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Race Report: Milland Valley by
Steve Dennis
Surrey League 3rd/4th Cat - 20th May 2001-
5 x 12 mile lap
This was a bit last minute for me, deciding
to do it on the Thursday before and Chris and Paul rode it due to the
Zipvit race being postponed to a later date.
None of us knew anything about the course
other than it had 'Valley' in the name and Paul had seen lots of contour
lines on the map. The officials pre-race chat also included the words
'dual carriageway'!, 'mountain'! and 'the main hill'!! Terrific…and
believe me the first trip down the dual carriageway was in a full bunch of
80 riders at 30mph..and for the first time I was loving it. Chose my wheel
and stayed there no matter what, even took those little chances to squeeze
into smaller gaps ahead..I was a man possessed. Anyway it was cool, 3
Addiscombe jerseys chasing each other through a speeding bunch along
sleepy country lanes, I remember thinking that this must be one hell of a
sight and being proud to be part of it.
Then we hit 'the main hill' the field
exploded around us, forwards, backwards, funny zig zaggy sideways
movements, chains slipping off and punctures. I was happily cruising up. A
slight rolling section then the road ahead gave a stunning plan view of
the peleton fighting its steep slopes. I saw Chris spinning those low
gears to move up the field and Paul (Im sure he wont mind me saying this)
seemed to hit a brick wall, we exchanged Agreeables as we passed. Using
Chris' previous training I hit 40mph+ on the descent passing more riders.
Finding myself alone I tt'd pretty well along the main roads.
I was joined by a group of about 8 and then
the fun started. A chaingang, boy it was fast and amazingly we all worked
together (I say we but admittedly I did seem to move into 2nd on the line
as opposed to going to the front, but no one seemed to mind). Even on the
climb I finished in their midst, we waited for stragglers. Really felt
like being in a race…first time actually, it wasn't just a hard training
run….the dual carriageway at 30mph+ again…what a rush. Passing and
dropping or collecting riders on the way. Our team caught the bunch ahead,
as it did so I lost touch and was struggling like a dying dog to get back
on, maybe 3 miles just hanging at about 10 metres off the back wheel. The
thought of the marshalls in the car behind us laughing at me is what
finally helped me get back in touch. Met Coco again and had a bit of a
chat he didn't believe that I'd just caught their group after chasing.
Also informed me that the group ahead contained about 40 riders or so!!!!
He loves us 'Addiscombes' though…and he can't half ride a bike. (He
offered me money to say more (joke)).
We hit the climb for the third time and I
died along with a few others, suddenly it had all gone, 30 miles feeling
great and then just dead. One rider yelled over his shoulder that I should
pass him as he was about to abandon, I replied "That's what I'm
trying to do". Oh how we laughed!!!! Then , amazingly, he accelerated
and pushed me for a few metres or so, gave me the little extra impetus I
needed. Another cycling star in my eyes. I love these guys who are there
for the same reasons as you, to have fun, to get through the suffering and
give it all, helping others when they need it. Admittedly it's not as
though I was a threat to anyone…… Thankfully cycling certainly does
seem to be a sport with a high percentage of sportingmen/persons. I am not
looking forward to the day, though it probably won't come, that I am
disappointed about finishing second.
So purgatory starts, a lap alone , been
there before, done that. This was at anything from 5 - 26 mph. Almost
doing a trackstand at times. Entirely due to exhaustion, bad preparation
and no food, I even reached into my pockets for change when I saw a garage
ahead….believe me I really would have. A few guys passed ,maybe 6 in
all, they all offered help but I just had to laugh and wave them on. I
actually started catching a guy on the last climb and as he pulled over to
talk to mates the marshalls started yelling at him to cross the line, they
were pulling us out a lap early. We get a finish. I actually felt the
surge of adrenalin and sprinted for it, we more or less crossed the line
together. 5 mins later the leaders fought it out in a sprint, 5 mins from
being lapped. By Golly I've done it I tell you, I've done it.
Chris had also enjoyed it and finished in
the second group, infact the final result gives him a 14th which he
disputes but willingly accepts!!, Paul didn't have quite as much fun, not
a hill man. Reckons he finished last on the road but actually in the
leaders sprint. I think that means that he was catching me like a bat out
of hell on the last lap. Cake…If you can rate an organising clubs work
on their cake..Addiscombe Rule.!!! Oh and the club who did the 2-up. They
guy who pushed me was from Portsmouth North
End and I've since swapped a few messages with them on their website,
worth checking out, they love our offroad picture reports.
Road Racing - If you haven't done it, you
haven't ridden a bike. See you in the peleton soon.
Agreeably Steve
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