SERRL#3, NatB Elite/1/2/3, Chilham circuit Kent, 125km

You know, when I watched Gent-Wevelgem this afternoon, it felt like having a deja-vu, just that we had non stop rain at the SERRL race. From the off mental speed, with 80+ km/h down a wet descent which I didnt know. So after only 4k I found myself dropped by some margin, with the gales hitting 45 degrees head on. Burned my first match for getting back on. Lesson learned, always do recce, even if in car! As I got back on 10 or so must have gone off the front. When I got nearer the front of the field, after first lap (of 6) grupettos started peeling off in similar fashion to what we saw at G-W today.
After half race then I piled in two attacks, one which saw me dangling 150m ahead for a while before I got pulled back, second attack I had company and third one eventually succeeded, as it turns out later, James Local was one of our campanions, also a Catford, a Dulwich and PMR rider (not Lee, he was in the group behind). We worked ok together and caught all breaks but the first group from early on. Going into last lap we were 12, including Mc Namara, Local and Trek Richardson rider.(others I cant remember). Trek attacked with about 5k to go and I joined him, as I thought we had only 2k to go. We worked well together, taking equal turns and soon were out of sight of our chasers. Where the finish was supposed to be, we were let on a country lane and ffs facing a bugger of a hill. I had no idea where the finish was to be, 300m? 1K, 2K where the f*&$ was the finish? Instead the gradient crept up to 8-10%, right bend, blimey a wall in front of us and he attacks. I had only brought 23 teeth and was churning at less than 60rpm, he made ground , but still no finish. Mc Namara, Local and another 3 guys pass me on the crest, my moral and legs broken, still no finish...must have been another 500m downhill, when I rolled alone over the line. Apparently there were 10 out front including Jamie Pine, followed by the remains of our grupetto with me on 19th overall, looking totally pale grey from the road spray. Not the best ever result, but personally I was really happy being in the mix and part of shaking things up, feeling strong and confident again. Admitted, stupid error about getting the finish wrong. Lap board should never be assumed as location of finish...

results

after the race

Surrey League, Longcross Road Race, cat 2/3, 25 laps 80km

The legendary Longcross test track, formerly owned and operated of the Ministry of Defence and today site of major film studios. As ever, windy conditions and even more dilapidated concrete surface. The race was rather fast, with plenty of activity, all together rather enjoyable compared to last week's Dunsfold race.
Average speed was just below 42km/h no breakaway stuck so we ended in a massive bunch of 90 riders sprinting for glory. I placed 4th with a bike length behind the winner. Happy with the result, as at my age and condition amongst such fresh and fast competition, there is not much more to hope for....

Surrey League, Dunsfold Road Race, cat3, 8 laps, 80km, undulating course

Here we are, with the opening of the Road Racing Season 2015, traditionally with Dunsfold for starters. Would I be able to compete, be part of the race or struggle to hang on? Previous weeks with Kentish Killer and Hillingdon were not really representative of what's required of you in a proper road race.
The race turned out to be a bore, slow, some break away attempts, chasing, slowing down, next breakaway etc. At mid race it was my turn and I bridged over to a break, burned a match or two as I really had to pile in the power to get to those three riders ahead of me or die in-between. I was then joined by a clubmate who also brought a bit more firepower across, only that the aleged firepower decided not to fire. In other words the work was left to David, me and a rider from another club to make this break stick. We whittled the group down to 5 riders before we got caught back some 10km later. This effort had shown its effect, I was chuffed, pissed off and decided to sit in the bunch for the rest of the race. Exactly when we got caught by the peloton, a counter attack happened, with nobody to respond. No, I wasn't able to follow that. Nobody else did. I got so pissed off that I was contemplating abandoning the race with 2 laps to go. I didn't after all, but really had no nerve to sprint for minor places with 4 riders up the road in the breakaway, in particular as these bunch sprints often lead to hairy situations and crashes. But as always, getting into the final kilometer I changed my mind, decided to get involved, hammered from the rear of the peloton right through to the front, entered the final uphill sprint straight in 5th or 6th position and by mid of the hill was in the lead, just to be pipped on the line by one rider, for 6th place overall. Disappointed by the race I decided to ride back home and did another 90km through the beautiful sunny Surrey Hills.

The new season is upon us, Routa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain

Watch this most terrifying crash in the recent Routa del Sol...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTlH8K9Dnmc&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs