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@Brain-Stew
Raced (for the first time in a number of years) at the Cyclopark in Kent. Fantastic event set up and run through the Surrey League by LWCR. Pretty miserable conditions in the wind and the rain (Sean Kelly would have been proud), and the mud from the works around the circuit meant that there was a constant spray of grit to the face - some people go to health spas for the privilege.
Forced an early split of about 10 riders and managed to keep up a pretty reasonable pace considering the wet track (which was surprisingly grippy), but probably did too much work at the front. We were set off just infront of the E/1/2/3/4 ladies, so I was pleased not to be overtaken by any women - incredibly mysognist, I know. As we were rolling up the incline to the finish line with about 5 laps to go, the pace slowed and a few of us started chatting about the weather (what else?) and then catching us all by surprise a youth rider on restricted gears took off on a flyer. We all played silly buggers behind and there was no organised chase - even so he (Lewis, I believe his name was) was killing it off the front of the race and we didn't catch him before the line.
Slightly annoyingly, my several years of racing experience at uni have abandoned me, and I opened the sprint way to early which allowed three others to come round me for the finish - will learn for next time (and work on some sprint drills - too much hill work so far this year...). Still, had a great time despite the conditions and pretty happy to be up there at the end.
Big thanks to the organisers for sticking out the conditions (probably worse to watch in that to race), and fantastic new facility over at the Cyclopark - I hope they can get the carpark and clubhouse set up asap.
Pretty sure the wet affected my Garmin, as I don't remember doing any of the off-road sections:
[ame]http://connect.garmin.com/activity/172524824[/ame]