Road Racing 2007

 

July 29th

Iain Hawthorne trys his first Road Race!!

Well, after threatening to do it for some time, and all the advice given to me from my posting earlier this week (i.e. none), I entered my first ever road race - the Cat 4, Surrey League jaunt around the MOD circuit in Chertsey.

15 laps of the 2 mile circuit, full of old fat blokes I thought. Old Portlians territory, here I come.

I took my adoring fan base with me (i.e. forced the wife and kids up at 6.30 in the morning with the promise of a 'picnic breakfast') and we rolled up at least 20 minutes before anybody else showed.

After a mild panic (as in 'did I read the email right') and some shifty looks from my wife, other cars arrived and I started to feel less and less confident as all these lean, mean, finely chisled athletes got out and signed in.

Over to the start line and off, can't be too bad this I thought, come on, JFDI.

After 30 miles of 23.6 mph average, 172 average heart rate (which peaked at 188 - totally new level that one), I climbed off after avoiding two crashes (guys carted to hospital) and think I was somewhere around 17th/18th out of a field of about 50. I actually led on two laps (one for show as in 'watch this kids' to loud cries of 'there's my dad') and was actually on the front with one lap to go - sitting comfortably at 180 heart rate (not).

Phil Watkins was also on duty in the Cat 1/2 race, didn't manage to hang around as wife/kids were bored by then, to see how he did.

A great first experience, not sure what was more terrifying - cornering in a bunch or descending mountains in the wet. Anyhow, I've survived my first experience of both in the last month - bring it on!

Phil Watkins reports:
My race, in the afternoon went okay, there was a lot of attacking to try to get away which made it tough, I ended up in a group 45 secs down on the winner as they got away in the last 3 laps by time my legs were gone, well behind in my fitness but pleased to be there for a sprint and getting 16th.

 

 

Phil powers to 4th place in MOD Chertsy Elite 1/2 Road Race 5th May

Phil Watkins Reports :

It was a cold day after the heatwave conditions we have had recently. This is the same course that our Old Ports promotion was on. Changing the lap board, as I did a few weeks ago, is easier than riding the 25 laps of the 2 mile circuit, but not so much fun!

On the 2nd lap there were some attacks and I decided to go with the move. Around 11 riders quickly formed a break but there were still a lot of Elites and 1st cats in the group behind(49 riders finished). Our breakaway group worked well and we got up to just over a minute from the chasing group at one point. Luckily everyone was doing their turn but I was seeing the front around twice every lap so it was like being in a team time trial. I wasn't convinced that we would stay away, even less so when Toby Neave came across the gap on his own and for a while it became disorganised as riders tried to hide.

We had caught the 3rd cat race well before they finished(they start a minute after us) and started to get organised again but the time gap was coming down. With around 5 laps to go it was down to 45 seconds. The last few circuits were a bit nervy, with a few attempted attacks, but around 12 of us were still together at the bell.

Around the back of the circuit the first 3 riders attacked and got a small gap going into the sweeping right then left into the final straight. I came out of this in 5th and attempted to bridge the gap to the 3 in front. From the last corner it is probably more than 400 metres so it was a long sprint. Half way along I realised I was staying the same distance behind the 3 leaders and expected the group behind to pass me as I was in no mans land. I put my head down and drove to the line and as you can see below I made 3 seconds on the next guy.

The time shows we were not hanging around, another lap or so and the bunch would probably have got us, the first of them being at 22 seconds. It was also very satisfying as well to be the first vet

Phil

Fantastic ride Phil! - Well done!


May 5, 2007 - Surrey League/TM Racing - MOD Chertsey - E/1/2 - 50 Miles

Pos Name Club/Team Cat Time
1 Tom Smith awcycles.co.uk 1 1:53:53
2 Toby Neave Wildside RT E @ 0:02
3 Chris Tune Sigma Sport RT 1
4 Philip Watkins Old Portlians CC 2V @ 0:05
5 Mickael Metayer Mosquito Bikes 2 @ 0:08
6 Alastair Carr Felt Racing 1
7 Tim Harris Mosquito Bikes 2
8 Roger Morgan VC Meudon E
9 Darrell Pembroke agiskoviner.com 2
10 Guy Powdrill London Dynamo 2

Full results courtesy of LondonCyclesport.com here

 

Phil snatches a third place in LVRC debut in Bletchingly
29th April

Phil reports :

I got my replacement frame built up last weekend and managed to get 3 training rides in before having a race today. Did my first ever LVRC Road Race, not the easiest of courses in Bletchingley. This was the first in the so called SE England Green Jersey event series.

I was in the race that contained the A and B age group category(I'm in A group by age, will move to B next year) and there were some well known guys riding. It was 5 laps of Bletchingley and there was some serious attacking on the hill leading up to the High street, on the second lap a break formed that I made but it got pulled back within 2 or 3 miles. A couple of guys managed to get away in the last 2 laps then it came down to a bunch sprint for 3rd place in the race, I was pipped by Andy Meilak for 3rd so I got 4th in the race but 3rd in my age category as the guy who won Julian Cann is in the B's, first in the A group was Matt Seaton.

It all sounds a bit confusing but the organisation was brilliant with 3 races going on at the same time. Although I suffered a bit to get over the hills I was pleased with the sprint at the end and it was first time out on the new bike as well so a 3rd is a good start.

 

Phil Watkins First Old Port Road Racing in 2007

Surrey League 2/3 Road Race on saturday 31st March

Phil Reports:

This was my first race of the season so just got one in March. It was 8 laps round the Henfold Hill circuit, we were told 68 miles before start but from Surrey League results say 72 miles. It was a tough day but the bunch didn't hang around and finished in 2 hours 42mins. It was a full field and a gusty day. I must admit I didn't get in any breaks or do anything on the front but was surprised to be there for the bunch finish, seeing as all my training has really been on my own so I had no real idea how I was going.

I was given 44th on line.

Over Easter I've entered the 1/2/3 3 day which is a bit optimistic as it starts with a tough first day on Milland Hill but there were not too many options on the road, hopefully it will bring me on for a bit later.