Ouch to Alfold

[Marek]

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/reports ... lfold.html

Well today was an early season eye opener for how much more training I need to do, or is it that I was just not mentally set up for this race with having a cold a week ago and with my wife poisoning me on Thursday. I got dropped just before the last lap and had to saunter round on my own. Man, racing is not meant to be this hard is it?

From the start the pace seemed to be pretty tough, but I know the Alfold course quite well, not too hilly but a few bumps in there to get you concentrating, so I was not too worried. As we came into the second lap I did find myself struggling near the back, and this is where I stayed. Error number one, which I have repeated on a number of occasions, I just sat at the back of the peleton and suffered like a dog.

A few of the corners on the Alfold circuit are quite tight, which means you have to slow down a lot. If you are at the back of the peleton, which is where I was, you slow down more and then you have to sprint your bollocks off to get back onto the peleton every time. This is what did it for me in the end.

On the fourth lap we had just gone round one of the tight bends and I found myself in the sprinting position, I had to go like buggery to get back on, which I did. But then we hit a slight rise and some ass decided to attack near the front, well that was it, basically my legs said, thanks mate but no thanks and it was good night vienna.

Keith Knight was commissairing on his motorbike and came alongside and asked if I was alright, 'bit cold for you is it Marek', I had to admit that it was not the cold but the fact that I was feeling like crap and basically just not fit enough on the day.

Well a couple of weeks to get a bit fitter in time for the ACC race, that is hillier so goodness knows how long I will last on that one. Problem is that I am off to Poland at the end of next week, intention was to get a week of cycling in, well they are under about a metre of snow at the moment so looks more like I will be skiing than cycling, DAMN.

Well done to all those at Eastway, think I may join soon, I think a crit is probably going to be more my style at the moment, the legs seem to run out of juice at about 80km.

Cheers

Marek...

[Ian A4size]

Dont be too down on yourself mate, i just looked at the results and it seems like 80% of the field were 2nd cat.

[Toks]

Hey well done Marek! Its a testament to how strong a rider you are that someone called me at 11pm last night, shocked at the fact you were dropped. I see from the results that Philip Watkins is no longer an Addiscombe rider. Thats a shame, it means we've now only got three second cats in the whole club: Keith, John and Tony. Don't get down about the result mate you're a strong rider and its early season. Loads of time to get fitter. Take care

[Yohan]

..hey marek

unlucky with the result mate, just think these are all the joys I have to look forward in racing. But I doubt I'd have the guts to test myself if I was ill through the week
..your next race will be a blinder no doubt!

We're hitting eastway again next sun, so be great to see you there

cheers
Yohan

[Marek]

Cheers Yohan, just have to remember the glory days and that is enough to motivate to train harder etc.

Will not be racing for the next couple of weekends as am away in Poland, have fun. My next race will either be the ACC Norwood Hill (depending on when my garden shed arrives for assembly) or Goodwood the day after.

Yohan, you have to do Goodwood, it is glorious. If you need a lift to Goodwood let me know, I will be doing Goodwood whether I do Norwood Hill or not so let me know. I can pick you up from CSS.

Cheers

Marek...

[Yohan]

.hey that sounds good..
but i dont know much about goodward....def be prepared to find out tho.

wats the ASCC Norwood Hill event?..how many acc riders are taking part?

cheers