VTTA NATIONAL 10 CHAMPS - Surrey / Sussex - 28th April 2019

2nd Overall / 1st on Standard (National Champion!)
NATIONAL VTTA 10mile CHAMPIONSHIPS - SUSSEX / SURREY
So, the two previous races on the Lincolnshire Wolds were (inadvertently) perfect preparation albeit without strategy. For some reason assuming a course in Sussex would be flattish, it was rather a surprise when I drove the course the night before to discover it rather gnarly and rolling. ⛰
Suffice to say, it went well – a sub 21 mins that I hoped for would be outstanding, on that course, so seeing 21-07 when I crossed the line was near as damn it and pleasing, and I knew could well be a winning time. 🤔
And so it proved, after a series of close calls in 2018 , at last I won a National VTTA Championship, probably a “10” is the hardest distance for me (with age, endurance ability declines slowest, so the longer the event , relatively, the performance improves) – of course the plan is to now target the longer races later in the season – and hope to collect more Champion jerseys - why not? 😉
An added bonus was the early start which enabled me to drive up to Tooting (through leafy Surrey, and not so leafy sarf London) to hook up with my old mate, Mr Charlett, and hit some celebratory beers, up town. 🍻🥳
Chatting with genuine interest to some marathoners but not daring to mention that I’d earlier only done a piffling 20 minute bike race - I didn’t wish to explain 😎
Welsh Open 25 next on the agenda on “that” fast course…young hitters out though, so top 10 would be nice – with a super fast time…. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Thanks to Kimroy Photography for the action shot, about three miles from the finish, hence the pained look and the presentation photo was, believe it or not the best of about 20 photos 😜

[Long way to drive (although I did plan the Tooting visit and long term Uni pal, Gaston), inadvertently the two Lincolnshire Wolds races were perfect preparation - very confident that if I raced even slightly below par, on 'standards', who could beat me?..and so it proved..but did genuinely think I would win at least a couple more National titles in 2019...but it just did not happen...a divisive world though are 'standards'....with Trikes and aged men, (I have) no chance 🙄]

SLEAFORD WHEELERS 10 - 20th April 2019

2nd Overall - Bl**dy Youngsters!
And the TT season roars (and that was the sound of great personal pain 🤪) into action with two visits to the scenic but challenging Lincolnshire Wolds – a very chilly 🥶 Barton (on Humber) ‘10’ firstly, followed by a sweltering ☀️Sleaford ‘10’ over Easter. 

Those that time trial will probably be aware that early races, no matter how well your training is recording, are friggin ‘orrible, you simply would not continue if it persisted….my expression is that “the body has not woken up yet”…..takes a few races, and something clicks, to make it more comfortable (relatively), smooth, quicker (hopefully) and in control.

Despite these visits to purgatory - the start of the season has been rather promising recording a 5th overall at Barton followed by a frustrating 4 seconds gap, but commendable 2nd place overall at Sleaford.

Bl**dy youngsters 🙄(just look at the podium photo – looks like Dad with his kids 🚸on a day out to Cadburys )

Next stop National Vets (040) 10 mile champs in Sussex…it’s looking good🤔😉💪

BARTON WHEELERS 10 - 13th April 2019

5th Overall / 1st on Standard
And the TT season roars (and that was the sound of great personal pain 🤪) into action with two visits to the scenic but challenging Lincolnshire Wolds – a very chilly 🥶Barton (on Humber) ‘10’ firstly, followed by a sweltering ☀️Sleaford ‘10’ over Easter.
Those that time trial will probably be aware that early races, no matter how well your training is recording, are friggin ‘orrible, you simply would not continue if it persisted….my expression is that “the body has not woken up yet”…..takes a few races, and something clicks, to make it more comfortable (relatively), smooth, quicker (hopefully) and in control.
Despite these visits to purgatory - the start of the season has been rather promising recording a 5th overall at Barton on a great Wolds course, although the 1 mile ascent start (HR pushing 190) was not ideal for a first race of the season....🤪 Pleasing for a kick start...up there at the sharp end 💪