3 is a magic number

Since I last wrote I 've had a couple of races,The Steve Gutteridge race and the Alford wheelers road race.The latter being best forgotten about.

I'm still ill,still coughing up flo green flem still having snot block my nose but a race is a race and I'm racing I picked up Paul Bell from Rossington and we set off to Alford in the lincolnshire woulds.The field for the race was not as big as some but there was about 30 us A's and B's.

The race started fast and put me under pressure straight away but I held in  there and when it slowed, recovered.The race when the way of many of these races with attacks going off the front only to get caught and counter attacks ensuing.Eventually a break of 5 got clear containing one of the pre race favorites,it took a while for the pack to organize the chase but it got going and we got them back after 2 laps and about 18 miles later but the chase had took it's toll on the bunch and we were down six when we caught them.A bit of negative racing followed with no one wanting to work so I found myself on the front and with no one comming through they allowed me to gain a few seconds then a few more then a guy came across and we started to work together we stayed away for a good lap and a half but were brought back.Almost immediately Rob Mcinnon attacked followed by the favorite followed by me I had to dig deep but got on! sat tight for a couple of turns then it was game on we worked well together gaining a couple of mins on the chase.The finish was a the top of a short rise I led it out from the bottom Rob sprinted, came round me I followed but missed his wheel the other guy got it, but I went again but so did Robin I overtook the other guy but Robin was too strong and took the win and  I was second.

  

Two's a crowd!

Round 3 Ding!!!!!!!
Today saw me and Joe travel to Greetland near Halifax for the Derek Smith memorial road race.The forecast was for overcast skys with showers later on and 12 to 15 mph winds.
We arrived in good time signed on got changed and set off for a lap round the circuit well I did, Joe on the other hand mounted his rollers for his more modern warm up.The curcuit is quite hard it's got a reasonable hill in it, a long straight that's into a block headwind and a very fast back straight and some technical bit's a good hard course and the field today was quality.
Back to the weather, the overcast sky's had turned to rain during my warm up lap and the wind was blowing strong, not unual for up here.The race got under way and from the gun James Sharp went away and no one went with him.The race settled into mini attacks and counter attacks but everything came back together me and Joe tried a few 1'2's but were brought back then with 6 to go Rob Mckinnon attacked I responded but Joe had responded sooner and I eased off and they quickly gained time.For the next three laps the bunch were content to chase down anyone who tried to get away but not to chase down Rob and Joe, the constant attacking in the bunch did bring us close once  and a guy from Clifton cc went off the front I chased again but with little to no help he was away.Three to go I attacked up the hill then attacked the downhill and  I was away, down the fast back straight into the technical section still away then a rider on my wheel quick look behind, just us two, we began working together through and off and soon we were gaining on the Clifton cc guy but not as quickly as I'd hoped?thought?
Last lap gave a little dig on the hill and dropped my companion, knew I'd beat him in the sprint.Into the finish straight we could see Rob and Joe and the Clifton guy just behind. , I tried to get him but to no avail, beat me by 10m.
Joe beat Rob over the line for second I was 5th overall 4th 'A'

Joe Le Sage 2nd
Rob Fowler 5th
Not bad, felt strong,unlucky? Should I have gone with Rob and Joe when he attacked?

Always listen to John Hadfield!

Second race of the season Barton Wheelers Australian Pursuit.Always listen to what John Hadfield tells you he's never wrong!(yet)I remember him telling me it's a waste of time riding this event the Old guys always win it's stacked in their favour but being me I entered it because there was nothing else on and I need to race, anyway he was right and I urge you all listen to what he says.The race is handicapped the first guys go off followed by the next group at various time intervals with the B group setting off at 9mins and the A group at 10 mins behind the start group."A" group was small at 4 riders but if we all could work together we possibly could catch the "B" then there would be a chance to be up there?Anyway with no disrespect to my fellow riders I had to go it alone after 2 laps and chased folornly for 6 laps comming in 30 seconds down on the main bunch.Don't like sour grapes but was told there was a lot draughting going on behind the lead cars?I got a good 35 miles racing in the legs and that's what I need.

Fleche Walltonne...Best of the rest.

A double booked car meant a fraught search for a lift down south to Leicestershire and was solved by ex rutlander Trevor Main (thanks trev).
The journey down was uneventful as you'd expect at 7am on a Sunday morning,the weather was cloudy and cold but no rain. All good. We arrived in plenty of time which is unusual for me!
Trev had left his leg warmers at home in penistone, so I gave mine up in a selfless act. I wasn't going to wear them; I'm hard like that! Instead I opted for Belgian knee warmers.

The race got underway, and almost from the gun 3 or 4 got away. But I'm not worried, there's a long way to go and the favorites are in the bunch. Just follow the wheels.
Half a lap later there's a bit of action. Rider 25 off the front, 2 strong riders start chasing then 2 more fly off the front. Now there's 5 in the break at 20 seconds. Got to go now. Bridge to ten seconds. Nearly there. Flick the elbow, no one comes through, flick again, no one! Then someone's flying past, I'm out of the saddle, trying to get his wheel, I can't get it, and still no one helps out. That's it, they've gone.
But there's still a chance to get them back. It starts,through and off. Four of us at first, then 5 going through. Keep it going! We've got a chance just need a few more to help. Then it starts, a missed turn means there's only 4 of us working then we're down to 3. Then 2. Then me. A shout from the back "Roll through! come on!" from someone who never seems to "Roll through"......
Anyway, much of the same for the next couple of laps. Then an attack! Got to go with it, round him shelter him, show him I'm willing to work. Likewise, he comes through.Working well together.Will they chase? Yes,caught!
Bell! 1 lap to go. I distance them up the hill and keep going,legs feel fine. I look behind, I've got a good gap so I keep going into TT mode,find a rhythm,legs still good, breathing ok. Don't look back now! Have they let me go? not today.

My turn to sit in for a bit, can't be more than 3 miles left to ride. I'm feeling pretty confident.
The pace ramps up towards the foot of the climb, someone goes. I'm onto his wheel and straight past, push hard on the steepest bit, I look behind, they're not even close. The road levels out and I push again. Over the line for 4th "A"

We passed a few stragglers from the break so I was 9th poss 10th overall.
Rich Edwards who is a C was riding as an A?and finished in the break thus denying me 3rd and an extra £5 not bitter though:-)


Should have made the break.

Best of the rest.