This weeks blog features two events. Very different in nature but both led to some fantastic bike racing and some very enjoyable cycling. The first event was the Rutland Cicle Classic 2019, a wonderful professional bike race which is a combination of road and gravel sections. Obviously I just went to watch that one. The second is the start of this years Friday Night Summer Series, MTB racing. What these events have in common is that they are local, very well respected and they've been around for a long time.
In order to see this top quality bike race I joined the KCC Sunday Social ride led by my good cycling friend Ian Bird. I joined the ride at Rushton and at that stage there were 8 of us. We headed out towards Rushton through the Welland Valley and I was very quickly struggling to keep up on the hills. I'm never the best climber but this was me at my worst! I can't explain why, especially when you read later on that I finished the day feeling really strong!
Around the course there were sections where the riders did laps making it great to spectate. At those locations, course maps were handed out. Before we got to our first stop in Wymondham, the group decrease to four as not all of the KCC lads were out for the day.
Good crowds watched at Wymondham, where a breakaway of three riders had already been created. The lead van had a PA system keeping everyone up to date. We had a quick coffee watching the laps and then 4 became 2 as just Ian and I headed to the next lap section at Owston.
2 mentions in 2 weeks...
We arrived at Owston in good time and a very welcome food station provided sausage and bacon "cobs," (looked like baps to me mate!) I'd brought my card out though and this was a cash only zone so I also owe Ian next time we're out! Also at Owston we started to bump into people we knew David Wilson and his son Huw were there as were a number of other friends from Welland Valley Cycling Club and Rockingham Wheelers Cycling Club. The breakaway was still on and the riders did laps in and out of Owston via various gravel tracks.
Hang on...whose that man in grey? It's Andy Brown...then two became three!
Andy had driven up and parked at Belton. He had a plan to follow the the gravel sections, see the finish at Melton and and then, because he had the bike carrier we could get a lift home!
Road bikes on Gravel made for exciting racing!
Team cars everywhere!
Love the broom wagon
We rode up here too...thank goodness for strong wheels and tubeless tyres
I only just got out of the way in time as the team cars sped through and the racing hotted up near Melton!
Finish at Melton. Why is there always a giant man with a huge beard blocking the view?
Pies!!!
It was 14 miles back to Andy's car and it was heading back to the lumpiest bits of the days ride. I'd already done more than 50 miles and told Andy that as soon as I hit the 62.1 miles fondo distance I'd be stopping and he could come and pick me up! There was no need though as my legs just totally switched on. Before I knew it we were racing for village signs. The weather at the end of the day was also at it's best. It had been cold all day with the remnants of storm Hannah blasting us about. Then the sun just came out, the countryside was stunning and it was sheer joy to be in it all on a bike! I want to thank Ian and Andy for a great day on the bike. It doesn't get better than this!
As for the pros...you can read all about them here: British Cycling
Friday night saw the start of this year's Friday Night Summer Series. FNSS, has been running since 1992 and is the oldest Mountain Bike Racing Series in the Universe! It's open to all with the age range from 12 through to ancient, superfit amazing cyclists through to well chunky enthusiasts like me!
A large field gathered at Delapre on a superb course organised this week by Northants Outcasts. I'd heard that the council had flattened the trails in the woods at Delapre and was relieved to find I was mistaken. It was other nearby trails on private land! Really great news because these are a hidden gem near to Northampton Town Centre.
I saw many familiar faces from the cyclocross season, all the clubs I'm involved in and of course Dev, the friend I made at one of my first FNSS races. Big shout out also to Steve Coombs for his tyre pressure advice. I'm glad I listened to you not the website that said 90kg+ riders need higher pressures!
Just like cyclocross, it's a mass start but without the gridding. Everyone tears off at max speed to get an advantage as the course narrows. I'm okay for about 30 seconds and then I always seem to blow out of the back...then I feel awful for the rest of the first lap. It's like my legs turn to jelly. As the race goes on I get better and better but most people in my age group are going that little bit faster. I always have simple aims: try not come last, try and do the same number of laps as the main field, smile! Well, as my measure of success...it's mission accomplished!
Thanks to Josh Popham of Action Media for the pic
I look very casual and relaxed in the picture. Hmmm...no, I was knackered! FNSS is very friendly racing. The quick lads are patient and let you know where they want to go to get past. They usually pass on some encouragement..."keep going mate...you're doing well!" Then they blast off into the distance. Some of my technique let me down. I managed to slide my front wheel in the lap timing area and knock over the barrier stake! That was embarrassing. However in other areas, particularly getting up the steep bank I applied some of the learning from Corby Capers and Muddy Marvels and I was able to fly up an obstacle I've previously struggled with.
Harrington next week. This is literally a couple of miles from my house and yet I've never managed to ride it. I'm not going to enter online just in case!
Loads more to do this weekend. No ride today but plenty to look forward to. Big match at the Saints followed by an evening out with friends. Hopefully I can stick to the tipsy not smashed policy and then I'll be good to go for a ride tomorrow!
Here's my favourite video from this week. I watched this on the rollers. I think I'd like to do this route one day...but not in three days!!!
Also if you've missed it ITV have good highlights of the Tour de Yorkshire.
Happy Pedalling!
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