however, the race got under way with a small field of no more than 40 or so. the race was to be about 65 miles (not the advertised 76)
at the start i told myself i would not bother about trying top break away or any of that rubbish, because i knew i would have lost a lot of fitness. the first few break attempts went on the first lap, but i stayed disciplined and did not go with them....however by the 2nd lap i was getting itchy legs....and so when a couple of guys rode away i readied myself to get into the break.
they got about a 100m gap, then toby meadows went after them, but still i waited, then a guy from norward paragon went, and got about 25m. 4 strong guys up the road was all i needed, and off i sprinted, taking another guy with me. i closed down the gap on my own with an all out effort, and soon we got a through and off going, but a real hard one. we got a nice big gap after a while and settled in.
however after a few miles i had my closest shave in a while. we were tanking down a hill and round a sweeping right hander at 35-40mph when a jaguar came shooting round from no where and on our side of the road. the guy in front of me made a very quick maneuver to avoid being hit, but it sent me off the road and onto the grass verge. i have no idea how the bike stayed up, it was wet, muddy, bumpy, and at about 35mph. my heart was in my mouth as i thought it was race over, and in a nasty accident, but i was blessed this day!
this little incident left me 50m behind my companions, but toby, very considerately shouted at them to wait for me to get back on, and soon enough i was on. we kept working, but now the peleton were hot on our heels with a concerted chase, and we had lost a bit of time with my incident too.
so after a lap off the front we were back in, and it was race on as usual. i didnt go with any more of the break aways, i could feel i was just not fit enough.
by the last lap all escapees where in the significantly reduced peleton (it was a hard race!!), and i was amazed to still be in the race, convinced from the start i would be dropped.
on the last lap i downed the rest of my water, and ploished off the rest of my gels and bars. as usual i was starting to feel the on set of cramp, although this time i didnt mind because i was mindful that i am not very fit at the moment.
as we hit the climb up to the main road the attacks started coming, thick and fast, although i didnt launch any i went with all of them. these attacks split the group up a bit, and im sure there must have been a lot of guys that lost contact at this point. luckily i was in the front few guys by the top and didnt miss anything, but now i was only just keeping away the cramps.
after the main road we started the nice long descent towards the finish, up a nice long hilly drag. for some reason i was left at the front for a long time, but i was only soft pedaling so i didnt mind, and it kept me out of the jostling behind.
when we hit the finishing hill i was in the front 4, with toby meadows tapping out a nice pace up the climb. my legs were starting to burn, but no matter, there was only 800m to go. some people from behind tried making a move up on the outside, but toby just upped the pace and prevented them from getting round, this was great as i was still in 4th position. we got to the top of the hill, and still toby was on the front, and still no one had made a move...then round the last corner and we could see the finish. toby opened up the sprint, and i sat 4th wheel back still. with 100m to go i got cramp, it was absolute agony but i was not going to stop now. some how, i managed to keep on sprinting, although in the saddle, and somehow no one managed to get past me, and somehow i finished 4th! marcus from paragon and toby battled it out for the witn a couple of bike lengths ahead of me, with marcus by the narrowest of margins getting the win.
however as we crossed the line i paid a heavy price in the currency of pain!! i got un believably bad cramps for about 5 minutes, which made my scream out a colourful array of language. marcus who much have heard my crys came back and gave me some water, and held my bike while streched and swore
.im so thrilled with that placing, as i have been going so badly lately, its been making me want to just pack it in for the season, although im glad i didnt now!!! however i no know why i did well today, as i was getting changed i realised i was wearing my lucky socks
cheers
stu
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