Team MK '20' 18th May 2025

Once again, I was back on the Astwood course, this time for two laps, for the Team MK open '20'. Team MK use a different start/finish combination than we do for our club events, starting just past the BikeBus cafe and finising right outside the BikeBus. This has the advantage that the BikeBus can be used as an event HQ (and their coffee is good!), but in my opinion it has the disadvantage that the climb into Astwood is located shortly after starting the time trial. 

Anyway, I rode up to the HQ with plenty of time to spare. Too much time, as it was really quite cold. Fortunately I'd made a last minute decision to bring some arm warmers. After a further spin up and down the road, I made my way to the start.

I made a fairly quick start, but all too soon found myself at the bottom of the climb up to Astwood. I made an effort not to blow myself to pieces and restrained myself. So I rode through Astwood out to the left turn onto the A422 (not impeded by oncoming traffic). Shortly before the rise to Chicheley, I passed rider #1, and then caught rider #3 on the approach to the North Crawley T-junction. Unfortunately, just after heading into North Crawley, I was badly held up by traffic, to the extent of having to completely stop. That was a bit annoying as I had to get back up to speed in a slightly inappropriate gear. Anyway, once up and moving, I headed back towards Astwood, with another controlled ride up the climb to Astwood. On this lap, I got held up by traffic at the junction with the A422, but from then on I had no problems. Other than fading legs! The wind direction didn't seem too unfavourable.

I finished with 51:38 on the Garmin, but in reality this was 51:42 - the disparity was the stationary time in the traffic hold up. The full results are at the CTT website - I came in 11th palce in a 25 rider field.

I felt I kept a deent power, though I was a little disappointed with my time. Even the first lap seemed slower than I usually do, and I don't think that can be accounted for by the moderation going up the Astwood climb. 

Overall stats below (click image to enlarge). There were a couple of phtographers out there, but I've not seen any photos from the event.