Got to the venue and my head was in pieces I was nervous and my routine was all over the place (having not ridden my bike in anger for more than 5 months
)Anyway a quick practise lap, shortened warm up on the turbo and down to the start area for a 2.15pm kick off. I positioed myself at the back of the mixed group of elites and experts (Gorrick races combine the 2 cats so experts usually get a kicking
). The gun goes and I start my patient pace strategy, I watch the top 5 elites zoom off and settle in be it right at the back, I mean very last 
. About half way round lap one I pick up a couple of other experts and pass them, the front group are still in sight (just) through the trees.One of my main rivals from last year (Luke Eggar) is a few riders ahead maybe 45 seconds up from me but in between lies Nick collins a decent elite rider. I pushed hard to catch him and once behind just sat whilst he reeled in Luke. Some shouts of encouragement came from his wife/partner in the form of "dont do all the work" "he is taking it easy while you lead" "go faster"
. Yes Nick go faster I said, at which point he let me past, We had a little chat for a few moments then I started to dig in a bit on the hills to see if he was suffering, eventually a gap opened and I boy was I pleased to have scalped a fast rider 
. I Chased hard until the end of the 2nd lap when I caught Luke and we worked together for a while. Eventually he had to stop and fit his chain back on so that gave me a chance to get away from him. I settled in to riding my own race and moved up to 6th overall. In the distance behind me Luke and Nick had joined forces and were on the march to get back on, try as I might on the last lap I got caught with just half a lap to go 
.It was very frustating I could feel the power just fading away and there was nothing I could do to hold him off, I congratulated him on a perfect catch and he simple said "back from the dead" With a huge grin.
I kept on his wheel with a hope that he may have pushed too hard in the chase but the next climb we came to he put the hammer down and I had no response at all. At which point I was really suffering (blurred vision, fuzzy thought, lack of technical skill, day dreaming of steak !) I had held of Luke and settled for 7th.
10 Minutes more and I crossed the line, pretty pleased all things considered. Did not think I could hold that heart rate for near on 2 hours! 176 beats for 115 minutes. Ouch.
If I can continue like this it should be a great season, I think I was the 2nd expert in the group so with some threshold efforts and some speed work in my final 7 weeks leading up to the NPS/BMBS round 1, who knows.
