Leicestershire RC 50 - 26th June 2021 - nr Newark

 5th Overall; 4th Vet & 1st Standard

Optimistic after the mid week Club race at Ranskill, but this was a true test....with some of the guys who have beaten me or been closer than normal recently on the startsheet....downside was there was a rather healthy NE wind, meaning a tough return headwind for 13 miles, so a fast time was unlikely. Bit annoying too, my power meter failed before the race, so rode it rather "blind" I guess (I blame cheap batteries from IKEA)....anyhow finished in a very similar time as my other two races on there this last few weeks, but a better ride because of that wind? Well, I think so, as a few riders behind me that I was hoping for, but pal Ian G took a good minute out of me...although Ian is quality, and can turn out a cracking ride on his day...so inconclusive, but I'm sure in the correct direction! 😎 

HARWORTH 10 CLUB NIGHT - 22nd June 2021 - Ranskill

 1st Overall

Race bike all in one piece now, so new tub on my front trim wheel, and also asked "Kip" to check all the bearings and drive mechanisms...no excuses now...so what better than an informal mid week club night, and especially where I train anyway. Due to traffic lights the course was shortened to 8.8M, smashed it from the start, and returned some great numbers (369W) with what seemed like a decent winning time of 18-35...hard to quantify, but pal who beat me in the earlier F11/10 race was approx 30 seconds behind me in 2nd - just an indication, but seemed positive. Really need some quality open races to assess.

Ah, forgot! The longest Strava segment for the shortened course is below, so again, only an indication but looks good! 😜

NATIONAL VTTA 50M TT (and F11/10) - 12th & 13th June 2021 - Cambourne Cambs

VTTA 50: 10th overall; 2nd on Standard

 F11/10: 51st overall ; 21st vet and 2nd on Standard (disaster!) 😫

National VTTA Silver Medal 🥈

One learns that TT can be all about fine margins. My previously reported punctured front tub could not be replaced in time, so I was forced to borrow a wheel....or pull out of the weekend races. Arguably the highest profile races of my season so far, I borrowed a wheel...best I got (and I am grateful) was an early version of clincher HED3, that had literally been sat in an attic for over 10 years....I replaced the tyre with a 25mm Vitoria Corsa, but on a 19mm rim....little did I know this is a big aero no no....creates a "bulb" like affect, and is worse on the front tyre, apparently...after the weekend this came from multiple sources...🤷‍♂️

So, estimated I was at least 30 secs down on the 10, and at least 3 mins on the 50.....recording a 20-04 & 1-46-28 - using Professor Hindsight, these estimates were pretty good if not quite conservative.

On the positive side, I did record a 50 mile power average PB of 305W, and knocked out a 356W on the 10m, so fitness not an issue...my thoughts at this time were, if I was a footy team, that was not winning but training really well, that very soon, some other team is going to get a battering! Read on, to see if that materialised? 😜

Still managed the silver in the National VTTA as of course it is based on Standard, and beaten well anyway by the inspirational Andrew Grant...no complaints there, but would have been nice to have at least put a challenge in! 

Performance of the day though was by my pal Angela Carpenter who recorded 1-46-34, the sixth fastest ever time by a female athlete, and at the age of 52, and arguably not on the fastest course...quite stunning...and to prove it was no fluke, Angela recorded a 1-47 on a very windy Breckland 50 just 2 weeks later....super inspirational performances! 👏💪

Angela Carpenter - on the way to her scintillating 1-46!

MELTON OLYMPIC CC 25 - 5th June 2021 - Nr Newark

 10th overall; 7th Vet; 2nd on Standard!

A return to the A25/34 course, so a good compare with the first race this season, although I lost my power on warm up, my HR was ok, and its now my fifth race, my speed is not getting the times I expect, feeling that approx a minute slower than expected. Finished with 51-51 (almost same as last time). 👎

However, midweek discovered a flat front tub....and as I was rushing home to watch some footy (the Euros), I only rode about 1/2 mile from the finish line to my car, so possibly / probably had a slow puncture in the latter stages of the race, although I'll never know. 🤷‍♂️

NORTHAMPTON '25' - 29th May 2021 - Near Sandy Beds

 8th Overall; 3rd Vet; 1st Standard

Bit of a trek to what was actually Bedfordshire, irrespective of the name of the race (was part of a Northampton based series). so, my fourth race, so in theory should be flying by now...little difficult to assess as this was 2 plus laps of a rural twisty course, but power fine, and with a single comparison with a 

racer that beat me by over a minute at Newark, but only seconds in front here, it was at least an indication of progress. Raced it rather madly though, decided to go off hard and trust my no fear pain attitude to hold on, sort of worked, but last few miles were tough, and also the bumpiest. Anyhow, finished 8th, 3rd vet and first on standard...not a fan of these course types, although there is a push for more of them, your standard 'tester' I do not think is really interested? 🤔🙄

Oh, I tried to erase from my mind, pro rider, and arguably the top tester in the UK at the moment, Jon Archibald started off scratch and 5 mins behind me, he caught me at about 23 miles....😳

LINCOLN WHEELERS 10 - Saturday 22nd May 2021

11th Overall ; 2nd Vet; 1st on Standard

In my pursuit of getting those first few races under my belt, when for some reason I know I won't perform at full gas, and will forget about them by mid season....but needs to be done. Great setting on the escarpment that runs N-S not that far from Lincoln, great views on the westerly facing flatlands! 

Anyhow, coolish day, and started raining just as I set off, briefly...weird one, just could not get the power up for the first 5 miles (345W) but on the return, whacked it up to 358W...mmm very strange, hoped for a sub 21 mins in this semi SPOCO rolling course but finished with 21-17, in 11th spot overall, 2nd vet but first easily on standard.

Interesting observation recently has been the number of very young talented riders - I mean very young, assume due to COVIS and currently little road racing, their teams are sending them to TT events...this was won by a 16 year old in a course record, but with hardly anyone above 25 in the first 8 or so. Good for the future! 💪🚴‍♂️

 

SHEFFIELD PHOENIX CLUB NIGHT - Cuckney 10 - 18th May 2021

 1st Overall

Informal, really friendly and relaxed classic mid week club night at Cuckney...not really important on who wins, my main target was getting another race under my belt, but of course, smashing it out too to test my state in a 10 miler (often the worst, such is the intensity). 

I've never really raced well on this semi sporting course, I'm possibly slightly too heavy for it....anyhow, did a commendable 21-09 (about the same as my best) with a rather deceptive head wind on the return...but surprisingly broke my 20 min power average best for a 10m TT (362w with 366 NP)..I'm getting stronger! Also, even mid season I've suffered badly on this course, but managed the pain really well....strong and consistent...perhaps there is even another gear? Won the race by some margin....but great indicator again...for future races. 🤷‍♂️💪

From FB:

NOTTS & E MIDLANDS 50M - 15th May 2021 - Newark

 13th OVERALL 1st on STANDARD

After "retiring" again post 2020, I line up again, although in fairness this was the closest I've got to packing it in. On Christmas Day, living in Mallorca,  there was barely a 1% chance of racing (if the situation remained the same) - alas it did not 💔, but even in January there was only a 50/50 chance...in the interim before New Year, I badly struggled up Sa Calobra with barely a 290w average 20 mins with a HR of 196....some reflection of fitness, but there were some other more influential mitigation reasons 🍺🍷🚬 - it was a wake up call....

In the New Year I started introducing "appropriate" sessions occasionally, such as Fartlek (a running methodology really, but adapted on the bike, by basically hitting any and every incline HARD, and low Z2 in between for approx 2 hours non stop - really tough but masochistically enjoyable), solid upper tempo rides (2-3 hours), longer low Z2 rides (3-5) and in poor weather, tempo => sweet spot => threshold pyramid sessions on my turbo (1 hour!). - trying to create that balance through the zones and getting away from cafe rides - introducing "variation"! How many cafe tootles can one person do? 😂- as well as continuing decent social (cafe 😝) rides. 

In late March I contacted my man Richard to discuss a possible race season but more importantly what state was I in, was it worth it?: his response was promising, I was pretty strong but lacking balance, but with 8 weeks work it should not be problem. After 4 weeks we had an appraisal - Richard jokingly suggested I needed drug testing (it's not the first time that has been suggested btw... a compliment of course, and in cycling  a badge of honour (well, that's actually getting "juiced up, and then write a book"!)😜💪...back to clean me, I'd created a new 20 min average wattage best, and indicators such as "drift" on longer rides were really encouraging....but of course it all "means nothing unless there's a number on yer back!" 😉

So...the first race....back to where I won the National Vets 25 last race....better conditions on this day, with some great times but for me, 80 seconds down on where I was in October (51-47 vs 50-20), with a number of guys beating me this time, and others too close just behind...but no worries! My power (342w) was slightly better than last October, and HR solid too....just hoping (as per every year) it takes approx 4 races for the stars to align...especially the positioning and all those aero implications with getting back on the bike. So, not overly concerned - I would be if it were the 6th race. As a bonus absolutely smashed the Standard competition by over a minute...possible to return here in early June, be good to compare, but unlikely to have such good weather conditions (relatively, it was bloody freezing though!).

Three broke 48 mins - Adam Duggleby and two youngsters, and pal Darren Yarwood had an amazing 49-38...so it was a fairly quick day...come on Ainsworth, speed up!! 😜

 END OF SEASON REPORT - 2020

Well, what a year 2020 was? 🙄 Travelling out to Mallorca for my regular 6 week training block at the end of February, to a 'rescue flight' and lockdown in the UK. Fortuneatly by the nature of TT, there was a chance that some racing may commence...and so it did, in July...but with necessary restrictions impacting the normal social side in the HQs, and 'clip in' on the bike at the start...aaagh!

Still, managed 11 races, with the following highlights:

• Won National VTTA 50mile Champs by over 1 minute
• Won National VTTA 15mile Champs by over 1 minute
• Won National VTTA 25 mile outright (although rather bizarrely only 2nd on standard 🙄)
• Won National VTTA Short Distance BAR
• Won bronze at National VTTA 10m Champs
• Broke National Age 25m record, with yet another near sub 50 minutes
• Three additional top 5's in open races (over 30 in three years now)
• Broke my power average bests for both 10m (360+) and 25m (340+)

So, considering that at one point there was unlikely to be any races, managing eventually eleven races quite rescued the season...rather an understatement 😊

NATIONAL VTTA 25M CHAMPIONSHIPS - Newark - 17th October 2020

FIRST OVERALL!! 🏆💪 (but 2nd on Standard 😳🙄😳)

Finally, in this crazy year, the last race of the season, the rescheduled National Vets 25M TT Champs near Newark....arguably saving my best race (if not ever) to last...placing a huge fly in my annual “not sure if I’ll race a another season” tedious discussion (as close friends also annually roll their eyes, shut their ears 

and ignore me 😝)- in fairness I was planning a slow route to my daughters wedding in NZ for February, where anything to do with a bike could well have been less than secondary  - that is of course on hold for the moment   🍺🕺

Anyhow the race, pleasantly shocked to cross the line in a rather speedy (48kph) 50mins20secs on which is only a moderately quick course, returning to the HQ to discover I was the winner outright 🥇....and as a bonus broke the National Age record. Was rather stunned for a short while.

 
Slightly tarnished by actually being only second in the official Championship which is awarded by adjusted age weighting, losing to the mercurial 90 year old Ron Hallam by well over 2 minutes....well done Ron 🙄

Also well done to Angela Carpenter for winning the ladies Championship and overall....a regular dominating occurrence 👏
Thanks to the organisers for persevering and rescheduling after the original postponement, and also to #ianchapmanphotography capturing my pain in the very last 1/2 mile of the race.

To all those that race, have a great Winter and let’s hope we can return to an improved world next year....such madness at the moment, I can feel Mallorca beckoning - adios! 👍

FOOTNOTE: (Above from FB)....cracking performance, but surprised at the time when crossed the line, these last few races really got into a "defeat pain" mindset, with confidence I can keep a very high output but be confident no matter what I won't lose much time or blow out. Really proud prior to be given the scratch number of 120 - not the first time, but never before in a National championship....and produced the goods! Beer and burger after with Katie in the Wisewood Inn to celebrate today and the end of the season.

Full results Velo UK

SEACROFT WHEELERS 10 - Selby - 11th October 2020

 4th OVERALL

Due to the National Vets 25 getting pushed back to the 17th October, the season has been unfortunately extended, difficult when psychologically one had geared up for the grand finale on the 3rd! With great hesitation decided to await that National, but also found this fairly local '10' to fill the gap!

Arriving on a stunning Autumnal day, so cold and sunny but with a stiff (16mph) very cold NW wind...mainly a cross wind on an exposed course on quite busy single carriageways (2 miles of which was on the main Selby York A19 road), Arriving with little enthusiasm, especially with the cold, but once warmed up and away....really smashed it with an average of 360w - and actually hitting 360+ w on the return 5 miles.

Getting 4th overall and smashed the standard placings....really pleased, illustrates my mental capacity on a day when I was not really that enthused! Good prep and shows still in top form for next weeks National. 💪

NATIONAL VTTA '15' CHAMPIONSHIPS - North Shropshire - 20th September 2020

NATIONAL CHAMPION!

North of Shewsbury on the A53, out and back to Tern Hill roundabout, semi sporting but very smooth...brisk head wind on way out, and more ascent on way out especially first part....rode super efficiently (for once) with 5 mile splits of 352W (NP) exactly....best I could do, thought probably enough to beat Matt Bottrill on standard, and it was! As Matt unfortunately DNSd....won by over a minute on standard and 6th on actual in 31-50. First on actual was Mark Holton (unknown to me but ex National RTTC Champion and from Lytham St Annes!) in 30-30 (2nd on standard). Well chuffed to get my 3rd National Champions jersey! 🏆💪

Q&A From the VTTA Quarterly Magazine - September 2020

NATIONAL VTTA 10M CHAMPIONSHIPS - Newbury - 12th September 2020

 3rd in Championship; 12th Overall

Gnarly, twisty course with regular gradient changes led to difficulty in maintaining rhythm and form, but same for all I guess...gave it my all anyway, and was in the deep red a good 2-3 miles out....but will beaten by the amazing Richard Oakes (aged 51) who broke 20 mins and was very close to the course record of Michael Hutchison (from victory in the CTT National in 2009, when Hutch was at his peak)....30 secs off Richard with standard, and pushed into 3rd spot by a trike (🙄😡) - on the podium again so cannot complain.🥉

See official report below.