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My First Race
by Jeff Messie
I'd been thinking about entering a race for a couple of weeks but now,
at 42 years of age, it really was a matter of 'now or never'. I knew that
I wasn't fit enough, but this summer I'd felt pretty good, so it was
probably as good as my fitness was going to get. Looking at the London
cycle sport website I saw that on Hillingdon was running a series of races
on Fridays for 4th category and unlicensed riders, and the next one was on
my day off. At £3 a go and no licence required it really did seem as if
I'd run out of excuses.
The train to Syon Lane took a lot less time than I thought so I ended
up at Hillingdon far too early, and mooched about in a nearby café before
returning at 6.20 for the 7.00 start. I entered the changing hut and
signed on. "Veterans or novices?" asked the guy.
"Both" would have been the honest answer, but I signed up for
the latter and nervously put the number on my back
Over a pre-race cup of coffee I was pleased to see one familiar face
from the Addiscombe club runs who was here for the women's race being run
that same evening. As time went on it was announced that as there were not
many people for the three planned events they would be combined into one
race at 7.30 for women, veterans and novices.
A couple of warm up laps reassured me that there were no nasty inclines
and I was impressed by the beautifully smooth course surface. Now all I
needed was knowledge of tactics. Talking one of the women riders she
advised me that the first couple of laps would be breakneck and that I
shouldn't let that put me off since the later laps were not nearly so
fast. My main worry was that without any experience I would get in the way
and cause a crash. The advice I received was to "be predictable, keep
a straight line and avoid grabbing the brakes". If I did this, I was
assured, no one would have any grounds for complaint. If I was in the way
it would be up to them to get around me.
Then we gathered at the start line for what we were told would be 50
minutes plus five laps - then we were off! The first lap was unexpectedly
being used as a warm up so I tucked in at a comfortable 19 miles and hour
and wondered when the faster riders would hit. I didn't have to wait long.
A little way into the second lap the leaders put the hammer down and sped
off at 28 miles an hour or so as we approached the steepest section of the
course. I tried to keep pace but my legs were burning and suddenly that
was it, I was officially off the back. By the end of the lap there was a
guy about 15 yards in front of me and no one else that I could see. I
spent the next few laps of laps trying to close the gap between us. It was
about this time that I started to regret the burger, coke and fries I'd
unwisely consumed before coming. However a glance at my speedometer showed
that (for me at least) I was riding quite quickly so I decided to treat it
like a time trial and see what happened.
From the sidelines I got a few helpful tips such as it really is okay
to cut the corners on the bends and to keep a steady pace if you have
overdone it on the first couple of laps.
I seemed to be getting nearer to the guy in front when I was aware of
the lead group closing up to lap me. With no idea of the etiquette I
pulled over to the side and slowed down to let them pass, which seemed
okay but ended any thoughts I might have had about cheekily getting on the
back of this group. A bit later another group came to lap me. They looked
more tired than the lead group and I managed to grab a wheel, got pulled
past the guy ahead of me, and kept going. Miraculously a couple of people
even decided to follow my wheel!
The next three or four laps were the highlight of my race. In a smooth
group of four or five riders, I felt like a real pro as we took the bends
and kept the pace. The feeling was great and I was going well. Not quite
well enough to take a turn at the front of course, but I hoped they
understood. Unfortunately this honeymoon feeling couldn't quite last. Once
the sign for five more laps was up they found some extra pace that I
couldn't match and left me on my own again.
I completed the last five laps as quickly as I could. A pulled leg
muscle and a sore bum were starting to bother me but no way was I not
going to finish. Then it was the bell for the last lap, a quick
acceleration and an arrival at the finish line with a celebration flourish
worthy of a tour stage-winner!
So all-in-all how was it? Well, on the one hand I got a good kicking
from the rest of the riders and learned that I really have to do something
abut my fitness and maximum speed. On the other I had a great time, I
didn't cause any crashes, and finished my first race. If anyone asks I am
going to tell them that, yes, I really am a racing cyclist.
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