Swords CC League Round 6 Garristown - Ardcath CP (45km)

Cadex

20/05/2009 Garristown – Ardcath CP (45km)

Another race day – my third club race – and another great evening. I’ve no idea of my own placing but my friend Raam won! It’s no big surprise as he’s a strong rider and works very hard.

To be honest, I thought it was going to be another ‘soft’ (i.e. drowned wet) evening in keeping with the run of weather we’ve been having but apart from the ‘odd spit’ on the way, it remained dry and even quite nice. I’d been harbouring thoughts of not racing as I was running late and fully expected it to be yet another soaking wet evening. Because I was late, I decided to try use the M1 as far ‘up’ as possible and taking a turn off the M1 opposite Balbriggan, but this did not help at all and I wandered around back roads for a bit. It looked like a good idea on the map! When I arrived, I expected to be too late to race and offered to marshall. I was told I should race so ran off and got changed. “Bloody hell”, it was not the best preparation and when I got up to the line, the group I was expecting to be in had left by a couple of minutes. I decided (probably stupidly) to try and catch them. Leaving Garristown at a clip and full of adrenaline (was over 60km/h at one point) , I basically was out on my own time-trialling it (again). I’d been so sure I was too late to race I’d not zeroed my computer until after I was on the route. Even the marshals looked unsure – was I the ‘tail’ of the second group detached already or a super-early breakaway from the third group. Thankfully, they did direct me as I’d no clue where I was or where I was going and big thanks to the chaps who warned me about the wet and gravel on two of the bends. I kept trying to catch the second group but it was not working. “Hell” I reckoned that will teach me to arrive earlier, still, at least it was racing experience. During my second lap of the loop, the third group caught me. I attached myself to them however, as I’d spent the first half of the race on my own, I’d used up too much to do any real work for them and spent most of my time at the back. The pace was fast but manageable at a stretch for me and they were good enough not to yell at me for not working more (thanks!). I thought I’d get dropped earlier but held on until the last crossroads before Ardcath when I was dropped. I ended up working with a chap from Dublin Wheelers for a while then another Swords man and we took turns at the front. This was a big help and brought the speed back up. Unfortunately, I dropped him at Ardcath and at this stage, the 4th group or ‘scratch’ (?) guys went past. I managed to keep this group in view during the rest of the long drag up the first hill. They were gone for the second hill toward Garristown and I finished on my own about 100m behind the last of this group. After the finish, I met up with Raam who told me he’d won – Fantastic! I was happy enough to have survived, but I knew that I’d messed up by being late and once that happened should probably have gone with the third group. Of the three races I’ve been in, I’ve spent a lot of time on my own in two. I thoroughly enjoyed the event but it reminded me (as if I needed it) that I have a lot to learn. Drove home with Raam after the race and went over how it went. Arrived home looking forward to the next one – would it be too much to hope for more good weather?
Computer stats – late reset so not accurate – Dist: 43.9k, Time: 1:21, Ave: 32km/h, Max: 60.9km/h
Good roads, nice weather.

petethedrummer

Nice report, how about a few paragraphs??;)

Hungrycol

Great Stuff. Just reading this now.

I'm sick at the moment and the virus I had has manifested itself in double vision (diplopia). That keeps me off the bike for a good few weeks, perhaps for the rest of the season. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

Big congrats RAAM. How did you do it?!

RobFowl

Cadex wrote: »

20/05/2009 Garristown – Ardcath CP (45km)

Another race day – my third club race – and another great evening. I’ve no idea of my own placing but my friend Raam won! It’s no big surprise as he’s a strong rider and works very hard.

The Inner Valverde was finally unleased !
Well done RAAM

Raam

thanks guys. I have a report ready, but official results ain't been stuck up on the site so I haven't sent it in.