I arrived at the HQ in Dunchurch in very good time and signed on. I then sat in the car listening to F1 qualifying and the Test Match for a while. It was very hot so I had the air conditioning on to stay cool.
After a while, Roland Smythe parked next to me. He is the guy who I bought the Omega TT bike off. We chatted and he told me how he had done 24.58 here last year, going under 25 minutes for the first time. That would be nice, if unlikely I thought.
With about 40 minutes until my start time (of 3.04) I set off on a few miles warm up. I'd had a caffeine Lucozade and a bit of carb with around an hour to go and checked I was well hydrated. My stomach was a bit upset however which made me doubt even more whether I'd go well.
After about 5 miles I made my way the final 1.3 miles to the start, a layby on the A45 just off the roundabout where the A45 meets the M45.
I lined up and a rider pulled up next to me saying snap. The Wrekinsport kit was virtually identical to the Rugby RCC kit and a lot of guys were doing a double take.
Soon I was off. My plan had been to get to the turn above 24mph if I could and then try and cling on to the average time on the (slightly uphill) return. I soon found that I was above 24mph average. The small amount of wind was a bit behind and I was going well. I crossed the first roundabout with no delays and then hit the sharpish downhill before the roundabout at the turn. My average was 26.7mph!
I was chuffed but knew the return would be harder. I climbed the sharpish bit and the guy behind me came past. I kept going and my average was slipping but not as quickly as I'd expected. The minutes ticked away and I was still ahead. The final 1/3 of a mile was off the main road and I thought I'd be baulked by a car in my lane approaching the roundabout. Luckily I was able to not slow down and saw that the minute was approaching - but it was the 24th minute not the 25th or 26th! I kept pushing hard and saw the chequered flag board. I pushed harder and stopped my timer on 24:26 which I reckoned made me a 24:24.
I rode back easily and allowed my heart rate to return to normal. I went into the HQ and it was very efficient. The times were being radioed back and put onto the pc which was projecting onto the wall. It confirmed my 24:24. I was stunned.
I stayed to see the male and female winners get their cups and then headed home. Looks as though I'd beaten my LTS (PB) by more than anyone else so I should be getting my first ever cycling prize - a £15 cheque. Think I might frame it.
So it just goes to show. Don't pre-judge, especially based on a road bike ride. Also, keep believing you can ride faster, because you probably can.
I now have to re-think my goals because I've just blitzed what I planned to aim for next year. I guess my target now is a long 23 next year. Ouch, that means I will have to start interval training at 26.1 mph pace. Happy days