Plomesgate club 10

Bike: Trek
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 25 minutes 40 seconds
Average speed: 23.376 mph

Result: 2nd out of 13 (this really has been a rather good week...)

It rained pretty hard all afternoon, and I began to think I wasn't going to be able to ride this - this would have been a problem, because of lack of cycling for nearly two weeks, and I have two big races this coming weekend. The sun then came out, and I had a wonderful 30 mile loosener ride out to the start ... at times was able to chase traffic along at 27-28mph. Loosener ride, yes. All in all, including race, did about 50 miles today. This is good, because I'm well down on mileage this month (for a good reason!)

The B10/9 is a beautiful but slow course which winds through Tunstall forest, before emerging into the village itself, a sharp 90 degree left hander which leads onto a straight, poorly surfaced road down towards Bentwaters roundabout, then back. The course has a final sting, with a harsh climb before another tight turn, and then a sprint finish. Ouch.

I'd done a 25:28 in the Plomesgate Open on this course back in March, and I was 12 seconds slower than that tonight. It was admittedly a bit colder tonight, but less blowy and, while I was slowed down a couple of times during the open event, tonight I simply had a goose wander into my path and hiss at me. They really have no fear.

To be honest, I'm still quite pleased with tonight, given my overindulgence during the past week, and (possibly related) stomach issues... also, I doubt many hours of train travel across Europe is the best preparation for an event. Still, a second place is my highest ever TT finish, albeit at a club event with relatively low attendance. The winner did a 25:20.

A guy from the Plomesgate CC gave me a lift back to Kesgrave: he is planning a holiday to Rome, Naples, the Amalfi coast ... heh. Am building up quite a contact list for lifts to/from events, and these journeys are always good for picking up tips.