An unexpected result!

My very first cycle race ever was in February 2006, one of the Surrey League beginners' races promoted by London Dynamo at the MOD Chertsey/Qinetiq test track. Every year, the Surrey League racing season begins with these 2 weekends of racing where, alongside the main E123 handicap race, they run a beginners' 4th Cat. race and a race for 3rd and 4th Cat. women. Two years ago, the women didn't have a separate race and there were only three of us among 50-60 novice men. I was off the back before the first corner and just rode around on my own, practising cornering and attacking the hill, until it was time to stop.

Chertsey - Then

Last year, there were 10 women and we had our own race. I managed to keep up with the bunch for 2 laps until I was dropped and then rolled around with a clubmate until it was time to stop. A couple of others had punctures or mechanicals and dropped out, so I managed to finish in the points.

This year, 13 women started and I was pretty sure I would finish near last. But I managed to keep up all the way 'round and then sprinted to 3rd on the line - my best result ever!

Chertsey - Now

On reflection, I inadvertently rode a pretty smart race. Thinking that I wouldn't be in contention for even a top-half placing, I just hung out in the group and stayed away from the front. It was only on the last lap that I shifted into the big ring, thinking I would need it to have any chance of keeping up when the pace lifted. Around the final corner and into the long finishing straight I got onto the wheel of one of the girls I thought would win it. My two clubmates, who I knew were strong, were sprinting away ahead of us as the finish line approached and, waiting for the rider in front of me to kick, I feared I was going to end up boxed in. But a little look around revealed there was no one in sight to my right, so I went out, overtook the fading remnants of the group I'd been cruising behind and, somehow, incredibly, missed 2nd place by a tire-width.

If only I'd believed I could do it, I might've won it.

I've already asked Warrick about the best place on the circuit to launch an attack. Now if I can only get him to stop making fun of the way I "corner" and give me some useful advice, I might have a chance next week!