It's a bittersweet symphony...
...When you turn up to a race, feeling like your getting sick, but actually more than hold your own and turn in a decent result. Thats what happened today. Only now Im scared that when I wake up tomorow im gonna be unable to move, or breathe through my nose, and my head will feel like its going to explode! Maybe thats a little dramatic, but there you go. Anyhow, so when I awoke yesterday, thats when I started to feel like I had a cold coming on. And I feel pretty similar today, so im drinking more water than an elephant in the hope that it'll all get worked out that way, sooner rather than later.
Anyhow, the race. So the other week a kind of verbal agreement was struck that Chris and I would do a race in Wiltshire (of all places) today. As it's one of the few races that we can do together right now as we are both different categories. So I had all but gotten ready when Chris called to say he couldn't make it. Which was doubly dissapointing as he was gonna drive, so there I was, dilemma! I know Im fairly strong right now, but im getting sick, and I have no money, driving is gonna cost me £20! To race or not to race? And on top of this the forecast wasn't brilliant, sunny but barely above freezing. It did cross my mid that I would get down there and the race would be called off due to an icy track or something, thankfully, it wasn't. A 170mile round trip would have been throughly wasted otherwise!
So, I decided to go. Which then meant getting up at 5.30 this morning, not a time of day I see much. Well not without having been up the entire night before anyway! So In my zombie like state I got up, dressed, ate and got in my little car. Which, after de-icing, actually started more ot less straight away for once! So the Wiltshire adventure began, as it happens the circuit I was heading too is an old army air field near my Aunt's house. I had sent her a late message last night to see if I could get a post race coffee out of them, but she was 'having her hair done' this morning! All credit to the Army Cycling Union for putting on these events at Upavon though. So I arrived to this desolate air strip, at 7.50am, I got out the car and... oh my word, it was bloody freezing! Easily the coldest conditions I've raced in. So I signed on, first, cool, race number one on my back. Last time I had that I nearly won, a good omen perhaps?
The race kicked off with an ealry flurry from a couple of riders, from a club I won't name, who decided with no obvious tactic to try to attack from the gun. Actually what they ended up doing was stringing the bunch out, pissing everyone who hadn't warmed up off, and nearly caught the Elite race. Good one boys. After this the proper attacks began, which I joined in with. Then low and behold seven riders went clear after about half and hour, without me. Typical! So I just threw caution to the wind, judging that they had a handy gap and looked strong, so if I can get across, maybe its the winning move. I got across, just, nearly killed me trying mind, and sat on for a lap to recover and then started working. I thought we might have had it at one point, but unfotunately we sort of imlpoded about with about 15 mins to go. However, three of the guys stayed out front. Risky I thought, it's all or nothing now surely? I'd had enough breakaway time for the day, so sat in and recovered for what turned out to be the inevitable bunch sprint. After a less than ideal final 500m I made my move with about 250m to go...
It was good, only two guys could get close. Unfotunately, they both just overhauled me before the line. But we all finished within a foot of each other, we were all pretty equal I think. But the fact that made me smile was the fact that the three of us had all been members of the afore mentioned breakaway. So it was good to see the strongest guys winning for once, doesn't always work out like that in a road race. Afterwards the three of us shook hands in recongnition of the fact that we'd had the best race of everyone. The pro's might be on drugs, but cycling has gotta be one of the most sportsman like sports around. Anyway, 3rd place, in my third race for Trisportnews.com. And more importnantly, 7 points to start my campaign, only 33 to go before promotion! The icing on the cake was of course the £5 prize money, not a lot I know, but it took the sting off the fuel bill for the day!
There we are, as long as I don't wake up with the flu tomorow, it'll all be good! And of course, it must me noted that one of my team mates did show up! David, like Chris is on the hunt for points this year to finally get promoted to 3rd cat. And he made a solid start to his campaign today finishing with the bunch. Unfortunately however due to the short notice beg for a lift, he'd already let his spare seat out to another frind of ours. Not a team mate I might add, he just got in there first! David (another one!) is a 2nd cat rider but had a funny day in the Elite race, after a mechanical he seemed to drift in after the bunch. Which still earnt him 2 points for getting 14th place, as the points get awarded down to 15th in the Elite race. Jammy so-and-so!
Remember last time I was talking about a Uni presentation? Well, last Friday, we did indeed head off to DTZ in London. And we won! It was just a little bit intimidating presenting to one of the largest property companies in the world, but we obviously did alrite. Was great to be recognised by a large firm like that, now we have the possibility of a summer placement with them this year too. Which can only be more good experience I guess. Still, plenty more work to do for Uni right now though, so I assure you the success certainly won't be going to my head!
One last note, on the subject of the seemingly infamous 'roller coaster lovelife' comment. There is a possibility that its not so roller coaster now... Im not saying much, because when I do it usually all falls to pieces before I even finish speaking! But she's American, from California, and coincidently just started her second semester at Kingston. Coincidently as I met her on a night out last week, nothing to do with Uni! But things seem to be going well, so who knows...
Anyhow, the race. So the other week a kind of verbal agreement was struck that Chris and I would do a race in Wiltshire (of all places) today. As it's one of the few races that we can do together right now as we are both different categories. So I had all but gotten ready when Chris called to say he couldn't make it. Which was doubly dissapointing as he was gonna drive, so there I was, dilemma! I know Im fairly strong right now, but im getting sick, and I have no money, driving is gonna cost me £20! To race or not to race? And on top of this the forecast wasn't brilliant, sunny but barely above freezing. It did cross my mid that I would get down there and the race would be called off due to an icy track or something, thankfully, it wasn't. A 170mile round trip would have been throughly wasted otherwise!
So, I decided to go. Which then meant getting up at 5.30 this morning, not a time of day I see much. Well not without having been up the entire night before anyway! So In my zombie like state I got up, dressed, ate and got in my little car. Which, after de-icing, actually started more ot less straight away for once! So the Wiltshire adventure began, as it happens the circuit I was heading too is an old army air field near my Aunt's house. I had sent her a late message last night to see if I could get a post race coffee out of them, but she was 'having her hair done' this morning! All credit to the Army Cycling Union for putting on these events at Upavon though. So I arrived to this desolate air strip, at 7.50am, I got out the car and... oh my word, it was bloody freezing! Easily the coldest conditions I've raced in. So I signed on, first, cool, race number one on my back. Last time I had that I nearly won, a good omen perhaps?
The race kicked off with an ealry flurry from a couple of riders, from a club I won't name, who decided with no obvious tactic to try to attack from the gun. Actually what they ended up doing was stringing the bunch out, pissing everyone who hadn't warmed up off, and nearly caught the Elite race. Good one boys. After this the proper attacks began, which I joined in with. Then low and behold seven riders went clear after about half and hour, without me. Typical! So I just threw caution to the wind, judging that they had a handy gap and looked strong, so if I can get across, maybe its the winning move. I got across, just, nearly killed me trying mind, and sat on for a lap to recover and then started working. I thought we might have had it at one point, but unfotunately we sort of imlpoded about with about 15 mins to go. However, three of the guys stayed out front. Risky I thought, it's all or nothing now surely? I'd had enough breakaway time for the day, so sat in and recovered for what turned out to be the inevitable bunch sprint. After a less than ideal final 500m I made my move with about 250m to go...
It was good, only two guys could get close. Unfotunately, they both just overhauled me before the line. But we all finished within a foot of each other, we were all pretty equal I think. But the fact that made me smile was the fact that the three of us had all been members of the afore mentioned breakaway. So it was good to see the strongest guys winning for once, doesn't always work out like that in a road race. Afterwards the three of us shook hands in recongnition of the fact that we'd had the best race of everyone. The pro's might be on drugs, but cycling has gotta be one of the most sportsman like sports around. Anyway, 3rd place, in my third race for Trisportnews.com. And more importnantly, 7 points to start my campaign, only 33 to go before promotion! The icing on the cake was of course the £5 prize money, not a lot I know, but it took the sting off the fuel bill for the day!
There we are, as long as I don't wake up with the flu tomorow, it'll all be good! And of course, it must me noted that one of my team mates did show up! David, like Chris is on the hunt for points this year to finally get promoted to 3rd cat. And he made a solid start to his campaign today finishing with the bunch. Unfortunately however due to the short notice beg for a lift, he'd already let his spare seat out to another frind of ours. Not a team mate I might add, he just got in there first! David (another one!) is a 2nd cat rider but had a funny day in the Elite race, after a mechanical he seemed to drift in after the bunch. Which still earnt him 2 points for getting 14th place, as the points get awarded down to 15th in the Elite race. Jammy so-and-so!
Remember last time I was talking about a Uni presentation? Well, last Friday, we did indeed head off to DTZ in London. And we won! It was just a little bit intimidating presenting to one of the largest property companies in the world, but we obviously did alrite. Was great to be recognised by a large firm like that, now we have the possibility of a summer placement with them this year too. Which can only be more good experience I guess. Still, plenty more work to do for Uni right now though, so I assure you the success certainly won't be going to my head!
One last note, on the subject of the seemingly infamous 'roller coaster lovelife' comment. There is a possibility that its not so roller coaster now... Im not saying much, because when I do it usually all falls to pieces before I even finish speaking! But she's American, from California, and coincidently just started her second semester at Kingston. Coincidently as I met her on a night out last week, nothing to do with Uni! But things seem to be going well, so who knows...
posted by Adam at
15:57
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home