Kent Cycles 25

[Dominic]

Not sure if the results section is the place to put this because it doesn't feel like much of a result. I ventured to Kent to the Q25/20 course which is on the A20 from Harrietsham to Ashford to Leeds Castle and back to Harrietsham.

I had no idea what the course was like before I entered, got there early and drove the course, doesn't look too bad I thought to myself, single carriageway, undulating in places but not too bad. I had my newly built up TT bike, a skinsuit for the first time and one of those pointy helmets I swore I would never wear.

The only downside to the whole thing was it was WINDY. A sidewind for the whole race. Started off feeling good took it easy (relatively) to the first turn and oh my god it felt like there was only one piece of flat road all they way to the second turn and of course the bloody wind. By the time I got to the second turn I had sweat dripping in and collecting in the visor of the helmet, snot everywhere and couldn't sit on the bike due to an unfortunate decision not to use any cream (bloody proper chamois)

It was then only 2.5 miles to the finish, strangley again which felt mainly up hill. I knew I had been trying hard as I could hardly get my left leg over the bike to get off, another disadvantage of new bike position

My time was a 1.02.37 and to be fair I was disappointed as I thought it would be quicker. When I left the leading time was a 57.57 but then Pete Tadros hadn't finished yet.

It shows the difference in ability though as I was talking to the bloke who did the 57.57. He was telling me that he hadn't used his 11 sprocket at all and had to go as low as 15 to get up the drags . I was using a 21 sprocket up some of those drags so theres a way to go yet.

[Dominic]

Just seen the results on the CTT site. I was 20th, which after the benefit of a few beers, strikes me as not very good. Mr Tadros did a 55 dead.

[Andrew G]

Well done, it doesn't sound too bad a time to me in today's conditions - that wind .

Did you find your new position/bike okay or do you have much tweeking to do after using it in anger for the first time? (Worth considering adding to your bag of excuses even if it was perfect, who'd know )

[Dominic]

Don't think I can fault the bike although I have read that it takes a while to get used to the new position and get the muscles working effectively. Hence training on the TT bike I guess. I do know that my legs are still sore now though!!

As my kind wife pointed out to me it is only my second 25 in 18 years but after doing/feeling well in the last couple of events I am dissappointed. I think it may be a case of too high expectations on a not good day with not very good legs

[tel]

Keep up the good work. A half decent day and you`ll be under the hour no problem, even on that course. It`s a long season. You want to be flying in July not in the end of March.
Well done, see you soon.

Terry