Saturday
Probably the most unenjoyable bike race I've yet competed in despite clinging on to 8th place by my finger nails. The race itself played second string to the club duties. It's been an education shall we say being the volunteer co-coordinator. The bulk of the work had been done in the run up to the race but the day itself was actually alittle more stressful than I had envisaged as a result of cancellations and people turning up having seemingly ignored every one of my emails on the instructions.
Never mind. It did mean an early start and a long morning at the school making sure the morning shift got taken care of. As for the 1/2/3 race itself, the opening salvos were marred by the crash involving young Steven Black whose injuries were fortunately less severe than initially thought.
As it happened, I got myself involved in a four man break with two Harley riders - Barrie and Fader - and an LSV rider. The next four laps were most miserable for me mainly due to trying to work hard but knowing that it was only a matter of time before I was dropped like a lead balloon. As if on cue, this happened going through the feedzone on the bell lap. It occurred to me that they had been playing me all along, especially since we picked up another Harley rider with two laps to go.
The last lap was spent predominantly enjoying my own miserable company before being unceremoniously dropped a further two times. Upon entering the final two miles or so, I could see what was left of the pack closing on me and the goal of a top-10 vanishing at a rate of knots far faster than the pedestrian pace I was pushing out.
However, I was determined not to let go just yet and combined with the small pack's own games as they set up for the sprint, I managed to keep enough of a gap to sneak over the line just in front of the charging group.
So, my first top 10 in a 1/2/3 race. Reasonably pleasing for sure but I suffered much.
After helping clean up after the race, it was off to a bbq with friends. I cramped three times at the dinner table, my body's reminder to me of the afternoon's struggles. Still, that steak tasted pretty fantastic.
3 comments:
Could you please run the womens 123 later next year instead of at the crack of, since they are the deserved accomplished veterans?
Please?
The Scottish Wrecking Ball!!!!
Good work Steven. Great to see you up there with the big boys.
You rode really strong on Sat. I am glad to see that NCVC has finally not just sat 3rd wheel and actually made a move. I have to say that you couldn't have done anything more. Your tactics were solid, but you were most certainly out numbered. By keeping the pace high you secured your top ten. If I was to add one thing... don't be afraid to attack, and attack hard! You potentially could have dropped a Harley rider and made your numbers a bit better.
Good ride, you are now marked.
-e
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