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Spring Chicken Road Race
Me n' Dave were the team for CCA in today's season opening CRRL 3/4 road race in Buckingham; a 40th edition double-header day with the Roy Thame Cup E/1/2 later in the afternoon - that one of Cam's Spirit team won.
Arrived at the big high school HQ, and decided straightaway to go into full summer mode kit. Very warm and light breeze. Dave did similar. Our winter crits have re-calibrated what racing in the cold really is. I had time to do a little warm up in the car park on the rollers. Lots of riders looked a bit nervous. I think many were starting their season today.
We were hustled together for the briefing. 80 riders! Massive. They warned of poor quality roads. They weren't wrong.
We were led out on the neutralised section while at the back of the group. Even here, things were jumpy. The big peloton was concertinaing massively. I knew when the race started proper, we'd have to get upfield. In fact, the field was so big, I couldn't see the flag go down, but sensed it had started as the group really began to motor.
The group started out quite nervously. Not least because the first of the three laps starts out on roads in shocking condition. They were often like 'Beirut Boulevard' of old near Toll House on our Club 10TT. I told Dave we needed to get up front, and chanced it on the verges where there was room. Too many potholes there, but noticed the roads were very quiet and went around the white line the other side of the bunch when safe to get to the top 10-15 or so. This took about 6 miles of racing to achieve.
It was here I could see there was a break. 5 riders had quickly gained about 20 seconds on us. I expected this beforehand: as I bet there are a few lapsed 2nd Cat riders capable of making this stick and going for it.
The course gently rolled. The escort bikers and Hemel CC did a fabulous rolling closure for us. Some tricky bridges and pinch points to negotiate. The riding standard was very high. Once it settled down, everyone was very grown-up about their racing with lots of calling out and bottom patting. Which still makes me laugh. When the loop headed north and slope gently downhill, it would get very demanding and the speedo would sit at around 34mph in sections. The elastic would almost snap, but the bunch would relent to allow the opportunity to tuck in and catch breath. I recced the course beforehand and knew towards the end of each lap there'd be a shortish steepish climb that would suit me. Each time, I managed to go from mid pack to the front, and from there, buy a bit of recovery time. Jenny was on hand at the end of each lap to cheer us on. Very motivating and great to hear she's well on the way to being mended.
Lap 2 was better for being near the front. I could have gone right to the front but dawdled and stalled - and I imagined our Will wagging his finger about burning up too much power. All the same, the front were frustrated we weren't getting near the break. Stuck around 20 seconds away. There were several riders mustering us up into a chain gang where possible but the break was holding us at bay.
There were no crashes or tumbles. Loads of punctures on the awful roads. And one comedy point where the very front riders took a wrong turn. Wake up!!
Into the third and final lap I was feeling good. Took my third gel and dumped most of my drink. I managed a quick chat with a friend in VC10 who DNF'd in a crash last year. Minutes later, he would puncture, but impressively got a wheel from the service car and got back to the bunch. The only rider to manage this.
We turned the corner on to the hills I liked in the last third of the lap and only noticed now the break was fading. I was really impressed they held us off for almost the entire race. I felt sorry for one of them who was cramping up and unable to hold on to the bunch that was picking up speed now.
We turned south for the start of the run-in to the line. Not ideal for me, these lanes are level and/or flat; to suit the sprinters. All the same, I seemed to be doing all right and more than holding my position. We were burning off riders now, and the front had just 24 of the original 80 left.
We came around the final bend in the road and could see the finish line. At this point, I should have given it everything and tried to go long for a top 10. As it was, a couple of seconds of hesitancy and the opportunity goes as riders sprawl everywhere. I found myself shunted to the right side of the closed road and could only see a narrow gap through. Despite feeling like I had more to give, I stayed where I was - thinking I didn't want to do anything silly so close to the Tour of Malta. We all zoomed over the line, confident of a top 20 place and happy with that. 44 miles @ over 26mph average. I was less happy with the caravan driver who had obviously been causing trouble coming the other way and was way too close to the finish line, despite the escort motorbikers' best efforts. I had to do some quick thinking to avoid it.
Post-race, I got to catch up with Dave. I was worried as I never saw him for a large part of the race. Turns out he was fine but had come detached from the bunch on lap 2, and kept at it with a second group before deciding to save his legs for a TT on Sunday. This crazy boy can't get enough.
Everyone loved this race today and the HQ was very chirpy afterwards. I grabbed a cake and tea for £1 while watching the next race prepare and riders turn up: all looking really slick.
Once they've repaired the roads: the Spring Chicken will be a race to totally recommend.
Best of luck to our riders doing the 2/3/4 Ike Saul this Sunday. Brave!
Sprint for the line...
Arrived at the big high school HQ, and decided straightaway to go into full summer mode kit. Very warm and light breeze. Dave did similar. Our winter crits have re-calibrated what racing in the cold really is. I had time to do a little warm up in the car park on the rollers. Lots of riders looked a bit nervous. I think many were starting their season today.
We were hustled together for the briefing. 80 riders! Massive. They warned of poor quality roads. They weren't wrong.
We were led out on the neutralised section while at the back of the group. Even here, things were jumpy. The big peloton was concertinaing massively. I knew when the race started proper, we'd have to get upfield. In fact, the field was so big, I couldn't see the flag go down, but sensed it had started as the group really began to motor.
The group started out quite nervously. Not least because the first of the three laps starts out on roads in shocking condition. They were often like 'Beirut Boulevard' of old near Toll House on our Club 10TT. I told Dave we needed to get up front, and chanced it on the verges where there was room. Too many potholes there, but noticed the roads were very quiet and went around the white line the other side of the bunch when safe to get to the top 10-15 or so. This took about 6 miles of racing to achieve.
It was here I could see there was a break. 5 riders had quickly gained about 20 seconds on us. I expected this beforehand: as I bet there are a few lapsed 2nd Cat riders capable of making this stick and going for it.
The course gently rolled. The escort bikers and Hemel CC did a fabulous rolling closure for us. Some tricky bridges and pinch points to negotiate. The riding standard was very high. Once it settled down, everyone was very grown-up about their racing with lots of calling out and bottom patting. Which still makes me laugh. When the loop headed north and slope gently downhill, it would get very demanding and the speedo would sit at around 34mph in sections. The elastic would almost snap, but the bunch would relent to allow the opportunity to tuck in and catch breath. I recced the course beforehand and knew towards the end of each lap there'd be a shortish steepish climb that would suit me. Each time, I managed to go from mid pack to the front, and from there, buy a bit of recovery time. Jenny was on hand at the end of each lap to cheer us on. Very motivating and great to hear she's well on the way to being mended.
Lap 2 was better for being near the front. I could have gone right to the front but dawdled and stalled - and I imagined our Will wagging his finger about burning up too much power. All the same, the front were frustrated we weren't getting near the break. Stuck around 20 seconds away. There were several riders mustering us up into a chain gang where possible but the break was holding us at bay.
There were no crashes or tumbles. Loads of punctures on the awful roads. And one comedy point where the very front riders took a wrong turn. Wake up!!
Into the third and final lap I was feeling good. Took my third gel and dumped most of my drink. I managed a quick chat with a friend in VC10 who DNF'd in a crash last year. Minutes later, he would puncture, but impressively got a wheel from the service car and got back to the bunch. The only rider to manage this.
We turned the corner on to the hills I liked in the last third of the lap and only noticed now the break was fading. I was really impressed they held us off for almost the entire race. I felt sorry for one of them who was cramping up and unable to hold on to the bunch that was picking up speed now.
We turned south for the start of the run-in to the line. Not ideal for me, these lanes are level and/or flat; to suit the sprinters. All the same, I seemed to be doing all right and more than holding my position. We were burning off riders now, and the front had just 24 of the original 80 left.
We came around the final bend in the road and could see the finish line. At this point, I should have given it everything and tried to go long for a top 10. As it was, a couple of seconds of hesitancy and the opportunity goes as riders sprawl everywhere. I found myself shunted to the right side of the closed road and could only see a narrow gap through. Despite feeling like I had more to give, I stayed where I was - thinking I didn't want to do anything silly so close to the Tour of Malta. We all zoomed over the line, confident of a top 20 place and happy with that. 44 miles @ over 26mph average. I was less happy with the caravan driver who had obviously been causing trouble coming the other way and was way too close to the finish line, despite the escort motorbikers' best efforts. I had to do some quick thinking to avoid it.
Post-race, I got to catch up with Dave. I was worried as I never saw him for a large part of the race. Turns out he was fine but had come detached from the bunch on lap 2, and kept at it with a second group before deciding to save his legs for a TT on Sunday. This crazy boy can't get enough.
Everyone loved this race today and the HQ was very chirpy afterwards. I grabbed a cake and tea for £1 while watching the next race prepare and riders turn up: all looking really slick.
Once they've repaired the roads: the Spring Chicken will be a race to totally recommend.
Best of luck to our riders doing the 2/3/4 Ike Saul this Sunday. Brave!
Sprint for the line...
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