English
Well, what can I say. I decided to race at Thruxton Circuit in late March. This location, I think, was the last place I raced before an almost 5 year lay off from racing. My preparation for this race was somewhat hindered, but in a nice way, by a trip to Poland with Mrs C the weekend before, plenty of lovely food and everything that goes with it left me feeling not very much like an athlete!
Nervous? Me? A tad yes. I was my normal relaxed self before the start, to relaxed in fact. I was then rushing to pin my number onto my jersey, rushing so much I managed to prick my fingers multiple times. Great start. While all this was going on, I noticed a familiar looking car coming into the car park. It was my parents car. It turns out my dad had come to race too. As I haven’t had a licence for a few years and British Cycling gave me a fourth category licence(?), I was racing with my dad! Both of us were a little shocked at this.
So, the race is about to start, not forgetting my 25seconds warm up. I was reminded by a fellow racer about having my Exposure lights on my bike, having opted to use my training bike for the race for extra training. I removed the lights. The he reminded me about my pump, so off that went, then the saddlepack, off that went too. What next I thought?! Oh yeah, my big jacket keeping me warm. Off that went! At this point, my legs had nothing in them, the whole change of racing again for the first time in ages had the butterflies fly from my stomach to my legs and firmly remain there.
The riders in the race were keen to ride fast, but not work by “doing turns” or “bit and bit”. Some of the riders mentioned to me after the race that they appreciated my advice and how it benefits them etc. Anyway, back to the race, On the second lap, up the hill towards the finish I decided to test the legs a bit. Put a half hearted attack in to see if anyone would come with me, one champ from Wales decided to chase, but I told him that I’ve raced down here dozens of times and it’s best to have a break of 4-7riders to all get a good workout as well as having a chance to stay away. He nodded and agreed. I decided to basically sit on the front as much as possible as the idea of swapping turns didn’t appeal to many, possibly due to the wind that was apparent.
Plenty of spinning in small gears and chasing attacks and moving around the bunch, including going and having a quick chat to my dad. With a couple of laps to go I figured it was going to come down to a bunch sprint. So, my knowledge of the circuit and positioning was very beneficial to me. Decided to put it in a big gear for the final climb and attack either just before the chicane leading into the finish or wait. It turned out I was slightly over geared. On leaving the chicane, being second wheel, I dived up the inside and hugged the pit lane wall to ensure nobody could get any shelter from the wind if they were close by. Had a few sneaky looks under the my arms and could see the win was pretty comfortable and I didn’t have to enter the “red zone” for the win.
So first race in almost five years and a win! Should I retire as unbeaten? No….. The following weekend I visited the Ronde Van Vlaanderen with some good friends of mine, including photographer Camille John McMillan. With a press sticker for the car we were able to have some access to the route and this proves valuable to get around! The Ronde, to me, sums it all up. You need to have power, mental toughness, luck, and be able to read the race. Leaving South London at 4:45am to go over was a slight challenge for a lover of sleep, that I am! Leaving for Belgium in the dark and returning to my house in the dark, Belgium in one day including seeing the World’s best battle for the title of winning the RVV. For me, this is always a highlight. This year, following a Milram soigneur between climbs and cobbled sections was very helpful as well as hair-raising.
That’s it for now, have a few more races lined up, will let you know how they go. Keep pedalling circles.
Until next time, “tot straks”.
JC
