Catford 10 24 April 2010

[George]

Tonbridge bypass this morning for the annual pilgrimage to the Q10/19.
There wasn't much wind this morning and it was a beautifully clear day although a little nippy for the early starters.
Saw Andrew bowling down the ski slope just as I arrived this morning.

I was off after Mark and before Jon, Off down the start ramp to pick up some lovely free speed which then spits you out onto the fast dual carridgeway.

Out to the turn after the initial couple of miles it was tough going keeping the speed high and the drag up to the turn was an all out the saddle effort job to haul myself up to the roundabout didn't expect any fireworks with my time at this stage, didn't really notice much breeze on the way out but boy oh boy was the run in fun after the turn

I immediately notched it up to 55/11 and the speedo was registering over 40mph
Then it was a top gear honk all the way home around the 31-34mph mark which is a magical feeling.

To be honest I didn't really feel that I was on it today but with my new position and very comfortable pink saddle that Paul H had kindly loaned me I seemed to be able to power the pedals round like never before.

Over the line and checked my watch and couldn't believe it 21.04 last year on the same course I did a 22.24 with what felt like much more effort.

Well chuffed with that, if I'd have known I would have sprinted for the flag for a 20

Managed to take nearly a minute out of Keith Coffey so thats a first for me on a non sporting TT.
By George I seem to be finally getting the hang of this TT lark

[mark mclaughlin]

My ride was a different experience!!... managed to hit 45 mph down the ski slope without bottling it. Tried to keep some momentum going but felt I wasn’t warmed up enough so it was a horrible grovel out with speed dipping under 20 on some sections. Wasn’t really enjoying this and the road surface was rubbish, dragged myself over the roundabout, it wasn’t pretty! The wind on your back helped, on the return...notched it up a few and tried to keep a good cadence not tempting to push a bigger gear to the finish.

That was hard work….. surprised when my time finally went up as 22.41 not too shabby for my 2nd TT of the season, and only 5 secs off my PB from last years event.
Cracking ride by George, he was on fire today!

ACC’s
Andrew 24.02
Jon 22.51…… Jon’s coming back!
Me 22.41
George 21.04

Seemed some confusion with the last 20 riders time’s Pete Tandros won it with a 19 something!
George must have been up there in the mix too?
Looking forward to our Acc’s 25

[Dominic]

Well done all. Lovely day for it and I am stuck at work.

That might be the 10 trophy for George already

[Andrew G]

Congratulations to George on an excellent ride, I knew he'd done a good one when he came bouncing straight in to the HQ like a puppy . Always nice to see a mate really happy with their ride, good luck on reeling in your minute man tomorrow, don't forget your sweets . Very good rides by Mark and Jon too, it didn't go so well for me today so let the side down a bit in the smiling stakes.

I was off very early and it was damn cold (a leg warmer ride) with mist hanging over the water under the bridge, I was also running a bit late so didn't have time for a warm up just to ride to the start. So I started cold in every way .

Like Mark I had a horrible grovel on the out leg and found the surface really poor in quite a number of places. With no warm up I just couldn't get my legs working at all and the speed from the start disappeared almost immediately once on the DC. I just couldn't seem to build any back up, with the little bit of head wind demoralising me further. The climb up to the turn was a miserable crawling affair but once round the turn and on to the downslope back to the DC it helped me drag some speed back which I tried to hold as best I could with my legs finally starting to get going.

I was 40 seconds slower than last year, and the time isn't that bad (would have been a PB at the same time last year) which is a good sign that I'm not happy with it as it shows the progress I think I've made of late. Hopefully I'll feel better for the ACC 25 tomorrow as I always look forward to our promotions.

Just one of those days for me where I really didn't enjoy it and the finish couldn't come quick enough. Talking to Mark afterwards and we were both saying that we don't think the course is as quick as it's made out to be, maybe on a par with the Horsham course or not too dissimilar. Its reputation comes from when the surface was smooth and you could do later races on it so you'd race in 20degrees not 5! I don't think I'll bother with it again next year as the early start this one has means that unless you end up at the back of the field it's not very nice to ride, I wish I'd done the Kingston event this afternoon on the Holmwood course with Terry.

[quote="Dominic"]That might be the 10 trophy for George already

[Andrew G]

Keith C did a 21.54 on the Holmwood course this afternoon as well, must have warmed up nicely with the Catford.

[Jon H]

I was off 5 riders from the end, so it had warmed up (a bit) by my start time of 7.54. Despite Andrew's tales of brain-freeze going down the start hill, I ditched the knee-warmers but kept the arm-warmers (unlike brave George who just wore his skinsuit).

Managed to stay on the tri-bars and pedalling all the way down the start and topped out at 48mph. Once onto the dual carriageway I sat there watching my average speed gradually drop, until it was 26mph at the turn. I could see my minute man ahead of me all the way back but didn't manage to catch him, but the guy behind catch me.

I knew I'd done a long 22, which I'm pleased with for this time of year. Looking back at previous results, the only time I've gone faster on that course was 4 seconds faster in 2006. That year turned out to be my best ever, so fingers crossed for this year.

[Andrew G]

First time I've got brain-freeze for ages, must have been the wind at speed on the slope getting funnelled through the vents at the front, should have worn my fairing instead . Back under two hours for you this year Jon.