Farnham RC 25 10th July

[Andrew G]

Off to the H25/8 Bentley course today for only my second 25 of the season. Arrived and it started spitting the by the time I was changed it was light drizzle. Had a quick chat with Carl about the course and the lovely March weather.

Warmed up in a rain jacket to keep dry and warm and the got myself to the line. The drizzle eased up after a few miles and at the Holybourne end had stopped, the temperature was fine once racing and I was enjoying myself with the legs turning a nice gear.

The faster return leg was very enjoyable and was in the top two or three gears all the way from the Chicken pub kick up almost to the next turn at Farnham. I've been through this turn five times this season, once today and the rest in a couple of 50s, and I think every time I've had to track stand for traffic for a few seconds. Still probably only cost me about 10 seconds so no huge delay.

Back through the start and on to the final 10 miles. I was going well and enjoying it so kept on rolling that gear and picking up the odd bod.

Around the final turn, nice big speed, up the chicken kick up, then big speed and hammer for home.

Checked the watch at the finish and it confirmed I was well under, which was nice.

Back at HQ at Munners was absent clearing off early, he'd been off earlier in the field, but had a quick time swap with Carl before he had to get back to the family.

Not sure who won, but the important times are:
Ian Munnery 1.01.24
Carl Ferri 55.11 fantastic ride from ACCs version of Tadros - fantastic power to weight
Andrew Green 59.28

[Ian A4size]

I've not done a 25 for ages and was looking forward to having another go- luckily the wind of yesterday had died right down and it looked fairly calm, if not a little grey.
It was spitting about a bit at the start but it didn't look like it was going to get serious-yeah right
By the time I got over the first drag it was hammering down, the road was like a huge puddle- I think there were cars about- but I couldn't see any! I must get some visor mist cleaner thingy.
was right about the return leg- I was really flying, again just using a few gears- #25 came passed me just before the 10 mile area, but he never really made much ground until we got to the turn.

Then there she was... that little old grey haired lady in a micra.....on her way to somewhere..... only she wasn't really sure... and all those men in yellow coats were really putting her off of some snappy decision making.... I ground to a halt!
I only lost a few seconds but it feels like forever- #25 now just a small white dot on the horizon

I now know why I was flying...... using the whole block now, thinking of upgrading to 11 as well. Only 10 to go now, back up through the wet part of the course, the latter was bone dry, 8k split times are coming up on the Garmin- fairly consistant- so I should be close to the hour, hit the last turn and I've got about 13 mins to do a 5, no worries

Not quite so fast on the final leg and everything hurts now, dreams of endless pints in the Bull stir me on.....Hey dude where's the finish.......I saw Joanna waiting by the "10" finish, and a car parked on the verge, so I eased up and coasted to the next layby/junction, a group of riders were there, a quick stretch of the quads and a slug of drink, pheww that hurt- #30 goes haring passed like his ass is on fire, oh no thats not the finish

Oh bother!, quick remount and I find the finish some 300m down the road. Lessons have been learned .R.T.F.S.S.

Well pleased with a new PB, even after a schoolboy error- its been a busy week with a milestone birthday, lots of going out and "refreshments" not enough sleep.... yadda yadda, but it seems to have worked, so I just need to drink more beer ( never did Obree any harm- he went like $hite off a shovel).

More drivel next episode....

[Phil H]

Flippin Heck (or something like that) Bus. That is incredible.

Gutted about my entry not getting in for that one. But I am feeling slow at the moment.

I think I can go with your training plan. I will get right on that.

[carl f]

Well that was fun on the A31,best 25 course for me to date,smooth roads nice and rolling but not to lumpy so you have to get up of the tt bars. Very little head wind with a light drizzle which was a nice change from most of my previous TT's this year
Smashed my 25 PB from a few weeks ago to a 55.11 today timekeeper had me down as 56.11 and my minute man who i caught and overtook as 56.23 so hopefully after our chat he will correct it for me. quick chat after with Andrew with a sub 1.00- top one Andrew! but had to get off as the kids were driving my wife nuts.....
Ian-saddle seems fine,had dosh to pay you but you were gone,will pm you to arrange getting it to you. Well done on your time too.....

[Andrew G]

Bus...stupid boy. I guess you missed seeing the finish board on your first lap too.

[Ian A4size]

yep- head down ar$e out, same type of silver car, in reality I hadn't really expected to go under this year- serving a sort of apprenticeship in some ways,deffo a RTFM moment, still it gives me something to moan about ,
BTW I forgot to say well done to you two other guys- so wrapped up in my own misery..... , guess you must be able to drink more than me, you're probably in insurance

Also I have to say that they were the best cakes on a TT ever- bread pudding the size of flagstones, superb looking gattox, and even flapjack with no coconut for Joanna.

All in pretty pleased, out for a training drink now, got the Bec 10 next saturday, reckon about a 60 pint week should see a pb. ( pi$$ed bloke)

[Andrew G]

I may have the odd pint of a lunchtime yes.

Flapjack was good, not as good as mine but then that's perfect . Good big slabs though and nice decent strength tea.

On my first time on the return leg there was someone with a black and white brolly standing by the roadside which threw me a bit as I knew the finish wasn't there.

It is always worth checking the course description though, particularly when it's a stretch of road used for different length events as the start and finish marks often slide up and down the road a bit. This 25 finish has caught me out once as I'd done a 10 and a 50 there in the previous weeks which both finish at the same place.

[nick1smith]

Mr Munnery, some of my best CR's were after a good drink the day before....my Poison was Barcardi now its Morgan Spice.

Well done to all

[George]

Well done to all some super times there

[Jon H]

Top bombing at Bentley.
I'm planning a trip there on 20th August.

P.S. Ian, here's a top tip from the bumper book of time trial tips: Finish at the chequered flag, not before it

[Ian A4size]

Top tip MrH,
Only there was no flag- not on any of the parked vehicles, just should of kept going I suppose! When I eventually found the finish- there was a little piece of old driftwood with the "finish" in small letters.
My fault entirely though- RTFM.
Mind you it was easy to be confused- it was like the L2B out there yesterday- tri-athletes on the course, regular road riders, uncle Tom as well.
Funny thing was I never even saw it on the way out!

[carl f]

Ian did you get my pm?, i'm trying to give you some money for the seat! ,missed you at Bentley......