10-01-2024, 10:07 AM
So the end of the season is around the corner, the final events of this current season were a little bit of a mix regarding results, with the weather or in particular the wind having more of an adverse effect.
Saturday 3rd August was planned to be a 25tt on the recently visited F2a/25 down in Cambourne near Cambridge but unfortunately it was cancelled on the Friday night due to 'pop up' road works. As it now transpires this course may no longer be available due to long term Road works.
Sunday 11th K11/10, near Coventry; An early morning event on quite a fast course depending as normal on the weather. and out and back route where the wind was the main factor for this race, an 8.8 / 10 mph East wind giving a tail wind out but a Head wind return. The return was a little bit of a struggle especially the up hill after the turn. Result was a little disappointing 24:41 [24.4 mph average]
Saturday 17 August - J2/1, local 10 mile course near Holmes Chapel. Early start again with the first rider off at 07:00am. Always seem to struggle a little on early morning events and this one was no different. Result 25:31 [23.6 mph average]
Sunday 25th August - D25/20, local 25 mile event. Thought I would go back and have another go [struggle] at the Hilly Battle field course with a slightly later start of 08:00am. Again a basic out and back course, 11.2 miles out to the turn. The weather was windy and cold but at least no rain. Result 01:08:33 [21.8 mph]
Sat 31st August: D33/10, 10 mile course near Southport. A flat course but has 5 number RAB to negotiate over its length. The main road surface is ok but the RAB road surface is full of pot holes, but a local rider did advise that there is a route around each of them where you can miss them but finding that route was an art form, still this is potentially a fast course. Result 24:19 [24.7 mph average]
Sunday 8th September: J5/8, 25 mile local course near Blythe Bridge. Very early starting event at 06:00am, however the weather not good, heavy rain. The event was cancelled about 2 minutes before the first rider was due to start due to the weather, although I was ready to go I had not left the car park so I was not too wet.
Saturday 14th September: F11/10, 10 mile course near Tring. Not a bad weather day today so as it turned out well worth the drive down however the wind was a little higher expected at 9.9mph SW but it was blowing in the best direction for the course.
This is a fast course and so the result reflected this with a seasons best 22:47 [26.48 mph average]
Saturday 21st September: F2c/25, 25 mile course near Cambourne. this is effectively a new course of more accurately a modified version of the F2a/25. this new course reduced each leg to just 4.8 miles between the turns and the new turn consisted of a double RAB. The main issue for me was the wind being at 11 to 13.5 mph, so each leg being either a full head wind or tail wind. Result 01:03:34 [23.7mph average].
Overall it has been the usual mixed season with some reasonable results, and some slightly disappointing efforts, but on the whole quite enjoyable and managing somehow, perhaps more by luck than judgment, to exceed my pre seasons targets by actually getting 5 number VTTA standard awards for distances of 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 miles, these are a sort of handicap system award [Standards] based on a riders age.
So, as always, Onwards and Upwards.
Barrie.
Saturday 3rd August was planned to be a 25tt on the recently visited F2a/25 down in Cambourne near Cambridge but unfortunately it was cancelled on the Friday night due to 'pop up' road works. As it now transpires this course may no longer be available due to long term Road works.
Sunday 11th K11/10, near Coventry; An early morning event on quite a fast course depending as normal on the weather. and out and back route where the wind was the main factor for this race, an 8.8 / 10 mph East wind giving a tail wind out but a Head wind return. The return was a little bit of a struggle especially the up hill after the turn. Result was a little disappointing 24:41 [24.4 mph average]
Saturday 17 August - J2/1, local 10 mile course near Holmes Chapel. Early start again with the first rider off at 07:00am. Always seem to struggle a little on early morning events and this one was no different. Result 25:31 [23.6 mph average]
Sunday 25th August - D25/20, local 25 mile event. Thought I would go back and have another go [struggle] at the Hilly Battle field course with a slightly later start of 08:00am. Again a basic out and back course, 11.2 miles out to the turn. The weather was windy and cold but at least no rain. Result 01:08:33 [21.8 mph]
Sat 31st August: D33/10, 10 mile course near Southport. A flat course but has 5 number RAB to negotiate over its length. The main road surface is ok but the RAB road surface is full of pot holes, but a local rider did advise that there is a route around each of them where you can miss them but finding that route was an art form, still this is potentially a fast course. Result 24:19 [24.7 mph average]
Sunday 8th September: J5/8, 25 mile local course near Blythe Bridge. Very early starting event at 06:00am, however the weather not good, heavy rain. The event was cancelled about 2 minutes before the first rider was due to start due to the weather, although I was ready to go I had not left the car park so I was not too wet.
Saturday 14th September: F11/10, 10 mile course near Tring. Not a bad weather day today so as it turned out well worth the drive down however the wind was a little higher expected at 9.9mph SW but it was blowing in the best direction for the course.
This is a fast course and so the result reflected this with a seasons best 22:47 [26.48 mph average]
Saturday 21st September: F2c/25, 25 mile course near Cambourne. this is effectively a new course of more accurately a modified version of the F2a/25. this new course reduced each leg to just 4.8 miles between the turns and the new turn consisted of a double RAB. The main issue for me was the wind being at 11 to 13.5 mph, so each leg being either a full head wind or tail wind. Result 01:03:34 [23.7mph average].
Overall it has been the usual mixed season with some reasonable results, and some slightly disappointing efforts, but on the whole quite enjoyable and managing somehow, perhaps more by luck than judgment, to exceed my pre seasons targets by actually getting 5 number VTTA standard awards for distances of 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 miles, these are a sort of handicap system award [Standards] based on a riders age.
So, as always, Onwards and Upwards.
Barrie.