Oh how i enjoy the pain of the Crystal Palace hill
I had planned on lasting about 5 or so laps, as previous years, then pulling out when my legs fell off
. But just as I was going to peel off and watch the rest of the race as a spectator, the pace eased a tiny fraction up the hill and I told myself I could do another lap. Then I thought well lets try another and then another. I was totally on my limit though, legs screaming, lungs gasping for air, i'd not felt like this since, well, err, the 1st race last year
. Every lap I wanted to pull out, but now there were only 5 laps to go so I just hung in there. With a huge field of 90 riders in our race, it was important to get near the front, which luckily I did from the off. Staying there was harder though, with riders trying to force their way through up the inside, outside, or over the top of you if your not careful. You have to be slightly aggresive yourself to hold position, but thats fine, thats racing.
With 2laps to go I was still in the front group, albeit at the back of it, but I was still there, I couldn't believe it
. Obviously the pace quickened to the finish and I gave my all, overtaking a few guys up hill for the final time. Thre was no energy left whatsoever for a sprint, but just sat in the saddle and pushed as hard as I could. I think I got 10th which honestly surprised me, I didn't expect to finish a race till mid May
. But it hurt, oh it hurt. I hope the rest of you hurt too, and if not why not
Well done to Jack on his 5th place
. And a [size=150]HUGE[/size] well done to Sylv, very impressive
Well done also to everyone else who raced last night, see you all there next week, and a few others too I hope.
Steve