We signed in and they were giving out some freebies - so we picked up a High % bidon, a set of musettes and a book, Raleigh 125 Years. Result!
We rode off and did a couple of miles warm up which ended up as a bit of a waste of time because the schedule was running behind and we sat at the track entry for what seemed like ages waiting to get on.
As a few drops of rain started hitting us and the dark clouds were rolling in, we got on the track. I remembered that last time my fastest lap was the warmup, and I took it a touch steadier. We lined up and the race started. The report says there was a full field of 50.
I caught and passed a few people and got to the back of a group of 6 or so. The guy in front lost the wheel ahead and a gap opened. I was already deep in the red and couldn't push past him to get on. I went past and began trying to chase down the group. I caught one guy and thought great, we can work together. He faded and dropped off me. I caught one more guy and he then pulled off at the exit.
This left me 50 yards behind the group which was probably the one I'd ridden in last time. I kept station with them for a couple of laps which was really hard, particularly in the strong wind. Then the group started inching away from me. I can see on Strava that my times dipped about this time. In fact overall, most laps were about 12 seconds slower than I did in Race 1. I'm not sure if that was the wind, or riding on my own or a bit of both.
Just before the 30 minutes was up, the pack caught me. This meant I would be pulled out at the 5 laps sign with all those who had been lapped. I could see Ian, Trev and Gemma ahead and pushed to try and catch and lap them. I got to about 50 yards behind but then reached the start / finish line and we were pulled out. As Ian said, if I'd got closer, he would have buried himself to stop me passing :)
So, a bit disappointing this time. But no matter. I'll be back for more in 2 weeks time, having cleaned my cleats and practiced cleating in under pressure.