>A warm weekend and a chance to enjoy some more relaxed cyclosport. As if I could relax!
Saturday was Willesden CC’s circuit day at Hillingdon – several hours of fun racing. We rode (as I remember) a one lap TT, a team time trial, a GP des Gentlemen/Femmes and a ten lap handicap circuit race. I didn’t ride well and got really annoyed by that – which wasn’t at all in keeping with the spirit of the day.
It was great to see over 40 racers and helpers of all ages there. Congratulations to champs for the day Jayne, Tom and Eliz. Thanks to Tony and Ray for organising it.
Despite it being ‘all for fun’ I ended the day pretty tired, with several maximal efforts in the bank. Not the best preparation for Sunday’s West London Combine 50 mile TT organised by the Westerley CC.
I was using this event to practice some drinking and feeding strategies for July 11th’s ‘100’. I knew the roads were hard and wasn’t too bothered about the time. Saturday’s efforts told straight away – heart rate down by 10+bpm.
At about 25 miles I ran out of fuel and struggled to the finish (I would have packed if a) I didn’t need the miles and b) the Willesden CC crew weren’t marshalling the far roundabout for three hours in the hot sun). The poor road surface took it’s toll on my back and groin – the local highway authority ought to be ashamed of themselves – there are wheel breaking pot holes out there. My tri bars ended up at different angles because of the constant impacts.
Only two riders caught me (team mates Peter (after 7 miles) and Stuart (after 49 miles) and I only caught one rider. A long, warm, uncomfortable day. Thank goodness it was an easy weekend. Final time 2:11:45, slowest of the WCC team.
Race stats: Time: 2:11:45 (22.77mph). First 25 miles: 1:05:11, last 25 miles: 1:06:34. Top speed: 32.3mph. Slowest mile (28): 3:12 (18.75mph), fastest mile (6): 2:02 (29.51mph). Average HR: 149bpm, maximum HR: 158bpm. Average cadence: 74rpm. ? of ? finishers. Winner: Peter Dixon (Willesden CC) 1:57:04.
Lance Woodman 