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). 

SALFORD CC 25 - CHESHIRE - 25th June 2022

 7TH OVERALL ; 1ST STANDARD; 2nd VET

Bit of a cockup weekend. Plan was for Angela to do the National CTT 50m Champs on Teeside and stay with me, while I hopped across the big 'ill to do this race...but the best laid plans and all that....Angela stayed darn surf, unable to ride...so I popped over and did this again...a rural course, can be busy with traffic...and did get held up twice on the first lap. Good news, although defo not 100% mojo, my 5 mile splits were bizarrely identical at 325w (329 NP) so not bad....finished 7th,  1st on standard and 2nd vet...a tad down on the top 5 I wanted, and am capable of....but progress, and another race done!

Went straight down to that London after, to say with old (and old) Uni best pal, Gaston - main reason for Chilli Peppers gig at the Olympic Stadium...bit of well earned R&R! 🍻

HARWORTH 9.3 - RANSKILL NOTTS - 14th June 2022

 1st OVERALL

Simply needing more races, physical fitness is there, just need that race fitness and the mental strength that will develop. So, back to my favourite mid week "Club 10" in my training vicinity. Smashed out a course PB of 19-50, won too...although not important...power down though on last time, but could be a battery issue....but again felt pretty strong again, and better than Saturday. Small steps....

WITHAM 10 - SLEAFORD LINC - 11th June 2022

 2nd EQUAL OVERALL; FIRST STANDARD

After nearly two hot weeks in Mallorca with Angela, returned to this low key 10, with the boys in the club. Felt like a very first race again, was in pain by half way, and last mile was tortuous....not sure how I finished...however, on returning to the HQ, discovered I was 2nd equal with Mr Guilor, and Stuart (Wells) from the team won...really surprised. And with Tony (Nash) we won the team prize too. However the body has to really get back to race fitness...just tooo painful!

NORTHAMPTON 25 - ST NEOTS - 28th May 2022

 9th OVERALL; 1ST STANDARD

Return visit to this rural twisty course, not my forte. Mojo not high, but know I must get races under my belt...2 plus laps, even thought of bailing after one lap, very briefly of course. Felt OK, probably rode conservatively, due to lack of confidence. Finished in 9th place, where expected according to Spindata...and only a few seconds slower than last year in 55-23....won Standard. 

HARWORTH 9.3 - Ranskill - 24th May 2022

 1st Overall; Course PB 19-56

My "comfort blanket" of a course...on affectively my training area, in fact the last 2 miles is on my standard 4 min effort route! 

Compared to Saturday, could not have contrasted any more...felt strong, smooth, consistent and increased power in 2nd half to where I would expect. Broke 20 mins for the first time, taking nearly 30 secs off my course PB (from 2017 though) and winning on the night. More importantly I felt good and I got another race under my belt.

LRRA 10 (LINCOLN) - Nr Lincoln - 21st May 2022

 8th Overall; 1st on Standard; 1st Team - Lincolnshire Champs

Third race, but first 10 since crash comeback. AND...as we all know, these shorter V02 Max efforts are far bloody tougher than the longer races...like starting the season again, the body was in a right state. By even 5 miles I was unsure how I could finish, and somehow got through particularly the last three miles...really fvckin hurt, like you would not do it again!! 🤪

Finished 8th overall, actually only a handful of seconds slower than last year...but defo down on normal expectation.

Won the team title with Stuart and Andy, well supported by Tony. 🏆

NATIONAL VTTA 50M CHAMPIONSHIPS - Abergavenny - Monmouth - 14th May 2022

 8th Overall; 2nd in Championship

Really not expecting to be able to race this event due to the earlier crash and injuries, but somehow got to the start line. Must admit, before the race I was not overly enthusiastic...but had to motivate myself for the start line. Felt like I was going pretty well, power started where I wanted it, but it did drop ultimately to 294w which is  probably about 12w minimum at where I should be at least. 

Completed in a time of 1-49-09, some 2 mins slower than my slowest attempt (of three previous races) on this course, but hoped in the Standard comp, it would be good enough to steal the National jersey? Alas, no...2nd by just 14 seconds from Chris McNamara who in fairness deserved to win (well...😉) by nearly breaking the course record and breaking 1-40 on his actual time.

Cannot deny I didn't take it well, although, many plaudits for even making the start line...but that doesn't equate to a winners jersey!! 😫

Must add that a certain young lady was hot on my heels, barely 15 secs behind me...Angela Carpenter, amazing ride by her...and won the overall Championship, again! Well done that girl 😘

FROM THE VTTA WEBSITE

The 50 Mile Championship saw some very fast times on an afternoon that was warm, sunny and dry. A southerly breeze, however, was quite gusty at times, and made conditions less than ideal. The R50/1B course features two laps between Abergavenny and Monmouth, mainly on dual carriageway but with a rolling 5 mile section on a country road that adds to the challenge. 

The men’s championship was a very tight finish with the top three within just 31 seconds of each other on standard and Vets Handicap Result (VHR).  Christopher McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT) took the gold medal with the fastest actual time on the day of 1:39:54, only 38 seconds short of the course record. Silver went to Keith Ainsworth (Lindsey Roads Cycling Club), a specially commendable ride given his recent return from a training accident, and bronze went to David Shepherd (..a3crg). Their VHR times were 1:37:08, 1:37:22, 1:37:39. A very close finish indeed!

In the women’s championship Angela Carpenter continued her unbeatable form with a stunning time of 1:49:24 giving her a VHR of 1:30:30. This was a new course record and a Welsh record by more than 2 minutes. Angela’s fellow ..a3crg team members Claire Emons and Sarah Matthews took the silver and bronze medals respectively giving them a clean sweep of the podium.

SHEFFREC 25 - Hatfield Woodhouse - 7th May 2022

POST "THE CRASH" 😫💥🙈

5TH OVERALL; 1ST VETS STANDARD

Just 3 days after my last race, whilst training "out east" (12th April) - went flying over the bars, after doing a full bore 10 sec effort as part of a warm up, cleat came out of right pedal. Awoke after short unconsciousness and eventually was ambulanced to the Northern General...X-Rays and CT Scan proved no breaks nor head damage (well, no more than normal) but clearly ligament, joint and soft tissue issues...couldn't sleep laying down for 3 days....after 5 days realised could turn the indoor trainer, and within 10 days was doing some hard sessions....so....

Barely 4 weeks since my crash, and racing already. Went outdoors on the previous Tuesday for a 75 min spin, then did some easing in threshold efforts on Wednesday on TT bike. Followed close advice of physio Rob Leckie, which I thought was rather optimistic, but he proved to be spot on...pain still there, but no chance of regression and manageable (actually more so outdoors than in tuck position on indoor trainer). Also aligned with Richard setting me an indoor programme to keep the fitness levels reasonable.

As expected though, although completed ok...usual numbers quite down at 319w (20w down on last year) and at least a minute down on time...finished 5th overall...but good to get back outdoors and a race under the belt. Last 5+ miles was very tough, when normally I finish strong....won the team prize |(if there was one!). Really did not expect tp race at all in May!

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!!💪