On saturday I was down at Willoughby on the Wolds, on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border, to compete in the second round of the Rudy Project National Time Trial Series. The day started well, as I woke to find the sun shining through the window of my aunty's loft room (lucky they live in Nottingham so i had a comfortable bed to sleep in). My motivation was on a high at this point and I realised that i might actually get to race without leg warmers!
I got a good breakfast in me and then set off to the course, which was 20mins drive from where we had stayed. The time trial wasn't untill 2pm so I had allowed enough time to ride the course before-hand, go back for more food, and then go to the actual event. The course itself was an undulating 14mile route, with 2 fairly steep climbs and 3 long drags, with a few down hills thrown inbetween. My dad followed me round in the car, shouting the directions to me as I rode, and then driving on to get some pictures as proof for my GCSE's. I will admit that after finishing the course i felt terrible! my legs just didn't seem to have any power and felt very stiff and unresponsive. By this time i was kind of worried. We went back and i ate, and then fell asleep for 3hrs. when i woke up it was 1.55pm so i grped my kit and we where off again.
As i warmed up i felt brilliant! the sleep had done me some real good, and my legs where great. The leg warmers where thrown to one side as i rode to the start line, just as the first junior was set off. I was second off so i got to the start line to await the countdown. just as i was told, "30seconds" it started to rain... then sleet... then snow... then sun again! it was like this for the whole of the race! i got into a rythm and just kept pushing on despite the freak weather conditions. as i crossed the finish line, i was sure of a top 4 position. i had caught my minute man before half distance and i had put 2mins into the person behind me.
As the resluts where put up, I watched as my time was placed 3rd! beaten by two last year juniors, one who won the GHS last year and the other who won the Rudy Project Series last year! I was extreamly happy, and at the moment I am leading the juniors thanks to my 4th in the previous event.
Sunday however wasn't as good. After travelling up to hetton that night, snow all the way, we got to the travelodge at 10pm. The next day... snow! cold! sleet! rain! it was horrible. The under 16's where racing at 2pm, and the weather jsut got worse.
We thought it would be cancelled due to the extream weather, but they forged ahaed, out race being run in antartic conditions. I ended up finishing somewhere near the back of the bunch. The cold was too much and my little legs woudn't work properly (sympathy please). there wasn't even time for a cool down afterwards. Everyone was in the showers trying to get warm. Two people fainted and where taken to hospital due to mind hypothermia, others where in corners shivering under heated mats and towels. It was the worst time i've ever had on my bike!
Never again...
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2 comments:
Well, the road race sounds like it was horrible, but well done for the Rudy Project!
If only you were a massive fatty all those insulating layers of adipose tissue would have kept you warm.
i feel for you mate, first day of the four day sounds like it was similar, it must be the north east, doesnt like us... having said that first points of season were scored there.
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