Ray Levers Road Race

[oll]

Well this has been my first race of the year and i didn't know how I would go, as I had a cold in the early part of the week.

Group A had a 4 and 7 minute advantage over groups B and C and we used as a big incentive to get organised and work the Chain. The majority of the group did their bit and we kept the pace high. As a result we managed to stay away.

It was only on the last lap, along the bottom straight did we stop working the chain, I ended up doing a big stint, but wanted to be up at the front for the corner onto the finishing straight. I also found myself on the front and so I pushed hard towards the finish. Alas the sprinters passed.

Well done Rich getting a third place and Alan around 7th.

Was the time advantage too much? We worked well and averaged 24.8mph so I feel our group deserved to stay away, but I am sure groups B and C will feel differently!

[bennyburrito]

Well what a great start to what i hope will be a successful seasons racing for all of us associated with Dinnington RC.

The day started in great fashion with bright sunshine and hardly a breath of wind pushing temperatures up to 20C.

I personally thought it was great to see so many Dinnington jerseys as the three groups lined up at the start, with the A group in particular looking very well represented. The handicap was perhaps a little bit generous as none of the groups managed to catch the A group, however with the A group averaging 24.5 mph it was always going to difficult. The B group averaged 25.25 mph and the C group was 27mph.

Within my group (B group) we soon got organised and after a steady first lap of 24.62mph we started to increase the speed with each lap until topping out at 26.05mph on the last lap. It was only on about the 4th or 5th lap that i noticed we had started to shell a few out the back and we were left with about a dozen of us who were pushing it. All doing our turns, all glad to be back out racing.

It was however all in vain as although we were within touching distance of the A group we just didn't have enough in us to catch them. I would like to think another lap and we would have managed it. But that is the beauty of handicap racing, all the ifs buts and whats.

What was great was to get to the finish to hear that Richard had grabbed a third. After many many many miles of training this was a great way for him to open his account to the season.

Sounds like Keith did his best 'Gilbert' impression on the last lap with him going for one of his now infamous 'long uns'. Good effort so early in the year and i cant wait to see him pull one of these off later in the season.

Personally i really enjoyed it to finally be back racing, and after grabbing what i think was a 4th in my group, this with the added bonus of the sunshine made all the dark early morning winter training starts even more worthwhile.

Once last thing i would like to point out is how well organised Harworth & District were with my particular highlight being the selection of cakes post race. Fantastic.

Here is to a great seasons racing.

Ben

[andyr]

How do!

It was a good show by DRC on Sunday. Everywhere I looked there was a black & yellow jersey. By the sounds of things everyone got stuck in & gave it a go. The weather must've helped....it was perfect!

I'll echo the previous comments re: the handicapping. 7minutes was a "big ask" & I had doubts at the start that we would catch. Last year there wasn't such a big gap between groups A & C on the Torworth circuit, anyhow that's racing.

To make up that sort of time, the only option was to go full trottle from the off. This had the effect of resigning half of our group to hangers on. Sure we could've tapped it back abit & more would've come through but all this means is your travelling slower. Anyhow a "pep talk" by Dave Coulson & a few more choice words by myself had no effect, it was the same folks on the front. Once I'd turned my race mode off & realised this was going to be a training ride I started to enjoy it, so rode harder! Last lap pretty much consisted of silly turns & stem chomping...perfecto!

See y'all soon!

Andy.

[iandv]

Guys,

What a fine selection of race reports - brilliant coverage - I have nothing to add other than I thoroughly enjoyed blasting round with Jordan & Andy R for company. I gave it full bore but was a little held back by a quickly developing cold which I think is getting worse - going to try and shift it with a sweat fest turbo session in the garage wearing my new Ben Swift cast off Team Sky shorts - lovely.

PS Just ordered me a Uvex FP1 Team Columbia Helmet in Black , yellow and white from GB cycles at £79.

Ian D - see you Sunday for Dinnington vs Sheff Rec BC challenge - come on!!!