RUTLAND 10 & N MIDS VTTA CHAMPS - Hatfield - 30th August 2020

5th Overall ; 1st Vet ; 1st N Mids VTTA Championship

The Rutland TT 10 and N Mids Championship....lovely Hatfield Woodhouse!
So it’s still August, and the temperature was showing a disbelieving 11C but diminished even further by a really stiff northerly breeze 🥶 ....I warmed up by placing my rollers on the leeward side of the car with every layer on I could find, including an old thick smelly fleece that I found next to the spare tyre! Michelin Boy 😎
Anyhow...the cold soon forgotten, as I bounced inefficiently vertically over the potholes and sunken drains on the outward section at over 30mph on this contentious course with the tailwind...but struggling to maintain 27mph into the Arctic blast on return, but really pleased to sneak under 21 mins at the finish, a great time on any day on that course....reflected in 5th overall, 1st vet and thus retained the North Mids VTTA Championship....🏆
Won by rising star Oliver Peckover followed by top Iron Man Phillip Graves 👏- illustrious company.
Thanks to the Rutland guys for putting on the show and especially Gordon W 👍
Loving the potholes so much at Hatfield, next race, yep Hatfield, Common Lane 10, this Saturday....probably 😉

(Note: Mr Briggs (ex pro) was on a road bike 😎)

ECCA VTTA '10' - E2/10 - Newmarket - 22nd August 2020

 7th Overall; 3rd on Standard 😳

Planned for fast time and target the 19-51 National Age record. however the day before the winds were super strong, and also forecast for race day too....sat in kitchen at breakie time and hesitated, but it looked like the winds had slightly abated to risk the journey...

Decided (for the first time) to risk a 2.5 hour drive on race day (although stopped and walked for 10 mins twice, and did a roller 20 min spin on arrival)...

Anyhow what a mistake! Wind was supposed to be 19mph with gusts of 30...but friggin L, probably the worst wind conditions I've ever raced in....first mile could not get above 19mph, really lost it for a short time in my head, and felt like packing...perservered, but not convinced I put everything into the outward with a very modest power average (similar to my 25 the week before!)...but hammered it with the tailwind as hard as I could....finished on 21-34 - with three breaking 21 mins. 

"Only" third on standard too (again in a 10) although Kev Tye was one of them, respect! Wake up call though for the forthcoming VTTA National 10....but two more Hatfield 10's before then, should wake me up for this distance!

SHERWOOD 25 - A25/34 - Newark-upon-Trent - 15th August 2020

12th overall ; 3rd Vet; 1st on Standard

For a moment I even considered that Father Time was catching up with me, after 3 rather under par race performances, although picking up the National Vets TT 50 title during those was more than a bonus, but no, last Saturday, the 4th race, and “the legs have returned” (I should’ve known really, it happens every year)....the Sherwood 25 miler TT on the A46 SW of Newark...recording a useful 51mins 45secs on a moderately quick course but with a challenging 12 miles of significant headwind on the return....giving 12th overall and 3rd Vet (O40) and even a PB power average for a 25 (342w) - typical of these “Covid Times”, attracting a huge field with top quality as there is no road racing, won by rising star Joshua Giddings who is still a Junior, born 2003!
Big appreciation to the Sherwood CC guys for putting the event on, and so well organised

Interesting year for TT - limited races, and no road racing. The events are getting oversubscribed with some top heavy fields, comprising aspiring youngsters and a smattering of pro racers. Tough to get in the top 10, never mind top 5!

TICKHILL 10 - Hatfield Woodhouse - 8th August 2020

 17th Overall; 3rd on Standard

First '10' and 3rd race of season, reflected in a pretty poor performance. Hurt also from a long way out....but gave it my all....always sub 21 last year in 3 races, but only 21-20 today. Not to worry, one in the bag...will get better...got two more Hatfield races (so hopefully will see an improvement) with the Rutland 10, and the Common Lane 10. 

Won by Connor Swift (just before being chosen to ride the Tour de France) in 19-09!