>Sunday, and it was off to the mountainous region to the south of Maidenhead for a 25m TT based on the Fifield circuit. The event was run the very friendly Maidenhead and Dist CC.
Hawthorn Hill might only be 90-100 feet of climbing, but by the third lap it was beginning to test me (this was when I remembered that I’d blocked off the two largest sprockets of the cassette).
It was a beautiful day and the race was run on very pleasant roads. There was a breeze but, being a circuit, there were never any sustained sections of head or tail wind. I was running a new position (again), with the bars higher and the stem longer. I’ve no idea if it was any more effective, but it is safe to ride.
I finished with a 1:10:21. I think I’m going to have to accept that I’m a much slower rider this year (last year I would have expected a 1:6 on a day like this). I’m not sure what has changed, but it’s not happening this time around. The odd thing was that yesterday left me a bit down while today felt like a great day out.
Race stats: 25 miles in 1:10:21 (21.32mph). 10 out of 13 finishers. Slowest mile (19): 3:36 (16.67mph – third time up Hawthorn Hill). Fastest mile (17): 2:18 (26.09mph). Top speed: 31.6mph. First 12.5 miles: 35:09, next 12.5 miles: 35:12. Max heart rate: 167bpm, average HR: 156bpm. Winner: Chris Heape (Maidenhead & Dist CC) 59:53.
Lance Woodman 