Interesting race. Set Garmin from work without satellites acquisition, rode to the start (25 km), and signed on just in time. Course was the alternative 9 mile route due to traffic lights. Rode entirely on feel, not even speed (I did wonder why there was no speed at the time!). Had to stop due to a car reversing out of a house across the lane. He looked a bit sheepish, and I was travelling at about 25 mph, with a front flashing light! Back on the gas along my favourite lumpy lane (Stonehill Road, Chobham) for a time of 21:13 and second place; 25.4 mph average speed. Pleased with that.

Riding on feel not numbers meant I spent a lot of time considering how the legs were feeling. As that Talansky video says, riding to numbers is all well and good, but it is speed that matters. Will try it again.

eTap was again absolutely flawless on roads so bumpy my Scorpion light was loose at the end.

4 races this week planned!

WOTG 10 tonight if I’m not too tired,
H10/17r Thursday – Are you heading over MrBlobby?
F15/10 Saturday,
H10/22 Sunday before going to a wedding!

Hit a few intervals last week and weekend, so hoping to find some form!

I’ve just put together a TT bike and am thinking about giving some of the local 10 milers a go. Just need to find a local club that uses a reasonably flat route as our club 10 mile TT route is 8 laps of the Hogg Hill circuit which has a big bastard hill every lap and I’d be struggling to break 30 minutes on that.

Like that. I’ve been fettling too. Now have a Wolf 1″ carbon aero fork for UCI compliance, some rear mounted TRP brakes to stay out of the wind, and I tried a Bell Javelin Small – didn’t fit. I also tested a Giro Aerohead, but it didn’t feel as fast as my Advantage – and the laps of Hillingdon seemed to bear this out. Disc has been returned for a replacement, but basically it’s ready to go…

So I entered a 12hr after the 7.5hr fixed escapade at the weekend left me feeling better than I thought I would.

Some pictures of this work in progress. Just the disc to swap now. It’s not an English (Oh I wish), but it was built by England’s most famous TT bike builder (Barry Chick). You can see from the front how well the brake is hidden. And from the side, how much space you will need to fit it. There was not enough room with the MDT/Argos steel fork. Now to see if it’s faster!

Having been at the pointy end of a fatality, it’s dreadful. Awful news. Condolences to the family.

Some first aid training goes a long way, but the most important part is that somebody takes control. Stopping traffic, calling the emergency services, and administering first aid. If those actions were taken care off, there is no more you could have done.

My clubmate had the same tragic outcome despite everything we did. Awful.

Absolutely awful news Wednesday. Circumstances unknown, but I never feel the F11 is dangerous, super wide, quiet and large shoulders. Shows that it can happen anywhere.

21:38 on the H10/17r last night for me, a 30s course PB but not brilliant. I just don’t seem to do well on that course!

F15/10 tomorrow has been moved to the F11/10, which is good in PB potential, but I wouldn’t have raced Tuesday and last night if I’d have known! Then H10/22 Sunday, which I think I may be exhausted for by then!

Successful weekend for me

21:50 for 4th in the Islington CC event Saturday, and 21:18 for 7th in the Watford Velo Sport event yesterday.

I was hoping for some Top 10’s this season, so I’m quite pleased!

Tired after 4 x 10s in 6 days, and managed 4 x 21:xx, which was my target. A modest target, but going the right way!

It reverted back to a variant of the F15/10 in the end, after discussions with CTT according to race email. I imagine after Wednesday’s tragedy, which is perfectly understandable.

Missed out the ski slope start of the F15, and did 2 laps between roundabouts for those familiar with it.

I think practice is the key. After not riding the TT bike for 7 months every year I find it bizarre, and an effort to corner etc., but give it 2 or 3 rides and I find nailing corners at race pace fine.

Other contributors may be seat too far forward so weight is a little unevenly distributed?

Or maybe tilt extensions up a bit so you’re kind of pushing back and making yourself more stable on the bike.

Wiggle your fingers. It relaxes the shoulders and removes the death grip. Moving back in the saddle also helps to stabilize the weight.

Actually managed to get a ride on the mighty V718 this weekend, and couldn’t be less excited.

As fun a 4 races in 6 days the other week was fun, my motivation to ride a bike, never mind race has disappeared it seems! Though the weather isn’t helping!

I’d probably have withdrawn usually and saved a 350 mile trip, however I’m up North anyway so I may as well partake.

I’m having a go on the back of a tandem tonight in advance of racing Hull on one next weekend.

Only thing left to do after that on my journey to becoming a fully fledged tester is buying a trike.

Only thing left to do after that on my journey to becoming a fully fledged tester is buying a trike.

You need a fixed tandem trike. I’ve got two thirds of the way there:

I’m saving my trike for our last “TT” of the season. The dead flat, no camber, 1km sprint. Our courses in the FoD are way to rough for my level of trike control. Now, do I run it fixed or gears? Aero or normal bars?

Managed a 25 mile PB on Saturday at the L2511 up at Keswick, Cumbria. Set a time of 55:12, coming joint 10th. Quite happy with that considering my injuries I’ve had to contend with this season. Only 3 more open events for me to do (although I’ve entered another 100 but it comes a week after the 12hr so doubt I’ll be recovered in time)

I turbo’d a pre race ride on Saturday only to get indoors and find a “race” cancelled email.

Sigh.