RR: Kew Crits 7Aug05 D-Grade



D

DaveB

Guest
Well my prayers for rain went unanswered, so with no other excuses handy
I rolled up to Kew this morning for my second crit outing (but first
time at Kew). There were 12 starters in D-Grade with aus.bicycle
representation from me, Flying Dutch and Dej. There's a decent hill on
this circuit and there was a nice strong headwind into it as well, so I
tried to shelter in the middle of the group as much as I could. After
three laps I knew I was in trouble, I'd start the climb in the middle of
the group, but be at the back by the top. I'd catch up on the downhill
and then go harder on the back straight to get a middle position. Then
go off the back again, after about 8-10 mins I got dropped and figured
stuff it I'll just ITT it.

Luckily I wasn't the only one to get dropped and after a couple more
laps caught up to someone. We rode together for a while and managed to
pass one or two others. Unknown to me Dutch was somewhere up ahead also
dropped. I was hanging out for the 3 laps to go call but must have
missed it because the next thing I knew the bell was ringing. I rolled
to the end just in time for the C-grade bell lap but I'll let GPLama
tell that tale.

Sigh, hopefully make it to the 12 min mark next time.

DaveB
 
Aye! suspicions confirmed. finish 'mid-pack', 7th. first rider after that group of 6 that went at the 9 minute mark. I got stranded about 50m off their back for about 5 laps which was incredibly demoralising (and feckin hardwork!). Couldnt get closer and was just getting drained!

Some guy joined me with about 10 minutes to go and we kept takin turns but i was getting more and more frustrated at his total inability to 'do' the corner
(braking AND changeing gears every frickin time!!!) and dropped him with one to go.

I managed to avoid getting lapped by about 1m as the winner crossed the line to my left. oh well. something to build on and the shoulder didnt even come into my thoughts till i tried putting an extra layer on after the race.
maybe i dont need that 'take-2' on the reco after all?...
 
flyingdutch said:
Aye! suspicions confirmed. finish 'mid-pack', 7th. first rider after that group of 6 that went at the 9 minute mark. I got stranded about 50m off their back for about 5 laps which was incredibly demoralising (and feckin hardwork!). Couldnt get closer and was just getting drained!

Some guy joined me with about 10 minutes to go and we kept takin turns but i was getting more and more frustrated at his total inability to 'do' the corner
(braking AND changeing gears every frickin time!!!) and dropped him with one to go.

I managed to avoid getting lapped by about 1m as the winner crossed the line to my left. oh well. something to build on and the shoulder didnt even come into my thoughts till i tried putting an extra layer on after the race.
maybe i dont need that 'take-2' on the reco after all?...

Well done - get that confidence back up!

DaveB: you'll get there - keep on fighting to stay on the wheel!

Ritch