With wet roads and a bit of a breeze blowing I knew it was going to be a test this morning.
This was my first solo 30 mile time trial, and I was hoping with my recent form to be able to break Richard Viney's club record of
1:06:14. Although I didn't feel too confident before the ride and had almost convinced myself that it was not possible on a day like today.
Luckily Joyce knocked some sense into me and told me that it was possible and I could do it if I really gave it everything.
On my warm up ride, on the wet roads the rear tub punctured on some grit, luckily still having 15 mins before my start time, I rode back to the van and fitted the spare deep section wheel into action.
This course is a good fast course on the right day so all on the A1 5 miles south turn, then 15 miles north turn then 10 miles south to the finish.
Straight away heading south was very tough indeed as there was a nagging headwind, for the first 5 miles I was struggling to keep it going at 26mph.
This was quite concerning as I had to average over 27.3mph!
Once safely round the turn it was 29-30mph cruising time for almost 15 miles, I had a moment at the Black Cat roundabout as both wheel slipped on a diesel spill, luckily I managed to straight line it and recover without coming off.
Sill at this point i was not feeling too good and was not looking forward to the return leg south into the wind.
Round the turn and I managed to get my mojo back and really nailed it for everything I was worth, it was as tough going but the more pain I endured the faster I was bowling along, the miles were clicking by and I started to believe that I could do it!
I kept pushing the biggest gear I could afford which really burnt the legs, with 2.5 mile to go I absolutely caned myself and as I passed Joyce on the footbridge my face was screwed up in suffering and pain.
Where was the chequred flag, I couldn't see it seemed to take forever to get that last half mile, crossing the line I eased off with a Roger Bannister sigh and checked the computer and I'd done it, broken my first solo club record!!
1:05:46
Joyce was elated at the finish and gave me a big hug and said "you've done it" back in the HQ and only 3 others had gone faster, but I didn't care as mission was accomplished. Joyce bought me a lovely slap up lunch at the cafe in South Norwood which was beautiful.
