SERRL Chilam Sun 19th april

[huw williams]

Hard racing today on a very tough course with a high standard
A big group of ACC riders out but a series of really tough climbs and strong winds made team work very hard
Sylv highest in 6th with Andy E and Stuart finishing high up the field, but anyone finishing in the main group did well today.

Very cold and too dark for good pics but here's a few I did get (uploads are taking forever so these are on facebook)

H

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9 ... 53d98638d4

[George]

Is everyone who raced too knackered to report? Were waiting

[huw williams]

Yep - it was pretty brutal that one

[Dominic]

Don't know how Sylv does it, obviously a good advert for you Huw

[Marek]

Well, as I was last over the finishing climb I can be first with a report:

Left East Grinstead nice and early to get down to Kent. As I left EG it was in bright sunshine and I was thinking that it was a lovely day for a bike ride. As I hit the M25 I was driving into a grey gloom and the wind was certainly getting up a bit. Maybe it will be a bit harder than I thought. 80 riders lined up for the 2,3,4 race and we had been briefed beforehand on who to watch. It was bliming cold at the start, Paul H was moaning about how cold his legs were now that he has starting shaving them, he looked like a turkey.

As we rolled up the starting hill it was evident that the wind was going to be a big factor today. It was very blowy, I got up into the top 4 riders and managed to keep off the front but just stick in. It was getting a bit tough and we had only done half a lap, so I decided to go back a bit further for the first proper ascent. We went up the hill very quick, and I was hitting the red zone straight away. Ouch, maybe that run yesterday was not such a good idea, the legs were feeling decidedly heavy. I dug in and managed to stay in with the pack but its a long hill with a drag along the top and the pace was ferocious.

Over the top and I saw a couple of guys had chipped off the front, well I was now in attacking mood, it being the first lap, so I flung myself up the road on my own after them. Unfortunately they were working quite well together and I really did not feel like completely crucifying myself so early so just set a steady pace. As we turned for the road towards the starting hill the headwind was horrible. It was a constant gale into my face. Bugger this, I sat up and waited for the peleton, as did the two a bit further up the road who we soon swallowed up.

Onto the second lap and we hit the big climb again. Sylv, Keith, Andy, Paul and Stu were up the front marking moves and generally positioning themselves well. Rob W looked like he was mid pack trying to hold his place and I was dead last doing my best to just stick to the back. As we went up the hill the pack split in a number of places. I was in the rear group and it was evident that people were struggling with the pace already. I managed to get around a lot of the guys and then along the top drag section I managed to close the gap to get back onto the leading group.

As we went down the hill things slowed a bit and a lot of others managed to hook back on. But the pack was gradually dwindling in size. Another lap down and we had been told that on one of the laps they would turn us up White Hill. I thought it was this lap so went to the front and told Sylv to get on my wheel, my intention to get him to the hill in a good position, maybe even a gap. Unfortunately I got my laps muddled up and we had another lap to go. Yikes, I went to the back again and hid from the wind.

Next lap was pretty tough and again gap were going on the big hill and we had to close them down. Then it was onto White Hill. This is a long long hill and we were going to be doing this twice instead of once as once is just too easy.

I was on the back and just tried to get up the thing as best I could. The main group were getting away, but thankfully I managed to get back on on the downhill section so was still with the main pack for the final climb. As we got near to the final turn, again I made my way to the front with Rob W, we were both suffering on the hill so reckoned that if we started the hill first at least we may get up it better than last.

Well, I have to say my legs had completely fallen off now and I literally crawled up the climb with Rob W just up in front in sight, but the main guys were gone.

Now your probably wondering why I have not mentioned Sylv's breakaway, well to be honest I was too busy concentrating on survival to even notice that he had chipped off the front with a couple of others. Good one Sylv as it was a very tough race.

I think around 45 guys finished, reckon I was about 41st. But have to say I really enjoyed it, although the last two climbs were a bit grim. Drove back to EG and the sun was still out and the temperature was about 8 degrees warmer.

Thanks for Huw and Michelle for the support on the sidelines.

Cheers

Marek.....

[huw williams]

Cheers Dom, he's single-handedly delivering me my level 3 coaching award if he carries on like this

Other riders I had out today:

Rob W - Super impressed with him as he's only done two 4th cat races - so to finish in the bunch is an awesome result (especially as he discarded his coaches advice and had several hard rides this week which resulted in heayy legs this morning ) he'll learn He looked really comfortable with the group today

Stu - only just started to concentrate on racing his bike after running, so 14th place is as good as we could've expected. Palace should sharpen him up

Sylv - Awesome as you say Dom, though I think he was feeling yesterday's TTT in his legs (not surprisingly)

Michelle - still not healthy but doing an amazing job in supporting the whole team and co-ordinating tactics between everyone - believe me it's not easy doing that when you really want to be out there yourself. So lots of respect is due for all her work

Special mention too to Marek who despite a course most unsuited to his strengths ploughed on and finished close to the bunch up the big hill. Excellent after an impressive 5k PB run yesterday.

PaulH and Keith also finished in the main bunch and contributed to an excellent ACC team performance - make no mistake this was a tough race in course, weather and competition senses - a lot of good riders pulling out throughout. Things are looking good given that its only April

[Sylv]

[quote="George"]Is everyone who raced too knackered to report? Were waiting

A simple course:

A long draggy hill. A steep, but untechnical descent, a long flatish section back into a pretty strong headwind.
At the end of 4 laps, turn up a steeper hill, back down the descent before the steeper hill once more for the finish at the top.

So, my race report? Equally simple:

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! That's 6 big hills.

The pace up the hill first time round was horrific. I buried myself to keep with the lead group. The next 3 times around seemed bad, but never as bad as the first.

On the last time up White Hill for the finish line, I simply couldn't keep with the contenders as the pace was upped towards the top. I was already at my limit.

[quote="Marek"]
I was dead last doing my best to just stick to the back.

[George]

Well done guys thats a decent race by the sound of it, oh what happened to Scruffy

[quote="Keith"]A simple course:
[list]
A long draggy hill. A steep, but untechnical descent, a long flatish section back into a pretty strong headwind.
At the end of 4 laps, turn up a steeper hill, back down the descent before the steeper hill once more for the finish at the top.

[Sylv]

[quote="Keith"]Sylv, I wonder where your season will lead?

[Keith]

[quote="Sylv"]I am actually looking forward to doing the clubrun next week for the first time in months!

On the subject of road racing, we should speak of the calendar like we did earlier on in the season. I don't really have any open road races planned right now.

[Marek]

Toks,

You know me, ever the optimist. I was close to winning one of the laps I reckon. Sylv, you cannot do the first of these, but I am contemplating doing the second one as well:

03.05.09
Benenden Cranbrook
3, 4 W J
100km
09.30

10.05.09
lamberhurst / Frant
2,3,4,J
100km
09.30

I think there is another one the week after as well which depending on my work schedule I may enter as well.

[Marek]

Something for me

Sun 17-May Goodwood Motor Circuit Goodwood Motor Circuit VC St Raphael Circuit E/1/2 11:30
Sun 17-May Goodwood Motor Circuit Goodwood Motor Circuit VC St Raphael Circuit 3 11:31

Cheers

Marek....

[Andrew G]

Well done chaps. Bloody hell Sylv you're an animal.