Well to tell you the truth, I'm not having a good spring campaign. But here's an update as to how its been going so far.
Late February saw me ride the YCF10 on one of my favorite courses - Brotherton. Despite going there to do a ride, and being really up for it, it pissed down at 5degC for my start. With the best will in the world, a BMI of 20 isn't suited to the cold and wet and I simply couldn't keep warm. Funnily enough, I thought I'd done a reasonable ride but the result board told another story all together with a finish about a minute of the pace. Frustrating because I can win on this course.
Next came the Stockton Hilly 21 at Stokesly. I never go really well here as my physiology struggles to cope with the constant changes in effort needed for this technical course. Again it was bitterly cold at 4degC with some uncontrollable shivering at the start. In the event, one of the titanium rails on my saddle broke causing me to know something was seriously wrong from half distance (the faster bit). Just scraped the top ten but not really a great result.
The Harrogate Nova Hilly, wasn't a bad race. But God, I suffered like a dog. An average HR of over 175 just hurt like hell, but fastest Vet by a country mile and a top ten result overall in a great field was worth it. I was just disappointed to find that I looked ten years older when I got home!
The open VTTA10 at Crathorne showed a much better ride in blustery conditions. To finish 3rd was much better from a quality field......I just so wish I'd known that I was just 5 seconds of the second spot.
The National TT Series at Bassenthwaite is truly one of my favourite races. It's a great course (despite not being my thing), scenic and great for competing against the best field. Due to the closure of the A1 we arrived with SIX MINUTES to my start with a bike that needed its tyres blowing up. With some superb help from SWMBO I got to the line albeit without a warm up. At just 15 miles, this isn't a race that can be ridden cold and unstretched so I just had to make the best of a bad job. I finished 8th but was annoyed to be beaten by a couple of riders that are not usually a problem. Every dog has its day! Annoying to spend a fortune on diesel (and nearly blow the Landy's engine up as well), but a nice day out and good to see some pals. Ged......read this and understand, don't get used to it, your ass is grass and I am a lawnmower!
After a DNS due to family problems in the Ravensthorpe 10 last weekend, I need to really get into the zone at Hartlepool this weekend to find that bit of confidence I need to push myself sufficiently hard.
The trick for me now, is to 'keep on keeping on'....and not to start overtraining. The form will come sooner or later I'm sure. The only worry is that I feel tired all the time at the moment. Perhaps I need some vitamins and a Barocca??????
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