Norlond '10' F15/10 11/7/15

This open ’10’ was on the by now familiar F15/10 Brogborough course. I rode out to the HQ in the Marston Social Club in plenty of time. I was planning on wearing one of my skinsuits modified with a NoPinz number pocket, so I took the skinsuit in a backpack along with my aerohat. It was quite clear on the ride out that the time trial would be affected by a headwind on the return leg (and, of course, would benefit from a tailwind on the way out).

Having got my number sorted in my skinsuit, I changed into it and set out for the start. I arrived, as usual, ridiculously early and after a quick circuit of Brogborough I decided to hang around at the start. The pusher-off was pretty good - using a single hand he very effectively held me upright and set me off well.

Off down the opening descent, and I quickly got up to a decent speed. The only awkward bit was when passing the underpass, I was buffeted by a gust of wind. That dealt with, I pressed on. I noticed a couple of people standing in a layby with what appeared to be a tripod, and assumed they were photographing riders. I tried to hold my stomach in so as not to look too corpulent. I held speeds of over 30mph for much of the way to the turn, slowing only to negotiate the Marston Moretaine roundabout, which can be a little tricky.

Unfortunately, once round the turn, things took a turn for the worse, with a nagging headwind. I tried dropping the gears and spinning but just found my speed falling, so racked back up the cassette and ground it out. Past the Marston Moretaine roundabout and I was just counting out the distance and trying to estimate when I’d get to the finish line. I passed the two ‘photographers’ and realised they were Tony and Lou (Tony had a nasty prang on Thursday and wound up in hospital with cracked ribs and pelvis - what I thought was a tripod was his crutches!).

I finished in 22:07, which is my fastest ride on the F15/10. I was pretty pleased with that! Back at the HQ, I had a nice chat with Tony and Lou before retiring for a cup of tea and a cake. Then I was off home.