Palace 28th August

[Andrew G]

Where was everybody?

Final Palace race of the season and only 3 Agreeables present - Sylv in the E/1/2 and Steve and myself in the 3/4.

Well after a very fast CR and the Hilly 50 yesterday was it fly or die tonight. For me the later no question.

Night drawing in and a black cloud overhead meant a short 18 lap race was called. Oh dear that would mean a very quick start.

Yep, straight out the gun and it was blue arsed fly time. 2 seemed to try and get away immediately and I found myself at the front of the pack behind . Oh dear there all on my wheel, I'm trying to get on the one in front and everybody else is getting a tow up to them.

Usual service was resumed on the hill as I started to slip back a few places. My legs were absolutely screaming at my to stop. Carried on killing myself for another 4 laps losing a few places each lap on the hill. Plenty had been shelled straight away and were riding lonely races from the word go.

On lap 5 I was at the back of the remains of the bunch when I got caught behind someone who braked too much for the corners going in to the bottom bend, this lost me a bit of ground a small gap had opened. That was me lost to the pack with the hill next.

Kept them close though and they seemed to ease up a bit after another lap and bunch up a touch. They were still fairly close so I tried to ignore my still screaming legs and was very slowly gaining a bit of ground. Kept this for a couple of laps inching my way back up to them.

Warrick Spence was a man on a mission in the E/1/2 race and had shot off the front as he now caught me by the hairpin. I had to ease up on the bend in to the descent to let the next 2 through. Then disaster, the rest of the E/1/2s caught me approaching the bottom bend. I had to ease up so much to avoid getting in their way that I was practically at a standstill. With this done, all momentum lost before the hill and the gap opened right up now I gave in to my poor little legs and pulled out next time round at about half way.

A bit disappointing, and I may not have sparkled in the 7 races I've had at CP this year, but I've really enjoyed it so I'll be back next year to be flogged on a weekly basis.

Steve had an interesting race. A touch unlucky, but when the adrenaline has stopped pumping a valuable lesson learnt for next year.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Sylv]

Brilliant results guys¬

E/1/2
1 Warrick Spence Cyclefit
2 Scott Bugden Corridori @ 45 secs
3 Tom Burke Agiskoviner
4 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo/Cyclefit
5 Mick Bell London Fire Brigade
6 William Bell Gemini BC
7 Dan Jones Dulwich Paragon
8 Guy Pearson Pearson Cycles
9 Stephen Broomfield Addiscombe CC
10 Andrew Green Addiscombe CC
11 Richard Lucas N/A

The aim for tonight for me was just to finish the race, having spent most of last week eating cheese and hardly riding at all. I realised during Monday's hilly ride that it was going to take a few more rides to get the legs back - so I was glad to make it to the end, just out of the top ten I think.

[Andrew G]

No wonder my legs hurt so much tonight.

[-Adam-]

Er, wtf!?!?!?!

[Toks]

Stop messing about guys and give Ian his Props

E/1/2
1 Ian Munnery Addiscombe CC
2 Warrick Spence @ 2.45 secs Cyclefit
3 Tom Burke Agiskoviner
4 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo/Cyclefit
5 Mick Bell London Fire Brigade
6 William Bell Gemini BC
7 Dan Jones Dulwich Paragon
8 Guy Pearson Pearson Cycles
9 Stephen Broomfield Addiscombe CC
10 Andrew Green Addiscombe CC
11 Richard Lucas N/A

[Ian A4size]

laying in bed reading this LMAO
and yes my legs do hurt from yesterday. didnt feel a thing tonight though.

[Steve B]

Mmm, yes, I must remember to listen next year when the commissaire is talking before the race start

Last race of the year and I wanted to put everything in and see if I could bag a win to join the list of Addiscombe winners at the Palace this year;
Jon George Sylv Stu

I saw a number 47 on someone's back so a very big field had turned out for this year's finale. With the big numbers and the dark clouds above, it was going to be a very fast, short race.

Ok, so usually (in all previous races at the Palace this year), we 3's and 4's, do 3 laps fewer than the board reads. So our last lap is when we see the 4 laps to go board. The 1's and 2's go with what the board says. Are you following so far?
Also as a reminder of the race nearing its end, the 3/4's get a siren to say there is 3 laps remaining, when the board says 6

The first 5 laps were pretty damn quick and my thighs were feeling yesterday's hilly 50. I got caught at the start and being near the back in a big field meant that cornering speeds were slow and exit sprints had to be fast to keep up with the group. Sod this I thought and made an effort to make my way up toward the front third. I saw Andrew up ahead and thought he must be feeling good today. A few laps later though the pace took its toll and he lost contact with the bunch, but only after a lot of other riders had too. Respect to you Andrew for sticking wth it

The pace then slowed up a touch and stayed that way till the end, with no one wanting to sacrifice themselves. This was all good for me
A touch of nerves then crept in, thinking about the finish, but I tried to keep composed and relaxed to try and save as much energy as possible for the sprint.

The siren sounded, with the board on 6 laps to go (3 for us). I was really concentrating now, looking for possible breaks, looking for possible wheels to get on to, wondering what position would be best for the final lap? I had to get nearer the front, just a couple of places, but I couldn't afford to make any mistakes, not now. Damn, the pace slowed up the hill and the group bunched a bit. I got shuffled back.

Moving back up to a good position was suprisingly easy with 1.5 laps to go. Probably 8th or 9th now and feeling good. Last lap, down the hill and up the inside of Mad Mick McMad from Madville It was a huuuge gap but he took offense and shouted at me as if I'd shoulder charged him out of the way. I eased back. He then did something (2 things) that were totally out of order and I should have reported him. These weren't racing incidents, these were pre meditated acts that could have ended up in serious accidents.
The first one, on the next little bend going under the trees, he veered right across my front wheel, leaving me absolutely no room whatsoever. I had to break hard and hope no one hit me from behind. Luckily they didn't. The second was worse. Between the 2 left bends down the bottom of the track he brake tested me The more I think about it, the more mad I get That is a totally disgraceful thing to do, and I would have had a fight with him right there. But I wanted win this race.

After some (lots) of colourful language, I went passed him and made my way in to position for the sprint. Ok, I've got to make sure I'm on the Aussie Paragon's wheel. I've got to make sure I'm in the right gear. Done.
One guy makes a break - 5metres lead - no one goes with him, so I do. Pace is picking up now. 2/3rds up the hill and I go a tad earlier than I thought I would but I'm feeling good. Around the top bend and I start sprinting, I've got a good gap, yes I'm going to do it. Legs are burning but I can't feel anyone near me and the line is quickly approaching. As I cross the finish line first, dingalingalingaling - the f****ng bell

Oh no I don't believe it. I had missed the commissaire say the bell would be rung with 3 laps to go. A few others had missed that small detail too and had sprinted to the line behind me.

I didn't have anymore energy to do the last lap so pulled out. Oh well you live and learn

Roll on next year

Steve

[Snoop Doug]

Well done guys - I've really enjoyed reading about all the excitement @ Palace. It's the complete opposite end of the scale for me. Don't fancy all the argy bargy myself but it's really impressive to see how well all you nutters have done this year - excellent stuff.

Snoop

[Stu Merckx Man]

ah no steve! what a shame

i was on the edge of my chair ready for your victory. you must have been a bit gutted.

well done anyways though.

[Brian Robinson]

Photos from last night:

Can you spot Ajay?

[img]http://i17.tinypic.com/4qqehb4.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i10.tinypic.com/4xo2on7.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i17.tinypic.com/6cdmbnc.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i11.tinypic.com/62szg5l.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i16.tinypic.com/4pbqqtz.jpg[/img]

[Steve B]

Thanks Sean, cheque's in the post

Ajay looks like a weird 2 headed ghost in the first photo

[MJ_1993]

[quote="Steve B"]
Ajay looks like a weird 2 headed ghost in the first photo

[Hal]

Well dong guys, real edge of the seat reading, and riding. I've been on holiday this last week, so missed the final weeks racing. Pity there is no racing this week it actually looks like it will be reasonable weather. See you at the weekend.

Hal

[Andrew G]

I think you've got some money in the post Hal. Quite a few ACC who weren't there read out pre-race to collect winnings from placings in races during the season. We asked if we could take it (to hand over on a CR ) but they said they'd post it all.