Redbridge Cycle Centre 10th September 2011 SERRL

After a very disappointing TT this morning 22:36 on the Q10/19 where I was suffering with some real bad stomach pains and not being get any power out or get down on the Tri-Bars was giving some serious thought about pulling out of this afternoon race at Redbridge Cycle Centre.

But of course I didn't, upon arrive the first thing of serious note was a strong cross wind, the 2nd was only 30 riders signed on. So this was going to be an excellent opportunity to put some practice in of staying hidden from the wind and as far from doing any work on the front as possible.

There were only a few riders who tried at forming breakaway, one last for almost 8 laps but they didn't get to far from sight and all eventually failed as the bunch relentlessly went about counting down the laps.

I was still feeling quite strong on the last lap and as we went up the climb from the final time I was sucked from the back of the bunch through the middle and up into 11 place. As the front of the bunch dip down to the final corner I switch to the left hand side of the circuit (wind side) and accelerate to 30mph into the last corner to get ready for the final sprint up and out of the corner to the line. But Crash a Dynamo rider clipped his inside pedal on the ground high-siding right on line I was taking, forcing me to check my speed so as to turn inside him. Now found I was now in the wrong gear, almost stationary but was just about able to crank the speed up to 20mph passing another couple of riders on the way to cross the line in 6th.

Dave Hayward was there, photographing the event so I'm sure they will be plenty of pictures of me free-wheeling.