About 40 lined up for my first ever E123 race at Hillingdon. Like Michelle said in her 4th Cat race post, a cold, cold wind, but for once not right in your face down the back straight.
About 5 laps in, 4 got away, including Chris Moore of Norwood. Two NP team mates then did a superb team job, sitting on the front of the pack, controlling the speed, and letting the break stick. Or put it another way, the rest of us muppets allowed them to do this.
I got in a second breakaway group, but I felt we just weren't organised, and I was seriously over-cooking myself. I thought that the break wouldn't stick, so sat up for the group. I was wrong. 3 stayed away.
A 3rd break went. No way I was missing this one. About 8 of us, at a guess. Occassionally we got it together, and worked well together. There were some red numbers in with us (elite / 1st cats), and when they picked up the pace it was a bit quick!
We kept away and with 1 lap to go I decided that I didn't fancy slugging it out in an uphill sprint with E/1's, so towards the top of the hill, popped off the front. All or nothing - 1 lap to go.
[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/1z2d1dk.jpg[/img]
I was joined by one other and we worked together to stay away. I hadn't the strength remaining at the end to come past for the sprint. 9th place I think.
I needed to go and lie down in a darkened room after that.