Two sets of single alternate traffic lights (roadworks) on the planned [url=http://serrl.co.uk/maps/ben2.html]Benenden/Sandhurst[/url] course, so they used [url=http://serrl.co.uk/maps/ben1.html]Benenden/Cranbrook[/url] instead. A 6.7 mile lap with 2 steep hills, rather than a 10.6 mile rolling circuit.
About 65 riders. Some quite negative racing at times, with very little apparent team riding. The exception was one In-Gear rider who went early and spent an impressive 5+ laps out front, in and out of sight, with one of his team mates trying to control the bunch. Apart from that there were a few unsubtle attacks & the bunch going into chase mode before sitting up.
2½ laps to go and after another bunch chase & sit up, I took my chances and crept off the front - I didn't rate my chances in an uphill buch sprint. A mile or so & I'd got a 12 sec gap. At bit later I was up to 45. (I had my own personal motorcycle outrider who was giving me the gaps.) I had a car move in behind me and began to think it might just stick. It wasn't to be though. In the end I spent around 12 miles off the front before being caught.
The finish was a reasonably steep hill with a crappy road surface. I'd committed to my break, so was definitely in no state to contest a uphill sprint. Also someone hit the deck, with bits of bike flying around. I had to stop & uncleat before restarting & rolling over the line near the back.
Next time? Try the same move, but 4 miles later
[url=http://www.davehaywardphotos.com/SERRL/Summer-2012/SERRL-Race-2-at-Benenden]Pictures here.[/url]
As ever, great event organisation by the team at SERRL.
