Rode to Hillingdon last night to race the E/1/2/3 with Ed and Matt. A strong North/East wind made the ride easy but bode of a tough race especially on the climb. Huge field and I heard a couple crashes behind me, the second one during the sprint. The pace was high at times - this time it was not 30 but 35+mph on the back straight - with a number of attacks, I went with a few but just can't go with every one. One of my few times at the front of a small group I almost died going up the climb, and by the top had slipped almost at the very back. About 2/3rd of the way of the 43min race I think it was 5 that slipped away, probably including Gibb, and stayed ahead to the end. With two to go I was positioned ok, on the climb two guys in front of me almost went down locking handlebars, and I had to think twice about deciding to take part in the sprint on the following lap. The couple skinny juniors were then left to kill themselves at the front, and it went a bit silly being in about 15th place by the start of the last climb with everyone behind trying to squeeze into the stretch of tarmac, had to freewheel a bit and avoid some wheels, had a clear run only in the last 50m or so to finish 5th of the bunch. Avs just under 42kmh, hr +/- 160bpm. Nice fast blast through traffic in a group on the way back.
Will be heading to Palace from now on on Tuesdays it's more fun and safer! And closer too, 3h40 on the bike yesterday