MELTON OLYMPIC 10 - Nr Newark on Trent - 9th April 2022

 14th equal overall; 7th Vet; 2nd VTTA; 2nd Team 

Looking forward to this because joining my new team mates of Lindsey Road - Andy (Thomas) and Stuart (Wells) had become pals in recent seasons, and as I've never really had a team, I thought it was about time...pretty close in time too typically (see below!). Good chance in picking up team honours....allows another dimension to my racing. Also this can be a pretty quick course (on its day!).

Suffice to say, the weather was foul...cold but worse, a strong westerly cross wind. As someone stated the only help was the few hundred meters crossing the bridge at the 5 mile turn!! The experience really was "horrid". 😫

Gave it my all - which in these conditions there is a pattern of underperformance (is this a rubbish aero position) - and although expecting a sub 21 min time finished on 21-07...amazingly as did Andy, and yes, even more amazingly so did Stuart - ALL three on the EXACT same time!! 😂

Very high quality with young pro boys fighting out the podium places.

Great to be back in HQs for that coffee, cake and banter - and great laughter with our equal times! 😘

NOTE: JUST 3 DAYS AFTER THIS RACE I HAD A SERIOUS CRASH WHILST OUT TRAINING AND ENDED UP IN HOSPITAL. 

FORTUNATELY THE X-RAYS AND HEAD SCANS WERE ALL CLEAR, ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRETTY DEEP SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE...WRITING THIS ON 22ND APRIL, AND BACK ON INDOOR TRAINER, BUT SOME WAY OFF OUTDOOR RIDING AT THE MOMENT...😫🤕

MATLOCK CC CLUB 5 - Ashford in Water - 5th April 2022

 1st Overall

Simply looking for early races to get that body and legs up to speed, what better than an all out blast over 10 mins! Nice location too, although could not recall previously the climb from Ashford up to adjacent Thornebridge Hall....and with my new 62 teeth chainring!! Great though, sort of enjoy these - recorded a very credible 10-40 and won overall....bonus too that Tony Wood, friend and photographer was there, and produced some typically great photos, but better still with some software play! Permission from Tony to publish. 😘

BTW like to say what a lovely atmosphere, really impressed with the Matlock club, and their intensity of activity and contribution across all cycling disciplines - a template for any club 😜

WITHINGTON WHEELERS 25M - 2ND APRIL 2022 - Cheshire - Jodrell Bank!

 4th Overall; 1st Vet; 1st VTTA

First race of the new season. And the first time I had raced on a "J" course, basically the Cheshire area...a classic rural course around Jodrell Bank. Twisty, narrow, villages, dips, sharp climbs etc - typically does not suit me for an optimum ride...but enjoyed to a point! Was originally scratch man, but asked to start earlier, but unfortunately no 20 start point was right on the heels of 15 novice riders. By the second lap, I was speedily catching them up in numbers, and as I had been previously warned, I got held up quite seriously by cars that had passed me but then got stuck behind the slower riders 😫....at one point there we 3 riders in front of me....not good! I also did this course as a recce, because the National VTTA 15 is on here in 2 week...anyhow, finished 4th overall...just 40 secs behind the winner, and smashed the vets standard and first vet. Power sort of meaningless on such a course....in the 320s - sounds low! Good start though!!💪