Surrey League

Ever race day starts the same, the appointed hour to hit the road and make my way to circuit passes in a blur as I manage getting the children fed and possibly even dressed. This time I was supposed to be picking Patrick up en route, but by the time I was ready to leave, he was already 45 minutes ahead under his own steam. Something was bothering me about the race, like when you have to double check you've locked the front door, but I double checked my kit bag all seemed in order.

So my first race of the day is getting to Tenderden before it is too late. I pull up and spot Pat, milling around already with his number pinned on. I ask him to park the van as I dash in to register. The Surrey League have splashed out on some transmitters to accurately clock the times, interesting as the Tour de France have now followed suit. It all adds time to the pre race preparation though, I'm really going to have leave the house only 30 minutes late soon.

As the field headed off, I warmed up by yo-yoing from the back to middle and back again. It was getting very hot and as I reached down for my water bottle I was reminded that I didn't have bottle cage yet alone a drink. Now I remembered what I was bothering me.

Half way round the first lap and a few people made a break, it looked doomed despite the healthy numbers in it as it began to split up. I saw a prospect and moved up and off the front. I bridged the gap and collected the riders in no mans land. We were eight, I put in a long stint, for which Andy from Dulwich Paragon kindly described me as a motor bike. We pulled away, and I moved of the front. Soon a cry came that we were caught, a few riders sat up dispirited. It is common knowledge that the best time to attack is as a break is caught. Then why not attack again even if you are in the break! So I hit the front again.

From an after race discussion this made Andy smile, we pulled away once more. I did a longer turn now taking no chances. My strategy was risky and it can only work with 100% commitment, all or nothing. If I make this break work, I'm guaranteed 8th place and some points which is what I need.

I know riders who enter 2 races a week, I'm 1 every 6 weeks. This makes it very hard to accumulate points, I got my 40 to make 2nd Cat in 5 races. I now need 40 points to stay there. I can't wait and play the game for 1st place. If I can make certain of 6 points early in the race, that is what I'll do.

Sadly, the lack of water played it's part eventually and I cramped on the last lap. I was possibly paying the price for the early efforts too. I now had the fear of being caught by the bunch as I rode alone. I forgot to mention I didn't have a speedo either so judging my pace was very difficult. The last climb was hard, very hard, but once at the top the ride to the finish was easy I knew I was home and dry.

I had to smile,to be honest I felt like a winner. I had seen 6 points up for grabs and taken them. Of course there was a possibility of more, but without water I knew that was a long shot. My fellow breakees questioned the lack of water bottles, as if I'd measured my pre race fluid in take precisely so I could ride without the added weight. I was sorry to dissappoint them - just good ole stupidity.

Who knows when the next race will be, but the new Oberon bike has now been christened.

My 1st 2upTT

I usually do things alone. I always have done. I'm shy, which may be the biggest reason and also I'm scared of failure so the longer I can keep my intentions secret the longer it is before anyone can question me of the wisdom.

The Kingston Wheelers do a club 10 TT every other Wednesday, and this week was to be a 2 UP. I'd checked and it was possible for me ride solo, whichh was perfect. I'd get to test myself against the clock safe in the knowledge that I couldn't fail in anyway as everyone one else was in pairs.

However another Kingston Wheeler was looking for a partner, and asked me. Before I knew it, I had teamed up with a complete stranger unaware of his strength. He may drop me like a stone.

Ben is a nice guy, I still don't know him very well, his PB was 23 something which didn't mean much as I didn't know the course. We'd hit upon the tactic of changing every 2.5 miles,which shows how much we knew.

Now I'd assumed a 2up TT, would be easier than a solo ride, not least because you spend half the race drafting. Boy was I wrong.

I was in front at first and setting a reasonable pace but well within the 2.5 miles Ben came round me. I didn't have a speedo so assumed I'd been going a little easy for him, however as I settled behind him, I got the impression he had underestimated how hard the going was. I wasn't complaining it was obvious every 2.5 for a change was silly.

We changed at will, not on the downhills. I dropped him briefly, but we rode together very well and I found myself really enjoying it - plus it seemed a fast ride.

We rode hard side by side across the line, we'd past a few couples and I had a good feeling.

We couldn't hide our exhaustion in the carpark, in our attempts not to let each other down and our competitve sides we'd done it pretty much at our max. Once I felt my lungs returned to their rightful place I had a drink and smiled.

The results showed us as second, which I have to say is a good result.

Sadly they only do one 2UP a year, but I'm keen to find another.