.Ian and I had our new toys out to play and Tamar was riding twice, once with Keith on the tandem.
I should have done 4 TTs this season before today but the record so far reads:
1) Ridden Sporting 21 in torrential rain.
2) Sporting 28 iced off.
3) Sporting 10 ridden badly as laughable "warm up" due to heavy rain before starting, hail just after finishing.
4) Sporting 25 snowed off.
, can I have a normal TT please?Yes, a normal 10 on the Holmwood course. I was there early and Tamar and Keith were off first on the tandem, then Ian 17 minutes later. I was then to follow about 40 mins after Ian. Unfortunately for them there was a very heavy shower, this meant all 3 had a very wet warm up and ride. I sat in my car looking at the blue sky working it's way towards us and working out it would arrive in time
. The rain stopped in time for me to have a proper warm up so I was lucky. On to the actual race, and straight in to a strong head wind. This was my first proper ride on the TT bike, and only my second time astride it so the first couple of miles were a bit unusual as I got used to being in a proper TT position.
It did feel more effective in to the wind, even taking in to account the psychological effect new kit plays. The wheels make a nice wooshy noise too
. I had my minute man in my sights quite a lot of the time but it was a slow reel in and he kept dropping out of sight on the little drags and drops. Nearing the turn I knew he was mine
as I'd closed the gap quite a lot. The road was still a bit wet at the turn, and not knowing the handling of the bike tip-toed round it a bit before the run back.Thankfully now the wind was behind and it was so much easier to keep the gear rolling along. The wind would have played some part but I did find it noticeably easier to roll a bigger gear in the tuck position than in my normal bike position, is this normal TT-ers?
Approaching the Beare Green roundabout I was right on top of the guy in front. As we exited I had a quick check over my right shoulder for traffic, and found my rocket (zero numbered top seeded rider) there. He shot through and then I moved out to nab my minute man and now have another handy carrot to chase
. This one rode away from me though 
.Really pushed the last bit and came in with 25:31 - only 3 seconds off my PB which was got on the same course. Happy with that for the first ride on the new bike, and it was a slightly chilly day with a strong wind very early in the season, whereas my PB was on a nice warm sunny day at the end of last season. The bike was lovely to ride and the position seems fine, although I was getting a bit sore towards the end but I have a slight imbalance which probably caused this so may have to look as some wedges or similar.
Big bowl of pasta for dinner and the alarm set for 4am
for tomorrow.I felt a bit sorry for Ian as he had to do his ride in probably the worst weather possible as it was hammering it down on him. He also had Tim Stevens as his rocket, and the bloke behind(John Wager) him ended up winning (I think) with a 22.06. For him to be that quick and off a 9 he must be another George in his first season without any times to seed him on. He won't get a 9 again that's for sure.
Tamar & Keith (tandem) 22.37
Ian M 27.07
Me 25.31
Tamar 26.32
Keith 22.18 (2nd placed solo ride after the tandem!)
asked why so few entrants. I wonder Mr M - would you like to make any further comment...? 
Here's to bigger and better things ahead...
