. First class promotion from the a3crg team.I did the National here last year and was a bit disappointed with my time as I didn't ride very well, so wanted something better on the course this year.
It seemed like it was calm as a mill pond on the start road but once down the start hill and on to the A3 itself there was a bit of a breeze. I don't really like gift hill starts (not very honest) and in a 50 there's no point bashing your socks off down a hill at the start of the race...don't start too fast..don't start too fast etc. What it did for me though is give a nice chance to warm up and get the legs going without having to push too hard too early.
On to the A3 and down to the first turn and in a nice rhythm and going pretty well in to the slight head wind. Around the turn and then back up the A3, this section has a couple of shortish drags preceded by one that's quite long, about a mile or so in length. Was going well though so they didn't seem a problem and cruised up them nicely.
Around turn two at Liss and back down to the Buriton turn, enjoying this faster direction and going past the 25 mile mark in just over 1.02 which is pretty much where I wanted to be, same again would equal my PB. As a rule I do negative splits and build in to a race with the second half being the faster so things were looking good
.The second lap seemed to fly by, I was soon through the Buriton turn and past the 15 mile to go mark. I picked the pace up another notch and tried to power up the drags rolling an nice gear, 10 miles to go and pick it up again. Around the Liss turn again and 7 miles left and just the drive for the line, which came a bit quicker than I thought. After counting off the mile markers the final mile just disappeared, I had it in my head that the slip road for the finish was just under that bridge ahead and round the bend when it was all of a sudden there in front of me...before the bridge. Doh for the memory.
Very happy bunny, negative splits as normal so a nice PB
, confirmed back at HQ. When George arrived back he had an even bigger grin than normal having spanked his PB and done a storming ride.Andrew Green 2.03.31 (PB by 40 seconds)
.George Brent 1.52.09 (PB by over 2 minutes! and only 40 seconds off club record! If it had been a float morning then it could have gone)
.Nik "big ring" Bowdler followed his 299.95 mile 12 hour last week with a 1.44.16, second place went to our Open 25 winner Richard Simmonds with 1.42.21, and winner was Julian Jenkinson with 1.42.03.
Fair to say the van was a happy place to be for the journey home, thanks for the lift George.
How about a fast 25 and another PB for the season? Same for you Andrew, must be on the cards after the 24!
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TT bike has to go to shop but hoping to get out a couple of times in September, must get organised really!