TT Series Round 8 - Finally There

Last weekend saw the final round of the CTT TT Series, with 5 wins out of 6 events so far, this should have been a bit of a fun event, but with this event being double points, the whole series could still be lost if the worst was to happen. Before I go on however I want to have a quick mention of a really fun event I did the weekend before.

I haven't raced in Kent much this year, and when one of the local girls, Sally Smith, said she was looking for a veteran to do a GP de Gents 2 up, I said I would be glad to ride it with her. The event was the West Kent RC 25 mile, and although Sally was suppose to lead me around (as I was the older of us two), we had decided that as we were very unlikely to get anywhere near the win, I would tow Sally around. I think Sally enjoyed her early morning workout as she did really well holding on for what was her fastest ever time around a 25 mile course, and that was including previous TTT's. For me it was a real fun race with no stresses or worries about what I needed to do. I think in all honesty it is what I really needed as the season has been quite stressful in various ways, might have to include a few more "fun" events next year.

Sally and I

Picture Courtesy of Dave Hayward

 

 

Back to the TT Series, after what felt like a stressful 2 weeks waiting for the startsheet to appear, downside of this event was no internet entry, so not knowing if your entry arrived was a worry when the event was so important. Some of the stresses went when I got the startsheet, but I still needed to make sure I finished the event with a decent placing, things on the bike and tyres etc were checked and double checked. I would also be ably assisted in this event by Heather and Killian who were parked up halfway around the course with spare wheels in case I got a puncture, I even had spare wheels at the HQ (which we passed) just to be really safe.

The course was almost 2 laps of a 10 mile circuit near Corby, a very nice circuit with a few lumps thrown in, and some really nice rolling roads. There were a few villages to go through as well which due to the parked cars, meant fully alert. The course record was held by Richard Prebble with a 41:30, and as well as aiming to do well, I wanted to try and break the course record.

The start is straight up a hill, and although not long, it is steep enough to get the old legs stinging if you go too hard, which is quite easy just after the start LOL. Once at the top it was now a great downhill and onto the rolling roads, speed was good here with a nice tailwind, and soon I was passing Heather and Killian in Medbourne. I was feeling good and just aimed to keep up the speed to make sure after the first lap I was in with a shout of the course record.

Out of Medbourne and on towards Ashley the roads were still rolling, but the drag up to Ashley seemed quite tough when at full racing effort. Through Ashley took a bit of care with parked cars and 90 degree bends, but once out of the village it was virtually straight on until you got back to Middleton where the finish was. This section was the toughest with a little bit of a headwind slowly robbing you off the average speed, as I went through the finish for the first time I saw the average was 27.6 mph, and now sensed that the record was beatable. Coming out of Cottingham you have to climb up past the start and up the hill again towards Bringhurst, it didn't seem so easy this time, and it felt like a very slow grind. Average speed had dropped below the 27.1 mph I needed, but at least with the slowest part of the course out of the way I could try and get it back up to where I needed it to be.

I passed Heather and Killian again, if I got a puncture now it was too late, and knowing that there were only a few miles left pushed on as hard as I could. Speed had risen, but still not enough to be comfortable, and with the drag up to Ashley seeming to be really slow the second time, the speed dropped again. Once through Ashley and with about 2 miles to go, I just pushed as hard as I could to try and get the speed up. In the distance I could see my 2 min man Geoff Platts, and knew I wouldn't catch him, but it was the time I was more interested in. Coming around the last bend I could see the finish about 1/2 mile away and I could see I was going to beat 41 mins, with a last full on effort I crossed the line in 40:45 to record the win, and set a new course record.

Winning the event also meant I won the CTT TT Series overall for Veterans on Actual Time, which was one of my big goals for the season, and won all 6 of the events I took part in. Geoff Platts managed to finish 2nd overall as well, we have had some good races between us all season.

It has been a really good series in my opinion, and we have raced on some really good and interesting circuits, certainly makes a change from racing up and down busy A roads, can't wait until 2014 when I suppose I will have to try and defend my title.

Also must say congratulations to Matt Bottrill (www.drag2zero.com) on winning the Senior Men, Rebbeca Slack (Look Mum No Hands) on winning the Senior Women and Womens Veteran on Actual, Colin Lynch (Macclesfield Wheelers) on winning the Disabilty, Alex Royle (Banjo Cycles R.S) on winning the Espoirs, Jake Coward (Rapha Condor) on winning the Juniors and John Woodburn (VC Meudon) winning the Veterans on Target Time.

I would have liked this to mark the end of my season, but I agreed to do the Redmon CC GP de Gents 2up with Rebecca Slack at the end of October, so it means a few more weeks of hard work before the season is properly over. Big thanks must go out to Torq Fitness, Tim Bayley from Fisher Outdoor and Keith Murray from Scott UK for all your help this year.