The Ride of My Life | A collection of cycling stories

Enjoyed reading that.
I think it would work even better if your started with an excerpt of some of the "meat" and then went back to the beginning (if that makes sense).

Eg: start like this:

I’m shivering on the start line.
An old chap holds a stop watch in his gloved hand, breath billowing. Freezing mist clings to the bare fields all around and the trees look black and dead. The sky is pewter.
I fumble with the cycle computer I’ve stuck to my tri-bars with black electrical tape, zeroing the speedometer. I’m trying to breath but I can only manage shuddering gasps. The next bloke off after me glides up and wishes me good luck. He’s dressed like a Power Ranger. Pointy helmet, skinsuit, a bike that costs more than my car. I look back and see more of the same, Imperial Stormtroopers on carbon stealth machines. My bike cost sixty three quid.
I look forwards, at the road.
Don’t let anyone pass.

Then put the rest afterwards.

That was a great read.. good work.