The Problems
I've had a few minor issues to contend with over the last two weeks: work-related stress, a large saddle sore and general malaise (tiredness). I had already cancelled my trip to Wales (to race the last round of the NPS) on Saturday so had kinda resolved myself to not racing on the Sunday in the last round of the series. By 10am, on Sunday, I decided that since I'd committed to racing with Matin (Smith) and that it was on my doorstep that I should at least turn up.
The Race
I was a little surprised to see some 'old-timers' like Rob Hurd - not seen or heard from hime all season. I asked him where he'd been and he told me: "I don't have a bike to race on." So after a lengthy explanation that he cannot get a sponsorship deal we set off on our first lap of a 5-lap Ockley circuit: Ockley Village > Forrest Green > Ewhurst > Oakwoodhill > Ockley Village and finishing atop Leith Hill - totalling 100 km.
On the second lap just before the Leith Hill turnoff I jumped onto a little move up the road. We formed a small chasing break: Me, Paul Pickup, Wouter Sybrandy, John Veness and Nigel Carpenter. We eventually bridged the two-man break up the road: Rob Hurd and Toby Neave. All of us rode well as group although there were some chrystal pedalling (John and Toby). Later a few dropped off the group with punctures. We forged ahead and had a max time-gap of three minutes - and was still going well together.
Rod Hurd kept shouting: "Keep the pressure on" - this despite most of us riding at or near 100%. On the last lap Rob Hurd and Paul Pickup tried to attack a few times. They were brought swiftly back. We turned off the circuit for the final climb up Leith Hill. John clipped off the front and continued to the finish line while Rob Hurd and I edged our way ahead of the two Agisko boys (Paul Pickup and Wouter Sybrandy). On the steep section Rob H attacked and left me to come home comfortably third.
Results:
1 John Veness Kona UK 1 2.32.00
2 Rob Hurd Private Member E at 20"
3 Rob Enslin awcycles.co.uk E at 36"
31 Vincent Halpern awcycles.co.uk 1 at 1'55"
37 Martin Smith awcycles RT E at 1'55"
Personal Stats
Time: 02:21
Heart Rate: 176/198 bpm
Average speed: 40 kph
Temp: 18 degrees C
Ascent: 900m
