Southern Counties 50

[Jon H]

Three agreeables in action in the SCCU 50 this morning, and we came away with three PB's.

Thank goodness for early Sunday morning starts for time trials, I wouldn't have fancied doing that this afternoon. Scorchio!

I was aiming to go under two hours, but not having gone under the hour for a 25 on that course it was going to be quite a challenge. I always find 50's are quite hard to judge pace-wise. You can't really go full-on all the way like a 10 or 25 because you'll most likely blow at about 40 miles, but equally you can't start off too easy or you won't make up the time later.

Went through the 25 point in just over 1:01, which was OK but slightly behind schedule. On the second lap I had lots of carrots to chase as I was catching slower riders who had started in the first half of the field. I think that helped me up the pace a little, to finish just outside my target with 2:00:22, a new pb by over 3 minutes.

Having previously done 2 hours dead, Robert Royle-Evatt was also aiming to go under, which he managed with a 1:59:55.

And our third man was Mike Ingram riding his first 50 and doing a very respectable 2:11:41.

[Mike I]

Feeling it a bit on the ride to work this morning, though; quite glad I'm on the fixie to shake out some the stiffness in the legs.

Thanks to Rob for the pre-start advice not to push too hard on the first lap. Conditions were so good, it was tempting to go for a 25 pb first time round; glad I didn't though.

[Toks]

well done Jon! 22 secs so so close!

[kieran]

If only I'd pushed you off a little harder Jon! The conditions did seem good, with little wind and the temperature not too high sooo early in the morning. glad to hear you all did so well.

[mark mclaughlin]

Well done chaps great rides, and PB's... so close for Jon, great first 50 Mike.