Last weekend was the TLI National Crit Championships at Marsh Tracks in Rhyl. I raced there right at the start of the season, so I knew what the circuit was going to be like and having done a couple of the TLI series out at Lower Withington I felt like I had a reasonable handle on the TLI set-up. This meant that I was feeling reasonably relaxed about the race, I knew there would be a bunch to ride with and it probably wouldn't end up split up all ver the circuit like the Palatine race. Having seen a start list I also knew that there were only 3 women entered into the race - which was both good and bad! Good because it meant less competition and bad for the same reason! Heather entered and said she was coming along to help me out - which she promptly did early in the race by sitting on the front of the bunch and setting a good tempo for a couple of laps and letting me sit in behind and shelter from some considerable wind. Shortly after this a small group nipped off into a breakaway and I didn't react quick enough. I did try and bridge across but I think I'm learning quickly that I struggle to have enough power for long enough to get across. I'm fine if I go straight away, or I get a tow at least part of the way but not when I've left it a few seconds too long. So, I was not best pleased with myself and stranded myself in no-mans land for a while until I got swallowed back up by the pack. I then knew what I had to do, stay off the front for as much time as possible and keep a close eye on the other woman in the bunch. Vicky Thomas who may a few years older than me, but has been racing for an awful lot longer and has her ex-pro husband for getting all the top tips! (Phil Thomas - who incidentally won the previous category race)
Andy was along to support and I could see he was getting slightly agitated and concerned that I was doing too much/not keeping tabs on Vicky. This was demonstrated by a pointing at his eyes signal as I went through the start/finish line. Little did he know that I was actually feeling good, and in control of the situation - I knew that Vicky was sat behind me and following me around, but I was making sure that I was tucked in behind whoever was in front and I was finding the pace pretty easy. The lap board came out - 5 to go. Right I said to myself - "come on Taylor" this is yours for the taking! My major concern was that that I was going to get stranded on the front of the bunch too early. The last lap came around and I was still second wheel - then a tall chap in Graham Weigh kit came past onto the front with Vicky latched onto his wheel - I could hardly believe my luck - this meant she was going to lead me out for the sprint. I jumped straight onto her wheel and as we accelerated through the final corner into the finish straight and the headwind I had to make myself stay tucked in. Don't go yet, don't go yet I said and then I could see I only had a 150m left and I pulled out, channelling my inner Cavendish, I out down as much power as I could muster - came along side, seemed to hover a second and then shot past and over the finish line to win the sprint from the group and in the process the National Champs jersey!!
Andy, Fred and Heather were jumping up and down and cheering - thanks for the support!
So, yes in my secret list of ambitions for the season, this was up there and as it turned out was totally achievable - tick number 2 for the season!
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| Not just a jersey - a medal too! |
Monday saw me pinning a number on again but this time for a Club 10 time trial. Now, I have an uneasy relationship with time trials so far - I find that my mind starts to wander whilst I'm riding and that means that I don't perhaps concentrate as much as I need to on making the pedals go round faster. I've only done 10 milers - I can't even imagine how bad I'd be on a 25 or 50. But anyway what I realise is that if I can get better at doing a concentrated effort for a time trial it can only help me to get better at racing - see above for not being any good at bridging across to a breakaway!
So I have started the time trial season with a positive attitude and the will to get a faster time than last year. I think I'm fitter and stronger but maybe I'm just better at sitting behind people and getting them to do all the work? Time trials are as they say the "Race of Truth" and the truth hurts! Last week was my first outing and the conditions were less than perfect. The thunderstorm that had affected central Manchester missed the Cheshire plain and the sun was shining out at Chelford unfortunately it was both chilly and windy. The standard headwind breeze was more a damn sight stiffer than usual. Ah well good to get a rubbish time in at the start of the year and having ridden the extra long way out I was treating it as a training ride. I set off and settled into the ride and by the time I got back to the finish I'd only been overtaken by 1 person - which I thought was pretty good going. My time was 1 second slower than last years best (which was 28:04)- can't complain about that. So this week I rode out the direct route, the wind was the standard head-breeze and the temperature was much higher. I signed on behind a chap on a fixed gear steel frame, wearing what appeared to be Ron Hills - now surely I thought to myself I stood a chance of actually catching someone?! I tried really hard to concentrate and I managed to catch the chap just after the turn for home. Right I said to myself, this is it, keep pushing don't relax now you've caught him. So I pushed on and had perfect luck on Chelford roundabout, clicked up a gear and really went for it on the last stretch. I felt like I'd gone quicker but it's so hard to know. I don't have a computer on my bike at the moment so I literally hadn't the faintest idea, I had to wait for the official timekeeper. Eventually they turned up and I went to look at the timesheet - 28:56??? Is that an 8 I asked? Oh no, sorry we nearly gave you a 20:56 - it's a 6!
26:56??? Oh my goodness!! I practically bounced back across the carpark to tell Andy my time. I couldn't believe it 1minute and 8 seconds quicker and well below my target time. So yes, here is confession 3, I'd wanted to go below 27:30 at the start of the season - looks like I might have to up (or should that be down) that target.
This is a little bit of footage from week 1 - why does it always feel like you are trying really hard and your legs are spinning and yet this makes it look like I'm out on a sunday club run?!
More random excitement followed the next day but I'll get around to that tomorrow or something!
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