October 2ndToday was a good day. Very cold first thing, but sunny. Went for a nice hour's spin with Sam, Neil and Andrea in themorning, whilst Miles went off on the Gold Mine Tour. I hung out in the sunshine for a while watching the White Hawk team patch up their bikes from yesterday's crashes. Fortunately no-one was hurt, and the bikes are repairable, just totally full of dirt from going off the road! 
After lunch I had a little pedal in the bike in the hotel room, to check the foam weput in to wedge my shoulders better. The fan provides air for the startline; important to stop the screen misting up. And pretty soon it was time to head out to the start. Once again we were off in the second set of riders, so sat in the van for a while keeping warm whilst the first set got ready. Despite the Double Gold Rush falling over, all five bikes got safely underway and down the course. I had started warming up by now - with the low temperatures I need at least half an hour on the turbo to get warm. I find that pedalling and listening to music also helps to avoid nerves. Conditions were good; still cold (though not as bad as yesterday), but with the wind dropping completely about 20 minutes before the road was closed, and the road being totally dry, we had no excuses there. 
The start area. Everyone has to be parked here before the road is closed for the first session, then each vehicle chases their rider down the course, keeping at least quarter of a mile behind. The Varna team are always there early to get the same spot they have used for the last three years. 
The top two women competitors line up on the start. Current 200m world record holder Andrea Blaseckie is sealed into the Varna Mephisto, whilst the White Hawk waits for the loading of hour record holder Ellen van der Horst. 
Lots of clothes at the start of warming up - very glad I broughtmy down jacket with me! We got the timing spot on tonight, and were sealed up and ready to go with two minutes left. The start was good, and I pedalled off, the bike just picking up speed. I hit 50mph after one mile, and was over 60mph with three to go. I thought I had a gear left, and so was trying to change into it; spent some time wrestling with the shifter and consequently swerving about, before realising I was already in top.... I blew up with two miles to go, and was just hanging on to the end, pedalling sqaures through the trap. But I was doing 67mph! I almost ran Jonathan over at the catch - a combination of brake fad and my speed perception being confused after averaging over 60mph for the last three miles. But I was absolutely buzzing, it was such a rush to go that fast! Back at the Civic centre we got the full results: Sam Whittingham, Varna Diablo: 74.689 Rob English, Kingcycle Mango: 67.37 Jan van Eijden, Whitehawk: 67.075 Bearacuda tandem: 64.93 Andrea Blaseckie, Varna Mephisto: 60.62 Double Gold Rush: 58.4 Warren Beauchamp, Barracuda: 56.489 Steve Delair: 54.96 So a new women's record for Andrea, and a new British record for me. Ellen's white bike caught the sun and the reflection confused the timing, but apparently she was doing about 57mph. Matt Weaver sadly had a lauching problem when his trolley wouldn't release, so unfortunately didn't get a run in. Sam's breathing system didn't work, and he was close to passing out due to lack of air, they are going to re-think for tomorrow. We'll be putting bigger gears on, and I've spoken to Sam about strategy, so hopefully we can crack 70mph next. |
