My first proper road race. No idea what might lay ahead other than the rudely early start required - 6.15am alarm call. By chance I meet Christian of De Laune CC at Vauxhall at 7am heading for the race as well - good to see a friendly face. Arriving at Guildford we set off along the country roads for the 10 mile journey to Elstead Youth Centre where we sign in.
The smell of deep heat pervades the air as I walk in. Riders sit pinning their numbers on their jerseys - Brighton Mitre, VC Meudon, Mosquito Bikes, South Downs Velo and London Dynamo. Just before roll-out at 9.30am the race organiser announces the circuit is to change slightly due to a horse race. A slightly shorter 10km circuit, a steeper climb and one extra lap. The first 1/2km will be neutralised.
The Depart
We roll-out behind the commissaire's car. We have two out-riders as well. Cool:) As the race starts in earnest I find a space in the top 20 and we climb past the start/finish line. Soon after a rider jumps from the peloton. He's joined by another, then two more. My plan is to stick with the peloton and make no rash moves. The pace is steady rather than rapid. There's 4 turns on the circuit - one at the top of the climb, then a treacherous, gravelly but slow corner at the bottom of 'The Sands', a fast turn on to the B3001 and the final sharp bend to the start of the drag to the finish line. The two sections of climbing have an impact on the legs but the downhill sections aid recovery. Infact, the downhill stretches seem longer than uphill - this is a good sign.
Halfway
26 miles in, 5 laps to go. As we pass the line the race official calls the time gap on the breakaway - 1 minute. There are some attempts at organising the group. I find myself at the front a couple of times and pull the group along. 3 laps to go and the gap is 40 seconds. I'm jockeying for a position in the top 5.
The smell of deep heat pervades the air as I walk in. Riders sit pinning their numbers on their jerseys - Brighton Mitre, VC Meudon, Mosquito Bikes, South Downs Velo and London Dynamo. Just before roll-out at 9.30am the race organiser announces the circuit is to change slightly due to a horse race. A slightly shorter 10km circuit, a steeper climb and one extra lap. The first 1/2km will be neutralised.
The Depart
We roll-out behind the commissaire's car. We have two out-riders as well. Cool:) As the race starts in earnest I find a space in the top 20 and we climb past the start/finish line. Soon after a rider jumps from the peloton. He's joined by another, then two more. My plan is to stick with the peloton and make no rash moves. The pace is steady rather than rapid. There's 4 turns on the circuit - one at the top of the climb, then a treacherous, gravelly but slow corner at the bottom of 'The Sands', a fast turn on to the B3001 and the final sharp bend to the start of the drag to the finish line. The two sections of climbing have an impact on the legs but the downhill sections aid recovery. Infact, the downhill stretches seem longer than uphill - this is a good sign.
Halfway
26 miles in, 5 laps to go. As we pass the line the race official calls the time gap on the breakaway - 1 minute. There are some attempts at organising the group. I find myself at the front a couple of times and pull the group along. 3 laps to go and the gap is 40 seconds. I'm jockeying for a position in the top 5.
Final Lap
The breakaway is gone so it's minor placing honours. I'm sitting in third when on the final descent an unattached rider in blue makes a move but I'm on his backwheel. We make the final corner and we're shifting uphill, I'm sitting comfortably in second. The finish line appears and a rider on my right makes an impressive break. I make the jump from the wheel in front - remembering to get out the saddle. Across the line, second in the bunch sprint, 6th overall.
Lessons to be Learned
Happy with the result (considering it's my first proper road race) but disappointed the break got away and the main group did nothing to draw it back in. Also misjudged my final sprint as I wasn't sure where the line was. 6 points on my licence but the season is drawing to a close.
The breakaway is gone so it's minor placing honours. I'm sitting in third when on the final descent an unattached rider in blue makes a move but I'm on his backwheel. We make the final corner and we're shifting uphill, I'm sitting comfortably in second. The finish line appears and a rider on my right makes an impressive break. I make the jump from the wheel in front - remembering to get out the saddle. Across the line, second in the bunch sprint, 6th overall.
Lessons to be Learned
Happy with the result (considering it's my first proper road race) but disappointed the break got away and the main group did nothing to draw it back in. Also misjudged my final sprint as I wasn't sure where the line was. 6 points on my licence but the season is drawing to a close.
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