Was up in Derbyshire on Saturday for the BDCA 100, on a lovely flat course. Mr PVT sadly had his entry returned, but Rich V and myself were riding for ACC with El Presidente, Joyce, handing out bottles and encouragement. She also VERY generously handed bottles to Keith C despite the fact he's a Bec rider. But obviously Rich and me took priority.
It was 3x30 mile laps with an extra 10 mile bit stuck on the first lap. Started into a short tailwind section and was flying, then turned into the headwind for the first time and discovered it was pretty windy. But my legs felt supple and I was eating and drinking well and by the end of the first headwind section my avg was 21.6mph....and I only needed to avg 21 to beat the club record. By the end of the first full lap having had the advantage of the tailwind my avg was up to 22.3mph. I was feeling pretty confident. 2nd lap went well but the wind picked up even more and I started to tire on the 3rd lap and was feeling pretty sick of energy drink. Shovelled a couple of fig rolls down my face and thought of Amelia - I'd told Marek I would dig deep for her. Kept it together for the remainder of the headwind section then turned for the final blast of 13 miles with a tailwind. Screamed along at 27mph and watched avg rise from low point of 21.5 up to 22. Crossed finish in 4.32.56. V v pleased.
Got trounced by lots of v speedy women, but had achieved goals of eating/drinking properly, not finishing in tears and beating the previous club record of 4.48.
Rich V had a pretty decent ride and skipped under 4hrs with a 3.59 something but didn't look too pleased with it.
Keith also rode well for new Bec CC record of 3.47.06.
Huge thanks to Joyce - couldn't have done it without her.