Testing: Knowing your limits
Well as you know I finally got my results. At least now I know in which zone I should be training.
Racing: Wally Gimber Road Race, Tenterden
The first real big road race is over. The Wally Gimber is part of the South Eastern Road Race Series so that's a good start for the overall. Good weather and a strong field made for a great day out in Tenterden, Kent.
On lap one I attacked. I managed to stay some 30 secs up the road against strong head winds. Once I passed the start/finish line (after 20 minutes or so) I was joined by Roy Chamberlain, Simon Gaywood and Richard Sykes-Popham. We worked quite well but Simon G was sitting in. So the three of us kept pushing hard. With 2 laps to go Simon Wilkinson (from PCA Plowman) joined us and now all six of us worked well together forging on. On the penultimate lap Richard SP attacked at the bottom of the climb - just as I was at the end of my turn on the front. He pushed hard up the climb but I managed to hold the wheel. On the bell lap - going up the same climb - I made sure I hung back in case the same thing happened again.
With half a lap to go Simon W attempted an attack but was quickly reeled in. Up the final climb I stayed at the back behind Simon G. On the second and last kick he jumped - I tried to follow but the time out in the front during the race caught up with me and I managed to hang onto to 4th.
Results (2hrs 35mins):
1 Simon GAYWOOD
2 Richard SYKES-POPHAM
3 Roy CHAMBERLAIN
4 Rob ENSLIN (AW Cycles RT/Giant)
21 Tom SMITH (AW Cycles RT/Giant)
