27th Jock Wadley Memorial

[-Adam-]

Well, that was the hardest race I have done so far.

150km, 3:59, 38km/h. Ouch.

Again my bunch positioning in Elite races let me down. As a result I wasn't near enought the front to make the inevitable splits. I really need to start getting this right...

The wind, combined with the flat open nature of the course made for a stupidly hard race. There were a couple of sections across a reservoir where the wind whipped across so strong we were all just battling to hold the wheel leaning into the wind at about 45 degrees! It was exactly like the Tour of Qatar, if somebody let a wheel go, that was it, the gap was impossible to close. Inevitably there were crashes, thankfully I avoided them though. Just like Qatar, those echelons really are as scary as they look.

Ended up finishing six minutes down on the winner, in the main group. I was distanced from this at times, so a couple of laps I had to claw my way back on. But I made it, I'm down on the results as joint 34th, 45 finishers from a full field of 80 starters, it was carnage.

You'd think with such strong winds, the tailwind sections would be good recovery... oh no, every time we turned out of the headwind, into the tail wind the speed rocketed up to 40mph+. I was firmly in the 53x12 just keeping up.

Chatted with the McNamara's after, I pleaded with them to tell me that the Rás Mumhan at Easter would be easier, but they didn't exactly comfort me. Oh boy, this is a tough old game!

But... bring on the Wally Gimber...

[Toks]

Excellent work Adam, your time will come I'm sure

[Tony]

Never ever rode the Jock Wadley. Was always too early in the season, out in Essex somewhere and on a course that did not look like my cup of tea. However, Adam, your description certainly rings true with many others I have heard of this race over the years, with the section over the reservoir being noted as being particularly gruesome.

[Andrew G]

Mr brother's godfather's race . Sounds tough, actually it sounds like hell. Well done and whatever doesn't kill you...

[Marek]

Nice one, Adam, how many bottles did you get through on that one, I have never raced over that distance must have been pretty tough going. Saw a few of your team were out for the 2/3 at Alfold, not sure about the luminous orange but at least all those cars that keep ploughing into you will be able to see you, or at least cannot claim you were not wearing anything bright. Good luck in the next one.

Cheers

Marek....

[George]

I'm sure the Jock Wadley can't be a million miles away from the Dengie Marshes route, looking forward to that one. Well done for going with the big boyz on Sunday.

[Roy Green]

Postscript for those interested, perhaps particularly Adam. Jock Wadley was one of the finest of cycling journalists, my Editor on Sporting Cyclist-Coureur (a monthly mag which ran between 1957 and 1968). He became better known on the Tour de France than many French journalist (he covered 19 Tours)

Perhaps Jock's biggest legacy was encouraging and actively aiding young talented riders to take the risk of getting away from the cosy pool of British racing to try to break into the pro continental scene. At the time crossing the Channel to live your racing life seemed as daunting as swimming the blessed thing. Several well known British riders made the grade to some degree with his knowledgeable encouragement, best known being Tom Simpson. And those who followed subsequently,up to the present, have doubtless benefitted from those pioneers' experience and confidence-building effect.

So it would be nice to see more ACCs besides Adam crossing the less-challenging water barrier of the Thames next year to celebrate Jock's legacy. Plus point: Essex is rather flatter than Surrey. Minus one: it's usually windier (those who tackled the East Surrey Hardriders on Sunday might disagree!)

[kieran]

well done Adam, that's some average speed for that distance and with a wind!

[-Adam-]

Thanks for the info Roy, I had done a lot of homework on this race after the disapointment of crashing out of the Perf's, so I knew a little about Jock. But given you knew him, I guess you can tell me a lot more about him. It's certainly an awesome race he has in his memory. Fittingly the style of the course leads to racing that is not far removed from the Northern European scene, so I'm told.

Don't be duped though, the course isn't pan flat. Though there are no notable hills, it does drag about. If next year is anything as like as windy as this, be prepared to get intimately aquainted with the gutter, and expect crashes. I doubt i'll do a harder race than this outside of the Premier Calendar or Belgium this year... The winner James Millard and Perf's winner Will Bjergfeld were both commenting how the race was easily as hard as a typical Premier Calendar race.

[quote="Marek"]how many bottles did you get through on that one, I have never raced over that distance must have been pretty tough going. Saw a few of your team were out for the 2/3 at Alfold, not sure about the luminous orange

[MJ_1993]

oh i seeeeeeeeeeeeeee. this report?