Oops!... The last two weeks have simply flown by... I now need to catch up on 4 race reports and sponsorship news ;)
I recently started entering the local midweek club TT series.
Basically, I just want to use these short races, to tweak my position on the bike, test new parts/ ideas, and also keep up to date with my training progress, watching my FTP.
The 5th May saw me enter the first club TT, using 1 lap of the Risby 21 course. I had only raced this once before (the Risby 21TT), and had forgotten how lumpy it was.
I was keen to have a short race, to see how the recent position tweaks have affected my power...
Not a good result!... Despite all my effort, the data showed that I was about 40W down on where I have already tested! Not impressed, I returned home, to direct all the info and see if I could identify the issue. After a lot of searching and I decided that the recent saddle height adjustment had probably been a little too much all at once, so I lowered it a bit...
On the 8th May, I headed up to Dereham, for the Dereham 10M road race. This too had been an eagerly anticipated race. As a part of the Manchester Marathon, I had run through 10 miles faster than my previous 10 mile time from the Freethorpe Ten, 31st January '16.
I was in great shape, strong and well rested. I had decided on my pace and strategy, and couldn't wait for the starter to give the signal...
What I hadn't anticipated, was the extreme heat of the day! How hot!?...
The race for me, went well. I stuck to my guns, and kicked off with my chosen pace, but slowly, over the length of the race, the heat took it's toll and my pace just slowed.
I finished slightly slower the Freethorpe time, with a 1:14:19.
Disappointed, but understanding that this wasn't due to me going off too hard, or changing my strategy, it was just too hot... Simples.
Just three days later found me on GT. Yarmouth Promenade, eagerly awaiting the start of the GYRR 5m series, Race 2...
The weather certainly seemed fair tonight... A light wind, and pleasant, not too warm temperature.
Again, I was expecting a much improved time, this time.
After a short Race Brief, we were quickly started.
I settled down into my rhythm fairly quickly, and just sat in, letting the early faster attackers go, as I know that a fair few will fade on the second lap and be reigned in.
The race was a text book affair, and I melted out my effort perfectly. As I cruised toward the last 100m, I was suddenly aware of have footfall, just behind! Shit! I was under attack, and almost on empty. I kicked for home, picking my knees up and hammering it out.
I could here the feet all the way to the line, but, I never let up, never looked, but the noise didn't get any louder.
So happy to cross the line in 33:12. 3:05 faster than last years quickest 5 mile race time.
Pretty sure I could have gone under 33 mins, had I not raced Sunday.
Sharing a joke with a great running/ race partner, Mark Stone.
The next evening saw me ride over to Horringer, for the Thursday night club TT.
Again, a lumpy course, but, with the saddle a little lower, I could only hope for more power output.
A lovely evening to race. I was happy to come in 7th and record a power output 30W up on the previous week.
On the way home, I had a rear puncture. It was very slow, so I just fired a bottle of CO2 into the rear tyre.
When I went to remove the inflator I discovered that it was too long for the cut out in the disc wheel! not the ideal situation, but it was better than discovering the same during a race!
I managed to pull the inflator off the valve, but did trash the top of the valve core in the process.
I then rode home. On arrival at home I noticed that my Elite Byasi tool bottle had jettisoned on the ride back, and I had lost all my emergency tools.
I jumped in the car and retraced my route, but no success in spotting my tools...
More cash laid out on a whole new kit... But, at least my new inflator won't give me any grief, should I ever need to use it ;)
I have dropped the saddle 2mm more and hope that will be optimum for Sunday's race at the Grafman.
