Imperial Winter Series - Race 2 - Saturday 10th December 2011

Today was forecast rather grim. Not that it was expected to rain, but a maximum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius at the race start (1pm) provided little comfort. As it turned out it wasn't so bad and set about warming up on the turbo trainer. 

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.

Last Saturday was my first bike race. I have always enjoyed cycling and most of my riding is done on Sunday club runs or on my own exploring the area and beyond. Group riding is very sociable and helps pass the time on a long 4 hour run but club runs are not designed to be competitive and very rarely do riders jump out their saddles for a sprint finish or hill climb. So last week I arrived with no idea what to expect.


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.

Last week I finished 28th out of 50 registered starters, and 36 finishers. So I beat 22% of those out there which wasn't bad for a new comer. I wouldn't say I was of super elite fitness but my training is regular and consistent. I learnt a few things too about group riding at a fast pace which can only improve with time. 


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)