Palace 16th June

[Gavin]

Yes another night at palace and another night of pain!

We started off with what I think was the biggest group for the 3/4s when I have been there. I was in a good position and was going ok until the end of the first lap. Then the gaps started opening up - not sure if there we're more 3rds out last night as that initial pace was very high. There were a lot of people pulling up from both races and it was certainly tempting. I pulled in with 4 laps to go as the 3/4s were on their last so didn't want to get in the way.

Appreciated the tow round Sean was suffering at that point. Still unsure where that guy who was with us got that incredible pace from though.

Think I need to lose another couple of kilos for that hill as I was struggling just at the top of it most laps.

Nice evening and a free tow from Andrew and George to addiscombe helped me get home before dark.

Gavin.

[Andrew G]

Turned up with legs feeling a bit leaden and wasn't going to bother starting. Got nagged at by Carole and Serge so bought a number .

Actually went pretty well. I didn't think the pace was that quick to start with, not slow mind you, but maybe it was just a better standard of riding which meant that you didn't have to brake so much in to bends. That said some people brake way too much and early on a number of the bends which was a bit of a pain a couple of times as I lost some momentum.

The hill seemed to be done more smoothly compared to my last race at CP so I could stay with the pack for longer, carried momentum through the bottom bends and kept myself hooked in to the loving embrace of the peleton. I nearly lost touch a couple of times due to some riders over zealous braking blocking me a bit.

After a while (20 minutes or so) I couldn't quite hang on to the now rather depleted bunch on the climb and slipped about 10 metres off the back. I was with Serge as we'd both been hanging on by our fingernails for a couple of laps, and he'd been coaxing me on to not slipping off - cheers, when I finally said good-bye to Serge. The bunch were almost within clutching distance but I couldn't quite close it, Andy came past with a little shove but I told him to get back on to them himself instead.

Next lap and I collected Serge as he just slipped off the back on the hill. We both then carried on together for a while, I don't think ever that far off the bunch they just very slowly crept away from us. We passed Andy on the way who's legs must have also said "No!" once too often on the climb .

After a few laps with Serge I decided to call it a day as I could feel I was about to start slowing up so left it at a good hard workout and saved my legs rather than carry on a do probably do more harm than good, I'll save them for Sunday. Serge and Steve called it a night soon after as we cheered Adam on but he was up against it in the E/1/2 break as there was about 3 Dynamos to every other rider.

Watched the rest from Carole's picnic and was nice and refreshed for the ride home, getting in just in time to watch The Man Who Rode Around The World on Eden .

Thanks for the little nagging, glad I raced now.

[Michelle]

Well done chaps! If you can get comfy in the bunch,it shouldn't be too long before placings.

[Andrew G]

Happy in the bunch Mich, they just don't like me and go too quickly up the hill . With me I think it's partly to do with being a typical tester, more of a sustained effort than the up down effort at CP particularly with the hill. I tend to do better when it's like last night and the riding is a higher standard as it means the good 3rd cats tend not to just hammer it from the start and on the hill to get rid of the riders they don't want to be too near them. Round the hairpin and the bottom bend in the middle of the bunch felt much safer last night as people kept their line and didn't do any desperate dives down the inside and block people.

[Toks]

Well done fellas. Sean can ya get it up to 20mph?

[Dombo]

Sounds fun. when is the next one, and what time kickoff?