Author: Dave Mills
Date: 11 March 2023
The forecast snow, winds and cold weather made this race look doubtful all week. A sudden change in the weather forecast and some sunny weather on Friday changed plans and the bike got loaded into the car.
After defrosting the car and the drive down to Abingdon it was time for a quick warm up (in 2C but sunny) before lining up. The cold weather left us with only 27 starters this week but with a more relaxed first lap than previous weeks.
I had a race of 2 halves, first 20 mins felt great sticking in the group and staying off the front (it’s like I’m learning). We then got a bit mixed up with the E123 race and in the confusion a break of 5 went which I was in. The break managed about 1/2 lap before we got disorganised and the bunch caught us back up.
Needing to catch my breath I let myself drift back through the bunch and learnt a new lesson, pay attention to where the back is! A surge in pace caught me out and I didn’t realise I was already at the back, or rather off the back. Next 20 mins were spent in no-man’s land slowly watching the group ride away and just keeping enough effort going not to get lapped.
Finished the race in 23rd (out of 27) so did at least manage to get in front of a few other dropped riders. Lesson this week, pay attention to what’s happening at the front.
No loyal supporter this week for race photos (sensible choice given the freezing conditions) but I did get a couple of Denis in the Cat 3 race that followed.
