mile to go there is a little slight incline section before it drops down again. I'd passed Darren just before and shouted at him to jump on. He did and I started to make my way forward to try and get a good position. The little incline gave me that opportunity as it is on a curve too, so a few gaps opened up slightly, and I'll take those thankyou very much 
.Well twitchy now with fingers on the brake levers ready for any mishaps ahead, eyes looking everywhere and brain totally switched on, totally totally focused. Legs now on auto pilot. I could see Matt in a great position ahead nicely placed on Jake Martins wheel. George's work was done, Darren was on my wheel with Paul and Keith somewhere near (I forget now at exactly which point I saw them).
The run in is a longish sprinters hill with about 200m of flat to the finish. A fortnight ago I'd timed it right and got the jump on everyone to take the win. This week was different. There were far more riders and it seemed more of them in the mix. I was probably 10m too far back when the sprint got underway, I was still making my way forward but hadn't made it. I saw the head of the race take off so I had to go there and then with all I had, I was playing catch up. I felt good though, the power was there certainly, and so too the speed. I flew past some of the guys in front but two were still ahead as we reach the flat. My power was now behind me left on the tarmac of the hill. It was sit down and hang on time. 3rd across the line was how it finished, Matt in 5th and Darren 6th. Im not certain of the others placings. Good Addiscombe turnout again and good racing.
I hope to see as many Addiscombe out next week at the last Handicap of the year on the Newchapel circuit. I have a good chance of winning the series, so to get some ACCers there to possibly help me achieve this would be fantastic. See you there Thursday guys
Steve
. I'll see you tuesday.
. I didn't realise the points from the Handicap championship in September count toward the overall standings. So there are still enough points for a number of riders to win it including Darren and Matt. How about an ACC123 