Easter 3 Day 3rds - A Novice Account

[MattD]

First day

Inspired by a visit to Herne Hill for the Good Friday meet , I was really motivated for this event . 2 pack finishes in the last 2 SL events, pulled back my training volume by 50% to aid recovery – I was as ready as I could be

We all know about the weather on Saturday , ice winds , conditions more typical for a tobogganing competition than a road race ,but it was the circuit and my fellow riders that caused the main problems for me !

The circuit in summary is 6 miles - 5 miles down hill . one mile up is how it was described by Paul T , and he’s not far wrong !

But I’ll cut to the chase so to speak - at the start we were told it was 5 miles to the start , but within 2 mins I was in the red , bridging gaps , surely I cant be dropped in the neutralised zone ! .

By the start proper I was back on the back of the pack , but it soon become obvious that I was riding with a stronger group of riders than my previous race – I was having difficulty breathing , and was constantly struggling to find a wheel - eventually on the second lap of six the elastic snapped up the final 25% climb - I was massively in the red , and slumped over the handlebars I must have looked like a rag doll - but then to my rescue came a rider , who I’d noticed was having difficulty with his rear wheel on the first lap , he caught me , and as he passed me on the crest of the hill, he pushed me for a few metres and ushered the words “ join me if you can “ !

This gesture was all I needed to rally my efforts, and after a short period I was able to contribute in a though and off . - within minutes we caught another rider , and then just before a climb we approached a group of ragged riders . Again over another crest I was struggling , and within earshot I heard my pusher up front rally the troops into an efficient through and off - BUT with out me ! There was a bus leaving without me on it - with focus I managed to bridge the gap , joined the group, again recovered , and contributed to the rotation for a good ½ lap . At this point motivation was high, and at this pace I may be able to join the pack I thought - but my optimism was short lived - the adrenalin of the through and off had pushed me way over my threshold , and I again hit the wall and got dropped on a rise !

I was now in no mans land for the first time in a RR and it was tough to keep focused - should I pack, what is the etiquette, Am I fast enough to join any stragglers that arrive ?!

Within minutes of these thoughts I felt the handling get progressively worse , and I have to admit that when I looked down to see that I had a puncture I was secretly relieved , like a boxer whose trainer throws in the white towel !

But how would I get home , I was at east 5 miles away from the HQ .!

Whilst walking up the 25 % to the start finish line I was thinking - if anyone passes me I will have to tell then I’m walking because of the puncture !

After 10 mins of walking I crossed the start/finish line - Bingo - spectator on finish line offers to repair my puncture with his own inner tube - I’m off again !

Suitably recovered I catch a rider whose making a good impression of me at the top of a climb - used the quote “ join me if you can” - he rallies , and then for at least 10 miles we work really well together , nothing said , just a smooth t & o , and then another look down at my rear wheel , a solemn quote from by rider partner confirms my suspicions – "oh no" , I slow as he rides off into the distance , his head slumping back to his pre t & o position !

Match over - this really wasn’t going to be my day , other than catching a lift back to HQ from one of the marshals - ready to fight another day

Second Day

Arrived early in preparation for a decent warm up this time , only to be told that the event had been cancelled due to sheet ice . Dunsfold Park is a flat 3 mile circuit around Dunsfold Aerodrome – at least I had found out that there are some weather conditions that prevent SL events from starting - but not too many !

Third Day

Felt good today until the commissaire said . “ due to limited resources we can only put on 3 laps of 15 miles each , and for those who are worried about the shorter distance - you wont be once you see the circuit !! "

Weather was extreme to say the least , lots of snow , but no sheet ice, so the race was on !

At the start I decided to move up to the middle of the peleton in the neutralised zone ,(I’m slowly learning) , but I needn’t have worried , as Adam said, it was a very pleasant pace which lasted long enough for my legs and body to warm up , and then progressively the pace wound up, but within half a lap I was already thinking I don’t think I can last at this pace - have I eaten too many Easter eggs . should I have span my legs yesterday , or is it only really strong Cat 3’s that are mad enough to enter this event ?! . My philosophy was again simple - these early season races are great for training , just hang on for as long as you can , you will adapt - eventually !


Somehow managed to survive 2 of 3 laps – it really is just a blur of holding any wheel again, then major blow out on lap 3 – me , not my inner tube this time ( most probably when the Yellow Jersey put the hammer down ! – I like to think ! ) , but I was prepared mentally for this to happen , so I just dug in , wiped the snow off my glasses , and went for a solo finish – It was painful , a bit like the end a 50 mile tt perhaps . Eventually one other straggler caught me and we managed a t & O together , but I inevitably blew again .as we reached one of the longer rises

By this time I was really having to dig deep , but I so wanted to finish under my own steam , and finally , seeing the commisaire at the finish move his hands like the ref counting out the boxer , my first Easter 3 day was over - I was so relieved !

Roll on Addiscombe RR !

[-Adam-]

It was a great effort Matt, especially considering your punctures on day one.

This year was deifinately harder than last year, and thats saying something as I am in much better shape this year than last. So well done for sticking it out.

What happened to Dan G? He started on Saturday but that was the last time I saw him!?

Oh and on Saturday, there was no neutralised section. As soon as we crossed the road we were on the circuit so the lead car drives away and its game on. My take of the opening lap was that until the climb it was fairly tame, then from then on all hell broke loose. But I'm sure you learnt to be up nearer the front this weekend! Racing round Palace or Hillingdon will seem easy now for you!

You doing Saturday's race then... see you there!

[Andrew G]

Well done Matt great efforts. As you say it's all a good learning experience, SL races will be much harder than crits.

[Snoop Doug]

Fantastic stuff Matt - sounds well 'ard. You must be proud of your achievement, and I hope it encourages others to have a go.

Snoop

[George]

Well done Matt, that must have been a pretty tough weekend for you not only in those conditions but with those racers.
I take my hat off to you, it's a good way to improve by getting a beasting from a stage race

[Stu Merckx Man]

well done matt, un lucky on the punctures. i had a race once where i punctured twice, its the worst feeling in the world!

good for you for sticking it out until the end on the last day. if the weather was anything like it was in belgium it must have been pretty grim!

[Toks]

Chapeau! With a few highs and quite a few lows you're a real Road Racer now Matt. You'll have to give me advice for this saturday now. See ya there

[Daniel Gee]

Adam,

I was in Guildford at about nine on Sunday for the start of stage two and as I watched the snow come down continuously I thought sod this & turned round & went home. Didn't realise that day was cancelled so didn't even get out of bed 4 Monday's stage.

Saturday however was fantastic fun-I had the same problems as matt i.e started near the back and had to chase like crazy for three quarters of the first lap to catch the main group-then competely knackered by this I got dropped at the start of lap three with a group of about seven others-we then continued on and chased down another bunch of stragglers to get a decent sized group of about thirteen and were haring round the course quite happily until I punctured-fortunately I was saved by the tri-sport news supporters club who leant me a spare tube and so crawled over the line alone in a mediocre thirty-third.

the weather was awful as was my luck-and I felt about as weak as a toddler; nonetheless the course was fantastic and despite all the horribleness+weakness+bad luck I really, really enjoyed that first stage

I'm really looking forward to getting the S*** kicked out of me again on saturday go figure

[Sylv]

well done Matt, only just read your report. see you Sat