I'm always asked what I think about when cycling on the spot and I guess it's no different to what I think about when actually moving forward. Not a lot is the answer. I don't remember 90% of my thoughts on the bike and considering I spend a good few hours each week riding, I wonder myself what I do to pass the time upstairs. Not that I had lots of time to think anything through in fine detail but I was thinking through my game plan for race 2 today.
As you can see, I titled this blog (My first also) "Imperial Winter Series - Race 2 - Saturday 10th December 2011". This suggests I made it unscathed and signed up to race 2 today.
It was everything I had hoped for. Fast. Adrenalin fuelled. Crash free. The latter being the most important of the three. I had only recently signed up to the British Cycling Association and paid my fees for a Silver Racing License. I am only 4th Cat at this stage as all new comers to bike racing must be, but I am already setting my goals high.
The Monday evening after the race I waited impatiently for the results to update on the events website. When I got my first official placing I couldn't have cared less where I finished but of course, no one likes finishing last. I think only an hour or two had past from there that I signed myself up for race 2. And here I am now.
The racing was of a better standard this week. I formed a chain gang with 5 or 6 other riders for the best part of the race. This was set up by a fellow racer who pointed out our error of solo breakaways and riding against the wind, to no avail. The benefit of riding intelligently in a group benefits everyone in it. Not only does it make for a faster average speed but teaches you good habits for racing in the future. About 40 minutes had past and having been lapped once, possibly twice by the higher categorised riders, I started thinking of my own attempt to get over the finish line first out of my little group. I have to be honest and admit that my inexperience here meant I had to take gambles as I had no previous history of this working or not. When should I go? How many laps do I need to do before I breakaway? Should I even try and get away from them, having been working as a unit for the past 40 minutes?
I know from watching major events such as the Tour De France and alike on television that it is a "dog eat dog" sport. You make friends, you lose them. You win races, you lose some. Of course I had no intention of losing friends, even if I knew of very few people there, but I took the decision to make a break for it on the penultimate lap. An rather nasty, and bloody accident towards the end of the race meant the last portion of the circuit was a rather slower one , but with just the last 200 meters in sight, I gave it everything. Was I being chased by my group? I don't know. Does it matter? Probably not. But it sure was fun.
I enjoyed Race 2 more. I felt more comfortable than last weeks ice breaking event but we all have to start somewhere. I know a lot of people do these races as a personal goal, self motivation and gratification. Taking part is sometimes the main and only reason for taking part. But not me, I do like a little competition. I like a gamble too. Sat here writing, I am awaiting the results of the 2nd race. Can I improve on 28th position? We will see. But seeing as though there's 2 or 3 major categories above mine, there's an awful lot of work to do.
See you all next week
All photography courtesy of Naomi Judge (copyright)
