Tuesday @ Hillingdon 2009

[MattD]

A quick Hillingdon E123 report - I know it can be processional , but here’s the case for riding at Hillingdon early season

•Great progression to find your racing legs - race last week was 33 mins , this week 38 increasing to over an hour as light allows
•If I sit in my HR is at 80 % - when the surges occur I just touch 90 % - Great speed work .
•As the season progresses you can start to move further up , and either chase the breaks or work at the front.

This week I again sat in , but with 3 laps to go my ego took over and I decided to bridge a 50m gap out of the peleton to a break of 10 riders - I had no idea I had already burnt so many matches, HR at 94 % I blew with 5 metres to go, and then proceeded to watch as all the other riders past me by – resulting in me being last across the line !

Only concession was the average speed of 26.4 mph

I think I may try the same next week, but aim not to be last across the line !!

[Michelle]

Nice succinct report, Matt, if I may say so.

Though, tis generally best not to be last across the line in a race, it sometimes has it's benefits

[Paul Blackburn]

Hillingdon 4ths this week was much like last week's race but a bit faster (23 mph average). There seemed to be more clubs with more than 1 rider this week and I think that led to a few more attempted breaks. However, as the light still doesn't last too late, (particularly when it's a bit dull like last night), the race is very short and almost everyone has enough energy to ensure that the bunch comes back together each time. I think the light faded faster than the organisers expected as we had no countdown to the final lap and were all surprised when the bell was rung. Scalded cat impersonations all round as the pace suddenly shot up for a dash around the last lap. Another bunch finish for me, safe riding from all concerned, and a good evening's entertainment.