• Since British Cycling signed with Shell, and I became increasingly disillusioned with the returns on investment in racing cross and road, I stopped racing both of those. But has been one race I've loved and done every year, a TT; the North Road Hardriders. Aside from having the best name, it's in February, usually around the time of my birthday and it's a hilly 25 mile tt around Hertfordshire. Previous winners include

    1979 S. Yates Archer RC 1.06.46
    1991 C. M Boardman Manchester Wheelers 0.57.20
    1994 S. Dangerfield North Wirral Velo 0.58.00
    1997 S.Yates Team Clean 0.58.44
    2005 M. Huchinson Api-Metrow 0.54.23 23.0 miles
    2010 M. Bottrill I-ride.co.uk 0.59.30
    2012 Wouter Sybrandy IG Sigma Sport 56:36 Course record and 25 mile event record.
    2013 Joe Perrett (Team IG-Sigma Sport)

    https://cyclinguphill.com/north-road-hardriders-tt/

    Knowing the roads very well, and always enjoying a few 2 minute climbs in freezing fog I seem to go ok on this. I came 3rd in 2022 and 2nd in 2023, on a road bike.

    As I'm nearing my 40th and my fitness is declining, I'm not sure I can be significantly fitter than I was the past 2 years, so I've made the foolish decision that the only way to win is to buy a new bike.

    So this has been bought, and will be collected this weekend

    This thread will document my attempt, and probably failure, but not totally unfeasible dream to win this race in 2025.

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