Ahhh... I was wondering who the pony was
Originally Posted by Amex
Ahhh... I was wondering who the pony was
Lost my road race virginity yesterday on a closed circuit in Kent. 30km of pain.
how as it zoot? (apart from painful?)
interesting ratfink, definitely something I'm glad to have done ...
12 laps of a 2.5km purpose-built track, 4ths only, with about 35 riders entered, although I reckon only about 30 started - it was pretty grey and grim.
Pace was pretty hard from the word go and by lap 3 I was struggling a bit. Reckon about five riders got shelled out in that time.
But the pace calmed down a bit and I relaxed into it and felt stronger and better as the race went on.
With 2 laps to go I staged an ill-judged solo attack that didn't go anywhere and succeeded only in draining what energy I *might* have had to stay in the pack for the sprint.
As it was, I and a couple of others dropped off the pack as the pace picked up in the final kilometre.
Think about 20 finished, out of which I was about 18th.
Learned more about cornering and handling in 45 mins than in 2-3 years of riding.
PS. for what it's worth, I reckon bike racing is a much tougher discipline to get into than running, whether fell or road or whatever.
Yes, it is...
1hr 15m recovery ride, feel much butter for it despite the driechness outdoors
45mins on rollers @102 cadence in a about 52-16 got a right sweat on.
Legs still a little tender after Snowden yesterday.
Just a few more miles on the 'crosser, heading S on the Pennine Bridleway yesterday. Heading to Barley for the unveiling of Bill Smith's memorial stone and thought that parking might be an issue. Parked the van in Gisburn and pedalled S on the A682 to where the PBW crosses. Swung L up Coal Pit Lane, virtually all rideable to where 4x4 tyre prints lead into a big bomb-crater. Once re-mounted, crossed the Sustrans Lancashire Cycleway (Stocks Lane) upto a false brow where the summit of Weets Hill came into view; then a very boggy carry to the high point at Weets House on the W ridge of Weets Hill. A good tarmac descent all the way to Blacko, across the A682, back lanes through Rough Lee to Barley, utility track to the top reservoir then a carry to FTOP CP 4 / 11. Cadged a lift back from Barley in Fellhound's van, over Annel Cross Moor, through Twiston to Lower Gate; then cycled via Martin Top & Howgill to pick up the A682 descent into Gisburn. All on a gorgeous, crisp day.
49 done today and under 12st for last 2 weeks. Looking good and feeling as fit as I've ever felt.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote