RUGBY RC 10 - NR RUGBY - K11/10T - 30th July 2022

 5th OVERALL ; 1st STANDARD ; 2nd VET

Never raced this course, has a reputation of quite quick, on a dual carriageway between rugby and coventry, but surprisingly quiet. 30mph plus at the 5 mile turn, but part due to a lengthy downhill to the roundabout (where I was fastest on the day!). But climbing back up it was a slog, not a 2 or 3% climb but significantly more, and then 3 miles still to go at the top. Recovered well, and retained power. Good result.

Won my Commonwealth Games competitor in 19-11 (20-25 para mi). A13 ranking now, moving up!

EAST ANGLIA VTTA 25 - CAMBOURNE - F2A/25 - 24th July 2022

 6th OVERALL; 2nd STANDARD

Currently one of the quicker 25 courses, although compared to the currently inactive alternatives, it is not up to that speed, but not bad....did a 50min dead last season but an unhelpful cross wind - so no help either way really, really made it tough, with a 50min enough to win. Completed the race in just a shade over 51 mins in 6th position, but pipped by Kev Tye on standard.

In addition I felt terrible at the start, with a super dry mouth...really forced the race out...KA 😉

Excellent write up by the cerebral Andy Grant on FB too...

SHAFTESBURY 50 - CAMBRIDGE - 17th July 2022

 9TH OVERALL; 1ST (male) ON STANDARD 

Annually considered one of the top 50m TT races outside the CTT National Champs. Only 2 or 3 years ago, the cutoff for 150 riders was 1h 50m!! This year, there were only approximately 90 entrants, a sign of the demise of time trailing this year. And predicted to be on one of the hottest days in history (it was the following day and then again the day after), I was fortunate for once in going off relatively early (0840)...before the race (with Angela) we had no interest or enthusiasm in racing...but made the start line!

Four circuits, on the first I struggled with motivation but attempted to persevere, and use my depths of psychology to keep going....it did not get any easier, but swearing at myself I was determined not to pack in....power sitting just above 300w - when the target was more like 310w....finished in an acceptable 1-45-34, 9th overall and agin punching above my ranking for the 3rd race running. 👍

Did not have the extreme heat (mid 30s by 2pm) but it defo heated up on the last lap...🥵

Later discovering that in the last 6 miles (the return form the Gibbet roundabout), I was 3rd fastest, and really close to the first two, taking chunks out of those that finished between 3rd and 8th....of course, meaning, I underperformed before and had far too much left!! 🙄

No more 50s though now.....😜

ROSS ON WYE 25 - USK S WALES - 10th July 2022

 8th OVERALL ; 3RD ON STANDARD

An early morning start on what was a gorgeous Summer day, before some really high temperatures. ☀️Hoping for a fast time with a NE light to moderate wind....but again, it was more a "treacle day", 😫 as was the consensus in the HQ after....knowing to try and hot the turn into the wind, as close as possible to 30mph average, and then hope that tail really speeded things up....unfortunately the average speed was well down....and as hard as I could on the return, especially the last 7 miles....it just was not happening....🙄

This was the consensus, as stated above with everyone, except Conrad Moss who recorded a PB and almost broke the course record....a change in conditions (he was 70 mins after me) or simply a remarkable performance, perhaps a little of both! Well done that man!! 💪

I finished on 51-28 8th overall, and beaten by Conrad and Angela C (of course) on standard....

Two pints of cold lager on a sizzling day later next to the River Usk and all was forgotten!! 🍻😜

EAST ANGLIAN VTTA SERIES 10 - NEWMARKET - 6th July 2022

 6TH OVERALL; 1ST ON STANDARD

So some midweek gratutitous time chasing in deepest Cambridgeshire - although I did visit friends fairly nearby too! But not to be, the locals post race, stating that a NNW wind is the worst possible, as head wind out, and no help back (and felt like a headwind at times). Also was very sticky...finished though in 6th place, and beating Richard Oakes for the first time on "standard"....actual time 20-17....so not bad....😜

Interesting on warm up on rollers, there was a rocking on the front end and an associated squeaking 🤷‍♂️....at start of race, I felt that the steering was attempting to go slightly left and right...and at one point sat up....decided it was a cross wind (although for my weight it has to be super strong for that to happen)....anyhow, continued....but later back in Sheffield, discovered that the bolts from the fork were loose attached to the cockpit FFS!!! Could've been a disaster.... 🤯

NATIONAL CLOSED CIRCUIT VTTA CHAMPIONSHIPS - 10M - GOODWOOD MOTOR CIRCUIT - CHICHESTER - 2nd July 2022

 6th OVERALL ; 1ST ON STANDARD (NATIONAL (male) VTTA CHAMPION)

Rather convenient being the home town of Angela. Did not really plan to do this race early season but fitted in well...4 plus laps of the circuit with sweeping bends enabling continuous tuck...some fresh side winds on one bend required some caution. But, at last - seemed to be in control, hurt like...but hit acceptable power (353w 358NP), with almost identical laps, and also for timings..in fact slightly quicker and greater power on last lap. Won the Championship by over 30 seconds, but 6th overall was very pleasing. No bloody jersey nor Champion's cap! 🏆🥇

Angela of course won the women's and overall, even when just returning to some form (hopefully).