June 20th, Not So Lumpy RR
Given the lack of 3rd / 4th category races in the region this week, I had in a moment of keenness entered the E,1,2,3 race up by Preston. I think it was the fact it was called the 'Not So Lumpy RR' that must have clinched the deal, before I later realised it was Bashall Eaves.
I'd been discussing this with Jason earlier in the week at Oulton Park and he had come out with a comment along the lines of 'You idiot, why didn't you just have the weekend off from racing and watch the football with a beer'. It was with these words still ringing in my ears that I met up with Jimmy Frog for the short blast up the motorway. On arrival we met up with Chris Siepen, club fast man, who was already there and wondering if he had sufficient miles in the legs for this 75 miler.
While signing on the reality of the race was hitting home as it included the odd riders from some of the countries top teams including Endra, Raleigh, Sigma and Rapha. It was going to be a real test to keep my record of finishing every race this year in no worse than the bunch. Still at least it would give me an idea how I was really going, I can't hide in the 3rd / 4th category races forever I guess...
After what was a rather lengthy briefing by the commissaire we rolled out through Longridge to the start. As soon as the neutralised zone ended and before we'd even hit the circuit proper the pace was fairly high, so I was slightly surprised to see Jimmy Frog having a little dabble up a small rise. He must have been feeling good! Feeling good or not his little dabble didn't last long and as the pace continued to hot up Jimmy was quickly reeled in.
As everyone, well everyone with ideas of winning as opposed to survival, appeared to be marking the Sigma rider a move went clear. The move established a 30 second gap as the pace in the bunch went up and down as other riders tried to break clear. Before much more than two laps were complete a smaller group also went clear. These two groups came together up the road in what was to prove the key move for the day and continued to build on their lead over the next couple of laps.
I should make clear I was not in any danger of being in any of these moves and was making do with sitting in the bunch. With the move now clear and out of bunch cam range, I'll leave it to the 'proper race report' on the British Cycling website to explain what went on upfront, while I tell of life in the bunch.
At some point I must have been struggling as I said to Jimmy 'I'm on borrowed time here'. Still I made the second ascent of Bashall Eaves without too much discomfort and having seen a few decent riders disappear out the back thought I must have been going 'okay' even if I knew I wasn't on a great day.
The third time up Bashall Eaves though I definitely was anything but okay, I don't think the pace was much higher than the previous laps but I was in a bad patch, with the wearing circuit beginning to take its toll on me. I slipped to the back of the bunch up early on the climb and a gap started to open to the wheel in front that was Chris. Any semblance of style was left back at the bottom of the climb as I heaved the bike to the top of that first part any way I could. As the gradient slackened off I managed to make back a few yards only to lose them again a few moments later. Chris knew I was in trouble and managed to spare the energy to shout some encouragement at me, it was much appreciated and had the desired affect as I dug in a bit harder. I was truly and rather disappointingly on the limit and as we went past the feed near the top of the climb the gap was opening yet again. This set the scene for the next half mile as I would just about make contact only for the road to rise a fraction and fall back again.
Looking back it must have been hilarious to watch if you were in one of the following cars as I did my best impression of a yo-yo. They probably had some bets on if I was really gone each time... Still I had the last laugh, I think, as I clawed my way back one final time and as we finally hit a descent I used it to move up nearer the front.
After that effort I got through my bad patch and started to feel better again, although still didn't feel like venturing off the front. As we went over the climb a lap later I was still fearing the worst but halfway up I realised I was still in the middle of the bunch and it wasn't so bad. So we rode round for a while and I even did a couple of turns at the front, although soon decided that was not such a good idea if I wanted to finish the race.
Not much exciting was happening now and at some point a small group went away and Jimmy Frog looked to go with it but unfortunately the ship had sailed and Jimmy had left his power creep across just too late and was left to rejoin me in the bunch. Unfortunately it was just me as Chris had decided that with just under 2 laps to go he'd had enough and that more miles were needed.
Still Jimmy need not have been too disappointed in missing that move as after the five laps on the large circuit we entered the smaller circuit for a finishing circuit and that small group came back in ones and twos. At this point I was feeling quite good as we'd settled into a fairly decent but steady pace, I even contemplated more turns but thought that I'd probably only slow them down so just sat in.
All to sudden the finish was upon us before I even realised what we were sprinting for. To be honest we were probably only going for a place just inside the top 20. Still I passed a few guys that had faded and finished quite well up in the bunch with Jimmy coming in a few places behind.
Overall I quite enjoyed the race, well ride round. You couldn't really say I had raced, yes, I'd suffered and hung on but I didn't contribute anything to the event and certainly hadn't attacked. Still one step at a time and it had at least showed me how much further I've got to go. Hopefully in the E/1/2 CDNW at Pimbo in a couple of weeks I'll be able to go with a couple of moves...