Allo again.Where did we leave it last time?
I think we had just finished the first TT
of the year at Hemel. Indeed my taste for TT’s, I knew then, would only grow
and it certainly has.
After the first instalment, I was keen to return to see if I could
post up something a bit quicker (Of course, who wants to go slower?). this shouldn’t
prove too difficult as the condition I was in before was less than ideal. Recovering
from the death cough and first time on the course leaves plenty of room for
improvement.
So there I was, back on the start line. The last time out left me
with a 23:26. So I was aiming to knock off some, if not all, of those 26
seconds. My effort was decidedly harder. I thought if I push harder, I can only
end up going faster, I might not keep it up for the duration but if I don’t try
I will never know. It was slightly windy but nothing which would affect too much.
Anyway, long story short, everything went well, passed a bunch of
people which always make you feel like you’re doing well. Also no-one came past
so again add to the winning mentality. At the Dagnal roundabout I had to
negotiate past some cars and may have upset someone ,sorry if that’s you. After
then It’s all out, till the little hump, out the saddle for a last blast over
it then change up for the grind to the finish. I didn’t wait around for the
time as I had duties to attend to but on the way past, David from HHCC (and
work) gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up, suggesting a decent time.
Checked on line and ended up with 22:40. Another new PB and
placing me 5th again of 20 riders.
The following week, James and Wilfrid came along to have a crack. We
also bumped in to Plowman Craven cycling legend George Olive who has jumped
back on the bike recently and giving the TT a go (second race in one week).
We got there a little later than usual so we out of the block
further down the order. It had been windy during the day but had seemed to have
died down that evening, I had been on site that day so didn’t have a great prep.
It was quite nice having the other on route as you can give them a
shout of encouragement when they come the other way and indeed that’s what we
did. James went off first and I ended up seeing him come the other way at
dagnal, good I thought, that’s on schedule for a decent time, then after
looping round the bottom roundabout I gave Wilfie a wave who was making good
time on his first TT too.
Back at the finish, we checked out our times, George 26:50,
Wilfie 25:20, James 23:59 and I got 22:54 in 6th of 37. Good results
all round I think. not a fast night but good all the same.
Then came the Team MK 4-up Team Time Trial.
We had formed a group of us to compete in this local event as part
of Milton Keynes Cycling ‘Festival’. Not much of a festival but they had closed
the roads to let cyclist loose to race on. A horrible circuit full of hairpins,
90degree bends, long uphill sections and then more hairpin bends. The team
training session consisted of us shouting at eachother on the warm up laps how
we were going to deal with all the bends. Needless to say this went out of the
window after 30 seconds but we did try! We had support from friends and family
and its our first attempt at a TTT so lessons learned were more important than
the time. Speaking of which, we knew it would be hard so were aiming for a sub
30 minutes which we joyfully achieved with 28:14. Not first.. but not last
either. 
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After that, for some reason, I decided to do it all again on my
own for the MK club TT. My legs were sore after the first lap but never will I reduce
my effort. Bends could be taken quickly to carry speed but the 180degree ones
were killer. Having to sprint out of them so many times totally sucks your
energy. I couldn’t quite manage a sprint finish but posted a 27:11 time, placing me 4th of 33 finishers. The top 3 all came from team-salesengine who also came 3rd in the team event!
The ride home was horrendous, into the wind all the way. The rest
of the day I was a corpse. Normal Sunday really!
Next up, this week came the Stoke Hammond NBRC TT. Starting at
Kelly’s Kitchen roundabout, up to the top, left and to the next junction, turn
and retrace. I hadn’t ridden this course before so didn’t know what it would be
like but James had done the previous time round and let me know how it would
be. Myself , James, Wilfrid and Miles turned up to show our colours, although
mine was in the wash and James was in his super sleek new skinsuit (very
fetching by the way James) so only two in green.
There were only around 15 riders so we would be back and home soon
for chilli! James went off 6th, then Wilf, Miles and me were after
each other. I had thought if I catch up 2 minutes, I’ll be doing well. wind was
low but the course has lots of undulations. Impossible to leave it in one gear
like you can do with Hemel. I don’t like changing gear at the best of times
never mind when I’m trying to be ‘Aero’. I caught up with Miles just before the
big roundabout, a thumbs up and a cheer of encouragement helped us both I think.
after rounding the next junction I could see Wilfie in the distance, it would
take some real effort if I was ging to make up another minute but the guy
behind me looked fast when we were just standing on the start line and I would
refuse him to pass me. round the roundabout and making my way back I could see I
had made ground and the chap behind cant have gained more than 20 seeconds. I eventually
caught up with about 1 mile to go I was hoping wilfie would tuck in behind me
but this was, just before a roundabout and a car separated us. Legs were very
tired on this false flat road, but I must chage up and finish hard. Over the
line and gasping for air I rolled into the finish to wait for times. Times are
yet to be published but on the sheet i had a 22:34 I think, placing joint
third. All other club buys made a PB time so great day for everyone. Off to
Hemel tonight to see how many seconds the new aeroshell helmet cover can offer
me!
Punctured at Hemel. was on for the fastest time yet too of course. the fish that got away!
Check out Wilfie’s new blog too for an even younger man's point of view http://cyclingyoung.blogspot.co.uk/
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