NHRC Open 25

[tel]

Jon H, Steve Davies and myself rode this event Sat p.m. I was off at the front of the field. Jon and Steve, 90 minutes or so after me, so unfortunately didn`t see or hear from them so will let them tell their stories.

As I arrived at the Hq the heavens opened and there was absolute stair rodes coming from the skys. I was all for going home there and then but decided to stay for a cuppa and see what happened. Twenty minutes later it did ease slightly so got my bike together and went for a warmup. Unfortunately carbon wheels and rain don`t mix well and I couldn`t really stop that well. Took shelter under and bus stop and my warm up consisted of a sprint from said bus shelter to the start. By this time the rain had almost stopped and I decided to start. There was so much standing water and spray from the traffic I can`t say it was pleasant.

After about 15mins or so, guess what, the sun came out and I seemed to be going quite well. In fact the conditions were pretty good by this time and I was starting to enjoy myself. A couple of riders passed me opposite the start and we stayed together for the last half mile or so, and finished like a 3up. Must of been hell for the timekeeper.

I managed a ONE second pb for 1-04:29. Still a pb is a pb. I was pretty pleased in fact.

Terry

[Jon H]

Saw your time on the results board Terry, and thought you'd be pleased. Didn't realise it was a PB though. Nice one.

I got all that torrential rain as I was on the M25 and was considering going home, but could see blue sky in the distance so carried on. I was expecting to get there and discover a cancelled race, so was surprised to see riders when I got onto the course.

Fairly nondescript ride for me to get a 1:02:22, and a good one by Steve for a 57:52.

Highlight of my ride was getting caught by Alex Dowsett who had started 11 minutes behind me. I was doing 30mph at the time, and he came past like he was on a motorbike to finish in 47:28. Now that's quick!

[SteveD]

Nice one Terry - a PB is a PB!

I started exactly an hour and a half after Terry by which time the conditions had changed completely from calm and very wet to warm and dry but with a difficult blustery and variable wind (on the whole I think I prefer it dry). I found it very hard indeed but was pleased with the end result even beating Mr Woodburn by around a minute.