Sussex CA 25 5/5/13

[Andrew G]

I entered this as it was Mike Anton's promotion and hadn't really paid attention to what course it was on, it was on a sporting course.

The course starts with a 15 mile loop that is the finishing circuit of the SCCU 100, it involves an up and down lumpy run through the lanes from near Steyning through Ashurst and by Partridge Green (lots of lovely rough surface and pot hole dodging to add to the climbing ) to join the A24 for a draggy run to Washington. It's then back towards Steyning for a final 10 miles out to near Shorham by the River Adur and back.

I had a certain Miss Rowsell off with all the other women behind me and thought I might see her before the finish, I did . Despite the lack of sharpness I went better today than I thought I would on this tough course, although I have to say it was nice to get beyond the loop and on to the flatter out and back bit as the legs started to feel it, wouldn't have wanted it the other way round.

It was on the way back about 3 miles from home that Jo passed me, I held her in sight for about a mile but then she was gone . I have to say I was surprised at the gear she was pedalling, bigger than I'd have guessed being a pursuiter I'd have thought she'd have been more of a spinner.

I was good to see PVT on the opening loop and again on the out and back leg giving me a shout.

A really good event, and nice and sunny.

I was the only Addiscombe, clocking 1.03.50. ([url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/15938260@N04/8710752148/in/set-72157633408583787/lightbox/]pic by Keith Shuttleworth[/url])
Jo knocked 2.5 minutes off Rebecca Romero's course record to clock a staggering 55.38 (our 25 was the first one she'd ridden for 6 years and it clearly helped her get her eye in ).
Dr. Hutch was also out to play and smashed his own course record to win in 49.31 Averaging over 30mph on that course is amazing.
Conall Yates continued his flying form for 2nd with 51.59 and Steve Kane (who's improved massively over the last year) was 3rd with 53.20, Dwyer, Pelham, Dennis followed with 54s. A very strong field of fast men out today.

As a footnote, anyone else who is planning on the SCCU 50 and SCCU 100 the courses have changed due to the roadworks and are now much harder. The SCCU 50 has moved to the harder G50/10. The 100 which was always tough finishing with c38 miles around the tough finishing circuit is now going to start with the opening section of the G50/10 and then do 4 laps (and a bit I think) of that circuit. The 100 is going to be very hard.

[Andrew G]

Just seen Jo did a road race in Belgium yesterday as well!

[NaomiG]

Well done Andrew.
Did you by any chance hear a girl shouting your name on the opposite side if the dual carriageway in blue tri suit and white aero helmet? That was me! I was doing the steyning triathlon, and recognised the ACC kit from afar! Ad recognised you, you were looking good. Was a bit confusing with all the TT'ers and triathletes eh? I nearly buggered up at one roundabout.
Naomi.

[Andrew G]

Sorry Naomi, didn't hear a thing. Glad I looked okay, so long as you're going quick enough to blur the background look good for the photos .

I had to overtake a few triathletes and to be honest it was a bit annoying with overlapping courses. By the way what are the regs for triathlons? We (TTs) have to be off the roads by certain times for traffic volumes, both for fairness in competition and to avoid traffic issues as the volume increases. There were still people on their bike leg of the tri as I was driving home around 11 and to be honest they were causing havoc with congestion, which would also have been ruining their race so no-one was gaining from it.

[NaomiG]

You must have been in the zone!

Yes, all competitors are supposed to be done by a certain time, generally like TT's, races always start early doors - on Sunday the race started in waves from 6am, and the idea (i understand) was that everyone would be off the road by 10am, so they shouldn't have still been riding at 11am - they must have been mega slow!

sometimes the races are on very quiet back roads or on closed roads, it's the first I;ve done on a dual carriageway to be honest - was just like the TT 2 weeks before (though I was slower for some reason...) anyway, well done!

[Andrew G]

Thanks, nice to know they were supposed to have been finished by then. The marshals did look as though they were grouping, as if returning to base.

How did you fair?

[NaomiG]

Not too bad. Did a good swim and run and finished 4th lady (JUST missed podium) but my cycle time was disappointing - 1:03 for 36k - know I am capable of better but just didn't have the legs that day for some reason. Course was quite up and down so my pacing was a bit weird. oh well, still got time before my real races in June and practise is good!
N.