4th June 24 – P841r – results

Well, that wasn’t quite as expected. Having had a glorious weekend and a lovely ride out on Monday evening I had assumed we’d get a nice warm (not hot) evening, albeit with a strong westerly wind. What I hadn’t quite counted on was the drizzly rain coming through killing all the temperature, but fortuantely leaving the course dry. We did get the wind as expected though.

A bakers dozen signed on, ready to try for a PB, all hoping for that wind to die as they turned mid course. The ride to the start should’ve indicated what was in store, but you don’t ride out at full gas. The first few miles were great with a nice strong tail wind allowing greater speeds than normal. It would be easy to take it easy for those parts, letting the wind do the work, so it was important to focus on effort/heart rate or power to make sure you were still working hard. Once through the open straights the assistance died off somewhat, Then there was the turn-around! The shelter for the next section was helpful, but coming around the corner out of East Ashling gave an indication of what was to come. Through Funtington was a little respite, although concentrating on the bends and picking a line over the rough surface distracted from that relief then …. !! BAM !! exiting the village up that little rise, it hit you head on. Any thoughts were just blown away as the body struggled to maintain any momentum and the knowledge that there was 1/2 mile of the toughest part of the course to go.

A hearty well done to all those who rode, especially those new to TTing and congratulations to all those (c)PBers. Many thanks to the timekeepers who stood there shivering in the June heat and a huge thank you to the rest of the organisers who tirelessly put on these events for our pleasure.