Over the past few weeks I've been listening intently to the stories told by some of the other riders about their recent racing experiences and I must say my interest in following them onto the race track was certainly triggered. Of course I had to balance that enthusiasm for racing as I'm still scarred, mentally not physically, from the one one and only other attempt at racing I had back in July 2010 (yes its been 18 months since I last entered a race). On that occasion I was told by Gav and Jase that "no worries mate its all good we'll look after you, no need to do any work on the front!!" Well let's just say that being dropped after 30ks of team time trialling with 35ks still to ride was not quite what I had in mind for a first race!!!
So it was this in mind that I cautiously put it out there to a few of the boys that I may attempt a race again this Saturday. This was met with a great deal of enthusiasm by none other than Gav and Jase who I'm sure remember what happened last time only too well. Gav was so enthusiastic that he even put out an email telling everyone that I was up for a race.....there was no turning back I was committed.
The next conversation was with my lovely wife which went something like this.....
"Babe I'm thinking of racing this weekend"
"Isn't that something young fit cyclists do??"
"Come on I train 4 or 5 days a week so I think I should give it a go."
"What happened last time you raced??"
"Sure I nearly died but this is different I'm told its a crit."
"I'm not even going to ask what a crit is."
"Its a criterium around...."
"Stop right there.....is your life insurance paid up??"
"Of course but it will be OK....Gav and Jase assured me it would!!"
"How much is the life insurance and remember I don't wipe up spit or change adult nappies so you had better stay on that damn bike or do it properly!!"
Any way with that resounding endorsement and show of support I began thinking about the race.
Riding on Friday Gav gave me the benefit of his extensive racing experience which I listened to intently although I was a little suspicious as he came off his bike at 40kph in his last race.....mmmmm.
Friday night brought a few hours of restless sleep as different scenarios ran through my head and before I knew it it was 5am and time to get on the bike and head to the track. Banana check, Powerade fuel check, gels check, nervous sick feeling in stomach double check!!
When I met the Commissar for grading he looked me up and down (I thought he was checking out the cool Powerade kit) and then asked how old I was....46 I said sucking in my gut and trying to do my best Brad Scriven quad flex I could muster....C Grade he said thank god I thought he he had said B Grade it may have been time to pull a hammy.
Jase rolled up and was full of enthusiasm and support which eased the nerves a little until Craig and Rowan showed up insisting that I should try an early breakaway.
Anyway before I knew it was time to get to the start line and off we went. Things went pretty much as Gav and Jase had described and I was even starting to feel pretty good among the 45 riders. I stayed in the first dozen throughout but then it happened....
I found myself on the front and the adrenalin got the better of me and off I went. Feeling quite invincible I actually upped the pace to about 43kph and as i went through the finish line oh how I wished that was the last lap. The fact was we had at least another 15 minutes to race and I was out the front with a young guy who wanted to blow the race apart. After I did my turn he took over and gave me that look of we can do this.
He turned around and said "get on!!"
I replied "I have a son older than you young fella I'm waiting for the peleton!!"
Soon enough we were caught but I managed to stay near the front and recovered quite well from my short lived breakaway. With a couple of laps to go the pace picked up but I was feeling strong so hung in there with the lead bunch. On the final lap I even felt strong enough to up the pace and as we rounded the last corner with about 400m to race I was in about second place and for the briefest of moments a podium finish flashed before my eyes followed quickly by about 5 other riders. 8th place it was to be.
Leading the way....for a short while
As we drank our coffee I received a txt from my concerned wife....
"Did u win?"
"Came 8th really happy with the race"
"Not bad for an old f*@k well done!"
The race lived up to my expectations and more and I can see why Gav and Jase said that I would be hooked and I am.
When I got home the trusty Garmin told me that I had averaged 40.0kph for the 32k race. Not bad for an old f*@k I guess!!!
What a week it has been.
PS more to follow on the B Grad race which saw Jase, Rowan, Greg and Craig ride an incredible race.
No comments:
Post a Comment