After struggling round the ACC 25, finding it hard to breathe and coughing my lungs up at the finish, had a week without riding, until Sunday in the Icknield 25.
Luckily, had a late start (number 113 out of a full field) so that Ruth didn't have to get up too early
On the way to the start saw RichV (no. 30) powering his way to the turn and looking good. Got my number, cup of tea and cake (good race prepartion 
) and looked at the board, the first 2 times back were 56's and one rider said it felt fast (his time 1:00:03!!)Warmed up by riding to the start - watched Cammish start riding a huge fixed gear, then had 3 minutes wait. Starting off seemed really hard, like going into the wind, then climbing up to the roundabout, just 23mph
Got to the first turn at Sandy (3miles - 7:30) then back up to Buckden Rbt, 12 miles with the wind seeming to be helpful. Climbed the long drag, only dropping to 24mph and got to Buckden in 35:15 (avge 25.5mph). Felt quite depressed then, thinking that it was a hard last 10 miles which would lose that 0.5 advantage and end up outsde the hour. Pressed on really hard, and over the first drag, down to 25.3, but down the other side, picked it back up to 25.5, then realised that I was holding the same average on the way back, really tried hard. 115 came past not going much quicker, then 117, but then pass the Hall 56 minutes only a mile to go, this msut be a 59. Finish line in sight and still showing 57, then 58 and stopping the clock with an elated 58:40 (timekeepers official time 58:43)Checked back and that is ny best 25 for 5 years.
Looking at the result board, RichV returned a 1:1 so I guess he must have had a problem with the kettle at the turn or something and he had left by the time I finished. Rich?
