I had been anxious/excited about this all day, the long awaited return to road racing. Got there nice and early saw, Adam, Dave P, and Jim B. I then found the Addiscombe posse and got some advice from Keith and heard about Marek's current training and nutrition programme
After a warm up went to the start it was 5 laps and I was in the first group. Off we went and I have to admit I was feeling pretty good. Did a bit on work and then a guy from VC des Londres tried to get us organised on a fast downhill stretch and I thought this could be pretty good. The co-operation seemed to last about half a lap and I had noticed that after getting us organised the VC guy sat on the back for quite a while, very cunning.
So on the back draggy section of the course for the second lap I found myself second wheel of 2 Agreeables at the front and nobody else seemed to be bothered about working so I thought, time to go. Now there were a couple of strong guys in the group and I thought this might provoke a split. I jumped, snicked it up a gear and jumped again on the drag to the motorway bridge, looked under my arm had a gap, nobody else was moving. Head down and off I went.
I then had the horrible when will they catch me thoughts, but just got on with it. Up the hill before the finish and 3 laps to go. Tried not to kill myself on the draggy sections, heart rate pinging nicely between 80 and 90%, concentrating on the lead car trying to be smooth and quick round the corners. Get to where I jumped previously, still in the lead, left past the dog and duck, to cheers from the fan club (wife, kids and family friends) head down keep going.
2 laps to go. Keep pushing on, come to the right turn to Kings Mill Lane, look over my shoulder to swing right and see a group coming up fast. Round the corner up the drag and a shout from Keith, I tack in to the middle of about 9 riders including Marek and Jim B and it is into survival mode. Really begin to suffer like a dog to hang on. Hill before the finish and the group starts to creep away. B*****ks!!
So back to being on my own, head down round the circuit. It is getting dark and raining now. Have to take my glasses off because I can't see. Plug on can't see anybody behind me. Past the Dog and Duck and the fans (much to the relief of my middle son who thought I would be in the ambulance because I had been dropped from the group
). Start the downhill section towards that final hill. I remember looking over my shoulder about 100 yards before it and seeing nobody. Started to grind up the hill getting to the breast and a spectator shouts "come on dig in you're in for about 10th". At this two of Adam's team come flying past, where the hell did they come from. Start my dig for the line Hear somebody say "sorry mate" and it's Adam who to me quite frankly looks like he's on a club run as my legs are turning to jelly to try and hold him off. No chance.Cross the line about 14th I think. Keith got 4th and Marek 6th.
Lesson learnt. Patience. Should have waited for second group to come through. But you know what, it doesn't matter I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was one of the best training races I've had in ages
The recovery Kronenbourg is doing wonders.
). About 7 of us, I think. A strong group, and the first two laps were taken at warp speed. A bit too hot for me If I wanted to get to the end with the scratch group when they came by.... 
