While my Cyclefit colleague, Warrick Spence, topped the podium in the invitational E/1/2 event at the Sutton Town Centre races, I ended up as the last listed finisher in the Women's race.
Typical performances from both of us.
At our respective mid-week races, Warrick once again had to muster some post-race energy to climb up to the top step of the podium, while I got to practice my inner tube changing technique after a visit from the merciful puncture fairy cut my pitiful effort at Hillingdon short.
Our results couldn't be more different, but I like to think that the thrill and excitement we feel at riding around in circles as fast as we can is exactly the same. It's just that my "fast as I can" is a lot slower and to less successful effect than Warrick's!Warrick's an Elite, rides for the shop team and has sponsors; he's gifted, fast and male. I'm a 3rd Cat. woman with neither genetics nor youth on my side. And having only taken up racing last year at the age of 37, less than a year after having taken up cycling full stop, I don't even have the benefit of experience.
Now Warrick's got a blog I thought I should start one, too, to provide a different perspective on the thing we have in common, and to demonstrate how even if you're not a shit-hot super-fit racer you can still, unashamedly, be passionate about cycling and bikes. While Warrick will tell you what it's like "looking down the barrel of a pro-crit sprint", I'll tell you what it's like to bring up the rear at a local women's circuit race.
I think that's just as fascinating!
- Kimbers
