Crabwood 10 6/6/09

[Andrew G]

Off to one of the fastest (on it's day) courses in the south today. A bit of a schlep over to Thruxton just for 10 poxy miles but the traffic was kind so it didn't take that long.

There is a downhill start, but when I was told this I expected a proper downhill so was a bit disappointed as it's not really a downhill as such, just a very slight gradient drop but does give you a chance to get the gears spinning. Talking to others when it's a still day it is a fast start.

Today however although the rain stayed away there was horrible strong block head wind on the long (6 mile) out leg . All that way and it wasn't looking good. I decided to push really hard on the out leg as I knew there was no chance of dying on the way back once this strong wind was behind me.

Thanks to Steve for the tip about the turn before I set off, as he pointed out it could be a bit confusing without prior knowledge. Round the turn and back on to the A303 for the short 4 mile return leg.

Woohoo, out with the sail. Basically I was in 53x11 all the way and doing 33-35mph for nearly all of it . You can never make up time in winds like this though so I knew a PB wasn't on the cards today. It did occur to me as I was flying back at such a speed that this it what it's like all the time for Hutch shooting down the road at 30mph+. Phenomenal when you think about it.

Back at HQ and the folk who ride this course regularly say it was about 1m30s slower than on a good day, so I was pretty pleased with my time considering. This event is run in various categories to allow a very large field. As a measure of the speed merchants in my under 40 category I was 3rd slowest on paper and the three riders behind me, my minute man had a PBs of 19mins, the other two 20mins . I was also therefore pleased that I was only caught by my minute man and held off the first of the two 20minute guys.

It's a long way to go for a 10 so I doubt I'll go there often, maybe one a year and keep my fingers crossed for good weather.

Addiscombe Results:

Paul Tunnell and George Brent (tandem) DNF . A pity but I hope it was only a puncture as I do worry with you using that disc in it.
Steve Davies 23.53
Terry Hill 26.01
Andrew Green 23.56

[George]

We were gutted today on the, tandem, Paul and I punctured about a mile before the turn and up until that point had 30.6 mph average into the wind, a 19 was almost in the bag.

Would have been great on the return leg

Oh well there's always next time!

[Toks]

[quote="George"]We were gutted today on the, tandem, Paul and I punctured about a mile before the turn and up until that point had 30.6 mph average into the wind, a 19 was almost in the bag.

Would have been great on the return leg

Oh well there's always next time!

[Rob C]

Did you drive there in a Delorean?

[Andrew G]

[quote="Rob C"]Did you drive there in a Delorean?

[tel]

Andrew that was a really good effort. To be only 3secs behind Steve is an achievement.

I was initially pleased with my ride as thought I was a minute faster than I really was. I got the bike moving nicely on the downhill section but found the wind brutal up to the turn where I lost a chunk of time. As you said the return leg was good but I can honestly say that I couldn`t have gained an extra second (perhaps at the turn where I was ultra careful). The event reminded me of an early season race as the weather took its toll. I`ll be back next year hoping for a float day.

Terry

[Andrew G]

Fixed Sean .

Yes Terry I was pleased to be within 3 seconds of Steve, although I cursed those 4 seconds over my cup of tea . Looking back I'm really pleased with the ride as the conditions were poor. To be under 24 minutes again, and to my mind even better, hold off my 2 minute man with a 20 to his name I'm chuffed.

I need to drop my 25 time a notch or two now.

[Andrew G]

I'd still say have a go "standard" first Sean, to anyone. Legs and head are the most important things, it's my head that's helped the times come down more than the bike - getting the head right keeps the times consistent so my times don't jump about as much as they used to. I'm also really pleased to have done my first full season on my normal bike, it taught me a lot. Depending on how my 25s go between now and September I may go old school on the fixie for the final SCCU 25 .

[tel]

Sean

The Festival promote an event at Holmwood towards the end of the season for road bikes only if your interested.

BTW Chris Colfords bike might fit you. It will be a real bargain for someone. I used to drool over it when he first had it.

Terry

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Sean Hogan - 何祥"]In all seriousness Andrew, thats an excellent time. As for myself I'm done with TTs till I can get a TT bike. I know you'll say otherwise, but I don't see the point when I know I'd get more pbs with a bike actually meant for the job at hand.