Clifton CC

234 race down in Pollington for Cam, Dan and I. Was half hoping that it may be called off given the forecast but the e mail came yesterday evening that it was on. Turned out the course was dry and safe, but the wind was something else. Very cold, but a generous coating of deepheat, thermals, knee warmers + tights and the warmest gloves I could find did ok. First time racing with 2nd cats and to me at least it seemed a big step up from 34. Was fast from the off with 30+ mph with the tail wind and about 15 grinding into it. About five got up the road and then about half way another group split off as I was dawdling two thirds down the bunch. In the end came in about 20th I think. At least a very good work out but I hope the weather improves soon.

Yes, testing conditions yesterday. Warm-up constituted of sitting in car until last possible minute until I decided I really must get on my bike soon! As Richard says fast and furious from the off. In the so-called neutralised bit we were motoring along at 34 mph (admittedly with tail wind). Like Richard was caught dozing when a split occurred in the chase group splitting in half. It’s definitely about managing your resources and putting in the effort when it counts and that was definitely a time to dig deep and not lose the wheel. As soon as you allowed a small gap it was extremely to difficult to get back on. It's the difference between 'staying in the race' and potentially being involved in a sprint for the minor places or finishing... nowhere. The main challenge was the difficult cross wind on one stretch and headwind on another. Difference in pace was something , ranging from 30 mph plus to 15-16 mph in the headwind on what was a flat course. One guy crashed in the headwind nearly bringing me down mid way. Pace was so slow I could clip back in and get back on easily enough. Glad I stuck it out though as it will help to get the racing legs working again! There is definitely a difference from 3rd/4th races. The field was heavily stacked with 2nd cats with one or two - I am sure - languishing in our group of 15 or so with overweight, middle aged 4th cats like me! Richard is too modest but he had a more than a decent ride. He rode clear from our group with a lap and a half to go with another bloke to earn his 20th place. Don’t know how Dan faired. If it was his first race, certainly a tough one to start off with...Hope he was not put off..they are not all like that!

Well done for even racing guys not to mention finishing with the bunch. I think I would have been very happy to finish at all.

I talked myself out of it on Saturday afternoon. I was already pretty nervous and the added complications of gale force wind and potential ice were too much for me. I mailed Cam and the organiser so that I couldn't change my mind on Sunday morning. As expected, I was felt quite regretful on Sunday morning.

Sounds like it was a bit of an eye opener!

Martin

Fiona and I went to Prissick for a ladies race and a 3/4 race, Fiona did reallt well getting 2nd in the final sprint and more points on the board!

In the 3/4 race I was feeling decidedly ropey before the start having a bout of manflu but hung in there and chased down a couple of breaks hoping it would stay together for a bunch sprint, Unsurprisingly most of the Cat 4's chose not to race this one in favour of doing the Cat 4 only race, and I was suprised how different this was than just Cat 4 racing.

1 got away leaving a contest for the final 9 places, I got myself into the top 10 on the last lap but my legs were spent and I could not maintain the place, when the gallop started I was too far back and could not position.

Still a dry race and good fun, but it was cold and windy! The organisers were saying that last year it was 17degrees and they had all sorts of people having BBQ's and everything! What a difference a year makes. Weather dependent I am off to Grantham to race on Monday....