Verulam CC '25' 26th July 2009

I entered this race with some trepidation - it would be my first outing on the F1 since the Icknield RC '25' back in May, during which there was a fatal accident.  I hadn't originally planned on riding out to Tempsford, but after doing so on the road bike last weekend to help with the finish timekeeping, I thought I'd give it a bash for this event.

After a false start occasioned by forgetting my pump, off I went at around 5.30am, and across the M1 at junction 13.  Once over Brogborough Hill, the view was one of roadworks - there's a major effort to dual the A421 from J13 to the Bedford bypass.  This meant the ride over had me a bit anxious, particularly in the coned-off sections.  In fact I didn't have much trouble.  I left the A421 at the Moggerhanger exit, and rode through Willington and Blunham on the way to Tempsford, where the race HQ was (I was 10th man off, with number 50 at 6.50am).  After signing on, I nipped over to the start and rode gently around, and had a few sips of energy drink. I was certainly well warmed up!

The race itself was very much a "race of two halves".  This was apparent from the off, as the course headed south to turn at the Sandy RAB - this short leg was surprisingly tough, as the headwind developed.  Once round the turn and it was a different story - nice and quick to the Buckden turn, a little beyond the halfway mark.  Unfortunately somewhere between the start and passing Tempsford I lost my bottle.  I didn't see it go!  I really missed the drink on my return ride after the event! 

In retrospect, I could have given it a bit more on the northbound leg - I reckon saving yourself for the return into the headwind doesn't really work, and one's better taking advantage of tailwind conditions.

I'd seen that riders were going slower southbound than northbound - the wind was niggly enough to slow me to 22mph in some sections. Fortunately,  I was able to step up thr pace when sheltered from the wind, or on gentle descents.  I finished with 58:46, which is my best this season.  That isn't of course sayig much as it is astonishingly only my second '25' in 2009!

I went on to turn at the Girtford underpass (no, I didn't see my bottle!) and returned to the HQ for a tea and a slice of cake and saw the first few results come in before setting off to ride home.  I chose to return via Shefford and the A507 - not the most direct route, but I didn't fancy dodging traffic in the roadworks that I'd ridden through on the way out.

I got back home at about 9.50, with 79.8 miles on the clock!   Full results to follow.