My first race of the year done and dusted

[kieran]

3rd/4th cat race hillingdon Saturday 12 April

Well, my first race of the year finally done. I decided after all to try the 3rd/4th race at Hillingdon last weekend. Weather was promising to be heavy showers but as it turned out I hardly got wet at all that day. Anyway I cycled the 20 odd miles over, trying to eat some food en route before the race, as 13:30 is an awkward race time to plan meals around. Got there nice and early to see 5 or 6 racers on their turbos, so realised that some were treating this race seriously! Got my number (31) and then shortly afterwards Matt showed up, also at the last minute Toks appeared as well. So it was nice to have some ACC company. Did a warm up lap or two and lined up.

The race started; it was to be 1 hour + 5 laps approximately. Whilst it was dry there was a bad headwind down the back straight (as is often the case here it seems) but the little hill before the finish line was fine. 20 minutes in and if I was on the turbo it would have been time for a break but not here and my legs felt it, seriously wondered if I’d keep with the pace. Through-out the race a number of riders tried to break away and eventually a fairly large group of about 15 managed to do so, sadly none of the us were in it, not for want of trying on Toks’s part who then spent the remainder of the race trying to get the bunch to chase but there were one or two blockers deploying team tactics to keep the bunch from closing down the gap, and near the end toks did about 2 laps in front trying to do close the gap. It did start to go down slightly but they still had half a lap on us near the end. Earlier I had tried to go after them and only managed a bit more than half a lap (which took ages to recover from and almost got me dropped when the bunch swept past) so I knew Toks must be burning all of his remaining matches and later he joined me at the back. Matt also did a fair bit up front but very few were willing to lead in the wind and the pace sometimes dropped quite a bit as the front faced the headwind. On the last lap or two a number did go off the front of the bunch after the break, I’m not sure why they kept it in reserve till then as all placings were taken by the guys in the break. Anyway managed to finish and even sprint up the ‘hill’ on the final lap. Not too bad as only started proper training mid March.

Headed home with Matt, who set a fast pace home, left up to me I’d have taken it a bit slower so as to eat the cake I’d bought after the race. I left matt at Clapham Common, stopped and eat my cake then continued home in the dry. About 5 minutes later it started to pour rain, lucky me!

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="kieran"]3rd/4th cat race hillingdon Saturday 12 April

On the last lap or two a number did go off the front of the bunch after the break, I’m not sure why they kept it in reserve till then as all placings were taken by the guys in the break. Anyway managed to finish and even sprint up the ‘hill’ on the final lap. Not too bad as only started proper training mid March.

[Andrew G]

Good to see you're going to be fit to glide round effortlessly at Palace again making it all seem so easy Kieran .

Come on then Toks, where are your watts, ohms, LT, FT, WTF details .

[kieran]

Andrew, you need to ask Matt as well, as he was sporting a powertap wheel on his bike, wrt CP, it scared me a little so more turbo time required! Sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday morning at least.

[Stu Merckx Man]

good for you getting it out the way .

well done toks and matt too.

un lucky in not getting in the break.

[kieran]

sounds like you're using telegram services Stu.

[Sylv]

welcome back kieran

stop

[Toks]

Yeah well done kieran and Matt! Here's my version of events
http://theademerckx2008racingfiles.blogspot.com/

[Toks]

Oops appologies for the horrendous spelling mistakes

[MattD]

This was my first venture into a Cat 3/4 at Hillingdon this year and I was looking forward to the shorter event - approx half the distance of a Surrey League Road Race , and no hills to speak of !

A pleasant warm up to the circuit via the south circular from Clapham took just over the hour , and after a few hello’s to Kieran and Toks it was business time .

Today’s objectives were a progression from last month - I should have the legs to stay in the bunch for 25 miles , so I will try my hand at riding at the front to develop my strength , and see if I can have some fun at the same time

The first few laps were fairy timid, and it made a pleasant change to feel my body have the chance to warm up . I felt confident near the front , and after about 5 laps I thought I’d try a blast up the finishing straight to see how my legs felt - they felt good , and I was out on my own for just under a lap , before a break of 3 guys went on my outside - too fast for me to catch their wheel -especially as my enthusiasm for my break took me a few more laps than expected to recover !!

Toks was very active during the race , and was unfortunate to miss the break than eventually got away with 12 riders ., and Kieran left the bunch at one point like he was riding in a different category race !!

As the race progressed it was obvious that team tactics were coming into play with some blocking moves being deployed – this explained the slightly slower than normal pace at times , and perhaps my ability to stay at the front on a few more occasions !

Recovery after each blast at the front took longer to kick in, and I had to be careful not to risk getting dropped , but I was enjoying myself !

As the race wound up I was looking forward to the main pack sprint , I love the adrenalin as it kicks in , and although I played safe with my position, I was able to have a blast up the final straight finishing in the middle of the main bunch !!

That was FUN !

Kieran - See you at Palace next week !