The Dynamic Duo ride again!
The weather was bad, the clocks had gone forward and yet when I tried to enter on the line I was told the race was full and I'd have to go on the reserves list with four others. Such was the demand for the SERRL Biddenden road race.
I really didn't fancy explaining to my wife that I didn't race after abandoning her with the children at 6.30am.
Fortunately a few people didn't turn up and I was in. There were a few strong teams from several clubs. The Dulwich Paragon and the San Ann Fairies in particular.
The race started late and as always I drifted to the back of the bunch during the ride to the circuit. The first of the four 20+ mile laps seemed unremarkable, I assume with the clubs working hard at the front, stopping anything they didn't like getting to far.
I had a half heart stab at a break, joined by Guy from Dulwich. We never got very far but it warmed my legs a little which is all I wanted. I settled in the middle of the pack planning to make a full hearted effort on the 3rd (penultimate) lap.
On the 2nd lap Patrick, my trusty wing man made something happen. He didn't think to tell me first of course! The attack fractured the front of the bunch, 5 or 6 riders were spread out, probably 20 metres from the pack. I could see Pat was struggling. I immediately bridged over to him and gave him my wheel, I then rode past the other strung out breakees, picking them up on the way. With the break assembled behind me I put in a long hard effort to get gap the up. This gave the group confidence that it was possible. We worked well together for the next two laps increasing our lead.
On the final lap, some one made a bid for freedom. My first reaction was to let him go imagining it too far for him to stay away. I changed my mind, and rode after him. Together we had a chance.
He was as happy to work with me as I with him. Our lead became convincing and I was assured of 2nd place bar a mechanical.
My computer had decided to pack in, so I could tell my speed or distance to the finish. It only seems to work in carparks before races! Anyhow for one reason or another I did all the work for the final miles, he came round me at the finsh as I looked over my wrong shoulder. I only gave a half hearted sprint, for the last few miles all I had been thinking was, 2nd = 12 points, enough to make me a 2nd Cat. I'm a 2nd Cat.
I got to watch the rest of the break finish. I was thrilled to see Pat still there amongst them. He finished 2nd of the group putting him 4th overall. A great ride and a great race by him.
I was irritated about not winning for a while, but then I had just achieved my seasons goal by March, becoming a 2nd Cat.
Until Pat moves up too, racing together will be tricky, which is a shame as I think our 2nd and 4th placing by a team of two proves, we ride really well together.
I really didn't fancy explaining to my wife that I didn't race after abandoning her with the children at 6.30am.
Fortunately a few people didn't turn up and I was in. There were a few strong teams from several clubs. The Dulwich Paragon and the San Ann Fairies in particular.
The race started late and as always I drifted to the back of the bunch during the ride to the circuit. The first of the four 20+ mile laps seemed unremarkable, I assume with the clubs working hard at the front, stopping anything they didn't like getting to far.
I had a half heart stab at a break, joined by Guy from Dulwich. We never got very far but it warmed my legs a little which is all I wanted. I settled in the middle of the pack planning to make a full hearted effort on the 3rd (penultimate) lap.
On the 2nd lap Patrick, my trusty wing man made something happen. He didn't think to tell me first of course! The attack fractured the front of the bunch, 5 or 6 riders were spread out, probably 20 metres from the pack. I could see Pat was struggling. I immediately bridged over to him and gave him my wheel, I then rode past the other strung out breakees, picking them up on the way. With the break assembled behind me I put in a long hard effort to get gap the up. This gave the group confidence that it was possible. We worked well together for the next two laps increasing our lead.
On the final lap, some one made a bid for freedom. My first reaction was to let him go imagining it too far for him to stay away. I changed my mind, and rode after him. Together we had a chance.
He was as happy to work with me as I with him. Our lead became convincing and I was assured of 2nd place bar a mechanical.
My computer had decided to pack in, so I could tell my speed or distance to the finish. It only seems to work in carparks before races! Anyhow for one reason or another I did all the work for the final miles, he came round me at the finsh as I looked over my wrong shoulder. I only gave a half hearted sprint, for the last few miles all I had been thinking was, 2nd = 12 points, enough to make me a 2nd Cat. I'm a 2nd Cat.
I got to watch the rest of the break finish. I was thrilled to see Pat still there amongst them. He finished 2nd of the group putting him 4th overall. A great ride and a great race by him.
I was irritated about not winning for a while, but then I had just achieved my seasons goal by March, becoming a 2nd Cat.
Until Pat moves up too, racing together will be tricky, which is a shame as I think our 2nd and 4th placing by a team of two proves, we ride really well together.
posted by Alex Kirk at
4:00 PM
1 Comments:
Excellent works Alex - and well done on making 2nd cat :-)
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