REDBRIDGE ROAD RACE, ERRL, MATCHING GREEN, 106K - SUNDAY 13th
JUNE
I took part in the Redbridge cc Essex
Road Race League Road Race over seven laps of the Matching Green,
Hatfield Heath circuit, total distance 106k (66 miles).
After a steady first lap the pace
increased. It was at this point that I hit a pothole hard in
Hatfield Heath causing one of my bottles to fall out and my
handlebars to rotate down. From then on I had to hope that I
could survive in the heat with just one bottle and due to the awkward
position of the handlebars I had to ride on the drops for the
next fifty miles to the finish.
A break of seven soon established itself
and the pace lessened slightly. As this was only my second start in a
road race this year and as I was just aiming to finish I stayed in the
wheels and made no attempt to get near the front. Also as I was
rationing my water I thought it best not to exert myself too much.
With the finish line approaching the
field came back together. I felt ok but lacked the necessary speed to
stay near the front for the finish and instead rolled in at the back
of the bunch. Hopefully I'll improve and I must remember to tighten up
my bottle cage for the next race.
Richard Somerset
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