SCCU 10

[Andrew G]

Lots of yellow people out today .

A nice calm day although it could have been a touch warmer to be ideal (I kept armwarmers on).

Got a lift down from Rob and we both managed to have a somewhat unfortunate start. Rob had a wrestling match with his rear race wheel tub and lost a bunch of time, I went to the little boy's room with a bit of stomach trouble .

All in we both ended up having no warm-up and having to race down to the start . I was debuting a skinsuit having had it kindly donated by an ex-ACCer who'd been clearing out the lycra drawer. Have to say they are comfy once you've managed to shoehorn yourself in to it. So there I was all dressed up as the Sunshine Gimp .

Approaching the start spotted the number of the rider just departing, 16, oops I'm 17 . Sprinted the last 100 metres to the line to see Rob who'd not made it in time for his so was waiting for a free slot. Addiscombe pushing off today, so a smile to Tim and a quick brake, bike spin, and into Matt's clutches.

Set off at a good speed but not too quick until after the rise over the bridge, then really concentrated (for once) and got a nice speed going. One of my many weaknesses is I tend not to push myself enough. I get to the point of pain and don't keep pushing, well it hurts doesn't it. Today though I kept it going and knew I was going well.

Got to the turn in the quickest time in a 10 for me which confirmed a good PB was on. Spotted Rob behind me, and then Snoop behind him. Snoop was meant to be there and Rob had obviously been slipped in behind me .

On the return I caught my 8 minute man , and then sped passed my minute man at a very pleasing pace. First time I've managed to get a "blimey he's moving" look from someone in a TT .

I'd kept it under my pointy silver hat but I'm hoping to get down to a 23:something this season, a glance at the watch as I dropped down the slope to the finish and it looked like I was close but not going to make it today.

Very happy with the ride (apart from the "warm-up") and pleased not to have been caught by anyone today, particularly with Rob 1 minute behind me.

Snoop was a bit down-hearted as he hadn't made his target but we were all trying to cheer him up. A huge PB and winning the handicap prize is a good day in my books. A good day Snoop and don't lay yourself under that turf.

Great times by George and Mark, and Ivor's 10 debut.

Keith won today with an amazing time, which he was well chuffed with. I think he said his fastest ever on that course.

Results:
George = 21.50
Mark McL = 22.57
Andrew G = 24.17 (PB by 1m11s )
Ivor = 24.34
Snoop = 25.43
Chris L = 25.44
Carole = 27.44
Marky Mark = 29.11
Rob R-E = 30.56 (including a 2m55s late start penalty)
Tamar = DNF (Puncture )
Ian = DNS

Keith 20.04

[George]

Really nice morning for a good time, I finished the TT today and felt like I had sold myself short, I didn't really get my head into the right zone today.
Probably needed more of a warm up and more POWER
Still at least I scraped under a 22, but Keith is gonna take some catching I can tell ya with a 20 [img]http://sbarrera.home.mindspring.com/bs/smile/notworthy.gif[/img]

Straight down onto the CR afterwards and into a really fast 24.9mph training group, Love it

[Ivor]

Awesome. I'm really happy with that result.

Ok actually one single thing annoyed me and that was getting held up by two cars at the turn. Bloody typical, clear roads all the way and just as I hit the RB two cars arrive, nearly sprinted for it... was a close call.. but thought better of it. I apologise profusely for my language if the marshal heard it.

Otherwise, absolutely great fun, felt good, woke 1 minute before the alarm went off at 5.30, everything went like clockwork - unlike my usual chaotic muddle getting stuff ready before setting out.
Had my new skin suit on - what a difference that makes to comfort, although I did find myself sliding forward off the saddle.. also had my new tri-bars on, oh so comfortable, marvellous. Didn't bother putting the wheelcovers on this morning.
Only trouble I had with the tri-bars was not being able to change gear as much. In normal riding I tend to keep my cadence to a steady 100 and whiz up and down the gears to maintain it.... but with the tri-bar had to get into a higher gear ready and stay there.

I reckon I can do that quicker though Right when's the next 10....

Numbers:
Speed: 24.9av
Power: 283av
HR: forgot to put it on!

[mark mclaughlin]

That’s another PB and that hurt!

Was feeling pretty calm this morning, as I awoke at 3.45?
Got a lift down with George in the team wagon.

Bit of the usual banter with the rest of the ACC’s on duty. Nice to see Tim and Matt as pushers off at the start.

Remembered to go off at a steady pace without red lining it over the motorway bridge, but felt I was struggling in my concentration and rhythm today.

Didn’t seem to be a flyer on the return as expected and curbed the temptation to overgear as I was closing in on No 40 my minute man.
Crossed the line feeling I had dug deep as my lungs where burning.
Oh so nice when you finish.

Happy with a new PB 22.57. 23 secs off last years PB and 6 secs off my all time 10 PB. Have to be pleased with that.

Mixed fortunes for some of us, all credit to Andrew who upped his game today. Well done Snoop bagging £30 H’cap prize.
One to watch must be Ivor and another solid ride for Chris.
Keith was on another Planet?

Right, now for that 25 tomorrow!

[Chris L]

Well i am consistent if nothing else, 24.43 on Tuesday in the club 10 and 24.44 today although a different course, still satisfied, though I definitely felt I didn't get going until half way round, now I see the value of those static trainers. It was good to see Mark out TT'ing again and finally get to see Andrew on the TT bike he has been organising/supporting up until now and he did a PB. Did I read that right that Snoop won the handicap prize (and did a PB) and still wasn't happy - I say well done. Commiserations to those that punctured but it brings up the issue that Mark and I were discussing - to take or not to take levers, inner tube, pump etc. If you do and puncture even the quickest fix might not be worth it (still I reckon Keith could fix one and still beat my time) if you don't it will be sods law to happen at the half way point and you are left with a 5 mile walk back cursing ones luck. I supose a skin suit doesn't come with rear pockets ?
Right wheres the calender and my diary for the next one.

[Andrew G]

Excellent result Mark, you're like a fine wine.

Chris, spares.
Puncture in a 10 or 25 and it's race over regardless, you won't get anything worthwhile even with the quickest repair. Some say taking is preparing to fail but personally I'd rather have them for peace of mind.

Realistically you wouldn't have too long to walk in 95% of cases. Another rider will see you walking and nip back in their car to pick you up once they've finished, certainly any ACC riders starting behind you would. Also the marshalls will have driven out to their spot normally and help pick up puncture victims to give a lift back to HQ once their duty is done.

Tyres and inner tubes - I was using these last year and a normal jersey. I carried a tiny pump (only has to get a bit of air in to be ridable) a couple of levers and some of those self adhesive Park patches. Weight and size to carry is negligable.

This year I'm using tubs and am carrying a can of [url=http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=vittoria-pit-stop&jsenabled=1&osCsid=d61b582d6bb931088aad05340b2b77c4]this stuff[/url] and a co2 pump. Small and pretty light. Now I've got a skinsuit I have no pockets. Today I just shoved it down my skinsuit, but I'll sort something out for next time to strap it behind the saddle.

[Snoop Doug]

After the race - I really wasn't happy with my performance - am now though.

[url]http://snoopdeloop.blogspot.com/2008/05/dont-forget-whats-important.html[/url]

[Ivor]

Great write up snoop. I hadn't realised you were that unhappy with your result though! I thought you were just kidding, and I was so happy with mine I probably wasn't paying any attention to anyone else!
Anyway glad you're feeling better, excellent day all round I think. Well except for Tamar of course, bad luck... oh and do we know what happened to Ian yet?

[Sylv]

If it's Ian M, Jo told us he'd gone for a long solo training ride

Well done guys lots of new PBs - I can say this didn't seem to slow George down on the clubrun afterwards!

[Andrew G]

Saw Ian setting out as we were on our way home. Dragon first, 10s again after.

Nice lawn work too Snoop, looks a treat .

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Ivor"]oh and do we know what happened to Ian yet?

[Ivor]

Results:
http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/res ... 1&ID=53045

[Marky Mark]

I did enjoy the TT ........... BUT

I really must warm up first and not drink the night before. I now have a time that I KNOW I can beat the crap out of.

On a good note, I didn't come last on my first one

Well done to the rest of you, Cycling looks so easy until you actually try it yourself, hats off all round to you folks.

This time next year will be such a different story i'm sure.

Onwards and upwards