Sheffrec Spring Road Race

[oll]

Another perfect day for racing, no wind, sunny and nice ambient temperature.
This was my first BC race and so was apprehensive, with the distance being far greater than the TLI races. As I would be going into the unknown racing for 50 miles I thought I would ride defensively and stayed towards the rear of the pack. Not my usual style of riding, but I wanted to find my feet.
I felt comfortable and all was going well until around the 10th lap when a horse coming the other way bolted and so the back of the pack had to slow and us at the back even came to a standstill. I then found myself with a gap to make up to get back to the pack. I managed to work back and just hoped an attack was on hold, luckily it was and I recovered.
I hung in and finished the race, it felt great to get my first BC race under my belt, maybe I might try to be more adventurous in the next.

What about the other guys! A great performance from Jordan finishing third, winning the bunch sprint. Great to see Jordan in such good early season form. Andy and Ian both finished well and Ben was also buzzing in his first BC race.

[bennyburrito]

Well where do i start. After a bit of a nervous morning trying to decide whether to risk racing on my Pinarello as it was due to be sold that afternoon i decided to go for it and have one last blast on her before she went. This in combination with being my first BC race meant that i was already a bit nervous before i had even got to the Race HQ.

On arrival the buzz amongst the riders only added to the nerves and the combination of what was the first 'proper' race for the seasoned campaigners and also the first BC race for us Cat 4 virgins only added to the butterflies.

After the Commissionaire gave us the dos and dont's we were off, and escorted by motorbike through the neutral zone and upto the start finish straight, which surprisingly for those of us used to the TLI Staiton circuit had been moved to the top of Long Gate. Once at the top of the hill we were away.

As the first of what i hope will be many BC races there were one or two personal highlights including having a bit of a blast at the front with Andy R and racing at an average of 25mpf for 50 miles is definitely something i need to get used to, ouch!

It was great to see Jordan grab a third place however with hindsight when it had become apparent that it was going to finish in a bunch sprint myself, Andy, Ian and Keith really should have got ourselves a bit more organised and gone to the front to up the pace on the last lap in an effort to lead Jordan out. Next time perhaps.

Final placings were;

Jordan 3rd
Andy R 14th
Ian 19th
Myself and Keith in main bunch.

Great start to what i hope will be a fun and successful seasons BC racing for DRC.

Well done to Jordan again, just different class buddy!

For those of you interested in stats here is my Garmin report;

connect.garmin.com/activity/79946857

Ben

[iandv]

What a great race today - full of the usual drama. I was on it for 10 laps then the dreaded cramps hit and I had to ease off a bit. My finale was compromised by the fear of cramping up completely. I need to resolve this issue - posh drinks and salts tablets etc don't seem to be working - any ideas or suggestions most welcome.

Great race reports again boys - keep them coming!

Ian D