Saturday evening was a 25 mile time trial. Who said cyclists don’t have a good social life, eh?
It was quite a nice evening (by 2013 standards anyway) though a stiff northerly wind made it hard out to the turn. On the way back, it felt ridiculously fast. I averaged 54 kmph for the first 7 mile return leg. However, at the Cricklade turn, it was hard to go back into the wind, and see the speed considerably drop. I finished the 25 miles in a time of 51.20, which was just good enough for first place. It was my first 25 miler of the year, and quite a respectable time, though the U47/C on the Cirencester bypass is usually a quick course.
I had (rather foolhardily) entered a 10 mile TT, the following Sunday morning, so I had intended to leave pretty quick, but I cycled back to the HQ near Ashton Keynes, where a game of cricket was still in progress. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between a game of cricket and cycling. I used to play cricket, and to my illustrious sporting palmeres, we can include the highly prestigious Menston CC, under 13 fielder of the year award (I think on the basis I was the only one who made a catch that season). When young, I was actually quite fanatical about cricket, but I never really had a good experience playing. It seemed to involve an awful lot of standing around not doing very much. It’s OK, if you can bat all day, but if you’re middling to rubbish (like me) you don’t get much of a look in. My stick like arms, weren’t really built for smashing balls to boundaries. At least with cycling, even if you’re not very good, you don’t spend several hours twiddling your thumbs down at third man.
Anyway, back to the cycle event. After the race, I got chatting to Keith Williams of the Oxford City RC. Keith finished right at the other end of the results table to me, 71st place in a time of 1.13.53 – still not bad for a Vet 70. Keith is a stalwart of the local time trial scene and I often see him out at race; age doesn’t seem to have dimmed his enthusiasm. As I’m preparing to take the 12 hour plunge later in August, I asked him if he ever did a 12 hour time trial? to which he replied ’14!’ with a large smile. Not only that, but Keith once beat the mighty Ray Booty (Booty of the first sub 4 hour 100 mile fame). If that doesn’t sound impressive, imagine saying you beat Roger Bannister (first sub 4 minute mile) in a 12 hour running race. With a smile, Williams said that day he was starting 1 minute ahead of the great Booty and for the next 12 hours he kept expecting Booty to come past. But, Booty never did, and Keith Williams said he did the greatest ride of his life – 250 miles, (it should be said that was all long before the days of tribars or any of that Jazz. To put it into context, Keith was doing 58 minute 25 mile TT at that time.) As a nice footnote, Williams remembers the great Booty coming unto him after and saying ‘good ride, young chap’ (or something like that). People always did say Booty was a great rider and gentleman to boot.
I also got to chat to the organiser of the Gloucester City CC event – the great and enthusiastic Gerry McGarr. Gerry and his Gloucester team did a great event. Lots of marshals on the different turns. I also met a really keen time trial enthusiast, who had just taken up time trialling; he asked me for some tips to do faster 25 miles. With a mostly straight face, I advised a diet of 2,000 metres of climbing at very high speed, every other day. It didn’t do me any harm. Poor chap, I think he was trying to work out if I was serious or not.
Oxford City RC 10 mile TT
After, getting back at nearly 10pm, there wasn’t too much time for rest and recovery before getting up again. The problem with racing in the evening, is that it’s harder to sleep. Your heart still seems to be pumping even though your body needs sleep.
As the course was in Witney, I rode out to the event (inspired by talk of 12 hour TTs, I needed to take those opportunities to get the miles in).
I didn’t expect too much from the race, seeing it as more training than anything. I soon as I started, I got that feeling that it wasn’t going to be quick. Sometimes, you start, and you know you’re on form. Other times, like today, you start, and you know it’s going to be a struggle. The A40 dual carriageway seemed deserted at 8am on Sunday morning. With an uphill headwind, it felt more like a sporting course than a fast drag strip. The return leg was decent, but still couldn’t quite get the legs going. I still did 20.57 for 5th place. Anyway, it’s nice to race without any pressure, I had a few nice cakes courtesy of Oxford City RC and a good chat to a few locals. It was organised by another relative newcomer to the sport Paul Allday. Paul is trying to get under the hour for the first time (at 25 miles) I offered some more useful advice of a training diet of 2,000 metres climbing every other day, but I’m starting to realise I won’t make much money as a cycle coach.
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