Verulam CC '25' 18th July 2026

I can't remember my previous solo 25 mile time trial, so this event was something of a leap into the unknown. I was still riding the short extensions on the Aduro high mount. My new aero extensions had arrived in the post, but there wasn't enough time to fit them before this event. I'll probably write a post on them after one or two events.

Anyway, a friend had offered a drive over to the F8/25 near Hemingford - an offer I keenly accepted. We arrived very early to find a well-appointed HQ with loads of overflow parking. In fact free food and drink was available after the event!

The F8 covers a section of the A1307, with the first turn covered twice and the second turn once. It's a course that was completely new to me. The start was on a bumpy country lane, and I had to take care because of a car that was passing me as I started. But once out ton the dual carriageway, things seemed fine. I may have got a but over-enthuiastic. But I'd moderated things by the time I reached the first turn roundabout. Here things nearly went awry. I knew full well that I was to take the fourth exit and was counting the exits down when I misunderstood the direction of a marshal and only rescued things after I heard him shout! 

Heading back down the course to the second turn, I felt reasonably OK. But I was concerned about missing the slip road down to the turn (I also wanted to spot the exit to the finish, but failed to do so!) the course was well signed, but the signs were actually pretty small. I went down to the second turn RAB, where I was photographed, taking things a bit easy as I'd no idea about what traffic or the detailed turn layout.

Back up on the dual carriageway, I tried to settle in to complete the second half of the race. I was getting a bit more uncomfortable as the event proceeded. At the third turn (same RAB as the first turn), I made sure to get it right, then set off towards the finish. I was having a bit of difficulty figuring out where the exit to the finish was, but by dint of looking at the distance covered got it all right.

I finished with 1:00:28 - and an average of 221W (normalised power 224W), so a bit low. I was struggling to keep comfortable again today. I was a bit disappointed to fail to get under the hour, but in part that's down to my lack of recent 25 mile experience.

The photo below is from Davey Jones, and I think it's taken where I was off the aero bars negotiating a turn.