Cheers Keith thanks to you and Joyce for marshalling, and Marcus, Jim and co for the on course encouragement.
After 2 weather induced DNS this was my first race of the season, and the first time I've ridden my TT bike since October so I wasn't sure a) how I'd go particularly on a tough course like this one, and b) if re-assuming the position would take a while to get used to again.
Didn't feel too bad today, nice day if a bit chilly and windy in places. Felt fine back on the TT bike without any aches and pains and only had a little bit of mind wandering
.
I was up the back of a small field with only 3 riders behind me, and all faster than me
. Richard Tully of Anerley was a minute behind me and then a fast guy from the Isle of Wight followed by scratch man super fast Steve Dennis. I held no illusions about staying in front of this trio for too long but wasn't going to make it too easy for them if I could help it.
My minute man was the legend John Woodburn who although now 71 is a former 25 National Champion and still pretty rapid. He provided a useful carrot for me on the first lap, as although he can roll along well on the flat, due to his age he suffers a bit on the hills. I had him in sight approaching the first turn and then proceded to chase him down the hill and along the flat, slowly reeling him in. Just before the turn at the furthest part of the loop Richard caught me, quickly followed by Mr. IOW and Steve Dennis. Around the turn and then we set off chasing each other up the drag in to the first of the hills on the nasty return leg, I didn't keep them in sight for long though and could concentrate on getting back to reeling Woodburn in, passing my 4 minute man on the way.
I closed in quite quickly on each climb but then at the brow he was back putting the power down and holding the gap, but at the base of the final climb at the end of the first lap I got him
. I know it sounds a bit silly being happy to catch a 71 year old but he's no ordinary 71 year old so I'm staying happy
.
Passed Keith and Joyce again and on to lap 2. A more lonely affair this time with no carrots or people catching me, but just concentrating on trying to keep/pick the pace up.
Back to the hills and my legs were feeling their first race of the year a bit but a bit of grimacing saw me through it, and a some final welly (as much as I could) on the last hill to hit the checkered flag.
Well that's the first race done and it's good to be back in the pointy hat. I felt everything went well for the first time out this year and was only 5 seconds slower than last year when I had a couple of earlier races under my belt.
Big tick for the flapjack supplier at the HQ, it was very nice.
George - 55.59 - 4th overall and a great time.
Me - 1.01.32
Rob R-E - 1.03.58
We won the team prize
.
Steve Dennis won with a very fast 50.46
by Keith » Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:40 pm 
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