Neath Valley Speedfest (Gratuitous) – The Return
“They” rolled their eyes, when they sensed my disappointment with my recent crazy 49min-08secs 25 mile TT – I knew it could have been faster….as insane as it sounded, I knew
So, 3 weeks later, an unexpected quick return to the quietest dual carriageway in the UK (or one of them) in the gorgeous South Wales on a very still warm Spring midday, there was unfinished business.
Unusually for me I was tense before, I felt not too brill on warm up, this reflected in my first 2 miles where the planned “sitting on approx 335watts” executed so well on the previous attempt....was more like 390w, nervous energy - slow down you tw@t -you’ll blow! Fortunately soon settling down to plan A - but it seemed tougher this time round....and I had the return subtle uphill to contend with, had I set off too fast?....it did get very tough, but I retained the target speed and even on the uphill last 2 miles, where I was so desperate for the finish line, this was friggin hurting, but actually pushed my power further up - a quick glance at my computer and with 400m to go, the clock was still at 47 mins something - 47??? WTF!.....go go go
I gave that last 400m everything...crossing the line I slumped over the bars for a short time to recover....and seeing that my computer had stopped at 48 minutes dead (like me), averaging 31.25mph....just an insane time...but one second, one bloody second!
Jubilantly and ecstatically returning to the HQ - my request for a second to be knocked off my time was politely refused with a smile and then discovered I was 6th overall (and 2nd vet - O40) in serious company (as this always attracts) - extra bonus....and extra money
The records tumbled again....Sheffrec club, North Midlands TT and now 2 mins off what was a long standing National Age Record....nice bit of work....and although not quite up to date...the UK fastest ever 25 TTs makes amazing reading, climbing up the charts - pure madness, it’s just one step beyond
So that’s the end of “time chasing” and certainly for “25’s” for the moment - back to basics and local league races next with the Bolsover 10 on Saturday....and then a well earned break in Mallorca....
They aren’t rolling their eyes now, and even those (certain) begrudging “old schoolers” surely must have raised an eyebrow on that one, or was it just more wind
(Oh, the hens, that’s Molly and Gertrude from my regular digs in the village of Clydach - I promised them )
