Stat since the last post: 21 Weeks until the Etape and it has been 84 miles since my last post.
On Sunday 13th I took part in my first time trial, see link for route and times.
http://www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk/2011sporting14.shtml
The weather was middling to miserable, It could have been worse it could have been better. Leg warmers, arm warmers, wooly hat, long sleeves etc etc. I was well wrapped up. The bug did a great job of getting two bikes on the roof to the HQ at West Horsely Village Hall for a stiff cup of coffee and signing on before the drizzle really came down.
From the last post I mentioned the conditon of the first half of the course - Hungry Hill to West Clandon ish-was pretty poor road surface. Alas there had been no re tarmaccing in the intervening week.
My Start was at 8:48, as I approached the line one of the marshals held my bike as the other started a count down. Having no experience of a standing start and with 30 seconds to the off I had an image of the marshal letting me go and me just falling sideways. So I started under my own steam.
The first half lap was a massive drag just trying to gather some sort of momentum, however once onto the main/ better roads The speed picked up, I topped out at 34mph according to the cycle computer!
The second lap had more momentum up Hungry Hill, but still a hard slog against gravity, Surrey County highways and a headwind. But when you know its the last lap it gets a little easier the closer you get to the finish.
Turning onto Ripley Lane I knew it was going to be over soon so your able to dig a little deeper and push harder knowing rest is on its way. I really pushed myself and found more when I could see the Finish post.
It felt great when it was finished a real sense of acheivement, my final time was 45m 52s so I'm happy with that have predicted a 45min attempt.
Thanks to Charlie
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