What a Clash of the Titans we had today, 1st to 3rd split by less than a second and a half! I think this could be the first time this year everyone had tested their lungs out in cold conditions. The frost very quickly burnt away, meaning it was ideal for shorts, but I did appear to be the only one who thought along them lines. You could feel the sun, which was very warm, but very cold in the shade. The crowds were almost 10 deep when I got there, with almost as many spectators as riders.With conditions for racing (apart from the cold air) perfect, Jerry only just held onto the top spot this year, slipping into the 1:50’s. Is he on that downward spiral never to get back into the sub 50's?
Earl looked motivated finishing a mere half-second behind. My main man out on the course said both Jerry & Earl looked turbine smooth.
Third spot in contrast looked like a third world battle raging, as Will put in a stonking ride, only just losing out to two hill climb specialists. Was it the embrocation I gave him or all the secret training he had been spotted doing on the hill prior to today? In fairness 2 of them looked pleased and gutted at the same time when at least 2 of them thought they could have pulled a little more out of the bag if they had known how close it was.
Cookie had almost decided not to ride Thursday, but his competitive side came to the fore on the day. In fairness he’s not built for climbing, on this occasion just going over the 2-minute mark, will he ever get back under? “The Destroyer” stayed very anonymous looking after his number one. As he crossed the finish line he looked quite puckered with a very red face and the sort of breathing only suitable for phone calls.
With maybe not the best preparation I struggled up the hill, check this http://connect.garmin.com/activity/53303889 and tell me I wasn’t trying!
Tony has attempted all distances this year, but I’m willing to bet this was not his favourite. The man looked positively ill at the finish. This was not helped when Steve Millard said when Tony asked how far it was, “always further than you think”. Then to add insult to injury, he then realised he had to go back up Riggs wood to get home…
In only his second event, junior Mark again impressed spinning like a mad thing. Mark did complain that his gears were jumping as he raced a tractor up the hill. Was this dad’s way of making sure Mark didn’t beat him?
Young Tom impressed on his maiden event. He showed great control and skill on his mountain bike in his pre-race warm up. At the top of the hill, it was dad (The Spin dryer) who was out of breath. Tom managed the quote of the day with “I thought it would have been more harder”
Although Tom was a star, “Rider of the day” went to Will for what must have been a very satisfying performance, in the particular company. Cookie did suggest it was bad form practising on the hill for so many weeks beforehand. “Face of pain” had to be "The Destroyer” He only just beat “The Missile” who really did wish he could have rode. I suspect he would have done rather well. We will see next year if I was right.
Thanks this week go to Julie starting timekeeper, Audrey & John at the finish, and Steve Millard for pushing off.
Just to add more pain, the ride back home was horrendous, several Col’s and a 36mph sprint for 3 miles. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/53307272
The winingest rider, all 5st wet giving it large
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