GS Stella TT: 31 January 2009

I decided a few weeks ago to enter this years GS Stella TT Weekend event based in Storrington, West Sussex. Other than wanting to test my legs after a reasonable base period, we (Martin Smith, Simon Ernest and me - aka the AW Cycles team) stood a good chance to take the team award and some loot.

Reasons to be happy

What made the event special for me was the family were coming down to support me - their first race of the season - yipee! The kids were excited too.

My preparation

Non-existent. The last time I rode my TT bike was 2 years ago. I did a local sporting TT then. So, this morning I dug my TT bike out the shed, dusted it off and brought it indoors. I gave it a little wipe-down and the started assembling it: pedals, wheels & cassette and finally brake blocks. All seemed okay other than my gears/chain which is 9 speed and my cassette is 10 speed. No problem, I switched the gearing from index to manual. Job done.

I then wacked it on my trainer, and did a quick spin while the kids ran around the house. Hey, I even managed to take a photo and tweeted it.

So, after some belated breakfast and swift clothes packing I chucked the bike in the car and headed to Storrington. No time for the rollers or trainer - no, just get there, sign on, chat and catch up with the lads and then chill... until 30mins before the start.

My race (against the clock - in more ways than one)

I decided to start out slowly and see how my legs felt. They seemed fine so I started to give a bit more... then more again. By the time I reached the Houghton climb before the turn - Houghton Hill - I saw my 2-minute man - Niall Digby - whizz past me. It didn't look good - he'd already put time into me and we hadn't even turned yet (just mind tricks).

I turned the round-about and raced down the hill hogging the whole road so no vehicle would pass me (they might pass then slow me down whilst transitting the village).

Onto the finish straight, but just the double trouble climbs to do first. I felt light on the pedals so continued to hammer on. With a kilo to go I opened the throttle dropping my gear into the biggest I had (53X11). I crossed the line feeling rather happy it was over, but not confident I'd done a good time. Remember, I had no recording devices so I had no idea of time elapsed.

Result

3rd - 27:04 (18km) hilly/undulating/windy home-bound

Winner: Pete Tadros, InGearRT (26:12)

AW Cycles boys: Simon Ernest, 3rd (27:11) and Martin Smith, 8th (27:41)

I've put some random video footage of the event together.