Event Report

Senior 50 mile Time Trial Championship

for the "A A McKenzie Memorial Trophy"

Result

Whilst the Becontree slept soundly, one member was raised to consciousness by the insistence of a demanding alarm. Pre-dawn the temptation was to return to the Becontry communal state of sleep, but that is not how records are set and championships won. One must face the challenge. The first challenge came in the form of the M11 being shut. The second in the form of the organisers having failed to include details of the HQ on the start sheet. Both challenges over come by spotting one the event organisers driving to the event itself. Those bikes on the roof rack were a dead give away. How did I know that this was an event organiser? Who else would be out so early in the morning, with two bikes on top and a full car load. I was off at 5:38, number 8, the 3rd of the solo riders. By this time it was fully light, revealing wall-to-wall grey accentuated by only a ribbon of tarmac. The wind was in evidence, pushing all riders out on the first leg to Newmarket and punishing those wanting to return at anything like the same speed. The temperature was kinder us. Not warm enough to allow for the disposal of arm & leg warmers, but not cold either. Having received advice from a former club Secretary, I went out like I would for a 25. The first 35 miles were great. even the first 10 miles of the return leg were good. Then, the exacting nature of a 50 began to make itself felt. Every stroke of the peddle was an effort to ensure that it was accompanied by proper force. Ten miles later (at 45 miles) a further change occurred. By the laws of chance a change is 50/50 to be for the better and so this one was, not. I felt dead. the challenge was to stay alert and focused to drive on those peddles no matter what. The physical demand was hard, the mental demand; harder still. Keep going, push, push, change gear, focus. Then the end. Accelerate. Fat-chance, but I'll try anyway. Back at the HQ, I daren't sit down, my legs will seize. My time 2:19:44. Good enough to win the Open, sadly not, "No 25" had already posted a 1:53:59..Andy Page was riding, thought I didn't see his time as I had to get away. Reflections on the way home: Wish the M11 was open; had I been able to train the past couple of weeks (Cold & Chest infection. get your excuses in early) and/or ridden a few 25's, would have got under 5:15, maybe under 2:10. Who knows? Glad it wasn't a Century; I'll-be-back!