Death or Glory: It's Just a Race

Today was a trip over to Cyclopark to race the Southborough & District Wheelers Crit in the Park. A 2/3/4 race, but, as there was a cat 3 only and cat 4 only race just a few hours before this race just had cat 2s in. A decent size field of 36 lined up, some good riders present, so I was pretty sure I'd be in for a good kicking.

I'd had a pretty decent week, two chaingangs and some solid RP morning sessions meant my legs were feeling pretty good. Im still on the old TCR for now whilst my frame gets repaired, buckled wheel and broken saddle, stuff I maybe should have sorted, ah well.

I got a good start, maybe 5th wheel into the first corner (missing the hairpin due to a circus) and held it there for the first lap. I didn't really have a plan for this race, but I didn't want to sit in the bunch and do nothing only to miss out on the sprint in the final lap, that's boring right? So on the second lap I attacked up the hill, it's a good circuit for me, a decent size hill and plenty of corners. Apart from Palace (obviously) it's my favourite circuit. It was with some surprise to me (and probably others) that on the 3rd lap I was still away, the bunch now at 10 seconds back. This might be fun for a few laps I thought... Laps passed and I was still away, concentrating on nailing the corners and making sure my HR didn't  dip below 180bpm. Around 15 minutes into this solo mission, two riders (James Freeman from Dulwich plus another) broke away from the bunch and tried to get over, they came within 12 seconds but just couldn't quite reach me, maybe I should have slowed and we could have worked together? Maybe just continue to end myself. 25 minutes in and I could see I was still maintaining around a 15 second gap, not huge, but enough, and I could see the gap growing on certain parts of the circuit. I didn't slow down, well I don't think I did anyway, but after 30 minutes I was finally caught by a Richardsons Trek rider and one other. We worked together briefly, with the RT rider going off on a counter attack, I followed, he shouted across to sit on his wheel for a rest and we can work together. Great idea in principle mate, and thanks, but I was cooked. He sailed off into the distance, never to be seen again and take the eventual win. Kudos. I stayed very active in the bunch for the last 30 minutes. Another attack meant I went clear for another 3 laps, but the bunch clearly thought I was on my arse, so didn't chase me down immediately. Back in the bunch, feeling good, but I knew I'd not have much for the sprint. Bell lap and there was a well timed attack, plus another shortly after meant it was a bunch sprint for 4th... I actually felt quite good, rolled over the line around 15th ish. So yeah, real death and glory stuff. 

Staying away.

About to be caught

I was pretty chuffed to stay away for 30minutes in such a good field. I mean yeah, I didn't get any points, but I don't care, it was one of the best races I've done in a while, properly enjoyed it! 

Thanks to Lucinda for the cheering, shouting and photos, and Southborough & District Wheelers for putting on a great event. 

Crit on the Campus - Stirling BC - Race Report

Now I've never raced in Scotland, much the same with England I thought? But looking down the start list for Stirling BC's Crit on the Campus I was slightly concerened to see a selection of big hitters, including Evan Oliphant of Raleigh GAC... 

Lucinda was racing in the E1234 ladies race, and myself in the E123 mens race later. The numbers were pretty big, with 30 in the ladies race and around 70 in the men's, I had no real idea about course, expect it was super technical, abit like Crystal Palace (for my southern readers) but on acid... 

The HQ was Stirling University, and I've got to say, it was stunning, having grounds surrounds by mountains and having their own Loch was quite cool, certainly a bit better than Sheffield Hallam. Running upto the event @critonthecampus were very active, giving some useful insights and information, such as Tunnocks provided upon registration. CPCRITS, take note... Facilities were excellent, good selection of food, all you really needed. There were loads of spectators around the course, heckling, shaking cow bells, it actually felt quite like a cross race. Full race commentary on all the races meant the atmosphere was great, probably one of the best Crits I've raced.

As the name suggests this Crit was run around a university campus, so not a purpose made circuit. This made it tough, speed bumps, curbs and road furniture all played a part, not to mention a varying degree in the quality of surface. Looking at the map it was difficult to get a sense of gradient and climbing, however upon seeing the finishing hill sprint i had a feeling this was going to be pretty tough. 

Lucinda's race was first. 40 minutes + 5 in what seems a pretty stacked field, including local and national teams and clubs. I knew the hill finish would work well for her and positioning was going to be key with this field. I was watching from the side, on the final S bend before the hill finish, a good location I, and many others, thought. Within the first lap the race had become quite fragmented, clearly pace from the off was hot, the front group of 5 consisted of Shani Bloch-Davidov, Cha Joiner (Commonwealth Silver medallist)and Sarah Bradford among others with a second chasing group of 7, of which Lucinda was present. Over the next 15 or so minutes from leaders gap was growing, albeit their group shrinking and now consisting of 1 breakaway and 2 chasers, the other 2 had been swallowed up by Lucinda's group, now at 8 riders. 5 to go and it was a lead group of 2, and the chasing group, still at 8 strong. Lucinda was in a great position, looking very strong up the hill, so I fancied her chances in the sprint, well, that was until the final S bend, on the penultimate lap when a rider rolled a tub, hit the deck, along with two riders who fell on top of her, including Lucinda. Nothing broken, bike ok, so she got back on and rode the last lap, alone, but coming in 9th. Not quite the sprint finish she wanted, but a great result non the less.

Now it was my turn for an hour of pain. 1 neutralised lap and a bit of napping meant I rolled upto the start, right at the back. Think I need to sharpen my elbows... Right from the off and because the course was fairly narrow and technical there was 1 long line of riders. I moved up and continued to do so, going through a few groups, riders getting shelled out the back at an alarming pace. 10 minutes in and I wondered if I could keep this up? The lead group were off in the distance now, and on every lap were pulling away, slightly disheartening seeing this, but, all the same the group I was in worked well and certainly wasn't easy! We continued to work together, picking up a few riders that had been shelled from the front group. I was pretty pleased when the 5 lap board came up, I've hung on. Penultimate lap and the leaders caught us, a small break away I think. I rolled over the line 28th so mid pack, not great, but then not awful, and skills to build on. The men's race was won by Joe Nally of Hardie Bike, 2^nd was Evan Oliphant of Raleigh GAC and 3^rd David Lines of Wheelbase Altura, so all in all a pretty strong field.

Thanks to Stirling BC for putting on such a great event, brilliant course and atmosphere, certainly one i’ll be doing again next year, i’ll even try and bring some other riders from South of the border. 

You can find out everything you need to know here: http://crit.stirlingbikeclub.org.uk/ 

Photo credits to Andrew Gerrie: https://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewgerrie