Palace 24th April.

[Andrew G]

3/4/W
1 Martin Kelly Gemini BC
2 Jason Pidd Mosquito Bikes
3 Stewart Martin Kingston Whlrs
4 Brian Randall Sutton CC/De Ver
5 Jonathan Carnell Addiscombe

Never ridden with Jon before (truth be told I didn't ride "with" him tonight) but he is phenominal. I think it was the 2nd lap I heard a crash on the hairpin, next lap saw an ACC jersey putting his chain back on - still at the hairpin. It was Jon. He then proceded to rip through the field caught back his lap (came past me like a rocket) then caused the split in the leaders! He said afterwards that he hadn't realised it was the last lap so pulled over after a long turn to let the others do some work. STILL GOT 5TH.

Right that's Jon's trumpet blown (oo-er), now for lower down the order.

I absolutely loved it. Made the mistake, along with a Apples and Graham, of doing one lap warm up too many. Doh we were at the back of a 65 field . By the way a very good Addiscombe turnout of Sylv, Jon, Matt, Kieran, Apples, Graham, Andrew (Polish), Andrew (Green) - sorry if I've missed someone. (Tim for Mozzies - No Toks at his spiritual home).

I thought I'd try and move up in the first lap but we set off at a fair old pace and by the time we were dropping down the hill I'd already had to sprint out of bends and the field was strung out the length of the drop!

For the next 3 (or 4) laps I was having to sprint out of every bend, grovel up the hill to try and hold wheels. Slid off after about 9 minutes of racing I think and did about 2 laps more or less solo. I then caught 2 riders who had been shelled and were starting to suffer. Having watched races here last year, and knowing that Palace can be pergotary if you're TT'ing it on your own, I eased up as I passed them and told them to get on my wheel for a bit and then we'd work as a unit.

This worked brilliantly and we sometimes had a 4th helping hand with a London Dynamo rider who kept yo-yoing off and on the back of our group, although I had to tell one of them (a Castle rider I think) not to kill himself on the front as he was doing too long turns, not any quicker than either of the rest of us but pushing in to the red too much so we'd have lost a worker if he carried on like that. We were working to our strengths with me doing slightly longer turns than them everywhere but the hill, and them towing me up that. We continued to pass odd riders for the rest of the race who were suffering on their own.

Like Jon I misjudged the finish and though we still had a lap or 2 left, so as we were catching Grahame I put in a kick to jump across so we could work as a pair to pull away for the last 2 laps. This was actually the last lap so I probably just looked like a nutter sprinting for 40/50th place.

Finished tired, but very happy, I loved it.

Great support all evening from Paul T (partizan judge), Sean (in Belgian jersey so fitting national stereotype and eating some chips), Brian and his slightly scuffed face, Carl and his son. Thanks a lot guys, it really helped.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Andrew G]

[quote]sorry if I've missed someone.

[carl f]

Well done andrew and everyone else, it looked tough out there.hope my sons cheers of "go addiscombe go you can do it.... if you B&Q it" helped you all round the course!

[Stu Merckx Man]

well done you lot!

andrew- i planned to go, but i got back from college a bit too late ill try and get there next week though!

[Sylv]

Ah so John took a lap out? I thought he'd come back on the field solo! Still very very impressive though. He had two massive rashes on the leg.

Started well by moving to the front and before long we were a small group of 3 a few seconds ahead of the bunch with a strong Jason, and another strong guy in yellow who I thought was Eric Roswell, but must actually be the Gemini guy (are they yellow? Not sure). Being in such a small group took its toll on my legs and a short time after a few other riders joined us including Mark a mtber doing his second ever road race, I was struggling to keep up and when the bunch bridged the gap I couldn't get onto the wheel of a 10 or so riders group that went ahead. I exhausted myself trying, but had to wait again for the bunch in which I was hoping to have a bit of a recover before the last few laps. But then the bell rang (we were only 33 minutes into the race), and on the last climb I got passed by quite a few people, couldn't even hold a decent sprint.

Bit disappointed, I guess I have to do some proper structured training in order to be able to survive the pace in a small group of 3-4 3rd cat riders, or else it will just be staying in the bunch and hoping for a good sprint result ...

Oh and that big cassette came in handy, used the 53/23-25 quite a lot at the end ...

Avs 38.6km/h ~ 24mph.

[kieran]

well, a good turn out for ACC last night, lots of yellow and black jerseys, including my own new one! Andrew has done a good job of describing the race, luckily I positioned myself at the front of the starting line so managed to get near the front and stayed there throughout the race, aong with Sylv. I also heard Jon crash behind me but later saw him form the break away, not sure how many were in the small group. I was with Sylv in a chasing group, but never managed to get near them. Just prior to what happened to be the last lap I went off the front of the chasing group on the hill and was out in no man's land between Jon's group and Sylv's, thinking there was another 4 laps to go I slowed up on the hill to let the group catch me (as I knew I wouldn't have been able to stay out in frontto the end) and then slipped in behind the last man to recover,so I was a bit surprised and disappointed when we came to the finish/start line and the race was over, with me still behind the last man. It would have been interesting to see if I could have kept away for the half lap to the finish if I'd known it was the last lap. Anyway I was happy with my fitness level and enjoyed the race alot. Boy, we were taking that bottom left hand bend very fast and tight!

[Sylv]

Kieran I forgot to mention you sorry, you were going fast! But with the new bike and jersey (and helmet?) I never actually recognised you during the race!

I scraped the bush at the bottom a few times, I think they should trim it

[Graham O]

Well,

It took me a good 20 mins to get out of bed this morning and then I had to get back on my bike and cycle to work.

Last nights race was quite hard. Everything that was said about being at the back was correct. Sprinting out of every corner. Dodgy lines and switching from other riders. I tried to move up, but found it very difficult.

I got dropped on about lap 7 I think. Basically my lungs couldn't take any more. Anyhow, I managed to regain myself and soldiered on to the finish. Really enjoyed the course though. Those bottom bends are fantastic when you get them right.

I'll be back next week, hoping to do better !!

[kieran]

best places (only?) to move up in the bunch is either on the hill or the top flat bit when those in front are taking a slight rest from powering up the hill. Everywhere else you are either nearing a bend or coming out of one and down the hill goes by too fast. You can also make up a few places, if the group you are with is smallish, coming out of the U-bend.

[Richard (Apples)]

I really struggled last night . Just didn't have any power. did my usual commute monday and tuesday which with hindesight was probably a bad move as I dont think I gave myself enough time to recover from the Canterbury ride on Saturday .

Still on the plus side really liked the circuit, learned a few lessons and it was great to see so many ACCers racing.

Thanks to Sean ,Brian Carl and son for the shouts of support.

Mattd should have his photo in the Croydon Advertiser as he was interviewed after the race.

[George]

Well done John that is quality catching the leaders back up round the Palace

It sure is a Full on CardioVascular Work out round there.

Looking forward to racing there with all you guy's in the next few weeks

[Toks]

Well done all you former Palace virgins and old hands a like. I'm gonna turn up next week just to see what Kieran looks like in ACC kit. Jason Pidd (Mosquito Bikes) is a 2nd cat now so slowly but surely the fast guys will dissapear and with more light the pace will drop slightly. I'm sure that Jon will get an ACC win soon.

[Jon (Man in green)]

What a mad race!

I was nearing the front by the time I stacked it on the corner, went right on the inside and started pedaling to early. The pedal hit the ground and I wiped out but pulled myself and the bike off the track as quick as I could.

Whilst I was putting my chain back on I watched the rest of the very elongated pack zoom past. I got straight back on and gradually worked my way back to the front.

Thought that the last lap was actually the fifth to last so was confused when everyone started sprinting after the top of the hill!

[-Adam-]

Good work guys, ill be doing my bit for ACC up north tomorow...

in an E/1/2/3/4 field mind you, so don't expect anything big!

Good rides to finish those of you that got dropped by the way, i know when i got dropped there on my first attempt it was a real struggle to finish. Plus i didnt even realise id finished when i eventually did, oops.

Can't wait to get there in a couple of weeks. And get re-aquainted with the circuit. So i take it with the lack of eastway it was quite busy then huh!?

[MattD]

There was no excuse , I should have known better…..

It started with a school boy error on my part (although looking at the speed of the earlier youth event this phrase may not be appropriate! ) . There was no urgency on my part at the start of the race …. I thought … lets just see how it goes , feel my way around the circuit …but before I knew it I was at the back of the race !! . Spent the next 6 or so laps trying to move up, but the match box was slowly being emptied, until lap 7 when I blew big time . However, determined not to miss out on any racing I managed to work with 3 other guys , overtaking a few of the strewn out riders , ensuring I got a good workout until the end of the race

If you currently ride in Crits where your just sitting in the pack taking it easy then this event is so much more exciting and challenging …..

Anyone going to Hillingdon next week for a recovery ride !?