Forum menu
Well that’s better! After the disappointment of getting dropped on Saturday and then the annoyance at messing up the final lap on Tuesday, I decided it was time to seize back control and stop being a victim.
I needed to treat the race a bit more seriously. After all, throwing punches with some potentially good (albeit point-hunting) 3’s SHOULD be stretching me to my limit- especially as it’s kicking on for ten miles further than Thruxton and at a higher pace.
So, I made sure I had decent (well as can be expected) sleep and that I didn’t cram any extra work in beforehand. Then I made the decision to take the Turbo and do my warm up on there. I can’t say for certain it helped but my first lap was above threshold and didn’t leave me hanging so perhaps it did. I paired to Zwift on my mobile and did their pre-race warmup workout, or at least twenty odd minutes of it.
The organisers had made us read a sheet at sign on basically saying “stop being dicks!” and had included a caveat about sprinting that people not in contention- shouldn’t!
Sadly, this didn’t do me any favours on the last lap but that’s my own fault- I was out of position as usual.
Goals as mentioned, were:
a) Not get dropped. I kind of had in mind that if I made it to 30 mins then I knew it was just a blip last week.
b) If I was still there at 30 mins, to move forward and attempt to go in the next break.
c) If that didn’t stay away, to recover ASAP with a view to the finale.
d) Try and go prior to the last lap carnage.
Working through them then and not getting dropped was relatively simple. I’m pretty sure if the bunch had drilled it after my attempt at a break then I may have struggled but fortunately, they never.
Getting in the break took a few goes. I kept moving forward expectantly and either the whole bunch would surge into one long line or it would be so full of riders spread across the road that moving up was impossible. Around 42mins or so, I made it. Moving up down the Start/Finish straight, I spotted a London Dynamo guy going, so joined his wheel.
Getting a gap, Johnny joined us and started pulling hard. Sadly, he did a bit of an ego-pull rather than a handy one for establishing a rhythm. As a result, by the time it was London D’s go on the front, we had been out for nearly a lap and the doubt was creeping in. He wasn’t overly committed either. Patiently awaiting my turn, I perhaps should have gone past him to keep the pace high but I was having doubts too. When we reached the start/finish line, we had caught a guy who was out in front solo and the four of us were countered hard with another attack.
I still had some juice, so went with that move too. Johnny followed across as well but he didn’t have the legs this time. There must have been 8 of us by the time we had passed the club house but disarray set in and we were caught half a lap later.
We had a bit of time to go so I drifted to the back to recover and now that the stragglers had been dropped, the back was a much cleaner place to be and I was able to drift from side to side, taking the shortest line and generally getting the HR down.
Nothing else really happened from here on and everyone seemed resigned to the sprint. With five to go, everyone surged and then slowed and this happened a little bit each lap. I just stayed calm and waited. There were lots of fresh people in the bunch so the last lap was inevitably going to be crowded.
Having had a few laps to watch, the main culprits for the dodgy riding are obvious- the young Thames Velo lads and a couple of other younger riders were the root cause of nearly every incident I saw. One or two didn’t have many watts to play with and hanging with the bunch required some full-on sprints to regain a wheel- often resulting in them nearly colliding with the rider behind or to one side. They also weren’t great at hazard perception and would bundle into disappearing gaps with youthful ignorance. I tried to speak to them and get them calling their lines and to be fair, the young black kid started doing just that.
Two to go then and Johnny tried a long flier Jesper style. Inevitably, the result was the same too- a total death on the final lap. I kicked myself for still being at the back, I would have loved to have followed his wheel and then attacked over the top. As it was, my final lap was close to 30mph so I wouldn’t have stayed away anyway!
I began moving forward anywhere I had an advantage but sadly, I got pushed out by towards the kerb with nowhere to go as we started the bell lap and I lost all the ground I had made up.
A nice 1200w punt up the hill helped me make up places and I drifted to the outside for the penultimate bend. I was a long way back but was on tick-over waiting to launch. Sadly, this is where my poor positioning caught up with me once more but was also compounded by the memo about not contesting the sprint. Moving forward at speed into the home straight, random people that were cooked or just giving up, started sitting up- way more than usual.
What should have been a draft-fuelled charge to the line for me was instead a game of dodgems. I was fresh and convinced I could have made 10th still so don’t feel irresponsible or inappropriate for wanting to carry on sprinting but it was now 10x harder and more dangerous.
So I crossed the line generally pleased but also frustrated and in about 20th.
Meant to say, I clipped a pedal for the first time today! Going around Brians at 28mph on the final lap, I just grazed it. That at least gives me a limit to consider 😆
That's running 170mm cranks XTR SPD's.
Meant to say, I clipped a pedal for the first time today! Going around Brians at 28mph on the final lap, I just grazed it. That at least gives me a limit to consider 😆
That's running 170mm cranks + XTR SPD's.
Pics are up: https://www.flickr.com/gp/157644534@N02/vjkxB9
HAHAHA CH:
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
and a pic of your break:
[img] 
[/img]
You could have chosen the bit where we had a decent gap 😆
Did it put fire in your belly for next weeks race??
And now we know why STW has been falling over. CH posted war and peace 😆
What! Doubt it's 1000 words is it?? 😀
Edit- 1033, barely an intro!
So close CH!!!
Now just the agonising 3 day wait for results!
Rant for the night....shouting line at me should mean I'm cutting you up....not I'm next to you trying to force through or doing something stupid....amiright?
Some people seemes to think the latter tonight.
Hopefully that makes sense...!!
If you've read any of these before, you'll know over-thinking is my forte! But this week was worse than ever. Jesper's third place last week stung hard because I know deep down I had the legs to match him.
Saturday's race was a step in the right direction. I worked bloody hard (suffer score nearly double that of Thruxton) and gave myself a confidence boost if nothing else. My legs were really feeling it afterwards so I hoped it would boost the fitness a little.
Sunday, I felt desperate for a recovery ride but it wasn't to be as the wife had me building her sheep fence but I guess it was active recovery of sorts!
Monday then, and a gentle spin would surely help. Once more fate intervened and my buggy broke down at the far end of the estate. Normally, I would get a lift back but sheer coincidence meant thirty phone calls later and nobody was available. So I walked 5 miles down the lanes in floppy wellies and gave myself a blister!
Ah well, real life comes first I suppose!
Buggy fixed, I managed a quick spin on the MTB today to get my tractor back where it should be and it was depressingly hard work! My legs felt totally blocked.
With the excuses mounting sky high already, I took the decision once more to take control. If I can't change it, deal with it right?
The Turbo was still packed in the car so I decided to do a good thirty minutes at Thruxton.
Nothing fancy, just Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z1.
Jesper arrived and took the Micky as I was riding on Zwift to make sure my miles didn't get missed! As an employee, I thought he'd be impressed but he was laughing!
He had a partner in crime who he had met on the train, a lad called Callum from Reading. He was at Hillingdon the other day when Nath had his puncture and I got dropped and ended up in the last lap crash! So out of Johnny, Nath, Pete, Callum and myself, not one of us finished that race!
Anwyay! To the race! Jesper and I had a plan. He kindly said he would lead me out to the hill. In return, I would tow him to the other side of the chicane and then it would be Mano v Mano. (Well boyo!) Prior to that, we would aim to cover the front 1/3 of the race.
Great to see Leigh too, the more friendly faces the better!
With my new found attitude and sweat still dripping from my warmup, I lined up front row centre with Leigh alongside. I didn't count this evening, but it was a larger field than lately, jam packed with point hunters! Certainly 50 I think?
We were off and my goal was simple. Keep following wheels! A Banjo Cycles rider sat off the front for the whole of the first lap. More fun than warming up in the car park I guess.
Lap 2 I think and the pace picked up. A small break got a bit of a gap and our very own Leigh went ripping across! Nice! As we all joined the train, I shouted down the line 'Go on Leigh! Give it some beans!!' Poor Callum was just in front of me and thought I was shouting at him.
Things are a bit hazy for the middle of the race, but basically, early on, Jesper and I were either right next to each other or close by. Then the pace picked up for a bit and obviously the speeds aren't the same but it reminded me more of a Cat 3 or 2/3 race. Just constant attacks and counters. Everyone thought the break could stick after last weeks effort. But where as normally it's like one or two guys trying to bridge, every effort tonight would see five or ten guys really opening up. It was a strong bunch! (Yeah alright, you know where this is going!)
I was working harder than I perhaps should have but I was on such a high. This was epic! Exactly why I love racing. Little blips of a few hundred Watts would latch me on to the next wheel and I just went from move to move as efficiently as possible.
I didn't know it, but suspected Jesper was close on my wheel and he was! He said afterwards he was just like 'Go Shutler!' and letting me close the gaps to keep us in the top ten.
After a while, the pace eased a little and Jesper came through. Instead of drifting back and recovering, I decided that even though there was plenty of laps to go, I'd latch on to Jesper now whilst I had the chance.
The 2/3's hadn't been past yet which was worrying and they didn't until three to go. Then as they came past they stalled again. Our positioning was spot on though and by being in the front ten, it never affected us too much. The bunch behind got strung out a little as the motorcycle comm squashed our race hard left.
Two to go then and the pace lifted as it does most races. It was still touch and go whether we would clear the 2/3's by the finish line but the moto gave them a rollicking to get on with it!
I felt like I was going too hard but last week was evidence that positioning is everything! No way was I finishing fresh this evening.
Last lap then and things were hotting up. Holding my nerve, utilising my strong cornering at the top chicane and shouting a bit, I was still clinging on to Jesper's wheel.
I could feel the tension building up. This was it! Our plan was coming off! Welded together, in the top ten and all to play for.
Then..... And bless Jesper's heart as it's the kindest thing anyone's done for ages, he threw away his chance of Cat3 for me and absolutely drilled it down the hill to the base of the final 'climb'. I owe him a serious beer for that- it was properly selfless.
I knew I'd gone harder than I'd have liked but what could I do? The lad was killing himself for me. Right then. Second wheel, just a one minute effort to go- let's do this shit!
A shout from Jesper "Shutler! Go!" And I was off! I perhaps should have found a wheel before accelerating but it was hard not to take the momentum on offer. Despite the tailwind helping, it was still a strong effort up the Thruxton drag segment- 124rpm, 593w and 28mph. I desperately sought a wheel but we were all kind of spread out.
I tipped into the chicane about 3rd or 4th wheel and found myself completely alone with no one close enough to follow. Nothing to do but keep the power down and my sprint was a little lacklustre. Hardly surprising as I started at what in many races is Max HR.
I went hard sat down, then stood up and found no kick whatsoever so sat down once more and drove to the line. I saw last weeks winner and a growing swarm of people not just staying away but pulling out a gap on me- I was just too far back to get much draft. One last push to the line and at least one guy came out of of my slipstream and pipped me on my right. A quick tally up of people and the suspense is killing me. 11th. E-leventh. E-chuffing-leventh!!!
Gutted yes, but what a race. That was truly exhilarating from start to finish.
I think Leigh, sometimes people use it as shorthand for "I'm about to get squished, please don't ride into me!" or kind of "PLEASE hold your line!"
Hell of a write up as usual fella, you do capture the sensations well 🙂
Crosshair,
Yep usually my thoughts- just a few people (possibly just one or 2 that I was close to for a while!) Were using it for them to be silly imo rather than self preservation...!
Yeah I know what you mean, I was just fortunate enough this week to miss much of that.
It still baffles me how people make such a meal of Thruxton too! There is literally enough room to ride the whole circuit 5-8 abreast yet still they seem to want to invade your personal space and ride you off the track!
Graham Robins has some photos on his website but they are £1.75 and not mega quality. (I think you may be able to pay more for better ones).
[img] 
[/img]
You need some Deep Dish wheels !
Don't encourage me! I have £500 allocated but not until I get a point 😆 These are perfectly serviceable Shimano ones- lovely smooth hubs and 1650g off the top of my head.
Nice write up CH!
I've been sending him links to carbon wheel bargains 😆
As for me I'm STILL recovering, I did a quick test earlier on my commute home and I can't really sustain any sort of effort - before my nose starts burning or I start coughing. I feel like I've lost so much fitness! Plan is just Z1/2 work until the race on Saturday - I'm expecting nothing from it!
Such a shame it's happened like this for you. It may not feel like it but you still have ample power to win this thing so don't panic too much.
I'm back to reality for Saturday and just hope to not get dropped 😆
Jesper and Callum are up for some action so we may try a break at some point and no doubt Johnny will get involved.
All depending on who shows up and what they do, my strategy in order is to hang in the bunch for 30mins, then have a play with the lads, then I'm going to forget about the sprint and focus on positioning. If I come into the final lap in tenth and fade anyway then that's got to be progress over being fresh but stuck at the back of the bunch.
NathB even if you've lost 20% then you've still got enough to have a good effort in a 3/4. Chances are you've lost nothing like that much and it just 'feels' like you have as you're actually ill.
The Abingdon races are 3/4 Leigh. I'll probably give them a miss I think. Could really do with those few hours a week back in September/October.
Tomorrow's probably my last real race of the year due to circumstances changing dramatically (will explain more later).
So CH has just asked me how I'm feeling about it, and to be honest I've not really given it any thought this week other than I need a new rear tyre 😆
I'm driving there to hopefully avoid a repeat of last time and I think the missus is coming to watch too. I'm looking forward to it but I'm not expecting a good finishing position. We shall see.
As my new tyre hasn't shown up looks like I'll be racing on GP 4 seasons 😆
CH, my sources have misinformed me then...if you do fancy any, remember if I can stick with the pack you will be mix for sure...!
NathB....good luck!
Well, I'd love to be wrong but it's on BC as 3/4 and some Cat 3's have entered. 🙁
I would be up for the winter one though as I'll know how my season is panning out at work by then.
With hindsight I grew to really enjoy Thruxton, despite not getting the hang of it, so I may do the whole series next year regardless.
This guy got first and second from the last race:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/156410/BC-West-Thames-Saturday-Round-1
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/points?person_id=21922&year=2017&d=4
Nath- wtf!! 18 point mega bonus 😆
Well, today had an end-of-term feel to it for me. With Thruxton wrapped up and no races for a few weeks, I hoped for a good showing today. It’s easy to blame bad legs but last nights pre-race spin up was horrendous! I hit all the goals but didn’t feel good. My only consolation was that at least that wasn’t my race warm up!
A fairly easy morning with just an hour at work was nice and I made sure I got there in plenty of time. I always worry about not being pre-entered but it was all good so no panic. Jesper, Callum, Nath and then Johnny all showed up and the weather was awesome.
Great to meet Mrs Nath to be too- she seemed to enjoy her first Hillingdon experience!
Warming up then, and I decided to ditch the Turbo in favour of the circuit. My intention was to follow the protocol of the past two races but I ended up riding with all the gang in turn and probably riding harder at times and easier at others but averaging a few more watts than I would have done.
Arriving at the start, Nath was anxious not to be on the front row for fear that a clear track would goad him into a Zwift like Watt-bomb from the get go! I stepped in for him and had no problem letting the fast guys to my left ride away from me.
I was actually really pleased with the first few laps. I was feeling good and following wheels in and amongst the top ten. Apparently, I did actually get in one move but it was purely by accident and done with virtually no extra effort by moving up when everyone was coasting and then following wheels.
It took another lap or two for a proper break to go though and by this time, the hill was taking its toll on me. Of course, the elevation is the same each way but clockwise, I can carry enough momentum into both the small rise between the Bus stops and Brians and up the hill after Brians that it doesn’t cost me anything. Today though, by the time I had drilled it to hold the bunch into the final corner, my HR was above Threshold every lap. It’s only a subtle difference but enough to pretty much relegate me to pack fodder today.
Slowly, it dawned on people to organise a chase and the ‘old flash guy’ as I call him, was doing a good job of organising folks including Jesper.
For a few laps, I could do nothing but cling to the back, recover down the start/finish and club house sections and then cling on again on the remainder of the course. The faces around me gradually changed until I found myself firmly in chopper-central at the back.
Eventually we caught the break and another one got away soon after. The chase wasn’t as fierce but it took a long time to catch them. In the meantime, and true to his word, Callum got away with another guy! Pre-race club house banter long forgotten, despite being desperate to either block the front for him, bridge across or get Nath and Jesper together to get across and help him out, I could do nothing! I was totally neutralised and mentally, it made me feel like rubbish.
He got caught eventually but Callum’s partner in crime was gone much earlier and Callum soloed for several laps! With 4 to go, it was touch and go but he blew up sadly.
It was an awe-inspiring effort and scares me witless for Big Events! I need to be firing on all cylinders to live with him, although I would happily concede first place to work together with him.
Anyway! In the meantime, Nath in his stealth kit was playing his cards close to his chest. I tried to goad him into going a little earlier once or twice but he held his nerve. I would imagine ironically, he asked me my advice with 3.5 to go and I told him to get forward with 4 to go (we were guessing) as it would go crazy with three to go. Sadly, that was now and with the words from the Comm about not contesting too much on the final lap fresh in everyone’s mind, they decided to go now instead.
As it was, this wasn’t really a barrier to Nath and he managed to get to the front by the last lap anyway. I’ll leave him to tell the story from there!
I was trying my best to move up but wary that I didn’t have a lot to play with each lap so would cleverly nick a few spots at a time in the corners and by not braking.
By the last lap though, I hadn’t really got very far and realised I had failed in my goal of being in a good final lap position. I had freshened up a lot though and fancied I would have a good sprint in me if I timed it right so kept pushing on.
The last lap was crazy though. 30.7mph and 420w average for me meant I got precisely nowhere and came into the start finish straight well out of position. I was so cross I even did a couple of post-race sprints for training but bloody forgot to record the good one.
SO! Everyone stayed upright which is good but sadly Johnny retired a little early. He saved a crazy front wheel wobble caused when the guy in front swerved and braked. Johnny had his front wheel in clean air but by braking, the guy made it unavoidable for Johnny and he did so well to hold it and TT’d until 3 to go.
Callum finished at the rear of the bunch after his epic break attempt- very jealous rider here though, that was exactly how I’d I’ve loved to have ridden my race.
Jesper died an early death as is often the case, although he was trying to help Nath (I think!!!!).
And I finished around 22nd as usual.
Enjoyable but a little frustrating and a good kick up the backside for the next 8/9 weeks.
[img] 
[/img]
Callum and Jasper make me feel short, fat and old 😆
Nothing really to add to that CH.
I went off the front with another guy about 20 mins in, just for fun but we both knew it was hopeless as everyone was still really fresh and soon got caught.
Spent a lot of the time towards the back but did a couple of mini attacks to get from the back to the front and off just to see if I could really - I could which was nice!
3.5 to go chatting to CH he said to move up, so by 1.25 laps to go I was at the front... I mean right at the front. The line approached and I stuck my head down and went for it. Jesper followed and I thought he wanted to work with me, however as soon as he got out of my draft and infront of me he died.. unfortunately I was wedged in and counter attacks lauched. I managed to round Jesper and was in an okay position on the final corner. Unfortunately there was no clear gap anywhere in front so I sat behind as close as I could to the guy in front in the hope I may sneak a point in. I don't think I did though.
Was really good fun - may have even got a decent position had I known Jesper was about to die haha.
Glad you enjoyed it! Jesper has gone from best lead out man to worst in 4 days 😆
Nath wins the aero photo wars 😆
[img] 
[/img]
Brief moment I was just checking power to make sure I wasn't going too hard, I don't cycle with my head down normally 😆
Can't believe that guy is in a long sleeve jersey - was roasting today!
The missus has burnt her shoulders (wearing sun block too!)
Wow! That guy in the E1,2,3 race stayed away for the win. 1h10 at 27mph 😯
What cat is he?
Cracking set of pics from Hughesartandphotos.
Every key storyline of the race is there.
Jesper shouting gogogo 😛
Here's the write up, but https://www.strava.com/activities/1155928236 tells the story.
It's a race at the front and sportive at the back. Over 300 riders in my age group and about half looked like Brits. Peloton sets off from Albi with motos, lead car and comm. Crash at 2km into street furniture. Crash at 8km sees four in a ditch. Out into the countryside and I've made it through the pack to top third. Family cheering at 35km before the first climb (road to our villa). First climb sheds about half the bunch and the climbers and contenders are gone. Big chase by the rouleurs and I coach a group of 20 or so in through-and-off; its hard to convince riders on the inside to ride slower so that the group go faster, but a few good aussie club riders know what they are doing and we make up speed. We rejoin the lead group and the bunch relax. Crash at 48 km brings down 10 riders due to a touch of wheels as the road narrows.
Second climb and I set tempo 178bpm. Clearly I'm second group calibre, not the pointy end but will not be making the Leith Hill mistake of blowing up! I lead this pack up the long climb. Hotting up now over 30c already. Some great descending small climbs and then back to base level.
Still solidly second pack and ready for the big climb. More tempo action and settling to a good rhythm. Baking sunshine, down to last quarter litre of NUUN. As I summit at the water stop, family cheer and son1 calls out they've run out of water bottles!!! Hands me his half bottle of juice, so I think I have enough to finish the last 60km. 38C now. One gentle climb to go.
But... then we enter the endless rollers. About 40km with 750m, climbing. Really baking now, windy, no shade, relentless. Fall off the second group with quite a few others. Three of us ride bit-and-bit, but it is hard, and I've drunk my last drink with over 20km to go. Finally, finally we descend to the Tarn and a flat ride into Albi along the TT route (38-40c for tha race on Thurs). Caught by a few more of the second group stragglers and and finish strongly.
Hardest day on a bike (including the National 12hr TT). Mid-third overall, but top 15% of Brits. We really suffered in the heat and the results bear this out. Average HR was 164 bpm for 4.5 hrs. Yes that's an AVERAGE. As for food, plenty of gels and bloks, two banana bread bars and and banana saw me fine. Water wise I took the gamble that drinking 750 ml before the race, two 1L bidons of NUUN with one collected on the road would be ok. The weight penalty of 1kg of water was offset by my Jet 6/9 deep section aero wheels. In truth I needed another bottle and suffered for 40 km which cost me a top quartile position. Took a long time to cool down. The pool party to celebrate my birthday afterwards with the club was great!
Definitely a race. Not sure I'll do it again, but I seem to go well in the heat provided I drink enough!
Awesome stuff and great write up thanks!
Rather envious !
You should try and qualify next year Weeksy- that would be a tough but realistic goal for you!
Did you miss the bit where it has hills in it !
I don't believe it!!!!!
I knew it was close!!!!
[img] 
[/img]
10/62 in the end after a loooong week waiting 😀 Poor Jesper finished 61st 😆
Only one left to tick off too!!
1. Buy a race license and enter a race
2. Not get dropped
3. Finish mid pack
4. Finish top third
5. Work on the front
6. Contest the sprint
7. Bridge to a break
8. Attack
9. Contest the points
10. [b]Win![/b]
Well done!