BRECKLAND 50M TT - Near Norwich - 25th Sept 2016

5th Overall
That's it - thank goodness in some respects - the last race in my "comeback" 2016 season - generally actually frustrating what with officialdom and viruses but especially in the latter stages a series of "rescue" performances both on the TT and road bikes - consequently the "palmares" is actually looking very healthy

Which also includes today's Breckland 50m TT - recording a rather surprisingly speedy 1-48-29 in rather fresh autumnal conditions to tumble Sheffrec's and the Group VTTA records. Although I went to hell and back in the last 5 miles, feeling quite delirious at one point

Bit of chill time now, check out that Mallorca place again and some decision making (although the one to pack it all in is really quite ridiculous 🙄) and with an immediate objective of loading some calories on, starting this afto at The Ship Inns anniversary bash in Neepsend followed by a ruby - adios!

Retweeted North Midlands VTTA (@VTTANorthMids):
@Sheffrec_CC's @nagalka Keith Ainsworth achieved a North mids age record and Sheffrec CC record for 50 miles last wknd, with his 1-48.29: https://t.co/cfYI6UANV7

[April 2020: This was my 50mile debut, I think...actually a long way to race flat out...but short enough where you have to keep the pace up, otherwise you will lose time...recall going through hell in the last 10 miles or so...but often in future faster 50's, anything from 36 miles onwards there is so much psychologically challenges....it hurts!!]

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS WORLD RR TRIALS - Lorne Victoria - 11th Sept 2016

6th Overall
Facebook report:
Yes, Bill and Kyle spot on, it was no coincidence being at Lorne for the weekend - tipped off by an Aussie in Perth - the Aussie RR trials for the 2017 UCI World Finals at Albi, France....managed to sneak in a very late entry.

Fantastic 120K course with the first half climbing into the Otway Mountains through the rain forest and then eventually an almost 10km alpine-like descent down onto the Great Ocean Road followed by a 40km rolling attritional finish with the stunning coastal backdrop.

There has to be an incident of course bizarre mechanical forced me to start at the back of the 280 starters, fortunately the immediate 11km of climbing enabled me to work through, catching all but 4 who unfortunately I never saw.

Our peloton size increasing and decreasing as we caught slower younger guys, determined to hang on until the next climb materialised.

Determined to stay in the first 10 or so, out of trouble, this got more tricky of course as the countdown signs to the finish decreased - recognising Phil Anderson (13 TourDeFr) in the bunch (see the photie, the ex pro looks class!) I decided to follow his wheel - he'll know what he's doing!

Tremendous combat going into the last 5km, everyone wants that position - finish up a 1km 4% climb - the plan worked a treat, followed that wheel and hit "Phil" ( we chatted on the warm down back to Lorne ) not 20m from the line, but out of nowhere my Aussie buddy from Perth (who'd been on my wheel) beat me to the line - 2nd in the bunch and 6th overall, 269 finishers - 83miles 3:20 4995ft.

First was the Kiwi who won the World TT in Perth, 2nd in the RR and recently broke the World best hour record for O50.

Much more fun than TT, though - if I was only younger!

So, some redemption - qualification for the 2017 World Finals in France (plenty of sleeps to make a decision) and GB representation again, already.

Oh and the bizarre technical? Friggin brake block slipped out the front wheel - don't know how, can't budge it now.....but got me checking and thinking on those descents, but of course you should not need your brakes!


THE END

UCI WORLD MASTERS CHAMPS - Perth Australia - 1st & 4th Sept 2016

Disqualified & 24th

[April 2020: Little embarrassing to read, but these were the reports of angst from my Perth accommodation!!]

Time Trial 1st September 2016

Well, it's "only a f****** bike race" - TT bike has failed a UCI test - so unless I get quick bike surgery tomorrow, I'm out of the TT race - irrespective lopping 15cm off my bars and shoving my seat back will screw up my position and power. It never occurred to me it would be an issue, but as I say "it's only a ........" - see what nice LBS I can find tomorrow.....

Thanks all, I was really dreading an update, I had to "sleep" on it, of sorts

Firstly, there's no anger, there never was - it was more like detached disbelief - feel better today though post ride of course (and I did find Fremantle!)

And definitely once I return to the UK I do intend to reassess, I don't have recompense at all in mind, nothing will replace that lost opportunity to have at least challenged for that rainbow jersey but I feel some visibility of what occurred and accountability should be pursued.

With that in mind I will seriously consider at least an account of what occurred and sent to Brian Cookson (thanks Julian, but also suggested by someone else by direct email) and certainly I think some exposure in CW - perhaps Chris Sidwells or a recommended colleague may be interested?

There are two elements though, one is the way I was so harshly mistreated personally but also generally the experience with amateurs being confronted by the incredibly inflexible TT regs - 90% fail rate says it all, and clearly the regs have a disregard for safety (see my "test ride" blog above post mods) too.

Even if there was not that first UCI approval on race day, the instructions dispatched by email from the UCI were not definitive, there is no mention of modifications just actual measurements I.e. In my case the seat nose - but the same commissionaire was well aware and even advised (on the first UCI check on the Tuesday ) that my TT bars needed shortening by 10cm - implicitly of course the only way is by use of a hacksaw, is this not also modification? Where's the consistency, the irony is that cutting 1/2 cm off the seat nose to adhere to the 5cm rule has no advantage to performance but 10cm off the bars could do.....but as amateurs how are we to know all the finest detail?

There is actually a little more that I could report from the days experience like the barge with all the bikes was delayed to the island, so all the start times were put back one hour

But the best one other snippet - and all this is true even this....when I was putting air in my Zipp disc wheel this guy leant over and said that the gaffer tape I'd used to cover the hole was not UCI compliant, as it needed the manufacturers logo on it - I said, "you taking the piss mate" anyhow, whilst googling for "modifying seat noses" I came across it - he was bloody right

I'll try my best on Sunday of course, going to be toughest man standing without a doubt - and I've got more input for motivation - the thought of the lovely Louise Jones

Better sort some carbs out for the weekend but finally....for completeness, you've seen the accused seat itself - so here's the little blighter that really caused the fuss, the seat tip! :

G'day

Report on Road Race Championship 4th September

130+ blokes catch 150+ women after 25 miles of first flat 40 (Why TF they set us off behind the women, no disrespect, but this was inevitable - Old = slow? )

Freeway goes from 3 lanes to 2 - mega carnage like you've never seen, I'm right behind but upright - big group up front have gone. Too many on the road, scary and edgy.

Roads become narrow can't get through....hit last 25 miles of mega climbs - first though "Zig-Zag climb is 3m wide - I can't get passed, appears like I'm in the women's race - race is over?

At last space - I decide to do a "Froome" - keep power at threshold and plug away, no panic.....catching groups, encouraging chains...

Second big climb a group come into view - I've got a chain going - eventually we catch them, but it took some effort, must be an intermediary group......Its not, it's the lead group - fvck!

Race is on, but I'm blowing out my ar*e like no time trial, and I seem to be the last one hanging on, I need to recover- a few disappear. Groups shrinking......

Last 4 miles back up Zig-zag - starts with a cruel 10%+ dropped immediately, I'm so wasted.....lose 2 mins on lead bunch....less than it felt - Finish.

Can't complain - surprised I even got back into the race, wrong place wrong time - lack of experience

Btw Paul Miller won, Aussie, ex pro - Giro, Tour etc (apparently)

And first GB finisher for what it's worth...

So that's Perth - I won't miss it, and I won't miss the fvckin UCI - onto the priority and Melbourne, and the lovely Becky, not before some deserved R&R with the other tourists

No more mega threads I promise, well, until the next time!

Hope it's been "entertaining"

There was no follow up! Local Sheffield based magazine pre races

BYNEA CC 25M TT - Hirwaun S Wales - 31st July 2016

27th Overall / More Regional VTTA Records / PB
The momentum continues - 4 more records in the Group VTTA - makes me record holder down to 47 in both 10 & 25 - I wish I was literally

Today was a repeat of the Welsh Hirwaun 25 TT course - 51-18. Little disappointed - target was sub 51, tried too hard, especially at start - a TT golden rule! Next time #itsintheDNA

Notes from spreadsheet: 51-18 cannot complain but wanted sub 51 - think too tense perhaps and learn how to ride the course! Better weather than last week but wind not really helping north of west (want a south of westerly)

[April 2020: Started an admiration for S Wales...enjoyed the Ross-on-Wye; Monmouth and Abergavenny route...and the dual carriageways although fast for racing, were pretty quiet and safe - check the cheers to see the progress]

REALTEAM 25M TT - Hirwaun S Wales - 24th July 2016

30th Overall / Regional Age Records / PB
Well, to complete a very fruitful weekend - the good news I didn't fall off and the even better news, another PB for a 25TT @ Hirwaun S Wales - a pretty nifty 51-54. The bad news it was peeing it down and relatively cool - I'll be back with fresh legs and nice weather one day, but for now, that'll do.

Next stop: A&E - well, after some deserved beers at Tramlines with Mick and Paul

[April 2020: What I recall about this was getting to by AirBnB digs in an attic somewhere, probably Abergavenny, and I could not sleep, because I was so hyper about my 19-43 the day before, I even got some beer in to celebrate. So hardly any kip...and then knock out another PB and record breaker...of course not knowing at this time there was an awful lot to come!

I did race home to go to Tramlines with Mick and Paul, and kept the pretty, by then, shabby blood stained bandage on...I went to A&E on the Monday, by which time it was too late...and a scar had formed for life!]

YORKSHIRE VTTA 10M TT - S Cave V718 - 23rd July 2016

19th Overall / Club and Regional VTTA Records (PB)

[April 2020 Breaking 20 mins was a big deal in these earlier days, and the course to do it was on this one, the V718...I knew I was capable it was just doing it...the conditions were often against the riders especially if there was a westerly return wind.

It was also important for me to break my club record of 19-45, because it was held by a later proven doper, and we were really keen to erase him from the record books...I knew coming down the home stretch that it was really close, but fortunately crossed the line with two seconds to spare...I was quite delirious at the time...noticed too from my notes, that I put out 333w average, which was pretty good, although this became near 360w by 2019.

However, on the warm down back towards the HQ, I clipped the kerb and went right over the bars...bleeding everywhere...of course I did not know my official time until I got to the HQ, celebrating with a bloodied chin....I still warmed down really properly though because I was driving to South Wales to race a 25miler...went via Lin's who bandaged me up, but said that I should have gone to A&E!]

Ha ha!! 19-43 - at last! 3 age records at Group VTTA level (to 47) and Sheffrec Record - raced quite consistently…finished hard

Retweeted Sheffrec CC (@Sheffrec_CC):
Congratulations to @nagalka for breaking the club 10 mile time trial record with a blistering 19:43. Well done Keith!

FB: Boom! 19-43 10 mile TT - a number of records go a tumbling, but then so did I on my warm down. Lucky I only put a hole in my chin - oh yeah, did you hear that, 19 effin 43

HARWORTH 10M 'Club' TT - Ranskill - 19th July 2016

2nd Overall
The Harworth '10' (9.4 actually) around my training roads...low key mid week club race, useful for trying out new kit / tactics etc...recall this evening being above 30C at 7pm, poured a bottle of iced water over my head and back for going to the start line...must have worked as got a PB on the course - cannot recall who won, but not unusual for a local pro to turn up, including the Downings and Ben Swift...

BARNSLEY CC 'Club' 10M TT - Park Springs - 15th June 2016

1st Overall
Mid week low key event, run by Barnsley CC at Park Springs....numerous roundabouts (9) and rained halfway around! Won by over a minute...in 22-08...by 2018 I had joined the very few sub 21 min guys on this course!

TOUR OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE - GB "Trials" - Peterborough - 4th & 5th June 2016

3rd (TT) and 1st (RR)
Aargh! 30 secs separating the first three after near 40 mins of TT racing in the UCI UK leg of the ultimate World amateur finals in Perth Australia. So a national bronze medal and a place in the GB team, but currently I'm miffed....but once I have a beer and consider that when I entered this I did not know I'd be even riding a bike - I'm sure I'll be pleased, a little #TourOfCambridgeshire #UCI #agecats



It's taken over a week but the UCI ToC World Trials have released their decision for the road race results - this is the top list of qualifiers for Perth in fastest order from my age group. However this does not reflect the Gold medal award as many across the fastest finishers in all cats have been disqualified, in fact the gold medalist is 8th in this list. Lot of organiser finger pointing, but some huge assumptions made when dealing with 5000 competitors. Anyhow, for me that's a bronze in the TT and the fastest time in the road race (in fact my time was good enough for gold in all age groups except 16-24 for the 84 miles) Confirmation received that it does not impact my qualification for the finals in Perth - so look out Oz, I won't be there just to make the numbers up

[April 2020: Really lost interest in this, not helped by what happened later in Australia...but it is a blatant money spinner - getting in the "GB" team, is no real honour as they make it so easy..and then the racers have to foot the bill for everything including kit and entry into the "World Championships" - although the TT course is a cracker and on closed roads]

HARWORTH 'Club' 10M TT - Ranskill - 24th May 2016

2nd Overall
[April 2020: Liked doing the Harworth '10' (actually 9.3) because it was in the area of Ranskill and Mattersey where I regularly trained, and was initially organised by an early cycling pal, Matt Rodgers of the Harworth CC. Also it was a mid week informal 'club' TT - so no pressure and good try out anything new...from my notes it was a step forward:]

 Club Night - best yet this season, felt great - and top time with strong N wind, set off too fast but also a best 341 watts avg - new TT threshold of 325 - 2nd overall.

SHEFFREC 25M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 14th May 2016

9th Overall and 1st O50

[April 2020: Recall struggling to get up to speed this season. I had missed the whole of 2015, I was not sure about my bike set up, and messed around with seat height etc which more than likely did not help...eventually I had a bike fit which seemed to help, or give me that confidence, and this race was the first one where I felt at last, it was starting to pull together - for interest power was 317w - additionally I'm sure it was Pete Read (RIP) who suggested I was too 'skinny' for TT - so I was very happy to stay at my Winter weight, however a beer stomach for extra weight is surely not recommended - so I also started to lose weight (81.5kg on this race - was 84kg for first 4 races]

SHEFFREC CC 25M 2UP - Hatfield Woodhouse - 5th March 2016

5th Overall

Traditionally the first race of the season, a 2Up (2 racers 2 bikes) - returned from Mallorca raring to go, first race for a long time, due to missing the whole of 2015...."Smallboy" worked me quite hard especially in the latter stages, in cold, windy and damp conditions...we had a target of 5th or better and 55mins - we got one of them! Won club championship and Sheffrec won the first team on the day.

[April 2019: Never did a 2 Up again nor started the season this early....firstly simply because the start of March became the time I would fly out to Mallorca for a training block....and also cautious about injury...a 2up demands that the riders ride very close for aero and drafting benefits...an accident could happen!]