Off to Newmarket at the end of a tiring week in order to try to lop off some seconds from my entry time. The outward-bound section was harder due to the fairly strong wind, but otherwise it was a pleasant afternoon for "giving it a go"! I got to halfway in 32:34 but recovered some of my losses with a fast return although the cramp in my shoulder did prove to be a minor hindrance.
Failed the others yet again. Four of us turned up as private entrants, and three came away with PB's.
It was the first attempt on a non-HW course for both PaulM & LeeM and GarethW had some unfinished business on this track after his start line puncture last year. My only comfort was that I equalled my course PB set in 2011. (23:29) PW.
Met up with Alex & John for a jolly day out in deepest Essex. Fantastic weather - for a while. Headed SE from Long Melford to Holbrook and then headed SW to Manningtree before zooming down to Harwich. The west from Holbrook was interesting asat that point we saw the black clouds that had been behind us, and that's what caused the zooming. The storms were heading north and could we escape them? No.
This course is on the single carriageway A4 just west of Maidenhead, and it wasn't much fun. The first couple of miles were OK although competing with all the other road users made it all the more complicated. Then the course descended, on an uneven surface. Not so bad but this meant that there was a long climb on the return - into a strong wind. Overall I was happy with my time of 25:25 but probably wouldn't do this one again! And the journey back was a pig. 26\44. PW.
2:08:57 was neither brilliant nor poor but I learned a lot from this and confirmed much more. After about 35 miles the pain in my shoulders and (left) shoulder to elbow was more than this kid found easy to bear. The number of seating positions on a TT bike is limited and being stuck in one posture does cause grief. If I'd trained for this it wouldn't have been a problem but I'm only doing this as a break from the slower endurance stuff.
It was my first venture into leading a cat 3 and I was feeling a bit nervous. The main advantage of leading is the chance to direct the pace, especially as I was still a bit under the weather from the previous day's race.
We started from Hertford and went out via Datchworth, Walkern, Gravely, Hitchin, Ickleford and then shot up the A600 to Henlow and Southill. Other cycle groups were at the cafe, but we had a table reserved and we soon made ourselves comfortable.
